What's going on with the beat process in these videos?

Fade

The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
I want to start by saying that I'm not shitting on these videos or their beats. Instead, I'm just wondering what's going on.

Check out these videos:




Now I know that the whole point of these videos is to do a speed-run to see how fast they can make a beat. But what I noticed (and the reason for this thread) is how fast they both were at using FL Studio.

So my question is - how much of this is being creative versus just knowing how to use software really well?

We're all able to use our main gear pretty quickly, but to see that first guy just click a few times then copy+paste patterns without even listening to it, it's crazy.

It's interesting to see them do it though, especially the second video in how fast he is, but is the end result a creative beat or just something generic? It's like they're just going through the motions like:
  • Bass - check
  • Drums - check
  • Melody - check
  • Quantize - check
  • Copy paste
  • Nod your head
Anyway, I thought this would be an interesting discussion.
 

Anton6

Member
Battle Points: 7
imo I think that people are trying to make everything like a video game nowadays. I watched this video a few weeks ago and was wondering who cares how fast you can make a beat? It looks like some of them just practice this for content lol but I doubt they are making a daily workflow out of it. I could see myself maybe using it as a tool for a less creative day but other than that, I need to hear what I’m doing or else it’s gonna be trash. I also don’t know how to read music and I could turn in the scales mode but still I need to hear what the fuck I’m doing lol.


Kyle beats speed run
 

Iron Keys

ILLIEN MBAPPÉ
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 704
I've not watched yet, but sounds like people who have got their preset packs and type beat process already ready to grab and drop.

I could speed make a beat in Studio One real quick. If I continued making custom kits where all things fit together, could breeze through it.

I'm assuming a lot of these are type beat style beats too which are pretty basic as it is.

My speed at doing it would be based down to familiarity with my DAW and my own workflow.

Lot of these youtube kids have downloaded templates downloaded packs downloaded midi packs etc etc.

So just drag n drop.

Might be good practise tho, do five speed runs you might end up with a good beat, rather than spending hours on multiple shit beats.
 

Fade

The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
I remember when I used to use Ableton and I ended up sort of doing the same thing where I would pencil in and then copy+paste, but then I found it to be too much of a routine. That's why I switched to an MPC so I could be more hands-on and focus on the music rather than the software.
 
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