Use volume shaping to control the presence of ear candy
Problem: ear candy is too loud or distracting
Controlling the volume of ear candy elements is crucial to ensure they don't overpower the main elements of the track. Using a volume shaper or automation can help manage their presence, allowing them to add texture…
Name and organize your automation and effects for clarity
Problem: cluttered session with unclear labels
The producer renames the ARP filter and the side-chained version to avoid confusion. This is a simple but effective workflow tip that helps keep the session organized and easy to navigate. By labeling automation clips…
Use automation to control side-chained ARP filters for dynamic interest
Problem: static ARP filter lacks movement and interest
Instead of using a static side-chain on the ARP filter, the producer uses automation to control the side-chain manually. This allows for more expressive and dynamic control over the filter's behavior, making the sound…
Use automation creatively on ARP synths for ear candy
Problem: static or boring synth sounds
The speaker mentions using automation on an ARP synth to create interesting, dynamic changes in the sound. This technique adds movement and variation, making the track more engaging. It's a simple but effective way to…
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…
Automate the color or length of a sound for dynamic variation
Problem: static, lifeless sounds
Automating parameters like color or length can add movement and interest to a static sound. This technique allows for subtle changes over time, making the sound more engaging and dynamic. It's especially useful in genres…
Use automation to shape the length and color of a sound over time
Problem: static, lifeless sounds
Automation is a powerful tool for shaping the evolution of a sound. By adjusting parameters like length and color over time, producers can create dynamic and expressive sounds that add movement and interest to a track.…
Mute elements halfway through to add energy and pace
Problem: lack of energy or dynamic contrast in a section
By muting certain elements in the middle of a section, you create a dynamic shift that increases the track's energy and momentum. This technique is especially effective in trance, where maintaining and building energy is…
Use slow fades for leads to build tension and energy
Problem: sudden or jarring transitions
Fading in leads slowly allows for a more natural and gradual build-up of energy. This technique is particularly effective in trance, where tension and release are essential to the track's emotional impact. By using slow…
Use filter automation to control the energy of a section
Problem: sudden or uncontrolled energy shifts
Automating a filter to open gradually allows for a controlled and smooth transition into a section. This technique is especially useful in trance and uplifting tracks, where the energy needs to be carefully managed. By…
Use automation for lead vocals in pop to maintain a natural sound
Problem: over-compressing lead vocals
In pop or hit pop mixes, automation is often used to manage the dynamics of lead vocals for a more natural and transparent sound. This is different from rock, where heavy compression is expected. Automation allows for…
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 automation to shape the delay of vocal tracks
Problem: static vocal delay that lacks movement
Automating the delay of vocal tracks allows for dynamic control over the timing and spatial placement of the vocals. This can help create a sense of movement and depth in the mix, especially in trance and bounce trance…
Add fade-ins to vocal chops for smoother transitions
Problem: harsh vocal chops that disrupt the flow
Applying fade-ins to vocal chops helps them blend more naturally into the track, reducing harshness and improving the flow of the mix. This is especially useful in bounce trance where vocal chops are often used for…
Use fake drops and automation to build tension
Problem: lack of tension, predictable drops
Creating a 'fake drop' with automation helps build anticipation and tension before the real drop. This technique is useful in trance and bounce trance to keep the listener engaged and create a sense of release when the…
Tease melodies with open cut-off and fade-ins for smooth transitions
Problem: jarring melody entrances, abrupt transitions
Using open cut-off and fade-ins when introducing a melody helps it blend smoothly into the track. This technique is useful for creating seamless transitions and ensuring that the melody doesn't feel jarring or abrupt.…
Automate side chain to control when it's active
Problem: side chain active when not needed, unnecessary processing
Automating the side chain allows you to control when it's active, such as only during kick hits. This helps maintain clarity and prevents unnecessary processing during sections where it's not needed. This is a useful…
Use wash-out effects with automation for atmospheric texture
Problem: lack of atmospheric depth
Applying wash-out effects with automation adds atmospheric texture and depth to the track. This technique is particularly useful in bounce trance and funk tribu styles to create a sense of space and movement. The speaker…
Use automation to shape wash-out patches
Problem: static wash-out patches, lack of movement
Automation allows for dynamic control over the wash-out patch, giving it a more organic and evolving character. By automating parameters like filter cutoff or modulation depth, the sound can transition smoothly from one…
Consolidate vocal sections for delay effects
Problem: delay applied to entire vocal, lack of control
Consolidating vocal sections allows for more precise application of delay effects, especially on the ending parts of the vocal. This technique ensures that the delay is applied only to the desired portion of the vocal,…
Use chopped delay for walk-out transitions
Problem: boring vocal fade-out, lack of transition interest
Chopping the delayed vocal section allows for creative use of the sound in transitions, such as walk-outs. This technique adds rhythmic interest and helps the vocal fade out in a more engaging way. It's a common approach…
Use a volume shaper to sync with kick hits
Problem: synth not syncing with the rhythm
Applying a volume shaper that syncs with kick hits can help shape the dynamics of a synth or other element in time with the beat. This technique is useful for creating rhythmic interest and ensuring that the synth sits…
Automate the envelope for variation in gated pad hits
Problem: pad lacks variation or interest
Automating the envelope of a gated pad can add variation and interest to each hit, making the sound more engaging and dynamic. This technique allows you to control how much the envelope opens on each note, creating…
Extend and enhance percussive elements for urgency
Problem: track lacks rhythmic urgency or impact
In a track with a 'relentless' energy, extending and enhancing percussive elements like claps can help reinforce the sense of urgency. This can be done by adjusting reverb settings or using automation to make the clap…
Automate reverb decay and size for dynamic spaciousness
Problem: breakdown feels too tight or static
