How to Make Hip Hop Instrumentals for TV // Sync Licensing for Producers

In this video, we're breaking down how to make hip-hop instrumental beats for TV if you are looking to transition to sync licensing for producers.
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[@jta7941]

The arrangement makes SO much sense. Watched through thousands and thousands of videos over the years and this video helps me understand the arrangement part CLEARLY. Thank you king.

[@mkirbymusic]

My pleasure! Thank you for that comment, it really helps knowing that I’m providing good content for people.

[@Jime0326]

This video is very helpful and applicable. Thank you, M Kirby Music. Blessings and peace to you and your family.

[@mkirbymusic]

I’m always happy to hear that 🙏🏻 Blessings to you too!

[@troypallasinstrumentalmusi4013]

Really interesting information, especially making a change every 4 bars.

[@TheoSalvatore]

Tight kick sounds 🔥👌

[@jhalilali]

As a small public high school senior trying to delve into the vast world of music production, sync licensing seems like a barricaded secret. This video helped give me insight for a blend of where my taste for music is at and what I want to do with it. New sub.

[@mkirbymusic]

Love hearing this man. And I know what you mean, especially when it comes to how to transform beats into licensable tracks for sync. Just keep grinding, if your mind is already open to the sync game at that age then you’re way ahead of the pack. Thanks for the sub 🙏🏻

[@joshuaattractsmoney]

Love it. And using my favorite DAW Logic Pro X

[@kcmusic1586]

I really like what you are doing because am new at making sync music, thanks for the gems

[@mkirbymusic]

No problem! Thanks for watching

[@Sdbbffsd]

Congrats on church !! I really appreciate ur video

[@sibusisotshabalala3662]

just listened to church thats an all round good song 💯

[@Spasciz]

Thank you for this video

[@mkirbymusic]

No problem. I will be doing some more of these break down videos in the near future

[@nonzoproductions9753]

Another video maybe with the focus of a sync music cookup would be indeed a powerful gem 👀👀

[@xtrol4330]

Dude the second melody tho🔥🔥🔥 Imagine a horror movie having a trap style intro 2:47

[@mkirbymusic]

Haha yeaaa I hear it

[@sedrickgomis275]

thank you for breaking all this down, I've been watching all your videos ! Can I make a video request for you to break down some drum patterns ? and your build up patterns with snare, clap and tom rolls. im not from the trap or EDM world, where those type of things are also so vital to sync music. Thank you for your work and videos. :)

[@mkirbymusic]

I will add that into my content idea pipeline. That’s a good idea because I haven’t thought about looking at it from the perspective of someone not familiar with the style.

[@mkirbymusic]

I’m circling back to your comment because I was thinking about putting together a little drum MIDI pack for free. Stay tuned to my community posts.

[@Mumugen]

Thanks bro

[@mkirbymusic]

No prob 🙏🏻

[@ivwrigley]

Thank you for literally breaking this down- most KZbinrs who discuss sync licensing don’t really get into it, or they talk too much but you were concise so I really appreciate it. What it be possible to use Splice samples for sync licensing too or would I have to create the kit myself?

[@mkirbymusic]

I noticed that too which is why I decided to make a few videos like this. As far as splice goes, are you talking about drum samples? In that case you have no worries, but if you are using melodies then I would stay away from using them unless you flip them to where they’re unrecognizable.

[@ivwrigley]

@@mkirbymusic Awesome thanks, Chayse!

[@K-pop_Jrock_Jmetal_Girl_Bands]

thx for tut!

[@mkirbymusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@K-pop_Jrock_Jmetal_Girl_Bands]

@@mkirbymusic hey which librarys you recommend for hiphop trap type beat?

[@jayonlinemusic]

thank you bro this was amazing! im researching making more beats and music for tv and film. i also have cymatics sounds, but wonder what sounds are we “clear” to use. once i get the opportunity i wanna be fully “one stop” you feel me? how donyou pick your sounds??

[@mkirbymusic]

Thanks! Any one shots are fine but loops can be a sticking point for a lot of libraries nowadays. Most composers will tell you to just stay away from them completely because of the ongoing problems with Content ID. I have definitely moved away from using them since writing my first batch of sync tracks but one thing you could definitely do is just recreate the melody yourself and alter it a bit. Cymatics usually gives you the MIDI files too which makes that even easier to do

[@hugoquirozdrums]

Thanks for the video, can i use free samples to make the music for sync licensing? Thank you so much

[@drayhowww9687]

Great info thanks...#lvdrizzle

[@imsocellytv8316]

So how did it work? Did you make the beat first and summit to library or did they tell you what they want and you made this?

[@altheaattard9773]

Hi im jist starting out and trying tounderstand it all 😅 do these kind of tracks get placed through stock libraries or exclusive ones?

[@taylortremaine3728]

Bro I know Dallas when I see it lol

[@DanielZellmer]

Hi thanx for the great videos. Do you have to mix for tv or film in a special way or is it normal mastering?

[@mkirbymusic]

In short, no not really. It’s best practice to just keep in mind what frequency range dialogue typically sits in

[@Superstardark]

Where did you get your drum samples?

[@arko_s]

Nice video! Did you change the melody slightly after 4 to 8bars everytime?

[@mkirbymusic]

Thanks. It’s not so much that you’re changing the melody, it’s that you’re adding or subtracting something. That could be another instrument, or some dynamic changes etc.

[@arko_s]

@@mkirbymusic Thanks for reply! Is there anyway I can get in touch with you and have a chat? I have few more questions.

