Making R&B beats with just one VSTi plugin and stock drums Beat Production Master Class (Click "Check Next Availability"): www.mkwmedia.c... Instagram: / melotheproducer Facebook: / melowriterproducer
I grew as a musician when I realized that there are no bad sounds in any device, just a lac of knowledge on how to use them and that gets conquered easily with play time. Love the concepts you cover on your channel Bro!✊🏿💯
A lot of producers simply lack the technical skill to execute what they’re hearing in their heads. You inspired me to get up and practice my scales and chord progressions. Well done bro,
Thanks fam. That's the truth. I'm meeting so many real music lovers who just don't know where to start learning, but have great ideas. When that passion for music meets ability (to execute), some amazing music's going to come out. You got it bro. Check out this series ("R&B Beats Made Simple") if you haven't already. There are a couple videos in there that might help you and I'll be adding more soon. Thanks again bro. 🙏🏽✊🏽
I swear, the problem is not always with the equipment you have. You always just have to get great ideas and spark inspiration whether it's from a song, an artist, music producer, heck even life experiences. You dropped some great gems on this video Melo! 🙏🔥
Thanks lil bro. Exactly. It's all about the inspiration. And I'll add motivation to that because sometimes, we just need to motivate ourselves to get to it even when we're not inspired. Sometimes, it's the sounds that will inspire, but we have to actually get to the sounds first. Very well stated. Thanks again bro - I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏽✊🏽
I think you're a special individual and your words of encouragement are much needed. Challenge yourself to make a beat with one plugin/ stock plugins. Homie, I've been trying to figure out how to do those organ key slides you do.. There is genius in limitations! Michael.
Wow - That really means a lot brother. I'll have a video up soon explaining that chord slide process. (There's a little bit of it in this one, but it can be a little different, depending on which VSTi you're using.) And I love that - "There is genius in limitations!" I might have to quote you on that one. Thanks for your kind words bro. 🙏🏽✊🏽
Thanks brother. Yeah man...I'm trying to help us get rid of all the excuses so we can just sit down and do what we love. I slept on XPand 2 for a minute man. Glad you enjoyed the video bro. 🙏🏽✊🏽
You have phenomenal talent. This song alone is better than any of the 90s R and B I grew up listening to. Your use of counter melodies is what really sets you apart. And the way you fluctuate the pitch and modulation on the fly like a saw. (Literal saw with a violin bow)
Wow - Thanks fam. Those are some big words. I really appreciate it. Yeah, the pitch bend really allows you to express yourself once you get a feel for it. I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏽✊🏽
You can make beats with minimal equipment. I would recommend doing just that while you develop in building melodies, harmonies, rhythm, song structure, and your particular sound. You may find that particular gear, DAWs, and methods suit your individual, particular way of working. Then get those items that augment the way you work. It may mean you’re already good. It may mean you need to switch DAWs. It may mean you need more VSTs. It may mean you a synth. You can make good music with a minimalistic step up. Try that first to determine if/what you need to add to the mix.
