How to Make a Epiano Type Beat (+ Free Loops)

What BPM and key is an Epiano type beat?

Most loops run 123 to 140 BPM, often with a half-time feel so the chords sit back and relaxed while the hats keep moving.

The key is mostly minor here, but the chords lean on extensions that brighten it. Take the key from your loop and put the 808 and the chords on the same root.

How to make an Epiano 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▾

   Take an electric piano loop, 123 to 140 BPM, with jazzy seventh or ninth chords and a bit of stereo tremolo. Grab one from the list below that already grooves before any drums.

   • ▶
     Malan
     138 BPM · Gmin
     AmbientEpianoHappy
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     Quick
     140 BPM · Cmin
     AmbientChoirEpiano
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     Razorblade
     140 BPM · A#min
     AmbientDarkEpiano
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     Genie
     130 BPM · Emin
     AmbientEpianoEthnic
     @ndacompany
     ↓
   • ▶
     Looney
     140 BPM · Bmaj
     AmbientEpianoHappy
     @ndacompany
     ↓
2. 2Lay the 808▾

   Gentle and on the root of the loop key, eight bars kept plain. Set it to cut itself and add light saturation so it supports the keys instead of dominating.
3. 3Hi-hats on top▾

   A relaxed two-step with a little swing, single hats pulled out for the open hat. Keep the rolls soft, this style is laid-back, not aggressive.
4. 4Clap and kick▾

   A soft clap or rimshot on two and four, a round kick under the 808. Keep the drums warm and easy so they match the mellow keys.
5. 5Shape the keys▾

   Add vinyl crackle, a touch of tape saturation and a short reverb for that lofi warmth. Cut a little top and low off the Rhodes so it sits like an old recording.
6. 6Arrange▾

   16 bars as the hook with the full chords, a verse with a stripped voicing, a bridge where the keys move to a new progression. Keep it smooth and warm throughout.

The Rhodes and neo-soul chords

The electric piano, often labelled Suitcase EP or Vintage EP in your synth, is the whole sound. Major sevenths and minor sevenths are the building blocks of neo-soul, with ninths for extra colour.

A little stereo tremolo gets you close to the classic Rhodes movement. Play the chords loosely, slightly ahead or behind the beat, so they feel human rather than quantized.

Warm, not dark

This is the hopeful end of the catalogue. The epiano loops lean happy and virtual-ambient, so keep the mood warm and let the chords breathe.

Add a soft guitar or a choir pad behind the Rhodes for depth, high-passed so it floats. One extra layer is plenty, the keys should stay the star.

Lofi processing

The lofi touch is what makes an epiano beat feel like a record. Vinyl noise, light bitcrushing, tape saturation and a gentle pitch wobble all add age and warmth.

Cut some of the highs and lows off the Rhodes so it sounds like it came off an old tape, then glue everything with a short, soft reverb.

Common mistakes

Plain triads instead of extended chords. The whole character is in the sevenths and ninths. A bare major or minor triad sounds flat and generic on a Rhodes.

An 808 that is too loud. This is a laid-back style. The keys lead, the 808 supports. A booming bass fights the mellow mood.

Perfectly quantized chords. The feel lives on loose, slightly off timing. Lock everything dead-straight and it loses the human, jazzy swing.

In FL Studio and in Logic

Nothing above depends on the DAW. A sampler for the 808, an electric piano loop, an EQ, a saturator and a reverb is enough.

FL Studio: 808 in a sampler channel with cut itself on, the Rhodes through Fruity Vinyl or a bitcrusher and a short reverb. Swing the hats with the global swing knob.

Logic: Quick Sampler for the 808, the keys through Vintage Electric Piano with Tape Delay and a plate, a Channel EQ cutting a little top and low.

Using the loops from NDA Company

Every loop here is played by hand, no AI, and free as an mp3. Each epiano loop is a real take with the tremolo and the jazzy voicing already in it, so the warmth is there from the first bar.