First let's talk about creating Rap Beats using Hardware. To name some of the most common pieces of Hardware, there are Drum Machines, Samplers/Sequencers, Keyboards, Sound Modules and Workstations. In my opinion one advantage to using Hardware is the ability to use the Drum Pads and Keys. The feel of tapping your fingers on the pads of a drum machine or sampler and hearing the kick or snare through the speakers is awesome. There are drum pad interfaces today that you can use with software programs but the feel is not the same.

Another advantage of using Hardware is the speed or lack of latency of your sounds. With Hardware there is no processor fighting other programs to access the data off the hardware program like there is on a PC that is running various services and programs in the background. As soon as you play a key or hit a pad the sound is instantly played. As well as when you are cycling through you sounds on a keyboard workstation or sound module, the sounds load instantly and there is no time spent waiting for them to load.

Now let's talk about the disadvantages of using Hardware versus Software. The biggest has to be the cost. Keyboard Workstations, Sounds Modules and Samplers can easily put you over two or three thousand dollars a piece and some even higher. On the other hand, you can get software like FL Studio for a low as $99.99 or less. You will still need some type of Midi Keyboard/Controller to play the sounds but it is still much less expensive. You also have to factor in the money you put into the computer that you use to run the software but you can custom spec build machines to do this much cheaper than buying the expensive pieces of hardware.

Another advantage to using software is all of the VST's that are available online. A VST is a virtual instrument used within software, basically all the sounds that you use to create your music. There are many sites online where you can buy or download these VST's for free. You can then load these right up in your software and begin creating music. Just make sure the VST interfaces with the software that you are using. It is not that easy to add sounds to Sounds Modules and Keyboards. They do make expansion slots to add more sounds but these again cost more money and you are limited to what's available.