[@maureenblack7730]

I want to go into sync licensing and I make emotional type beats my question is that Is it always necessary to add drums when making emotional beats, can't it just be a loop

[@inspectah2342]

thank you ...can you drop a vid on making better drums?

[@mkirbymusic]

Better drum patterns or better sounds?

[@inspectah2342]

@@mkirbymusic both

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

Would you agree to show us how you mixed this, or mix in general your beats?

[@mkirbymusic]

I could do that at risk of embarrassing myself with my simple process 😂

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

@@mkirbymusic mate, simple is best, I am like you 😉

[@nonzoproductions9753]

Thanks for this video! So i noticed your timeline says 1:39min. I'm led to believe this is just the half of the real arrangement, am I correct with that? If that's the case, how would you continue with the piece? Because I saw music libraries entertaining that Genre you showcased in this vid and they're all like 2:30 on average. Would you just drop a breakdown/bridge section right in the middle of the track, copy the same parts over , then alter details in a minimalistic way and call it a day ?? I'm curious 🤔🤔 I heard there's not even a tiny bit repetition not even in a repetitive genre like trap permitted. That sounds, at first, crazy for the regular recording industry producer you know😅lol How would you handle that🤔? I'd appreciate an efficient or thoroughly response :)

[@mkirbymusic]

It all depends on the library but most commonly 1:30 to 2:00 is accepted unless otherwise specified by the library. And yes, the track constantly has to be developing. No room for the same 4 or 8 bars. Best method is to start sparse and then build to your full hook. Then break it down again with different elements and build again to the full hook but even bigger than the first.

[@nonzoproductions9753]

​@@mkirbymusic aye i really appreciate that and also the tips on building the actual composition. I think arrangement and evoking emotion is really the key in this sync game.

[@daniqtpy647]

Can u use royalty free beats or copyright free beats to use to submit for tv thanks

[@mkirbymusic]

Meaning that you are an artist that has recorded on these beats and you want to submit?

[@djduckyduck]

How long should the final submitted track be?

[@mkirbymusic]

1.5 to 2 mins is the sweet spot.

[@George_Glass]

How/where can I hear this piece uninterrupted?

[@mkirbymusic]

www.taxi.com/members/8sxEVIJlTjWK-VMl8bIj8g-michael-kirby/songs/tZKm_glpTLKesy_gZDsYlA-deep-prayers

[@isaacrobinson8065]

About how long should the length of the song be?

[@mkirbymusic]

90 secs to 2 minutes

[@isaacrobinson8065]

Thanks for the info. 🎹 what are your thoughts on Siund selection??

[@boiboi8008]

How much did u get paid ? Just curious.

[@mkirbymusic]

It’s rare that music libraries pay upfront fees, especially for production music. All the money you make is on backend royalties from placements so I haven’t earned anything from this yet.

[@kevincheek]

Threat tutorial. Do you have a course?

[@mkirbymusic]

Thanks! And yes I do, you can grab it here while it's on sale right now: bit.ly/3OfwWCf

[@kevincheek]

@@mkirbymusic thanks, purchased!

[@mkirbymusic]

Awesome! Feel free to DM me if you have any questions

[@kevincheek]

@@mkirbymusic okay thanks

[@kevincheek]

@@mkirbymusic I do have a question for you, where can I DM you? On here or IG?

[@squadronbeats2108]

Used a cymatics loop for a licensed track??? That’s allowed?

[@mkirbymusic]

Yes, I used it as an added layer to the melody. It's always best to manipulate the loops and never use them as a main melodic component. It's still a real grey area because it is technically legal as per the terms of usage, same with Splice loops. Content ID is a major headache and a lot of libraries like to avoid the possibility of frivolous lawsuits. Each contract I've signed so far puts the legal liability onto the composer, which makes sense to me.

[@squadronbeats2108]

@@mkirbymusic shoot, in that case I’m about to go crazy making tracks!

[@mkirbymusic]

Haha okay but your enthusiasm makes me think that you're going to only use loops

[@mkirbymusic]

Be cautious and do your own research on the legalities in all situations!

[@squadronbeats2108]

na man, I'm a producer. I play guitar too. I only use loops when time doesn't allow and that's only when I send tracks to artists. @@mkirbymusic

[@K-pop_Jrock_Jmetal_Girl_Bands]

Could be shorter intro. 4 bars is long intro.

[@mkirbymusic]

Ok

[@K-pop_Jrock_Jmetal_Girl_Bands]

@@mkirbymusic I meant you can even start song with one fill. Only half bar lenght and then begin verse.

[@mkirbymusic]

Absolutely!

[@artkitectbeats1622]

Half a bar for an intro? Did you even listen to why the intro was the length that it was? Or were you too busy looking for something that you could complain about? He made it perfectly clear that the idea was to build tension. A half bar drum fill for an intro would not accomplish that goal. Besides, more than likely, this beat is in double time, probably somewhere in the 150-170 bpm range would be my guess, and that would be equivalent to a 2 bar intro in common time. And even if it isn't double time, 4 bars is not a long intro. Like, not at all.

[@K-pop_Jrock_Jmetal_Girl_Bands]

@@artkitectbeats1622 ok thx for clearing all that for me.

[@Psybo]

Haha people call me by your names pronunciation all the time😂

[@mkirbymusic]

LOL love this comment

[@JuanQQuinones]

I’ll like to get a lesson with you. Where can I contact you? Thanks

[@mkirbymusic]

Hi Juan, I don’t currently offer lessons, but if you haven’t already signed up for my email list with the free 6 step guide you can do that here: bit.ly/3ZkT02c I created that email sequence to provide a lot of the information that producers are interested in learning.