Hook Composition 01

To create catchy melodies, all you have to do is play an instrument, and channel your creativity. Easy right? Sure. The hard part is paving the way for that creativity. So, how do you pave the way for that creativity and compose compelling melodies? Let’s take a look at melody composition using basic musical exercises as a starting point. Read more

Top Beat Boxing Mics

Have you ever wondered which mics are best for beat boxing? We’ve got the answers. Whatever your price range, there is a perfect microphone for the job. Most up’n'coming producers begin building their studio with an all-purpose large diaphragm condenser, like the Rode NT-2, but when you want your homie to beat box, havin’ a condenser Read more

Recording Acoustic Guitar 01

Understanding how and how not to record acoustic guitar is critical knowledge for a producer in any field of music. First let us say that an acoustic guitar almost always sounds better through a microphone, but noise, and other culprits can often force a producer to plug directly into a hi-z input. Thus, Hit Talk’s first guitar recording tip deals with plugging the Read more

Remixing with Slice Plugins

Slicing tools like Propellerheads Reason’s Dr. Rex player, and FL Studio 8’s Slicex plugin are powerful remixing tools. With either of these tools in your arsenal, your creativity is limitless. Both programs slice up songs or beats into tiny pieces that can be re-triggered. In the Dr. Rex player, as well as in Slicex, each pulse within a beat or song is Read more

Subwoofer Magic in FL Studio

Subwoofers are a respectable medium of creativity. Urbanites might respectfully disagree, but we maintain that the subwoofer is a unique creative medium for the most inventive of Hip Hop production. If you appreciate sound design, this tip article is for you. Let’s give you an idea of what we’re talking about. The introduction to “Bring me to Life” by Read more

So Sick - Learn Hook, Effects, Mix

Ne-Yo singles mesmerize listeners with the sheer power of their emotion. What’s Ne- Yo’s secret, why are his songs so captivating? Because they are built with class, with production elements implemented so well they instantly warrant Billboard placement. Read more

What You Know - Learn Mix, Hook, Vocals

TI’s What You Know triumphs as a showcase of producer Toomp’s compositional skill and production mastery. This hit song sets fire to the eardrums of its listeners with devastating assaults of brass, bass, and seasoned producer Read more

With You - Learn Chords, Vocals, Mix

Chris Brown’s With You is a stirring masterpiece of music production. Why? Due to its genius of mixing subtlety, vocal production prowess, and captivating chord structure. Hit Talk provides production insight Read more

Rucker’s Brave New Ruckus

Producer Name: Shameen Rucker
Producer Beats: Preview 1, Preview 2
Location: Albany, NY

Co-founder of A Braver Sound (ABS), Shameen Rucker is a Bronx native living in Albany whose production skills rival the best up-n-coming producers. His musicality and intuitive grasp of groove and beat-making form the foundation of a promising future, and landed him a well deserved spot in Hit Talk’s first Producer Spotlight. Hit Talk first learned of Rucker through his placement in the ModernBeats $2000 beat contest. We caught up with Shameen by phone in Albany and learned about his approach to music Read more