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…
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…
Choose sounds that naturally fit the track without heavy processing
Problem: over-processing due to poor sound selection
Selecting the right sound from the start can save time and effort in the mixing and processing stages. The example shows how a synth can be used as a background element without needing heavy effects or saturation. This…
Use a sample pack with kick, rim shot, hi-hats, and other lo-fi drum samples
Problem: lack of quality drum samples for lo-fi
Using a curated sample pack with specific lo-fi drum elements like kick, rim shot, and hi-hats can save time and provide high-quality sounds that fit the lo-fi aesthetic. This approach ensures consistency and quality in…
Use vocal samples from Splice to add authenticity to your track
Problem: lack of authentic vocal elements
Using vocal samples from Splice or similar platforms can add a professional and authentic feel to your track. This is especially useful in genres like house and trance, where vocal elements are often used to add…
Sound selection is a critical factor in making a track sound professional
Problem: track sounds amateur despite good mixing/mastering
Even with a perfect mix and master, a track can still sound amateur if the sound selection is poor. Choosing the right sounds is like selecting the right ingredients for a dish — it's the foundation of the track. This is…
Use a reference track to guide sound selection
Problem: unclear sound direction, mismatched genre
A reference track from a professional artist can help you identify which sounds fit the genre and energy of your track. By comparing your sounds to the reference, you can make more informed choices about which samples to…
Replace mismatched sounds with ones that fit the reference track
Problem: sounds don't fit together or match reference
By comparing your sounds to a reference track, you can identify which sounds are not fitting and replace them with ones that are closer to the reference. This helps ensure that your track has a cohesive sound and matches…
Choose kicks that match the genre and energy of the track
Problem: kick doesn't match genre or energy
The kick in the demo is too thin and doesn't match the energy of the reference track. A more punchy kick with more high-end presence is needed to match the reference. This is especially important in genres like…
Select snares that match the reference track's characteristics
Problem: snare doesn't match reference or track energy
The snare in the demo is too heavy and doesn't match the light, quick decay of the reference track. A snare with more high-end presence and a shorter decay time is needed to match the reference. This is crucial for…
Sound selection is subjective but should be guided by reference tracks
Problem: uncertainty in sound selection
While sound selection is subjective, using a reference track as a guide ensures that the chosen sounds work well together and fit the genre's expectations. This approach helps maintain consistency and quality in the mix,…
Choose lead sounds that match the track's energy
Problem: lead doesn't match track energy
A lead that is too soft may not work with a powerful drum arrangement. It's important to match the lead's intensity with the overall track energy. This is especially crucial in genres like trance and house, where the…
Ensure chord layers fit the track's context
Problem: chord layers don't fit track context
Chord layers should not only sound good in isolation but also work well with the rest of the track, including the lead and drums. It's important to test chord layers in the full context of the track to ensure they don't…
Use reference tracks to guide sound selection
Problem: uncertainty in sound selection
Listening to reference tracks on platforms like Spotify can provide inspiration and help producers make better sound choices. This is especially useful when trying to match the vibe of a track or when unsure about which…
Use the super saw for powerful chord layers
Problem: weak or underwhelming chord layers
The super saw waveform is a great choice for creating powerful and rich chord layers that can cut through the mix. It's especially useful in genres like trance and house where the chords need to be prominent and…
Replace muddy bass with a growl bass
Problem: muddy or unclear bass
A muddy bass can make the track sound unclear and unprofessional. Replacing it with a growl bass that has a more defined and gritty character can improve the track's clarity and impact. This is especially useful in…
Use sine waves with distortion for growl bass
Problem: weak or uninteresting bass
Creating a growl bass using sine waves with distortion can produce a rich and powerful low-end sound. This technique is commonly used in trance and house to create a deep and gritty bass that complements the track's…
