Slow attack and slow release creates a 'gooey' or smooth sound
Problem: overly aggressive or unnatural compression
Using both slow attack and slow release times allows the compressor to let more of the transient and sustain pass through, resulting in a smoother, more musical, and 'gooey' sound. This is often used on elements like…
Use a synth with macro settings for atmospheric background tones
Problem: lack of atmospheric depth in the track
Using a synth with macro settings allows for dynamic control over the sound, making it easier to shape the tone in real-time. This is especially useful for creating atmospheric background elements that can be modulated…
Connect mod wheel to filter for real-time modulation
Problem: static, lifeless synth sounds
Linking the mod wheel to the filter allows for expressive, real-time control over the filter cutoff, which can be used to add movement and dynamics to a synth. This is a common technique in trance and tech trance to make…
Use Arpline to add texture when the drums kick in
Problem: arrangement lacks texture
Introducing an Arpline (a type of synth or lead sound) when the drums kick in can add texture and interest to the track. This technique helps fill in gaps in the arrangement and provides a more dynamic and engaging…
Use Serum for synth riffs due to its popularity and versatility
Problem: limited synth options
Using Serum for synth riffs is a practical choice due to its popularity and versatility. Many producers use Serum because it's widely available and has a large library of presets. This makes it an ideal choice for…
Build synth riffs from scratch for a unique sound
Problem: generic, overused synth sounds
Building synth riffs from scratch allows for greater control and creativity in the sound design process. This is a common practice among producers who want to create unique and original sounds. By designing the synth…
Use the root note and thirds for chordal structure in synth riffs
Problem: dissonant or weak synth riffs
Using the root note and thirds in synth riffs helps create a strong and melodic foundation. This is a common technique in music theory that ensures the synth riff complements the chord progression of the track. By using…
Program synth riffs on one note first to dial in the rhythm
Problem: unlocked or off-beat synth riffs
Programming synth riffs on one note first helps dial in the rhythm before adding pitch variations. This is a practical approach used by many producers to ensure the rhythm is tight and locked in with the rest of the…
Repeat synth riffs for consistency and groove
Problem: inconsistent or disjointed synth lines
Repeating synth riffs helps maintain consistency and groove in the track. This is a common technique in trance and house where repetition is key to creating a hypnotic and engaging sound. By repeating the riff, the track…
Avoid overdoing synth riffs to maintain clarity
Problem: cluttered, busy mix
Avoiding overdoing synth riffs helps maintain clarity in the mix. This is a common piece of advice from experienced producers who know that too much can lead to a cluttered and busy sound. By keeping the synth riff…
Use a filter and envelope to shape the synth sound
Problem: flat, lifeless synth sound
Using a filter and envelope on a synth helps shape the sound and add movement. This is a fundamental technique in sound design that allows producers to create dynamic and evolving synth sounds. By applying a filter and…
Add envelope movement for sparkly, dynamic synth sounds
Problem: static, uninteresting synth sound
Adding envelope movement to a synth creates sparkly and dynamic sounds. This is a common technique in genres like trance and house where movement and energy are key. By using envelopes to modulate parameters like filter…
Use velocity-sensitive distortion for dynamic movement
Problem: static, lifeless synth sounds
Applying distortion that reacts to velocity adds more depth and character to the sound. This technique is especially useful in genres like trance and house, where subtle movement and detail are crucial. By making the…
Use a band-pass filter to shape a funky stab sound
Problem: muddy or undefined stab sounds
Applying a band-pass filter to a synth can help create a more focused and punchy stab sound. This technique is particularly effective in genres like house and trance, where tight, rhythmic elements are essential. The…
Add vibrato using an LFO for a cheeky, expressive sound
Problem: lifeless or static synth sounds
Using an LFO to modulate the pitch of a synth adds subtle movement and character, making the sound more expressive and engaging. This is a common technique in genres like house and trance, where small details can make a…
Use chord inversions to create interesting harmonic movement
Problem: predictable or monotonous chord progressions
Inverting chords by moving the top note down an octave can add harmonic interest and variety to a track. This is a common technique in house and trance music, where subtle harmonic changes help keep the listener engaged.…
