How to Make a Rod Wave Type Beat (+ Free Loops)

What BPM and key is a Rod Wave type beat?

Most beats run 140 to 165 BPM. The drums play half time, so 150 BPM feels like 75.

The key is minor, mostly E minor, C minor or F minor. Take the key from your loop instead of picking one first.

How to make a Rod Wave type beat in 6 steps

The loops in step 1 stream right here and the mp3 is free. Then work through the six steps.

1. 1Pick a sample▾

   Sad piano or guitar in minor, 140 to 165 BPM. Take one of the loops right below, they all sit in the tempo.

   • ▶
     Chosen
     140 BPM · Cmin
     ChoirEpianoGuitar
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     Why?
     155 BPM
     ChoirGuitarPiano
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     Thriller
     158 BPM · Emin
     AmbientGuitarSad
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     1 Million
     158 BPM · Cmin
     AmbientChoirEthnic
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     Prom
     150 BPM · Amin
     AmbientGuitarSad
     @ndacompany
     ↓
2. 2Lay the 808▾

   It is the foundation. One long note per chord, on the root. Leave the gaps in the melody open.
3. 3Hi-hats on top▾

   Straight eighth notes, quiet. One short roll at the end of the bar.
4. 4Clap and kick▾

   Clap on beat 3, not on 2 and 4, that is what makes it feel slow. A short kick under every 808 gives it attack.
5. 5Try the pitch▾

   Only once the drums sit. Move the loop up and down in semitones and keep the position that carries the mood best.
6. 6Arrange▾

   Keep it simple, less is more. 8 bars loop alone, then the drums, one extra layer in the hook. Bring the hook early, that keeps it catchy and easier to place.

Pitch the sample up and down

The loop is not locked in. A few semitones change the whole mood.

Up the piano gets thinner and brighter, down it gets heavier and closer to pain.

The key moves with it. Note where you land and move the 808 to the new root.

Common mistakes

The loop sits in the bass. High-pass it around 200 Hz, the bottom belongs to the 808.

Too many effects. A sample that already carries the mood does more than reverb and delay on everything.

Hi-hats too complicated. Too many variations take the calm out of the beat, one pattern per bar is enough.

Using the loops from NDA Company

Every loop here is played by hand, no AI, and free as an mp3.