Use LFOs and FM for dynamic bass movement
Problem: static or uninteresting bass
Applying LFOs and FM modulation to a bass can add movement and interest to the sound. This is especially useful in genres like trance and house where the bass needs to be dynamic and engaging. Using LFOs to modulate the…
Add noise and filters for vowel-like movement
Problem: bass lacks character or movement
Adding noise and using filters to create vowel-like movement can add character and interest to a bass sound. This technique is commonly used in trance and house to create a more organic and expressive bass tone. Using a…
Use convolution and effects to make bass unique
Problem: bass lacks uniqueness or depth
Applying convolution and other effects can help make a bass sound more unique and stand out in the mix. This is especially useful in genres like trance and house where the bass needs to be both powerful and distinct.…
Use phasers for vowel-like effects on bass
Problem: bass lacks movement or character
Using a phaser on a bass can create a vowel-like effect that adds character and movement to the sound. This is especially useful in genres like trance and house where the bass needs to be dynamic and expressive. Turning…
Use hyperdimension and EQ for stereo and frequency shaping
Problem: bass lacks stereo width or frequency clarity
Using hyperdimension and EQ can help shape the stereo image and frequency content of a bass sound. This is especially useful in genres like trance and house where the bass needs to be both powerful and well-defined.…
Match bass and lead/chord layers for cohesion
Problem: layers don't match or clash
Ensuring that the bass, lead, and chord layers all match in terms of texture and energy can help create a more cohesive and balanced track. This is especially important in genres like trance and house where the layers…
Avoid using outdated sample packs if you want a modern sound
Problem: music sounds outdated due to old samples
Using sample packs from older years (e.g., 2013 or 2014) can make your music sound outdated, even if the samples are high quality. This is because the sonic characteristics and production trends have evolved over time.…
Always test sounds in context to ensure they fit the track
Problem: sound doesn't fit with the rest of the track
No matter how good a sound may seem in isolation, it's important to test it in the context of the full track. This ensures that it doesn't clash with other elements and that it contributes positively to the overall…
Save compatible sounds into your own preset pack
Problem: time-consuming to find compatible sounds
When you find sounds that work well together, save them into your own preset pack. This helps you build a library of sounds that are compatible with your style and track structure. It also speeds up the production…
Match the dynamics of your bass with the rest of the track
Problem: inconsistent dynamics between layers
When selecting sounds, ensure that their dynamics match the rest of the track. For example, if your bass is plucky, it should be layered with plucky leads. Alternatively, if you want contrast, you can layer it with…
Use reference tracks to identify and replace sounds that don't fit the desired style
Problem: sounds don't match the desired style or energy
By listening to a reference track, producers can identify the types of sounds used in a successful track and replace their own sounds with ones that match the reference's style and energy. This helps ensure that the…
Start with bad sounds to understand the difference when replacing them
Problem: lack of awareness about sound quality and fit
Intentionally using low-quality or mismatched sounds in a project helps producers recognize the sonic gaps and areas for improvement. This approach trains the ear to identify what makes a sound fit within a track and…
Replace random layers with ones that fit the track's sonic identity
Problem: layers don't fit the track's sonic identity
Replacing random or mismatched layers with sounds that fit the track's sonic identity ensures a cohesive and professional result. This is especially important in genres like trance and house, where the layers need to…
Replace kick, snare, and cymbal sounds with ones that match the reference track
Problem: kick and snare lack punch and power
Replacing the kick, snare, and cymbals with sounds that match the reference track's energy and character significantly improves the track's cohesion and impact. For example, using a more powerful kick or a punchier snare…
Choose bright hi-hats and cymbals to match the reference track's energy
Problem: hi-hats and cymbals lack brightness and energy
Using bright hi-hats and cymbals that match the reference track's energy helps maintain a consistent and professional sound. This is especially important in genres like trance and house, where the high-end clarity and…
