[<font] I haven't put together rap songs from scratch before, simply because I've turned down rap sessions because of the explicit language. Whereas this is different, a clean Christian rap song. I let the guy know this is not my expertise, yet I want to do the best job I can.
 
[<font]I know Platinum Producer has so much available in different soft synths, drums, loops, and sounds. I also have Kontakt Komplete 9. So I need some help and guidance as to which things I should look at to help this guy get a beat and sounds to give him what he needs without spending too much time fumbling around. I’ll have some time to check some of this out before he comes in.
 
[<font][<font]I've used Sonar for decades with Rock, Country, Pop, etc, but have always approached it from a band perspective and never a loop perspective. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated,
 
 
 

There are plenty of loops out there. Free and paid for. Check what is bundled in Sonar first.

kitekrazy1
There are plenty of loops out there. Free and paid for. Check what is bundled in Sonar first.

yes that's what I was planning on doing. I'm looking for some suggestions on what to check out first. Where's the strongest stuff? Should I use loop construction? Which synths are the best for this? I was hoping someone that does rap would chime in.
 
Nice seeing ya Kite,

Good start here for a $1.
https://producerschoice.leadpages.co/5-packs-1-dollar-fb/
 
 

Doing a producing job way outside of your genres is tricky.
 
I for one wouldn't know the difference between a good rap number
and a bad one. I'd be at a loss if I was asked to record/produce one.
 
I cannot contribute anything but: Good luck in your challenge!

O...M...G - Hysterical!
There was a word that made me wince, tho'.

The "Loops and One Shots" content that has come with the X-series onward is actually a lot of stuff. Much of the wav content is rx2-based, so will match project tempo. Best preview method for me has been the browser, and when finding something of interest, I will often drag/drop this into the Matrix View. For this particular application, the Matrix view is very useful. Without going into excessive detail of this (since you can record the Matrix View back into tracks), the basic setup is:

1. New project, open browser (B), and Matrix View (Alt+5).
2. In the Browser, on the media tab, drill into the "Audio Library" and preview things.
3. When find thing you like, can drag/drop those into the Matrix View. Thing to keep in mind is that rows can have only one thing at a time in them playing, but columns can have all cells at once. Clicking a column header will fire all cells in that column, so "arrangement" is easiest thinking this way.
4. To that end, it is also simplest to keep rows (basically the "tracks") all of the same type... drag/drop to do your arrangement, and Ctrl-drag makes a copy easily.
5. Nice thing with the Matrix View is it is a 2D grid, so "cool sounds" you do not want to lose, yet not use right away can be placed on the right side... they are "in view," but not "in the way."
6. Best start is the first few column, get drums, bass, riffs, etc. then expand into more columns for an "arrangement" (such as Intro - column 1, verse 1, column 2, fill - column 3, etc.).

That is a basic start, for "rx2" files, you can play with this at will. You can also record the Matrix View back into its parent tracks (Track View) view a "real-time firing" of cells/columns.
 
Chapter 26 from the SWA Complete SONAR X2 covers this a bit more step-by-step. (This link is to the Chapter listing for the video series.) Karl (FastBikerBoy) also demonstrates recording back into the Track View in that chapter.

mettelus
The "Loops and One Shots" content that has come with the X-series onward is actually a lot of stuff. Much of the wav content is rx2-based, so will match project tempo. Best preview method for me has been the browser, and when finding something of interest, I will often drag/drop this into the Matrix View. For this particular application, the Matrix view is very useful. Without going into excessive detail of this (since you can record the Matrix View back into tracks), the basic setup is:

1. New project, open browser (B), and Matrix View (Alt+5).
2. In the Browser, on the media tab, drill into the "Audio Library" and preview things.
3. When find thing you like, can drag/drop those into the Matrix View. Thing to keep in mind is that rows can have only one thing at a time in them playing, but columns can have all cells at once. Clicking a column header will fire all cells in that column, so "arrangement" is easiest thinking this way.
4. To that end, it is also simplest to keep rows (basically the "tracks") all of the same type... drag/drop to do your arrangement, and Ctrl-drag makes a copy easily.
5. Nice thing with the Matrix View is it is a 2D grid, so "cool sounds" you do not want to lose, yet not use right away can be placed on the right side... they are "in view," but not "in the way."
6. Best start is the first few column, get drums, bass, riffs, etc. then expand into more columns for an "arrangement" (such as Intro - column 1, verse 1, column 2, fill - column 3, etc.).

That is a basic start, for "rx2" files, you can play with this at will. You can also record the Matrix View back into its parent tracks (Track View) view a "real-time firing" of cells/columns.
 
Chapter 26 from the SWA Complete SONAR X2 covers this a bit more step-by-step. (This link is to the Chapter listing for the video series.) Karl (FastBikerBoy) also demonstrates recording back into the Track View in that chapter.

Thanks man, excellent info. That gives me a good starting place. This is exactly what I was hoping for and for sure I different way from the way I'm used to working, which is always good to stretch out. Thanks so much,

There is a guy who has a youtube channel who goes by the name of Landmarq  (Marques Kincaid).  I have been watching some of his stuff to get a feel for Rap music creation, and it is good!   Look at his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8NYvR5eSIbKqrEwDwyE-nw

Jesse G
There is a guy who has a youtube channel who goes by the name of Landmarq  (Marques Kincaid).  I have been watching some of his stuff to get a feel for Rap music creation, and it is good!   Look at his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8NYvR5eSIbKqrEwDwyE-nw

This guy is very good. I love what he does. Certainly isn't some mindless thing Thanks for sharing it.