How I Create Italo Disco 80s Type Beats – My Retro Music Journey

How is an Italo Disco beat structured and how can vocalists use it to build their own 80s style tracks

This post explores the song arrangement, production elements, and creative inspirations behind one of my retro style beats. If you are a vocalist or songwriter, you will find timing markers, musical tips, and a look at the nostalgic roots that shaped this production.

• Full structure of an Italo Disco beat
• Vocal inspiration and licensing options
• 80s production gear and personal memories
• Mixing approach for retro sound
• YouTube preview and BeatStars link

Cubase timeline with kick snare hats toms bass and layered synths used to build a classic Italo Disco groove

1. Track structure for vocal adaptation

Below is a step by step breakdown of the song. These time markers help vocalists plan verses choruses and instrumental gaps for their own lyrics after licensing the beat on BeatStars

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:16 Instrumental
• 0:32 Verse 1
• 1:04 Chorus
• 1:36 Instrumental
• 2:08 Verse 2
• 2:40 Chorus
• 3:12 Instrumental
• 3:44 Outro

For a deeper look at writing and arranging vocals over an 80s instrumental see my step by step lyrics and arrangement guide

2. 80s memories and musical inspiration

My love for Italo Disco started in the 80s a time with cassette tapes boomboxes and TV shows that promoted pop hits. Artists like Modern Talking and groups like KOTO or Laser Dance shaped that period for me. At school parties we danced to those rhythms while I practiced piano and saxophone at a music school.

My first keyboard the Yamaha PSR 28 opened the door to composing. Later with the PSR 510 and then the QS 300 I explored sequencing and dance sounds. Floppy disks stored my first beats. Moving to the Korg Trinity brought a new level of production with RAM samples multitrack HDR and precise editing that influenced my arranging habits.

These memories still guide my work. Warm melody and tight electronic drums remain the core of my approach to Italo Disco production.

I also keep a small collection of vintage equipment that inspires arrangement choices. Old drum machine samples and chorus units help me shape the feel without overprocessing. When I write chord progressions I favor simple triads and sixths because they leave space for a lead line and for the vocal. Bass lines follow a steady eighth note pulse with occasional passing tones to connect sections. This method keeps the groove consistent for dancers and gives singers a clear grid for phrasing. I sketch ideas quickly in Cubase using markers for verses and choruses then I loop short fragments and test different melodies on the keyboard. If the mid range becomes crowded I thin the arrangement by muting one pluck layer or by moving a pad an octave up. Subtle decisions like these keep the track open and closer to authentic 80s releases. I avoid heavy sidechain except in transitions where a gentle duck helps the kick speak. The goal is clarity rhythm and melody rather than modern pumping. This balance is what many listeners expect from an 80s type beat and it translates well when a vocalist records new lyrics over the instrumental.

3. Who can use this beat

This instrumental is for singers and creators who want to write original songs in the 80s style. Feel free to experiment with melodies and lyrics. On BeatStars you can choose from these license options

• Premium Includes WAV and MP3
• Professional Adds full STEMS
• PRO Unlimited Advanced usage with full STEMS
• Exclusive Custom license with full rights

Want to see how one of my beats became a radio ready vocal track Read the full story in How I wrote my best radio song

4. Inside the sound and arrangement

This track starts with a classic Simmons style drum flavor and a melodic hook. The kick uses a soft room reverb the bass locks rhythmically with it and the overall feel stays clearly electronic without guitar layers.

Stereo pluck synths carry the midrange. Two voices are panned left and right and a third stays mono in the center. Each layer gets slightly different EQ and envelope settings so they interlock without masking. Compression stays minimal to keep punch and let the groove breathe.

Most parts are rendered to 24 bit audio and mixed in Cubase 13. Tape emulation and gentle saturation add color and help the beat sit together like classic 80s records.

5. Watch the full track

6. Live keyboard solo Shorts

7. Purchase the beat

Get the instrumental on BeatStars and start creating your own 80s inspired track
https://bsta.rs/qCns3

8. Connect and create

If you are into 80s music production leave a comment and join my YouTube channel for more tracks tutorials and retro synth content