Trap metal is a fusion of two powerful music genres: trap and metal. The genre has exploded in popularity thanks to its aggressive energy and unique blend of heavy beats and hard-hitting rhythms. If you want to make trap metal beats, this article will guide you through the process from start to finish. Whether you’re new to music production or a seasoned producer, you can use these tips to create hard-hitting, energetic beats that reflect the power of trap metal.
What Is Trap Metal?
Trap metal blends the dark, chaotic elements of metal music with the hard-hitting bass and rhythms of trap. It’s a hybrid genre that uses the aggressive and intense feel of metal, often with distorted guitar riffs, fast tempos, and powerful drums, and fuses it with the heavy 808 basslines, snappy hi-hats, and rapid-fire snares of trap.
Trap metal artists, like $uicideboy$, XXXTentacion, and Ghostemane, have popularized this genre. These beats often feature gritty, raw sounds that resonate with listeners who enjoy both trap and metal music.
So, how do you create beats for such a genre? Let’s break it down step by step.
Tools You Need to Make Trap Metal Beats
Before jumping into the production process, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need. The most important tool is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Popular DAWs include FL Studio, Ableton Live, and Logic Pro.
These programs give you the flexibility to manipulate sound and structure your beats. You’ll also need some essential plugins and sound libraries that specialize in metal and trap elements.
Essential Plugins for Trap Metal Production:
808 Plugins: These are critical for creating deep bass sounds.
Guitar Amp Simulators: Use these to add distortion and metal-style guitar tones to your tracks.
Drum Kits: Look for metal drum kits and trap drum kits to have a mix of both genres.
Synth Plugins: These add atmospheric layers and eerie tones to your beats.
Step 1: Set Up Your DAW and Choose the Right Tempo
The tempo of your beat will play a significant role in the overall feel of the track. Trap metal usually ranges from 140 to 170 BPM, making it fast and energetic. The high BPM helps match the aggressive style of metal and trap.
Once you’ve opened your DAW, set the tempo to something within that range. 160 BPM is a great starting point if you want a fast, intense track.
Step 2: Create Your Drum Patterns
Drums are the backbone of any trap metal beat. This genre demands hard-hitting, punchy drums that drive the energy of the track. Here’s how to build the right drum pattern:
Kick Drum
Start by laying down your kick drum. A heavy, deep kick is essential for trap metal. You can layer 808 kicks with traditional trap kicks to create a massive low-end sound. Make sure the kick is punchy and in sync with the tempo of the track.
Snares and Claps
For the snare, choose a snare sound with a sharp attack. You want it to be snappy and aggressive, so it cuts through the mix. Add a clap on top of the snare to enhance the intensity.
Hi-Hats and Percussion
Hi-hats in trap metal are often fast and choppy, resembling the rapid-fire sound of metal blast beats. You can add 1/16 or 1/32 note hi-hat rolls to give it an even more frantic feel. You can also add some additional percussion for texture, but keep the focus on the snare and kick.
Drum Patterns
To create a classic trap metal pattern, use a four-on-the-floor kick pattern with snare hits on the 2nd and 4th beats. Then, layer in rapid hi-hat rolls and percussion elements that complement the overall rhythm.
Here’s a simple example:
- Kick: 1, 3
- Snare: 2, 4
- Hi-Hats: Add rapid 1/16th notes or 1/32nd notes
- Percussion: Layer additional sounds for texture
Once you have your core drum pattern down, adjust the levels and add effects like distortion, reverb, or EQ to make sure each element stands out.
Step 3: Incorporate Guitar Sounds
One of the most defining features of trap metal is the inclusion of guitar riffs. Since you’re blending metal and trap, you’ll want to use guitar samples or a guitar VST plugin that can create heavy, distorted riffs.
Creating Riffs
Start by writing a simple metal riff using power chords and palm-muted notes. The riff should be aggressive and in sync with the rhythm of your drums. You can either record real guitar parts or use a guitar plugin to emulate the sounds. Popular plugins for metal guitar tones include Amplitube and Guitar Rig.
Once you have your guitar riff, layer it with effects like distortion, overdrive, and reverb. These effects will help give the guitars that gritty, heavy sound that is essential for metal.
Layering Guitar
In trap metal, it’s common to layer multiple guitar tracks to create a fuller sound. Use different guitar tones to add variety to the track. For example, you could add a clean guitar for contrast, or layer distorted guitars for a more massive sound.
Step 4: Add Trap Elements
While the metal elements are important, you can’t forget the trap influence in your beat. Trap elements like 808 basses, synths, and vocal chops are essential for creating that trap feel.
808 Bass
To achieve the iconic trap sound, you need to add a deep 808 bass.
This will give the track its low-end energy. Layer the 808 bass with the kick drum to create a solid foundation. You can either use a bass synth or sample to create the 808 sounds.
Synths and Atmospheric Effects
Trap metal often incorporates eerie, atmospheric sounds to create tension. Use synth pads or ambient noise to add texture to the track.
You can also use vocal chops or screaming samples for extra intensity.
Make sure these elements don’t overpower the drums and guitar but rather complement them.
Step 5: Structure Your Track
The structure of a trap metal track typically follows the traditional song layout, with intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro sections. Here’s how you can structure your track:
Intro: Start with a heavy guitar riff or ambient noise to set the mood.
Verse: Bring in your drums and bass. You can add a simple riff or looped beat during this section.
Chorus: This is where your energy peaks. Bring in full drum patterns and layered guitars to create an intense section.
Bridge: Add a breakdown, where the intensity can drop slightly before building up again.
Outro: End with a fade-out or a sudden stop to leave the listener with a sense of closure.
Remember, the song structure can vary, but this basic layout will give you a good starting point for your trap metal beat.
Step 6: Mixing and Mastering Your Track
Mixing is one of the most important parts of music production. Here are some essential tips for mixing your trap metal track:
Balance Your Levels
Make sure each element is balanced properly. The drums should be punchy, the guitars should be distorted but not overpowering, and the bass should be deep without muddying up the mix.
EQing
Use EQ to carve out space for each element. For example, cut some of the low-end from the guitars so they don’t interfere with the bass. Boost the high frequencies on the snare to make it more crisp.
Compression
Use compression to glue your sounds together, especially on the drums and bass. This helps control the dynamics of the track and gives it a polished feel.
Adding Reverb and Delay
A touch of reverb or delay can give your track depth, especially on the guitars and vocal samples. However, don’t overdo it—trap metal tracks typically have a dry, aggressive sound.
Conclusion
Making trap metal beats requires a combination of heavy, aggressive sounds and the technical skills to mix them properly. Start with hard-hitting drums, add distorted guitars, and layer in trap elements like 808 basses and eerie synths. Once you have your core track, structure it to create peaks and valleys of intensity. Finally, mix and master your track for a polished sound.
Trap metal is all about energy and chaos, so don’t be afraid to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. With these steps, you’ll be on your way to creating powerful, intense trap metal beats that will rock any listener.
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