Clone a melody to create a variation for ear candy
Problem: lack of variation in melody sections
By cloning an existing melody and placing it on a new track, you can create a variation that adds interest and uniqueness to the arrangement. This technique is useful for creating ear candy that complements the main…
Experiment with different sound types to find a unique variation
Problem: lack of variation in sound types
Changing the character of a sound from plucky to sustained can create a new variation that adds interest to the arrangement. This is a useful technique for creating ear candy that stands out and adds depth to the track.…
Use a sustained note to create a long, atmospheric sound
Problem: lack of atmospheric elements
Playing a sustained note over two bars can create a long, atmospheric sound that adds depth and texture to the track. This is a useful technique for creating ear candy that complements the main melody and adds a sense of…
Use a two-bar note to create a sense of continuity and flow
Problem: lack of continuity in sound placement
Using a two-bar note can help create a sense of continuity and flow in the arrangement. This is especially useful when working with atmospheric or sustained sounds that need to be placed in context within the track. It…
Repeat short sound snippets to create rhythmic ear candy
Problem: lack of rhythmic ear candy elements
To create a rhythmic and repetitive ear candy element, the producer repeats a short sound snippet over a quarter-note duration. This approach allows for the creation of a consistent, looped pattern that can be placed in…
Think about arrangement placement when designing ear candy
Problem: ear candy not integrated into the arrangement
The producer notes that after creating an ear candy element, they need to think about where to place it in the arrangement. This is a crucial step in the creative process, as even the most interesting sound can fall flat…
Group ear candy elements into chunks for better arrangement control
Problem: difficulty arranging ear candy elements
Grouping ear candy elements into small chunks allows for easier manipulation and placement within the arrangement. This technique helps maintain control over the track's flow and ensures that the ear candy doesn't…
Experiment with ear candy placement to find the right context
Problem: uncertainty about ear candy placement
Trying different placements for ear candy elements helps determine where they fit best in the track. This is a crucial step in the creative process, as it allows the producer to explore how the ear candy interacts with…
Sometimes, less is more — keep the number of sounds minimal
Problem: overloading the mix with too many sounds
The speaker mentions that they may be introducing too many sounds at the beginning of the track but decides to keep only one. This highlights the importance of restraint in sound design and arrangement. Too many elements…
Trust your ears and keep the melody as the focal point
Problem: uncertainty about arrangement choices
The speaker expresses uncertainty about whether a section works with the melody but ultimately decides to keep it because they like the melody. This shows the importance of prioritizing the melody and trusting your…
Don't be afraid to leave sections unresolved or incomplete
Problem: perfectionism or overthinking during production
The speaker admits they're not entirely sold on a section of the track but decides to leave it as is. This shows that it's okay to not have everything perfect and that sometimes, leaving things open can lead to better…
Use atmosphere sounds to enhance the breakdown
Problem: breakdown feels flat or uninteresting
Adding atmospheric sounds, such as drones, can help create a more immersive and dynamic breakdown. These sounds provide texture and depth, making the transition into the drop more engaging. This is a common technique in…
Add basic hi-hats to establish groove
Problem: lack of rhythmic foundation
Adding simple hi-hats early in the arrangement helps establish rhythm and groove. This is especially important in genres like techno and house, where the hi-hats provide the backbone of the rhythm section. Even basic…
Double kicks for more punch and depth
Problem: weak or buried kick
Doubling kicks adds more punch and depth to the low-end, making the kick feel more powerful and present in the mix. This is a common technique in genres like techno and house, where the kick needs to cut through the…
Use techno steps for rhythmic complexity
Problem: monotonous rhythm
Incorporating techno steps adds rhythmic complexity and interest to the track. These patterns are commonly used in techno and other electronic genres to create movement and energy. Using clones or variations of these…
Use velocity smatter for dynamic variation
Problem: lifeless or static patterns
Applying velocity smatter to MIDI notes introduces subtle dynamic variation, making the performance feel more natural and expressive. This is especially useful in genres like techno and house, where subtle changes in…
