So, recently, I bought an M1 Mac mini. Although I have access to Ableton Live 9 Suite, due to Big Sur, I can't install it on this new Mac. As a result I've been limited to Live 10 Lite. This version comes with limited plugins and tracks, see more details here https://www.ableton.com/en/live/compare-editions/

I still have live 9 Standard on my old Laptop (note Suite due to storage issues), but to be honest, the 13 inch display kind of puts me off. Also, that device has loads of plugins, sounds packs and in a nutshell, options.

Given how new the M1 technology is, a lot of companies have not yet managed to create versions compatible with my Mac. This was something I knew when I bought the Mac, however, as you'll see in this video, I also bought it for better video editing. Having more space means I can have as many Adobe Apps as I want, the most important new addition being After Effects.

I've been enjoying the lack of options due to all these factors. This beat is a product of such limitations. It may sound strange, but I feel more free now I making beats than when I had tonnes of tools at my fingertips. 

I can't see myself going back to using my old Mac to make beats for a while except to work on old projects and don't yet feel it anywhere near necessary to get Live 11 Suite. With that in mind, you'll probably be seeing a more beats made from just 8 tracks.

Enjoy x

BPM - 146
Key - D Minor

Walk Up, Talk Up

The second instalment of the Only 8 Series.

On this occasion I really wanted to work with some Middle Eastern samples (ME in MEK stands for Middle Eastern, I can''t remember what the K was for). There wasn't a whole lot of chipping involved, instead, it was more about finding samples that I felt worked together. My initial aim in terms of genre and vibe was to imitate a 4 to the floor Kaytranada feel. Somewhere along the way I settled for this kick pattern. I feel the groove really comes alive when the bass guitar enters.

When I first started doing this challenge, I never specified that all 8 tracks had to be used. Taking the time to look back, this track used 7 tracks. There was very little need for automation on this track and I managed to have the kick and snare on their own separate tracks. This beat is so simple that I have a separate track just for some ambience in the way of office chatter.

My second favourite component of this beat, after the drum pattern, is the bass. It adds some much needed bottom end to the track and the rhythmic combination of this, the drums and the first flute sample that plays throughout the first half of the track, get my head bopping! That first flute, by the way, is my second favourite element.

All the sounds I used in this track are from splice.

If you'd like to use this track, please email me at music@loucrative.com

Website on the way and tracks soon to be on popular platforms so stay tuned!

Before hitting save on this track when I first started it, Ableton crashed on me, hence the name. I’ve actually been having a lot of crash problems with Ableton recently, even on my Intel MacBook Pro with Live 9.

Either way, this beat is centred around a very simple strings loop. I wanted to leave lots of space for the character of an artist. It was very tempting to fill out this track with lots of little sounds and fx but I decided to leave it a little bare. 

Probably my favourite element to this track is the bass. Overall, I think it helps complete the naturally laid back feel of the track. In general, it’s a beat I could imagine Decap making.

I made an effort to use a few different hi hats on this tracks to add a bit more variety and bounce, I’m happy with the way they turned out.

This track really is very simple, and it’s been sitting on my Mac for most of the month. All in all, I don’t think I spend more than a week on this track. It’s been said that it’s wise not to overthink or try and overcomplicate tracks. Aside from arrangement, the elements for this track were found in about a days worth of looking. It’s worth noting that I don’t often spend the whole month working on the tracks I put out here. 

Edit: I ended up spending the last 2 days (deadline pressure) adding quite a few elements to the track. When I made the first beat of the month 2021, the time spent on the track was much more spread out across the month. This had decreased overtime as my better-under-pressure nature kicks in!

Either way, hope you enjoy.

Like if you like
Follow if you’d like to see more, including some behind the scenes breakdowns maybe?
Share with a friend!

Crash

A part of the ONLY8 series that I fell in love with after the fact

Cherry

I started this track emulating the drums from Jasmine Sullivan's 'Tragic'. From there the main piano and the rest is history.

Did I attempt to master this? Yes
Did I know what I was doing? No

Anyways, hope you like it!

TRAGEDY

This track appeared, late at night, out of the blue
Somewhere out there, is a fitting story

OUT OF THE BLUE

Original Song: I Ain't Worried by Jackie Hill Perry (From new album Blameless, check it out)

Nobody Asked for this verse, but the words were mad encouraging and I was inspired. Either way, I had fun 🤷🏾‍♀️

I don't own the rights to this song or beat in any way!

I AINT WORRIED (UNOFFICIAL VERSE)

Official mini promo mix by @_loucrative

Tracklist:

Final - Wizkid
My Woman, My Everything - Patoranking
Gargantuan Body - SKOB & GIZMO (Feat. KWeezy)
Back 2 Back - Afro B (Feat. IRAYMVMT )(Jaij Hollands & K Weezy)
Mini Yaanor - Jaij Hollands & Gizmo (Feat. Skob)
Ekikimi Remix - Wisa Greid (Feat. Sarkodie)
Thank U - Sarkodie (Feat. Mr Eazi)
Confam Ni - Olamide (Feat. Wizkid)
InDomiE Remix - CDQ x Davido x Olamide
Is It Because I Love You - Lil Kesh
I Concur - Timaya (Feat. Don Jazzy)
Bobo - Olamide



Bedroom White Party Afrobeat Promo Mix

A track inspired by my testimony. Enjoy :)

Track Produced & Written by Myself

Not Looking

My version of freestyle Friday for Potters House Sheffield

Freestyle Friday - Rise

No Joy like the Joy of Salvation. Hope you can hear the smile through the track

How It Feels

A simple track about progression in Christ. Whatever you do, don't stay stagnant & don't move backward. Listen to the story.

Written, produced and performed by myself.

Prayed Up

On Time

February Beat 2021

I would have liked to take more time making the chorus' more varied, add a counter rhythm with a live muted guitar or something.

In general this beat could've done with a little more time and attention.

Please leave any feedback in the comments!!

Enjoy!

This beat is free to use for non profit use

email me at info@loucrativemusic.co.uk for inquiries

Juno

Artist
Daughter of THE King
Wife & Mother
Here to be great to point to The Greatest!

LOUCRATIVE

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