How to Make a Funk Type Beat in Soundtrap

By: Rebecca Miller aka DJ REBEXX

BUILDING BEATS WORKSHOP LEADER & MUSIC PRODUCER MISHA “SILKY” SAVAGE SHOWS HOW TO CREATE A FUNK TYPE BEAT, USING THE FREE BROWSER-BASED MUSIC PRODUCTION PROGRAM SOUNDTRAP. YOU CAN ACCESS SOUNDTRAP ON YOUR LAPTOPS, PHONES, AND IPADS USING THE CHROME BROWSER.

Misha begins by showing you all of the elements of this beat. Notice that there are 5 different rhythm instrument tracks and 4 different harmonic melodic tracks.

Misha starts off with the Clean Red drum kit in Soundtrap for the first rhythm instrument.  It has an acoustic sound and the pattern throughout is a simple, four-on-the-floor pattern with Snares on the two and the four and a Hi-hat on every quarter note.

Next Misha adds some fills with a Crash on the downbeat. The second half of the first part of breakdown also has a simple four-on-the-floor pattern.

Misha programmed each one of the drum fills but you can find fills in the Soundtrap library to give the track the authentic funk sound. Changing fills also helps denote a change in section throughout the track.

Near the end of the track, the fill becomes an open hi-hat pattern along with a snare doing a classic pattern. At the very end, the snare hits on the one and replaces the kick. The crash and open hat at the end are added to signal the finale.

Another percussive element that Misha adds is the Funky Conga loop from the Soundtrap library. Misha uses this for the breakdown and the double chorus because it gives the track a nice and funky sound.

Misha also adds a Hand Clap on the two and the four. The sample came with reverb, which gives length to the clap sound, and is essential for funk.

Next Misha adds a Finger Snap that comes in starting at the breakdown and continues throughout the track on the two and the four.

A Just Raw Cow Bell element comes in at the end, on every quarter note, with some reverb effect added to it.

That outlines all the percussive elements in the track.

Now, for the harmonic and melodic elements.

Misha starts with the bass and uses the Lit Bass synth, pure, with no effects. He begins with the C pentatonic minor scale and uses this melody going into the chorus.  The melody is played with notes from the C pentatonic minor scale. In the verse, the bass holds onto B♭ before going into the chorus.  He uses ascending notes for the bridge and that continues until the end. The bass is syncopated with a lot of 16th notes and this adds a groove to the track.

Next he adds a Clavinet, with some effects removed, for a funky sound. The clavinet nicely harmonizes with the bass.

The next element is a pad called the Duke in Berlin string pad. This is used to echo the clavinet but some notes are held longer to be less percussive. This technique adds heft to the chorus and gives an aggressive sound that Misha likes.

Also added is the Gospel Organ and it comes in halfway through breakdown. During the chorus, it doubles the string pad and clavinet but has its own moment as well during the breakdown. It then follows the rest of the instruments for the rest of song.  Misha adds effects with a slight reverb effect and High-cut filter.  

And that’s it and it’s pretty funky. If you want to make it funkier, you can add chucking 16th note guitar sounds or more percussion. Whatever you add should fit in while still allowing for spaces in between notes for the classic funk sound.

Add some compression and it's done.

“Happy beat making y’all.” -Misha

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