How to create a beat with ElevenLabs soundboard maker

Most beat-making starts with searching — through sample libraries, drum packs, and folders full of noise. It’s slow. It’s messy. And it breaks your flow.

ElevenLabs Soundboard creator changes that. Just describe the sound you want, generate it instantly, and start building.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a beat from scratch using nothing but text prompts and a few clicks. No more lengthy searches, no more trial-and-error. It all starts with ElevenLabs Soundboard.

What is ElevenLabs Soundboard creator?

The ElevenLabs Soundboard creator, called SB1, is a browser-based tool powered by the ElevenLabs Text-to-Sound Effects model. In other words, you can generate and trigger custom sound effects using plain language.

Simply describe the sound you want and the AI gives you four variations to choose from for each prompt. Once you find a sound you like, you drop it onto a pad. You can loop it or assign it to a MIDI controller of your choice.

You can make any type of sound you can imagine. All you have to do is describe it, and all you need to get the sound is a few words. A few examples:

Booms

Percussion

Whoosh

Bells

Once you've selected your sound and assigned it, that pad then becomes a trigger. Click it, or tap it with a MIDI controller, and your sound plays instantly. Stack up different sounds and arrange them across the board, and suddenly you’re creating something playable.

It’s fast, flexible, and completely royalty free. Every sound is generated from scratch, so you’re not pulling from overused libraries.

Why use ElevenLabs Soundboard to create a beat?

A lot of beat-making is spent searching — for the right snare, the right kick, the right feel. The Soundboard flips that. You describe the sound in your head, and it comes to life in seconds. It’s great for fast loops and unexpected textures, especially when you want to build with feel, not presets.

Want five versions of the same kick? Just tweak the prompt. Want to build a beat out of things that shouldn’t work, like “typewriter clacks” or “industrial steam bursts”? Go for it.

You’re not working with someone else’s idea of what a beat should sound like. You’re building your own, one prompt at a time. You can even specify which bean the kick should come in on and the time signature.

Check out a few simple beats below that the Soundboard has already created.

"Energetic drumroll for a surprise announcement"

"Punctuating hit of a snare drum in a cinematic scene"

"Resonant bass hit"

How to create a beat with ElevenLabs Soundboard

Ready to start creating your own beats with the ElevenLabs Soundboard? Follow these steps to get started:

• Sign up and access the soundboard: Create a free or paid account.
• Click on an empty cell: Hit the empty cell and you'll see instructions on the right-hand side for how to create the beat.
• Add your prompt: Use clear prompts like “deep kick drum,” “sharp clap,” or “glitchy hi-hat.”
• Select your preferred option: Listen to the four options and click 'Add' on your preferred version. Or, regenerate the prompt if you're unsure about either of them.
• Drop the generated sound onto pads: Arrange elements across the soundboard for easy triggering.
• Trigger and layer sounds live: Tap pads in rhythm or combine with a MIDI controller.
• Loop or repeat key sounds: Build rhythm by reusing and overlapping pad-triggered elements.
• Save your layout: Access it any time in the future with your account.

Tips for generating better sound effects

It's quick and easy to create a beat with ElevenLabs Soundboard. However, as with any tool, there are certain tricks that will help you get the most out of it.

Here are a few key tips to remember.

• Use specific prompts: “Snappy snare with reverb” will get you closer than just “snare.” Think in textures and tone, not just instrument names.
• Generate multiples: Run the same prompt a few times. The variations are subtle, and one might surprise you.
• Play with contrast: Mix short, punchy sounds with longer, atmospheric ones. Add space between hits. Let the beat breathe.
• Don’t chase polish too early: Prioritize momentum over perfection. Build first, refine later.

Final thoughts

The best creative tools stay out of the way. They let you move quickly, follow you instincts, and adjust as you go.

The ElevenLabs Soundboard does exactly that. It gives you sounds when you need them, shaped by your own words, and ready to play. If you’ve ever wanted a simpler way to build a beat, this is it.

Get started today. Sign up here.

FAQs