Well said my brother. That's exactly my recommendation. Find a core set of sounds, whether that's XPand 2, Analog Lab, Komplete, or something similar. Then, after learning the limitations of those foundational sounds, add things as needed. That way, you'll know exactly what you have, how to use it, and what you need. Then you won't feel so "spoiled" when buying new gear - You're only buying things you'll really use. Thanks for sharing bro. 🙏🏽✊🏽
Once again , so smooth. That 1st beat reminds me of the 90s indeed , good times. Thats something i noticed about having same sounds. Im a beginner and tought many sample packs would help me out , but all it does is taking allot of my time picking sounds. I need to make some go to drumkits out of those packs for different genres. Maybe make 2 or 3 banks per drumkit genre. A good kick is a good kick
Thanks brother. Yep - I totally agree with everything you said. It seems like having too many sounds can actually slow you down. Sometimes, we just need to scroll through some sounds that we already have and just see what we like. If we like a sound, stop scrolling and start creating instead of looking for a better sound. And yeah - A good kick is a good kick - Well said. Thanks again bro. 🙏🏽✊🏽
Whew, bro! I can't decide between each of the two beats which is more fire! The second beat is more of something in my style, but the first beat felt like a nice summer cookout! I thought of Musiq Soulchild as you were building it up. Today's video is how I normally create - I only have a 61 key MIDI, my DAW (FL Studio), and a few VST's, including XPand2. After producing for some time, we'll all have a particular drum kit(s) we go to. For example, I always use chimes and risers in my beats to signify a transition to another part of the beat. I remember leaving a comment on one of your past videos about XPand2! I got it for $1 on Plugin Boutique years ago, and to this day, I feel its worth its weight and gold more than other well known VST's (won't say their names) that were (in my ears) overhyped. I've definitely made some beats using most, if not all sounds from XPand2. I'm gonna dig through the presets in my next cookup - I normally use Lounge Lizard for rhodes, but that preset you used in XPand sounded so lush.. it reminds me of the rhodes used on a Tyrese song called 'Make Love.' I love the rhodes on that record.
Thanks bro! I can definitely hear that first one at a summer cookout. Yep, I remember you talking about XPand2. I got it for free with my old MPC Touch, so I didn't really see the value in it at first (because I already had so many VSTs). But Xpand2 really could cost waaaay more. And yeah, totally agree about the drums. Bro, that song by Tyrese is so fire. I could listen to that rhodes (and song) all day. Thanks again bro. I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙏🏽✊🏽
Always like to remind folks, a lot of us started with those fl studio no save trials. A lot of times those limitations are what makes creativity and magic shine through. Become a master of your tools, don't let them master you! Great example right here 🔥
MELO BRO!!! Yep, true words. Although the extra Vst's and plugins do help with a wider array of sounds and patches, you don't need it to make tracks. Inspiration and creativity will get you far. Fire 🔥🔥tracks as usual my bro!! Shaka'z Up!!!🤙🏾🤙🏾
I appreciate it brother! Yep - I agree 💯%. I won't be making beats with only one VST on a regular basis because sure, there are other VSTs that are better for specific sounds. But I am very impressed with how solid this old VST is as a foundation. Thanks again bro. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Shaka'z Up my brother! 🙏🏽✊🏽
After awhile I realize I had every sound I ever heard and wanted including drum machine sounds. It goes without saying, LEARN YOUR GEAR THAT YOU HAVE and that includes your sounds. TPain created majority of hits with Logic only. So did Erykah Badu. What stops you isn’t the tool(s), it’s your knowledge on how to use those tools. G.A.S. has held back many great music makers I know. I just listened to a song I did back in 2005… I did it in Cubase SX using a sample loop and every instrument was from one plugin called Luxonix including a electric guitar solo that blows my mind!! The dynamics were again done with Cubase too.
Totally love this video as I absolutely relate to everything about it. All I had was 49-keys, Cubase 8, GrooveAgent and Halion sonic… today all I've upgraded to is 88-keys, an MPC studio, Arturia V synths, Roland cloud (including Zenology) and the Korg collection.
I appreciate it bro. Yeah, it can be hard to find the balance between creating what we're inspired to create and what listeners want to hear - Especially when we're working with artists (or making tracks we hope artists will like). I think that's a struggle, or at least a concern for every producer. But at some point, we have to do what we love. That might be easier said than done. But if creating music is what we love, we should be free to create what's in us, at least sometimes. I think the perfect situation is when we find that community of people who love what we do and we're free to just be ourselves. You got it bro. Keep pushing! 🙏🏽✊🏽
Your doing something most 1 finger musicians can't do They rely on chord and bassline generators and loop packs to create. You actually play chords, basslines and guitar parts and stuff. Used to be a strength. Real talent seems to be regulated to youtube channels and tutorials today. You should be charting, for real, with mad colabs with top vocalists💥
I appreciate it my brother. My hope is that as technology begins to make creativity obsolete, we can still encourage some to begin to our continue to truly create. Thanks again bro. I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙏🏾✊🏾
Great!, now I've gotta go buy Air Expand 2, j/k 😄. It's a good sounding VST and I have considered getting it, but I thought it was too pricey - think I was confusing it with Nexus. I agree, all the sounds are very good and the strings are really nice. A very good demonstration of what can be done with one VST. BTW, that turn around you did coming out of the bridge in the first beat around 8:08 - yes sir, that was sweet!
