How To Make A J.Dilla Type Beat In Sound Trap

BUILDING BEATS WORKSHOP LEADER & MUSIC PRODUCER VAUGHN LEVI WALKS US THROUGH HOW TO MAKE A J.DILLA TYPE BEAT, USING SOUNDTRAP.

In this video above, Vaughn demonstrates step-by-step how to achieve the J.Dilla sound without using any samples. Dilla is beloved for his jazzy melodies and live drum sequences. With these techniques, you will be able to create custom chord progressions as well as program drums like a live drummer!

First, Vaughn begins with creating the melodies for the track using a free website Chord Player designed by One Motion. This site allows the user to create custom melodies and chords with a few clicks. To achieve a jazzy Dilla signature sound, Vaughn begins with choosing the scale, F Major. Major chords tend to evoke happy emotions in the listener; the chords that were used in the hook section of the beat are the following: Fm7, Gm7, Abmaj7, Bb7, Fm7, Gm7, Abmaj7, Dm7b5

Vaughn drags each chord into the chord progression editor and then changed the Duration from 4 beats to 2 beats. Duration is the number of beats the chord will be held. He changed the duration by clicking on the edit button on the chord player and changing the default number of 4 beats to 2.

He continues by dragging each progression into the editor and manually switches the duration of each chord.

Once this process is complete, Vaughn exports the chord progression as a MIDI file. MIDI is short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. This is a digital language that connects instruments, computers, and audio devices. Vaughn uses MIDI to translate the chord progression from Chord Player to Soundtrap.

*Note there are two parts of this progression; he creates a hook and verse section in F Major.

Once the MIDI files are exported, Vaughn uploads the progressions in Soundtrap.

The chord player provides bass notes in each progression, which makes it easy to create basslines. First, Vaughn opens a new instrument track and chooses a bass guitar. Then by holding the ALT key on the PC he drags the MIDI file to the bass track. If you are a Mac user this process can be done by using the Option key.

Next, Vaughn hovers over the MIDI progression and clicks on the edit notes tab, then highlights and deletes the chord section and leaves the bass notes.

This beat is very minimal - Dilla’s approach to making beats was "less is more.” Now that the chords and bass are in sequence, Vaughn opens up Patterns Beatmaker to create the drum track.

Patterns Beatmaker is a drum machine emulator that allows the user to program drum patterns. Beatmaker has three options available to program drums: Patterns, which is the default option when it first opened, Instrument, and Piano Roll. To achieve the live drummer effect, Vaughn choose Instrument. The Instrument option gives the user the option to record drums freely by using the computer keyboard.

For a classic Boom Bap sound, Vaughn choose the Lo-Fi kit which is almost spot on to drums Dilla would use.

Now, before Vaughn records the drum, he first turns on the Metronome on the bottom of the screen. A metronome is used to mark time as well as being a rhythm indicator. For instance, jazz drummers have a lazy style to the way they play the drums so while they keep the metronome to be somewhat in time, they can deviate from it as well. The metronome keeps Vaughn in time while he records his drum tracks.

*Note the BPM (beats per minute) for J.Dilla type beats usually range between 84-100

After arming the metronome Vaughns records a drum pattern by tapping the A key on the computer keyboard.

Next, Vaughn fills in the empty percussion space with a snare and clap. Then finally he finishes off the pattern with a hi hat from the Lo-Fi kit.

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And there you have it - how to make a J.Dilla type beat in Soundtrap If you enjoyed this tutorial, please be sure to like, subscribe and follow us on all social media platforms @BuildingBeats!

You can also visit our Toolbox to learn how to create more beats on DAWs like Soundtrap, and be sure to check out some of our other How-To videos!