Use sloth cuts for rhythmic interest
Problem: monotonous or repetitive rhythm
A sloth cut is a rhythmic technique where certain beats are removed or delayed to create a sense of tension and release. This is a common trick in techno and other electronic genres to add interest and variation to the…
Ensure all elements respect each other's space
Problem: clashing or overlapping elements
Every element in the track should be placed with consideration for how it interacts with other elements. This is crucial for achieving a clean and balanced mix. When elements are allowed to occupy their own frequency and…
Vary bass patterns to build energy in different sections
Problem: track lacks dynamic energy build-up
Changing the bass pattern in different sections of the track (e.g., using simpler patterns in the drop and more complex ones in the breakdown) helps control the energy and build-up. This technique allows for a dynamic…
Use pluck riffs in intros to establish a melodic foundation
Problem: intro lacks a clear melodic hook
Introducing a pluck riff in the intro helps establish a melodic foundation and sets the tone for the track. This technique is common in trance to create an immediate hook and guide the listener into the track's energy.…
Reverse intro sections to create a story in the track
Problem: lack of cohesion or energy in transitions
Using the reverse of an intro section in a later part of the track helps maintain continuity and energy. This technique is a storytelling tool that keeps the listener engaged by creating a sense of familiarity and…
Focus on storytelling through transitions and energy shifts
The overall approach to building and maintaining energy in a track is about storytelling. This involves carefully planning where energy is introduced, maintained, and released throughout the track. This technique is…
Use small, impactful effects for polished transitions
Problem: unpolished or abrupt transitions
Incorporating small, one-bar effects or 'one hit wonders' between sections helps polish transitions and add a professional edge to the track. These subtle elements can make a big difference in how the track flows and…
Use chord progressions as the basis for your melody
Problem: melody feels disconnected from the rest of the track
Taking existing chord progressions and turning them into a melody helps create a sense of unity and glue within the track. This approach ensures that the melody is already harmonically aligned with the rest of the song,…
Add rhythm to chords to make them more energetic
Problem: chords feel too static or mellow
Adding a rhythmic pattern to chords can transform a static, mellow progression into something more dynamic and engaging. This is especially useful in Tech House, where rhythm and energy are central to the genre. By…
Match the rhythm of the bass to the melody for cohesion
Problem: melody and bass feel disconnected
Creating a bass line that follows the same rhythmic pattern as the melody helps unify the track and makes the melody feel more 'glued' to the rest of the song. This technique is particularly effective in Tech House,…
Use the bottom notes of chords to create a bass line
Problem: bass feels disconnected from the melody
Extracting the lower notes from a chord progression and using them as the foundation for a bass line ensures that the bass is harmonically aligned with the rest of the track. This technique helps the bass and melody feel…
Glue comes from rhythm and good note choice, not just compression
Problem: track feels disconnected or unglued
A sense of 'glue' in a track doesn't come from heavy compression or other plugins alone. It comes from the fundamental elements of music: rhythm and good note choice. When the melody, bass, and other elements are…
Compression release time affects the feel and groove of a track
Problem: compression not shaping the desired groove
The release time of a compressor is one of the most significant variables in shaping the feel and groove of a track. A fast release can make a track feel more punchy and energetic, while a slow release can create a…
Use Flex synths for creating the main melody and bass progression
Problem: limited synth options for creating a cohesive track
Flex is a powerful synth that can be used to create rich, layered sounds. In this tutorial, the producer uses Flex exclusively for the synths, showing how it can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from bass…
Set the key and scale early in the production process
Problem: inconsistent harmonic structure
Setting the key and scale early helps maintain consistency in the track's harmonic structure. In this tutorial, the producer sets the key to G minor, which provides a foundation for the melody, chords, and bass…
Layer brass and horn sounds with the main melody
Problem: thin or flat melody
Layering brass and horn sounds with the main melody adds depth and richness to the track. In this tutorial, the producer layers a brass sound with the main melody to create a more complex and engaging sound. This…