😂 Thanks bro. I got it for free with my old MPC Touch, but they have sales on it on a regular. (I see it for about $30 at a few different stores.) It's one of those few VSTs I actually think at least every one starting out should have. Not trying to sound like a salesman, but I really do think it's just that underrated. Thanks again my brother. 🙏🏾✊🏾
Another quality video really enjoyed this. I wanted to ask if you could do a video about writing music. Writing an and b sections. Intros chorus etc. thanks for the content
@@melotheproducer I mean that in your videos you build a track so effortlessly. I struggle getting out of that 8bar loop. You add song sections and instrument layers in real time and it’s awesome. I was thinking that you going through your workflow of writing a track would be super helpful. So how you write intros verses chorus etc. I guess another video is how you select your sounds
Smooth and soulful, two beautiful beats with a great soundselection! 👌 You 're right, sometimes we get hyped by this plugin companies advertising their latest virtual instruments. But at the end we must be honest with ourselves and realize that we have more than needed to make the music we want. 😊 You proved it with this great video! 🫡🎶🎵
I appreciate it my brother! Well said. There's nothing wrong treating yourself to something new every once in a while, but I just personally hate having "buyer's remorse". If it can make my process faster, enhance my sound, or even just give some inspiration, I might consider a new VST. But it has to be worth it for me. Thanks again bro - I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙏🏽✊🏽
Thanks fam lol. Yeah, go ahead and get started today. You'll be surprised how far you can go in just a month. Check this video out if you haven't seen it yet: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AjSaxe8dmFs.html 🙏🏽✊🏽
I don't really use aftertouch often (intentionally), but a lot of the sounds in Xpand2 have it built in. Sometimes, I actually have to go in and turn it off or remove it because it's so drastic.
Where do you sell or lease etc.?? the tracks you put in your video Tutorials; I checked the link but haven't heard any of these songs that you use in the videos. Is there another link?
At this point, I'm working with artists more on an individual basis rather than just licensing beats. I like to hear the artist and work things out with them before licensing my tracks.
@@melotheproducer Ok cool makes since ! Should we email you for that and also are you gonna continue your Online live class after the upcoming one cause I plan on joining one of them!!
Yes, you can email me at melo@theclassicity.com or dm me on IG (@melotheproducer). I'm not sure when I'll be doing another class. The busier I get, the harder it is to get them scheduled, but I'm going to try to do another one soon.
@@gsmith11172Loom is cool too. I use it every once in a while, but not as often as I should. It has some nice presets, but I need to take a little time and tweak a few presets for myself.
@@grannypotproduction I didn't want to make this just a Cubase video. I wanted people using other DAWs to be able to relate and I know Xpand2 is something a lot of people already own or can afford.
It’s somewhat the plugins, but the bigger issue is not actually knowing how to play these instruments. You’re limited when you don’t know music theory, chord progressions, riffs, etc
I agree bro. I'm all about helping producers learn basic theory, etc. The thing is, there are a lot of people who have a true love for music and want to produce but don't know where to start. And everywhere they look, there are shortcuts saying they don't need to know anything about music. But that will severely limit a producer. Thanks for checking it out bro.
Forgive me because I don't remember where I heard this quote but this video reminded me of: Musicality first, then processing later. This is exactly what that means. You don't need fancy equipment to make phenomenal music, expensive Vst's or even the best drums. Just a love for the Musicality and you can make magic.
Edit: on top of this too: they also said if you find yourself trying to add too many effects, it's probably because you need to fix something musically, no effect can make something bad sound great
