Bought a Beat? How to Set It Up for Recording

You bought a beat, the download is in your inbox and you want to start recording. Take ten minutes to set up your project first. It saves you hassle later with timing, levels and lost files.

1. Download everything and keep it in one place

Download the files that come with your license right away. Make a folder for the song with the beat, your license and your receipt in it. Give the folder a clear name, like the title of your song.

2. Find the BPM and the key

Tempo and key not listed with the beat? Check them with the free Beat Lab. You need the BPM for your project, and the key is handy if you use autotune or pitch correction.

3. Set the project tempo before you import

Open a new project in your DAW and set the tempo to the BPM of the beat. Do this before you bring the beat in. That way the grid lines up with the beat, and cutting, copying and punching in later is easy.

4. Put the beat on bar 1

Drag the beat to the start of the project, exactly on bar 1. Got trackouts? Put every stem on the same starting point so they play in sync. Play a bit and check that the kick lands on the grid. How to count your verse and hook in bars after that? Read what a bar is in rap.

5. Make room for your voice

A bought beat is often already mastered and loud. Turn the beat track down a bit, so your voice can sit on top later and your mix doesn't clip right away. You're not changing the beat itself, just its level in your project.

6. Set up your vocal tracks

Create a track for your lead, and separate tracks for doubles and ad-libs if you want them. Name them right away. Check that your mic comes in without distortion and do a short test recording with the beat playing.

7. Save it as a template

Everything set? Save the project. You can also save it as a template, so next time you only need to swap the beat. Want a vocal chain ready to go too? Grab the free vocal chain cheat sheet.

No beat yet? Browse all beats.

FAQ

Does my project need the same BPM as the beat?

It makes life a lot easier. The grid lines up with the beat, so you can cut and move takes cleanly.

Why does my voice sound quiet next to the beat?

Bought beats are often mastered loud. Turn the beat track down a bit in your project and your voice gets more room.

What do I do with trackouts?

Put every stem on bar 1 so they play in sync. Group them if you like, so you can turn the whole beat up or down at once.