Create your own Beat using the Drum Machine in Bandlab
Use Bandlab's drum machine to create your own beat, experiment with rhythms, layers, and tempo, then save and share your track.
Step-by-step guide to create your own beat using the Drum Machine in BandLab
Step 1
Open your web browser and go to bandlab.com and sign in or create an account with an adult's help.
Step 2
Click the Create or New Project button to start a fresh music project.
Step 3
Select the Drum Machine instrument from the instrument list to open the step sequencer.
Step 4
Choose a drum kit you like by clicking different kit presets until one sounds fun to you.
Step 5
Set the tempo by changing the BPM number so your beat is fast or slow.
Step 6
Program a simple pattern by placing kick hits on beats 1 and 3 and snare hits on beats 2 and 4.
Step 7
Press Play to listen to your loop and hear how it sounds.
Step 8
Add hi-hats or extra drum hits on off-beats to make the rhythm more exciting.
Step 9
Add a new drum track or duplicate the drum pattern to create a second layer for extra percussion.
Step 10
Make a variation or fill in bar 3 or 4 so your beat changes and stays interesting.
Step 11
Tweak the volume of each drum or add simple effects like reverb to make the sound nicer.
Step 12
Loop and listen to the whole section and make any final small edits until you like it.
Step 13
Save your project and publish or share it on BandLab to get a shareable link.
Step 14
Share your finished beat and the BandLab link on DIY.org so everyone can hear your creation.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have access to bandlab.com or a computer?
If you can't open bandlab.com on a computer, use the free BandLab mobile app or another browser-based DAW like Soundtrap or GarageBand and follow the same steps to select a Drum Machine/step sequencer and program your beats.
My drum pattern is silent or won't play — what should I check?
Check that you actually selected the Drum Machine instrument, that the drum track isn't muted and its volume is up (see 'tweak the volume of each drum'), verify BPM and that you pressed Play, and if needed reload the browser or try the BandLab app.
How can I change the activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids keep it simple by choosing a drum kit preset and placing only kick hits on beats 1 and 3 and snare hits on 2 and 4, while older kids can add hi-hats/off-beats, duplicate tracks, create fills in bar 3 or 4, and tweak effects like reverb.
How can we make the beat more unique before sharing on DIY.org?
Make the beat more personal by choosing a fun kit preset, adding hi-hats on off-beats, creating a variation or fill in bar 3 or 4, duplicating the drum pattern for a second layer, tweaking reverb, then save and publish to get the BandLab link to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to create your own beat using the Drum Machine in BandLab
How to make beats on BandLab | A step-by-step guide to building your first beat in Studio
4 Videos
How to make beats on BandLab | A step-by-step guide to building your first beat in Studio
How to use the Drum Machine in Bandlab
A Guide To BandLab's Drum Machine | Craft Quick Drum Patterns With Our Free Online Sequencer
Make a liquid drum & bass beat in BandLab's free web Studio (BandLab Tutorial)
Facts about digital music production for kids
⏱️ Tempo is measured in BPM (beats per minute) — changing BPM can make your beat feel calm, bouncy, or intense.
🌐 BandLab is a cloud-based music studio where you can save projects online and easily share or collaborate with others.
🎚️ Layering sounds like kick, snare, and hi-hat gives your beat depth — even small changes make big differences!
🔁 Loops are short repeating sections; lots of famous songs are built from just a few layered loops.
🥁 The Roland TR-808 drum machine (released in 1980) helped shape whole genres of pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.
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