Copy and transpose octaves to create variations in the melody
Problem: monotonous melody
Copying and transposing octaves is a useful technique for creating variations in the melody. In this tutorial, the producer copies one octave of the melody and transposes it to create a more complex and interesting…
Add multiple layers with the same notes from the same sound pack
Problem: thin or lifeless pad section
Using multiple layers of the same notes from the same sound pack can add depth and richness to a pad or ambient section. This technique helps create a fuller, more textured sound without overcomplicating the arrangement.…
Use a single root key for pads to create a driven feeling in the breakdown
Problem: breakdown lacks cohesion or direction
Holding a single root key for pads can create a sense of cohesion and drive in the breakdown. This technique helps maintain focus and direction in the arrangement, especially in trance and bounce trance where the…
Layer different sounds from the same pack to add variety and depth
Problem: section lacks variety or depth
Layering different sounds from the same pack can add variety and depth to a section. This technique is useful for creating a more dynamic and interesting sound without overcomplicating the arrangement. It's especially…
Study and select sounds in advance to streamline the production process
Problem: production process is slow or inefficient
Taking the time to study and select sounds in advance can streamline the production process and help avoid unnecessary experimentation during the session. This technique is especially useful for producers who want to…
Use guitar melodies to add organic and melodic elements to the track
Problem: track lacks organic or melodic elements
Incorporating guitar melodies can add an organic and melodic element to the track, especially in bounce trance and funk-inspired genres. This technique helps create a more dynamic and engaging arrangement by introducing…
Use different velocities for varied sound
Problem: monotonous or lifeless MIDI performance
Using different velocity values on MIDI notes can produce a more dynamic and expressive performance. Higher velocities can make notes sound brighter or more aggressive, while lower velocities can add subtlety and nuance.…
Start with the third note in a key for a good-sounding melody
Problem: weak or uninteresting melody start
Starting a melody with the third note of a scale (in this case, B in the key of G) often creates a strong and pleasing opening. This is a common practice in many genres, as it provides a sense of resolution and…
Humanize MIDI with a randomizer tool
Problem: stiff or lifeless MIDI performance
Using a randomizer tool like Alt-R can add subtle variations to MIDI notes, making the performance feel more natural and less robotic. This is especially useful for adding groove and character to repetitive patterns or…
Use velocity to differentiate between high and low notes
Problem: lack of dynamic contrast in melody
Assigning higher velocities to upper notes and lower velocities to lower notes can help create a more dynamic and spatially interesting performance. This technique is used in the video to make the higher notes sound more…
Search for specific kick samples using keywords
Problem: difficulty finding the right kick sample
Searching for kick samples using specific keywords like 'trans-kicks' can help find the right sound for a track. This is a useful technique for producers looking to find unique or genre-specific sounds quickly. The video…
Use a punchy, plucky bass for the drop baseline
Problem: slappy, indistinct bass not fitting the drop
The producer selects a bass line that is more punchy and plucky rather than slappy or slap house, which is better suited for the drop in a bounce trance track. This choice ensures the bass has a more defined and…
Avoid over-widening the bass in the drop
Problem: over-widening bass may compromise clarity
The producer decides not to widen the bass line further, as it may not be ideal for the drop's base. This decision ensures the bass remains focused and doesn't lose its punch or clarity in the mix. Keeping the bass…
Process the guitar as the main element in the drop
Problem: guitar not standing out in the mix
The producer emphasizes processing the guitar, as it is the main element in the drop. This approach ensures the guitar stands out and contributes to the overall texture and energy of the track. Processing the guitar…
Add a limiter to control dynamics in the drop
Problem: uneven dynamics in the drop
The producer adds a limiter to the track to control the dynamics and ensure the drop has a consistent and powerful presence. This helps maintain the energy of the track while preventing any elements from peaking too…
Use swing to add groove to the rhythm
Problem: rhythm feels too rigid, lacks groove
Applying a swing of 20% to the rhythm adds a natural groove and feel to the track. This is a common technique in bounce trance and other rhythmic genres to make the beat feel more human and less mechanical. The speaker…