Beat Tape planning... How do YOU do yours?

I ask this because recently I decided to put together a 10 track beat tape. what I did was picked out 10 records all from my dollar bin searches, then 7 records from which was more than a buck but I wanted to sample and flip from. wrote them all down on cut up index cards. I matched these 17 records with all my break records (coincidentally 17) and tossed them into the bag as well. Shook the bag up, and started pulling (like a lottery).

I would pull the records and the 10 I pulled for the beat tape I matched with break records and did the same for the 7 which I will purpose as a EP.

Just wondering, what are your methods for choosing how to steer a tape?

I initially wanted to code a program which had a random-selection feature in which I fed the program/input with all the records, and categorized them as "BeatTape" "EP" & "BreakRecords" and then have the program generate a list of matches similar to how I did physically but my Coding/Programming knowledge is not that well versed to do just that yet.

Also, how do you dictate what theme the tape will have? I ask this due to the fact I want this tape to be themed but I am having a difficult time of figuring out what to do. I am leaning close and hard on a "Johnny Mnemonic" themed tape. but what I also may do is listen to some of the source vinyl I have ('weird' shit like "How to communicate effectively", "Yoga Instruction", Dr. Suess, etc.) and see if I can't find an underlying theme central to all the interesting samples and then do it that way.

Just brain storming trying to get ideas and share em as well.

shank carvin wrote:I dunno man just chop the sample and hit the pads...dont think about it so much

shank carvin wrote:

shank carvin wrote:I dunno man just chop the sample and hit the pads...dont think about it so much

respect.

Seriously tho i just take a few beats i like that sound good together/similar and maybe add some vocal samples or movie quotes to add to a theme or whatever

shank carvin wrote:Seriously tho i just take a few beats i like that sound good together/similar and maybe add some vocal samples or movie quotes to add to a theme or whatever

Yea, I can dig that. Im trying to figure how to create a themed tape that is pieced together flawlessly and sounds like a story from beginning to end.

A theme is what you need. A theme is what puts the listener through the motions and gives them a roller coaster ride. The thing is to keep the theme going until the end.

I always go for an apocalyptic theme but on a street level.

Ill-Green wrote:A theme is what you need. A theme is what puts the listener through the motions and gives them a roller coaster ride. The thing is to keep the theme going until the end.

I always go for an apocalyptic theme but on a street level.

I can dig that

Comrade wrote:

big difference to me between instrumental album and a "beat tape"

instro album should be themed and be like a musical journey - as stated above

beat tape is 30 to 40 1.30 long beats with no cohesion, purely for showcasing?


depends what your aim is, mang

shank carvin wrote:Seriously tho i just take a few beats i like that sound good together/similar and maybe add some vocal samples or movie quotes to add to a theme or whatever

this is pretty good, similar to what i did for mine!

I've always thought about doing this as either a beat battle challenge or just to challenge myself.
Make a beat. Then the next beat take a sample from that previous beat ( One shot, a kick, snare...) and incorporate it into the next one..... Then the next beat take something from the previous two and so on and so on.

I've always thought this would be fun to do. I'd like to pull it off to where you would be hard pressed to figure it out without being told it was even done intentionally. Has anyone here ever thought of doing this or have done it?

Dan L wrote:I've always thought about doing this as either a beat battle challenge or just to challenge myself.
Make a beat. Then the next beat take a sample from that previous beat ( One shot, a kick, snare...) and incorporate it into the next one..... Then the next beat take something from the previous two and so on and so on.

I've always thought this would be fun to do. I'd like to pull it off to where you would be hard pressed to figure it out without being told it was even done intentionally. Has anyone here ever thought of doing this or have done it?

I like that concept, that's a pretty dope idea. and I am unaware of anyone doing this, but it could be out there somewhere.

I domt really see the point in a concept that youll need to explain to it should be something that translates through the music and requires minimal (if any) written explanation...i mean whos gonna know or care about your "vinyl lottery" or dans "borrowed beat" concept youd have to write down what the process was cos to a listener it would just sound like some beats