Detune and use unison to make saw waves more powerful and cohesive
Problem: saw waves lack power and cohesion
Detuning and using unison on saw waves can make them more powerful and cohesive, especially when matching the reference track's energy. This technique is commonly used in genres like trance and house to create a rich,…
Remove unnecessary reverb to keep the track clean and focused
Problem: unnecessary reverb clutters the mix
Removing unnecessary reverb helps keep the track clean and focused, especially when the reverb is not contributing to the overall sound or is clashing with other elements. This is a common practice in genres like trance…
Replace bad sounds with better ones that match the reference track
Problem: incoherent sounds in the track
If a sound doesn't fit the overall vibe of the track, it's better to replace it with a sound that aligns with the reference track. This ensures cohesion and helps the track sound more professional. This is a simple but…
Sound selection is one of the most important skills in music production
Problem: lack of track quality
The quality of the sounds you choose can make or break a track. Even with great mixing and mastering, poor sound selection can lead to a track that doesn't stand out. This is especially true in EDM, where the right…
Avoid copyright issues by using high-quality, separate vocal samples
Problem: risk of copyright infringement
Using high-quality, separate vocal samples reduces the risk of copyright infringement, which is a common issue when using unlicensed audio. This approach ensures that the vocals are legally usable and often come with…
Use high-quality separate vocals for better control and clarity
Problem: vocals lack clarity or are too noisy
High-quality, separate vocal samples provide more control over the vocal track during mixing and mastering. They often have better frequency balance, less noise, and are easier to process with EQ and compression. This is…
Get a high-quality piano for songwriting
Problem: lack of inspiring instruments for composition
Warren emphasizes that a great piano is essential for composing and arranging. The 1966 Steinway Model B provides a rich, dynamic sound that inspires creativity. Unlike digital pianos, its acoustic resonance allows for…
Invest in a vintage guitar for authentic tones
Problem: inauthentic guitar tones in recordings
Warren acquired a 1966 Harmony H 165 based on a recommendation. Its aged wood and original pickups provide unique tonal characteristics unattainable with modern guitars. This decision reflects a mindset of prioritizing…
Use reference tracks to decide core sounds
Reference tracks help identify which sounds are essential for a track's identity. By comparing your work to commercial tracks, you can quickly determine which elements (like kick, bass, or lead) are critical to the genre…
Use hot swapping to preview sounds in context
Hot swapping (available in most DAWs like Ableton) allows you to preview sounds while the rest of the track is playing. This ensures a sound works with your core elements, not just in isolation. Turn off the preview…
Use post-it notes for AB comparing sounds
When evaluating sounds, use post-it notes to jot down notes for each option. Compare two sounds at a time, cross out the weaker one, and narrow down choices until the best fit is found. This method ensures objective…
Research genre-specific classic sounds for faster selection
Knowing classic sounds for a genre (e.g., the Corg M1 piano for piano house) streamlines the selection process. This avoids spending hours searching for the right sound and ensures the track aligns with genre…
Iteratively narrow down sound options through comparison
After gathering multiple sound options, compare them pairwise, eliminating the weaker one each time. Repeat until the best sound is selected. This method ensures the final choice is the strongest fit for the track.
Discard sounds that don't fit the track's vibe, even if they're good
If a sound (e.g., a trancey arpeggio) doesn't match the track's vibe (e.g., deep house), it should be discarded. This mindset, rephrased as 'throw your kittens in a dungeon,' ensures the track remains cohesive and true…
Avoid over-reliance on generic sample packs
Problem: uninspiring sound selection
Using sample packs that make everything sound 'same samey' can lead to uninspired and derivative tracks. This is a common mistake for producers who rely too heavily on pre-made libraries without curating unique sounds.…
The root cause of bad mixes is often poor sample selection, not mixing skill
Problem: wrong assumption about mix quality causes
Producers assume their mixing is the problem, but 80% of mix issues stem from low-quality or incompatible samples. This changes the mindset from 'fixing the mix' to 'choosing better samples first'. The low end is a…