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Beat Production

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About Beat Production


The days are long gone when DJing just meant running a couple of decks and a mixer, and even modern DJ performance systems have started incorporating electronic music production elements. Today, beat production can mean anything from creating tracks for DJs to spin to manipulating a tabletop full of synth modules to come up with new beats and grooves in front of a live crowd. No matter where or how you like to produce, Sweetwater has the sequencers, synths, samplers, and more that you need.


Traditionally, beat production began with a sampler or drum machine, such as the legendary Akai MPC series. The MPC series has continued to evolve and grow in the company of many other modern drum machines and samplers. Like the rest of the DJ gear Sweetwater carries, we’ve found the most popular sampling beat-production setups are software/hardware hybrids, many of which bring together DAW-style flexibility and hands-on control. The most popular options from Akai, Ableton, Native Instruments, and Novation all tie into software platforms that let you easily create complete, performance-ready tracks.


On the standalone side, companies including Korg and Elektron make excellent, all-hardware samplers and drum machines. Some of these hardware samplers and drum machines double as independent sequencers, making them ideal central hubs for tabletop synth rigs. The rise of Eurorack modular synthesis and other modern analog synth technology that uses control voltage (CV) rather than MIDI has made standalone sequencers extremely important once again for live electronic music production. Depending on how you build your beat production system, you may or may not need a sequencer.


Alternatively, a solid MIDI controller will let you tap into the full creative potential of your favorite soft synths and virtual instruments. If your beat production system is mostly in the box, then we’d recommend checking out our selection of MIDI controllers. Full-size controller keyboards are perfect for studio production. In contrast, compact pad controllers such as Novation’s Launchpad series are just what you need to work your laptop into your live performance rig.


If you have any questions or want to learn more about the beat production products that Sweetwater carries, then don’t hesitate to check out our best MIDI keyboard controllers article or to reach out to our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700. Our Sales Engineers will lead you to the beat production product that best fits your needs.


 
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