Enhance melody notes with bright synths for clarity and presence
Problem: melody lacks clarity or presence
Avicii often used bright, clear synths to enhance the melody notes, making them stand out in the mix. This technique helps ensure that the melody is heard clearly and adds a sense of presence and energy to the track.…
Layer chords with different synths for a rich, full sound
Problem: chords sound thin or flat
Avicii often layered chords using different synths to create a rich and full sound. This technique is especially effective in beachy or uplifting tracks, where a layered chord progression can add depth and texture. It's…
Layer melody sounds using a consistent synth like Nexus 2
Problem: inconsistent or clashing melody layers
Avicii often used the same synth (like Nexus 2) to layer multiple melody sounds, ensuring a cohesive and unified tonal character across the track. This approach helps maintain a consistent texture and timbre, which is…
Enhance mellow piano sounds with a powerful synth like Nexus
Problem: weak or underdeveloped melody
Avicii would take a mellow piano sound and enhance it by layering it with a powerful synth like Nexus. This technique adds depth, presence, and emotional weight to the melody, making it stand out in the mix. The contrast…
Cut 400Hz on synth to shape mid-range
Problem: muddy mid-range, unclear synth presence
Removing 400Hz from the synth helps avoid muddiness in the mid-range. This frequency range is often problematic in dense mixes, and cutting it creates clarity without losing the synth's character. This is a common fix in…
Sidechain synth to kick for rhythmic clarity
Problem: kick and synth frequency clashes
Sidechaining the synth to the kick creates rhythmic space for the kick drum, preventing frequency clashes. This is a fundamental technique in EDM to ensure the kick remains punchy and the synth doesn't mask it. It's…
Apply pitch bend to bass for 808 kick vibe
Problem: lack of punch in bass
Adding a pitch bend to a bass synth creates a sub-bass-like attack that mimics the punch of an 808 kick. The initial peak is set high (e.g., +12 semitones) and then quickly pulled back to the root note. This adds a…
Design synths with wave tables and scale modes
Problem: dissonant, chaotic synths
Using a wave table oscillator (e.g., triangle, sawtooth) as the base for a synth allows for rich harmonic content. Enabling the 'scale' mode in the MIDI note settings ensures the synth stays in key, preventing…
Boost 1-3kHz on guitars/synth for upper mid presence
Problem: lack of upper mid presence
Adding energy in the 1-3kHz range on guitars and synths enhances their definition and helps them cut through the mix. This frequency range is critical for perceived 'presence' and separation. The speaker implies this is…
Use Morph to blend two sounds into a hybrid harmony layer
Problem: lack of unique harmonic textures in pads
Morph allows cross-fading between two audio sources (e.g., vocal and synth) while preserving their unique characteristics. By adjusting the formant and resonance parameters, you can create a new timbral texture that sits…
Use Morph's cross-fader to morph between two synth loops for evolving textures
Problem: static synth textures, lack of evolution
By routing two synth loops through Morph and adjusting the cross-fader, you can create seamless transitions between sounds. This technique is particularly effective in future bass for building tension during breakdowns.…
Adjust formant in Morph to create vocal-like timbres from synth sounds
Problem: synth pads lack vocal-like expressiveness
Morph's formant control can make synth sounds behave like human vocals by emphasizing harmonic overtones. This is useful in future bass for creating vocal-like pads that still retain their synthetic character. The…
Use monophonic mode for bass to prevent note bleeding
Problem: muddy bass due to overlapping notes
Monophonic mode ensures only one note plays at a time, avoiding unintended harmonics from overlapping notes. This is crucial for basslines in house music where clarity is key. The technique prevents muddiness caused by…
Roll off frequencies below 100Hz on synth to avoid bass clash
Problem: synth and bass clashing in the low-end
Cutting sub-bass frequencies on the synth ensures it doesn't compete with the bassline. This allows the synth to sit cleanly in the mix while maintaining its presence. The speaker explicitly mentions this to prevent…
Use filter envelopes to shape synth melodies dynamically
Problem: static synth melodies lacking movement
Applying a filter envelope to the synth allows for dynamic modulation of the sound over time. This creates movement and interest in the melody, preventing it from sounding static. The speaker demonstrates this by linking…
Add unison for thicker synth sounds
Problem: thin or weak synth textures
Using unison mode on synths (e.g., 'Creamy mark') thickens the sound by layering multiple oscillators. This is a sound design technique to enhance presence and fullness in lead or pad textures.