To add a sense of urgency and spaciousness in a breakdown, automate the reverb decay and size on a clap or other percussive element. This creates a more dynamic and immersive listening experience. It's a subtle but…
Shorten or simplify parts of the melody to add variety
Problem: melody feels repetitive or stale
Shortening or simplifying parts of the melody can add variety and prevent it from feeling repetitive. This is especially useful in sections that are repeated, as it helps maintain interest and keeps the listener engaged.…
Use automation to create space for melody lines
Problem: melody gets lost in the mix
Automating elements in and out of the mix can help carve out space for the melody, making it more prominent and clear. This technique is especially useful in melodic tracks where the melody needs to stand out without…
Zoom in to make precise adjustments
Problem: imprecise adjustments
Zooming in on the timeline allows for more precise editing, especially when making small adjustments to automation or arrangement details. This is particularly useful when working on subtle changes that can significantly…
Add automation for the top bass to enhance the mix
Problem: top bass lacks presence
Adding automation to the top bass can help shape its presence in the mix, ensuring it sits well with other elements. This technique allows for dynamic control over the bass, making it more expressive and better…
Use phase shifting to subtly alter the melody
Problem: repetitive melody, lack of variation
Phase shifting can be used to create subtle variations in the melody, adding interest and preventing it from sounding repetitive. This technique is especially useful in sections where the melody is repeated multiple…
Use automation to shape the melody and its surrounding elements
Problem: static melody, lack of dynamics
Automation allows for dynamic control over the melody and its supporting elements, helping to build tension and release. This is especially useful in sections where the melody is repeated or needs to evolve over time.…
Use automation to tweak chords and melody in context
Problem: changes don't sit well in the full mix
Automating parameters while listening to the track in context helps ensure that changes to the melody and chords sit well within the overall arrangement. This approach allows for real-time adjustments that take into…
Use automation to build tension and release
Problem: flat or unchanging melody
The producer mentions wanting to 'ramp up' the melody as the section ends, indicating the use of automation to control dynamics and intensity. This is a common technique in electronic music to create emotional arcs and…
Use time-stretching to control the length of a section
Problem: section too long or dragging
The producer mentions speeding up a section if it becomes too long, which is a form of time-stretching. This technique is useful for managing the pacing of a track and ensuring that sections don't feel dragged out. It's…
Use automation to shape the drone over time
Problem: drone feels static or unchanging
Applying automation to a drone allows for dynamic changes in its presence and character throughout the track. This can help avoid monotony and create a more engaging atmosphere. Automation can be used to control…
Organize automation clips for better control
Problem: automation is disorganized or hard to manage
Creating dedicated automation clips for specific parameters helps in managing and fine-tuning the automation over time. This approach keeps the project organized and makes it easier to make adjustments later on. It's…
Move automation clips to avoid unwanted interactions
Problem: automation affects unintended elements
When automation clips are placed in the wrong track or section, they can interfere with other elements or cause unexpected changes. Moving them to the correct track or section ensures that the automation affects only the…
Automate the drone for variation
Problem: static drone, lack of movement
Automating the drone adds movement and interest to the track. By changing the parameters of the drone over time, the producer can create a sense of evolution and avoid a static soundscape. This is a common technique in…
Use macros for automation and dynamic control
Problem: bass lacks dynamic movement
Applying macros to filters or other parameters allows for dynamic control and automation later in the production process. This gives the bass more expressive potential, such as filtering changes or modulation effects…
Use envelopes to control effects over time
Problem: effects are too static or uncontrolled
Applying an envelope to effects like convolution or filters allows for more dynamic control over the sound. This can help shape the attack and release of the effect, making it more responsive to the rhythm of the track.…
Automate macro parameters for subtle movement
Problem: static bassline, lack of movement
Automating macro controls on a bass synth can add subtle motion and keep the bassline from sounding flat. The speaker shows how even a small amount of automation can make a significant difference in the perceived…
Use a bass switch or rising bass for added movement
Problem: static or uninteresting bassline
Adding a rising bass or a bass switch introduces subtle movement and variation in the bassline, making it more engaging and dynamic. This technique helps maintain interest in the low-end and prevents the bass from…
Use volume contrast for higher arousal
Problem: track feels flat or unengaging
Creating contrast in volume levels between sections or elements can increase the sense of excitement and tension in a track. This is useful for building dynamics and keeping the listener engaged. However, too much…
Use automation to enhance emotional impact
Problem: mix lacks dynamic emotional contrast
Automation is recommended as a tool to fine-tune the emotional impact of a mix. By adjusting levels, panning, or effects in specific sections, producers can create contrast and keep the listener engaged. This technique…
Lock automation with Alt + Shift + Click to keep it active when soloing
Problem: automation mutes when soloing, disrupting workflow
When soloing a track, automation lanes are muted by default, which can be inconvenient. By locking the automation with Alt + Shift + Click, the automation remains active even when the track is soloed. This is especially…
Organize your project by grouping automation and hiding it when not in use
Problem: automation lanes clutter the interface and make it hard to focus
Grouping automation and hiding it when not in use helps keep your project clean and organized. This is especially useful when working on complex arrangements with multiple automation lanes. It allows you to focus on the…
Experiment with automation and layering to shape the arrangement
Problem: stagnant arrangement, lack of movement
Automation and layering are essential tools for shaping the arrangement and giving the track a sense of movement and evolution. By experimenting with these techniques, producers can discover new ways to transition…
Remove or mute elements temporarily to simplify the arrangement
Problem: overloaded arrangement, unclear focus
Sometimes, removing or muting certain elements (like a drone) can help simplify the arrangement and make space for other elements to shine. This technique is useful for identifying what's essential in a section and can…