There are so many different ways to make music. In Hip Hop, samples reign king. In the beginning Hip Hop was 2 turntables and a microphone. Then samplers came and allowed Hip Hop DJs to sample records so they could make their own beats. It's still common to find a producer using a turntable and a sampler (like the akai MPC 3000 pictured to the right). When samplers first hit the market, they were expensive and there were not many producers that could afford them. Early samplers could only hold a couple seconds worth of samples. Today, most samplers have more sample time than any producer really needs (they cost a lot less too).
Analog and digital synthesizers also play a roll in Hip Hop beat production but are really just icing on the beat. Synthesizers are optional in Hip Hop but can make some really great sounding instruments for bass, melody and chords. Their history is interesting because early synthesizers still play a roll in the production of Hip Hop and electronic music (in general). The first synths were pure analog. Later companies moved to analog with digital interfacing and then on to pure digital. The funny thing is that a lot of producers still like the warm and phatt sound that the old analog synths put out so they are still used in today's Hip Hop music. Today, there are still some companies, like Studio Electronics and Dave Smith, that produce real analog synths.
Alternatives to hardware samplers and synths are plentiful. There are a lot of recording, beat making & sampling software available at prices that allow a lot of people to produce Hip Hop beats. Some popular production software include: Pro Tools, Fruity Loops, Native Instruments etc.
When deciding on what you will use to produce your music it's important to choose your gear wisely. Don't get caught up in buying every piece of gear you see in the latest issue of some magazine or blog. Focus on the quality of your beats. Find something that you like and something that works with your style of producing. Go to some other studios or your local pro audio gear shop and trying out some gear. You can get some good results with inexpensive gear if you know how to use it.
Analog and digital synthesizers also play a roll in Hip Hop beat production but are really just icing on the beat. Synthesizers are optional in Hip Hop but can make some really great sounding instruments for bass, melody and chords. Their history is interesting because early synthesizers still play a roll in the production of Hip Hop and electronic music (in general). The first synths were pure analog. Later companies moved to analog with digital interfacing and then on to pure digital. The funny thing is that a lot of producers still like the warm and phatt sound that the old analog synths put out so they are still used in today's Hip Hop music. Today, there are still some companies, like Studio Electronics and Dave Smith, that produce real analog synths.
Of course you have to get permission and pay royalties if you're going to use stuff like that but that's the reality of Hip Hop sampling in the 21st century.