Adjust frequency peaks by lowering and raising specific ranges
Problem: mismatched frequency balance in synth chords
The speaker identifies a frequency peak around 560Hz in the original sound and adjusts it by lowering one frequency and raising another to match the target. This process involves precise EQ adjustments to shape the…
Use side-chaining to create a chill synth pump
Problem: static synth layer needs rhythmic energy
Side-chaining the synth to the kick or drum triggers creates a rhythmic 'pumping' effect that adds movement and space in the mix. This technique is particularly effective for trance and house tracks where dynamic…
Use the vi-IV-I-V progression in major scales for happiness
Problem: lack of emotional uplift in chord progressions
The vi-IV-I-V progression (e.g., A minor - D major - C major - G major in C major) creates a bright, uplifting sound. The resolution from the dominant chord (V) to the tonic (I) provides strong harmonic closure. This is…
Use unique voicings and classic synths to extract maximum emotion
Problem: generic, uninspired chord progressions
Eric Prids' approach to the vi-IV-I-V progression includes omitting fifths and using a 'classic style synth' with a fun rhythm. This highlights how voicing choices and timbre can dramatically alter the emotional impact…
Prioritize elements in the mix like a glass with big and little balls
Problem: muddy mix, unclear priorities
The metaphor explains that the main vocal/lead synth (big balls) should dominate the mix, while other elements (little balls) fit around them. This creates clarity and avoids a muddy, chaotic mix. It’s a conceptual…
Use EQ to resolve clashes between vocals and synths
Problem: vocal clarity loss
When vocals and synths clash, use EQ to carve space for the more important element (usually vocals). This involves identifying overlapping frequencies and attenuating the synth in those ranges for clarity.
Use LFOs for modulation and movement
Problem: static and lifeless sounds
Applying an LFO to a synth or pad can add subtle movement and interest to a sound. This is a common technique in trance to keep the track engaging and dynamic. The LFO can be used to modulate parameters like filter…
Add release for smoother transitions
Use a longer release time to make sustained chords blend into each other, adding tension and discordance.
Shape filter envelopes for dynamic sound changes
Use the envelope to shape the filter frequency over time, similar to the bass line, adding subtle dynamics.
Add unison for richer, cleaner sound
Enhance the synth sound by adding unison to create a rich and clean texture.
Use auto-pan for constant movement
Add an auto-pan effect to keep the sound moving, adding life and interest in electronic music.
Add echo for spatial movement
Use an echo effect to bounce the sound left to right, adding spatial movement and depth.
Start synth melody on perfect fifth
Begin the melody of your synth riff with the perfect fifth note for a strong musical foundation.
Use sidechain compression on synths to clear space for kick
Apply sidechain compression on the synth track using the kick drum as the trigger to make room for the kick and enhance clarity.
Use cymbal cuts to create space for synths
Problem: synths masked by cymbals, lack of dynamic space
Cutting out cymbals in certain parts of the arrangement allows synths to stand out more clearly. This technique helps create a more dynamic and layered sound by strategically removing cymbals where synths are playing.…
Use G# minor scale for chord progression
Problem: lack of emotional chord progressions
Choosing the G# minor scale for chord progressions can create a rich and emotive sound. This scale is often used in future bass for its expressive and atmospheric qualities. It's a great choice for creating emotional and…