Zenbeats: Begin with the Basics
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Zenbeats: Begin with the Basics

Looking for a music production app to help achieve your goals? Learn how the evolving features in Zenbeats can help you find your sound. All photos by Travis Gallagher

6 mins read

You don’t need to be a pro musician or an award-winning producer to create fun, great-sounding music with your phone, tablet, or laptop. Zenbeats makes it easy to make beats and sketch song ideas— anytime or anywhere. From experienced beatmakers and composers to those completing their first beat or song, there’s a wide range of tools for every level of music creation. Here are some ways that Zenbeats can help you develop your unique musical personality.

The App is Your Instrument

Zenbeats is an app that you can play like an instrument. Your phone or tablet can double up into a drum machine or synth. Instantly become a bedroom producer with the tools in your hand. It’s also an excellent path for music makers who want to explore the legendary Roland drums and synths. Those classic sounds have inspired artists from all genres, and they can do the same for you.

Zenbeats has an inviting home screen highlighting Roland instruments and workflows to get you started. Jump right into ZR1 Drum Sampler or ZC1 ZEN-Core Synthesizer and play with VST/AU/AUv3 plugin instruments loaded on your iOS, Mac, or PC. Zenbeats serves up many fun studio experiences with a tap. Dive into the features that make Zenbeats a creative tool for aspiring artists as well as production pros.

"Even if you don't perform it perfectly, ZR1 automatically quantizes what you're playing, so it's right in the pocket."

ZR1 Drum Sampler: Find the Beat

As a music creator, everything starts with a killer beat. With ZR1 Drum Sampler, all you have to do is tap the record button and start playing a beat. Even if you don’t perform it perfectly, Zenbeats automatically quantizes what you’re playing, so it’s right in the pocket. The more you practice creating grooves with ZR1, the more confident you’ll feel in your beatmaking ability. Soon, you can start experimenting with increasingly complex rhythms.

Get to Know Sequencing and Sampling

Making a beat from scratch is a fun way to get the feel of music making. You can use the beat sequencer to create cool patterns and grooves. With ZR1, you can try swiping in note patterns with a gesture and add bounce to the beat with accent features. Choose from Roland kits and one-shots or record and import your own. Inspiration can strike a little bit easier when you have great tools for music creation.

“Modern hip-hop and pop utilize synthesizers to achieve a dense, powerful sound.”

Explore Sounds with a Synthesizer

Modern hip-hop and pop music utilize synthesizers to achieve a dense, powerful sound. Powered by the ZEN-Core Synthesis System, ZC1 boasts the same synth engine in Roland’s latest instruments like the JUNO-X or MC-707. This robust instrument is mobile-ready with Zenbeats on your tablet or phone. With ZC1, you can try out tones and textures as you develop your signature synth style. Once again, these sounds can send you down musical pathways you might not have expected.

Playing Favorites: Filtering Sounds 

From fashion to gaming, personalization is a powerful way to make something your own. Music is another perfect example. One extremely cool thing about Zenbeats is the ability to customize your music-creation experience. Using filters and favorites, you can curate and sort your go-to presets with a simple tap. As you ramp up your output and create more tracks, these will become your trusted sonic toolkit. 

Keep It on Lock

Sometimes an out-of-key phrase can be a distraction. Key Lock is a feature unique to Zenbeats which can come in handy for newer producers and musicians. Using this tool, you will stay in key no matter what. Essentially, you can’t hit a wrong note as you play. Think of it as musical training wheels. Set the key and scale of your composition and start trying out ideas. With Key Lock, you can let your mind run free and focus on coming up with hooks and melodies.

"Don't be a secret. Let your potential audience hear the innovative sounds you've been creating."

Sharing is Caring

No matter where you are on your musical journey, there comes a moment when it’s time to let other people hear your creation. Zenbeats makes the process of saving and transferring songs utterly effortless. You can share mixdowns and stems with your collaborators, expanding your creative network. Finally, it’s a snap to quickly transfer songs across all your mobile and desktop devices. Don’t be a secret. Let your potential audience hear the innovative sounds you’ve been creating.

Travis Gallagher

Travis Gallagher is a Texas-born creative director working as an in-house Visual Content Creator for the Roland Corporation. He has worked with artists such as Linkin Park, Timbaland, and others.