Create beats and understand music production basics

MusicIntermediateHome

90 minutes

5 steps

·Intermediate

After 90 min: You'll produce original beats suitable for sampling or licensing.

What you need

DAW (Ableton, FL Studio, or free Reaper)MIDI controllerDrum sounds/samplesHeadphonesProduction knowledge

The 90-Minute Plan

Learn DAW basics0–15 min

Arrangement window, mixing console, transport controls. Watch tutorial videos. Muscle memory develops fast.

Create drum patterns15–35 min

4/4 time, kick and snare foundation. Hi-hats for movement. Use drum pads or grid.

Add melodic elements35–55 min

Simple bass line under drums. Pad or strings for atmosphere. Layering creates richness.

Arrange section structure55–75 min

Intro, verse, chorus, outro. 16, 32, 64 bar sections common. Variation maintains interest.

Mix and master basics75–90 min

Level balancing, EQ for clarity, compression for glue. Not perfect, but professional sounding.

Pro Tip

Study beats you love; reverse-engineer their structure. Copy then innovate.

90 min·5 steps

MusicIntermediate

After 90 min: You can combine 4-5 different audio samples into a cohesive track with proper EQ and effects.

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MusicBeginner

After 90 min: You can create an original drum beat, add bass, and layer sounds into a complete 8-bar loop.

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MusicIntermediate

After 90 min: You'll mix tracks that sound radio-ready with clarity, depth, and professional polish.

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MusicIntermediate

After 90 min: You can sing a harmony line that complements a melody while someone sings the lead.

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