Produce J. Cole-Style Beats from Scratch

J. Cole is a hip-hop artist known for his deep lyrics and thoughtful style. His music stands out because of strong production techniques that add soul. In this post, we’ll break down J. Cole’s production style, using tracks like "Power Trip" and "Wet Dreamz" as examples. We’ll show you how to create a soulful J. Cole-style beat, focusing on vintage sampling and classic boom-bap drum patterns.

You Will Learn

• How to build a soulful melody using piano and live instruments.
• Techniques for layering strings and adding emotional depth.
• Creating authentic drum patterns with a human feel.
• Crafting low-end bass tones that complement your melody.
• Implementing vintage sound design for a classic vibe.

Build a Soulful Melody

1. Piano Chord Progression

• Start with a piano chord progression. For an authentic vibe, record on a real piano if possible, as J. Cole often favors organic sounds over digital plugins.
• Chord Structure: Use a minor key for a somber tone. In this case, start with a C minor chord and layer in additional notes to enrich the sound.
• Bass Notes: Pitch down certain bass notes by an octave to add depth. For example, pitch down by seven steps to create that full, soulful feel Cole’s music is known for.

2. Layering Live Instruments

• Once you have the basic chords, introduce live bass and drums for a more complete sound. This makes your melody feel like a real record rather than just a digital creation.

Violin and Orchestration

1. Emotive String Sections

• J. Cole frequently uses strings to create emotional depth in his tracks. Start with a portamento violin preset (such as in East West Opus) to mimic a real violin’s sliding note transitions.
• Pro Tip: Layer multiple violin sounds across different octaves to simulate a full string section. Aim for variation by arranging different melodies across the sections, offering options for verse, chorus, or bridge segments.

2.Session Musicians for Authenticity

For an authentic touch, consider working with live session musicians if possible. Cole often works with violinists or other instrumentalists to improve his recordings.

• After recording, run the sample through a reel-to-reel tape machine or a similar effect plugin to capture that 1970s warmth and saturation, a hallmark of vintage vinyl.

The Drums like J. Cole’s Boom-Bap Rhythm

1. Drum Patterns with a Human Feel

• Cole’s beats rely on a loose, organic rhythm.
• Start with a quarter-note hi-hat pattern
• Layer in off-time kicks and snares.
• Swing Settings: Shift your drum hits slightly off the grid and adjust velocities to give the drums a humanized, non-robotic feel.
• Adding Drum Breaks: layer a slowed-down drum break under the beat, similar to Cole’s approach in his earlier tracks. Pitching down the break adds a raw sound.

2. Distortion and Saturation

• Apply distortion or saturation to the drums for an extra edge. A plugin like Softube’s Saturation Knob can add subtle warmth, making your drums hit harder without overpowering the track.

Low End Subtle Bass Tones

1. Choosing the Right Bass

• In many J. Cole tracks, bass is either used sparingly or replaced with a subtle sub-bass to let the sample breathe.
• Opt for a simple, low-frequency bassline that complements the melody without dominating it.

2. 808 Alternatives

• Instead of using an 808, consider a live bass one-shot for a more traditional hip-hop vibe. This understated approach keeps the beat feeling spacious and lets other elements shine.

Dynamic Variation: The A/B Sections

1. Crafting A/B Sections

• In Cole’s songs, there’s often a shift in the beat to separate verses and hooks. An A/B section can be achieved by adjusting the melody slightly or adding new instrument layers.
• For the Hook: Introduce a brighter, rhythmic piano melody to evoke the upbeat vibe found in tracks like “No Role Modelz” and “Crooked Smile.”

2. Evolving Drum Patterns

• Swap out the main drum kit for a half-time rhythm on the B-section. This subtle change adds variety without overhauling the beat’s core identity.

Vintage Sound Design and Effects

1. Tape and Vinyl Effects

• For an authentic vintage feel, pass your final mix through a tape machine or use a plugin like RC-20 to simulate analog warmth and noise.
• This step is essential to replicate the “sampled from vinyl” aesthetic present in J. Cole’s production style.

2. Transitions with DJ Scratches and Vocals

• Use DJ scratches or vocal samples to bridge between different sections of the song, emulating the mixtape vibe popularized in hip-hop’s golden era.

Recap

• Start with a piano chord progression in a minor key.
• Layer live instruments for a richer sound.
• Use off-time drum patterns for a human touch.
• Choose subtle bass lines for a spacious feel.
• Add vintage effects for authenticity.

Final Words

J. Cole's sound blends real instruments with modern techniques. To recreate his sound, focus on soulful textures and live recordings for depth. From there, experiment with the methods discussed in our blog to find your unique style.