Stop Ripping Type Beats off YouTube. Do This Instead

If you're a rapper or songwriter, you’ve probably turned to YouTube at some point to find beats. It's convenient, free, and there’s an endless supply of type beats just a click away. You even have a number of music influencers encouraging you to rip type beats. But, ripping beats off YouTube is a bad idea and in this article I will tell you why.

What's a type beat?

First, in case you are not familiar, a type beat is a style of instrumental track designed to emulate the sound and style of a particular artist, genre, or mood. These beats are crafted to match the characteristics of popular songs and artists, making it easier for rappers and other vocalists to find a beat that fits their desired sound. For instance, a "Drake type beat" might have smooth, melodic elements and emotional undertones, while a "Travis Scott type beat" could feature heavy bass, atmospheric sounds, and trap influences.

Why you shouldn't rip type beats

Ripping beats involves converting videos to mp3 files, just like we all used to do before services like Spotify became common. But as you may recall, that was far from ideal and there are similar issues with ripping beats.

Low sound quality

YouTube compresses all audio files uploaded to the platform. That means the quality of the beats you are downloading is far from professional. You may not notice it too well while listening on your phone speaker, but trust me, once you bring it into the studio you will. As you start recording vocals, mixing, and mastering it becomes glaringly obvious. If you want to be taken seriously, you need professional crisp and clear sound quality that stands up in a mix and makes your tracks sound polished.

Limited control

When you rip a beat from YouTube, you’re stuck with a single audio file. This means you can’t manipulate individual elements of the beat. Want to adjust the levels of the drums? Tough luck. Need to tweak the bassline? Not happening. You want to be able to do all those things, especially if you're working with a producer. It will enable you to better make the track your own and ensure that the vocals sit perfectly within it.

Licensing issues

Using ripped beats is a legal minefield. Most beats on YouTube are posted without any clear licensing information. If you use one without permission, you’re potentially infringing on someone’s copyright. This can lead to your tracks being taken down, legal action, and, worst of all, you won’t be able to monetize your music. Type beats are also of various quality and produced with various levels of professionalism. As a result there have been many cases of uncleared samples in those beats, meaning you may still get in trouble even with the appropriate license for the beat itself.

You want beats that come with proper licensing, giving you peace of mind and the ability to distribute your music legally on streaming platforms.

Lacks originality

Ripping beats off YouTube means you're using the same beats as countless other artists. This makes it hard to stand out in a crowded market. Using unique, customizable beats not only helps you create a distinctive sound but also shows your audience that you take your craft seriously. Originality is key in making a lasting impression and building a loyal fanbase.

Ethical concerns

The music industry is constantly squeezing artists, especially indies. Producers put it honest work creating beats and by ripping their work, you're not giving them the credit or compensation they deserve. Treat your fellow musicians by the standard according to which you'd like to be treated.

Here's what to do instead

So what to do instead? It's really rather simple: make beats yourself. Yes, I know that using a DAW requires a huge learning curve and adequate software, but that's not what I'm talking about. There's a much simpler alternative: you can use Overtune.

You just need to make an account and start scrolling through the beat pack library. Once you hear a sound you like, open the Beat Editor and arrange the instruments in whatever way that fits your style. These are all produced by experienced professionals by the way.

The interface is extremely simple, meaning lack of technical knowledge will not keep you from your instrumentals. Once you're happy with your arrangement, you can either download a high-quality WAV file or the instrument stems to work with further in a tool of your choice.