Afrobeat beat maker: start with a pattern
Start with an Afrobeat-influenced two-bar rhythm sketch, then adjust the offbeat kick and bass accents until the pattern feels right to you.
Open the Afrobeat presetListen for the accents
Choose Afrobeat in the style menu and generate a pattern. The preset places some kick and bass hits between the main quarter-note positions, creating a starting point with more movement than a straight pulse.
Edit one layer at a time
Keep the snare and clap steady while you move a kick hit, then listen again. Next, try changing a hat step. Editing one instrument row at a time helps you hear which layer changes the groove.
Treat the preset as a sketch
Afrobeat covers many musical traditions and arrangements. This preset is only a simple browser-generated rhythm exercise, not a representation of the full genre. The sounds are synthesized locally and can be edited on the 32-step grid.
Try this edit
Try removing one kick hit in the first bar and placing it on a nearby offbeat step. Keep the second bar unchanged as a reference while you compare.
How to use the beat sketchpad
- Open the Afrobeat preset from this page.
- Choose an energy and set the tempo with the slider.
- Select Generate a beat to create a local pattern from the preset.
- Click grid cells to turn hits on or off, then press Play to listen.
Prototype limits
This is a browser-based pattern sketch, not an AI audio generator. The prompt does not determine the rhythm. Sounds are synthesized locally; AI generation and audio download are not available yet.
Frequently asked questions
Does this represent every Afrobeat style?
No. It is one simple rhythm preset for experimentation; the genre includes a much wider range of sounds and musical traditions.
Is this pattern generated by AI?
No. The current preset is created locally from the selected style and energy.