Enhance stereo width with mid-side EQ on high frequencies
Problem: narrow stereo imaging, lack of air
Use single-note MIDI with gate for effective layering
Problem: overcomplicated MIDI patterns
Set tempo to 125 BPM for Boris Brejcha-style driving energy
Problem: lack of rhythmic drive in trance tracks
Duplicate and rearrange patterns for variation
Problem: repetitive, static sections
Automate kick volume to start quieter and increase on the drop
Problem: lack of dynamic energy in the track
Shorten kick duration for better phase alignment
Problem: phase cancellation due to long kick transients
Use a quick mix rack to get to 90% of the mix in 10 minutes
Problem: prolonged early-stage mixing paralysis
Change acid wave from square to saw for more aggressive timbre
Problem: insufficient harmonic content in acid sound
Process 909 clap with plate reverb and 120Hz low-cut
Problem: muddy, undefined clap sound
Add 50ms pre-delay to 909 clap reverb
Problem: reverb masking clap attack
Pitch down hat loop 18 semitones for darker texture
Problem: bright, harsh hat clashing with low end
Use LFO Tool to sidechain hat loop to percussion
Problem: hats and percussion clashing in frequency range
Use Echo Boy with DM2 saturation for warm reverb
Problem: cold, lifeless reverb tail
Use ping pong delay with dotted eighth on both sides and 35% mix
Problem: lack of spatial depth in leads/pads
Apply saturation to delay returns for analog warmth
Problem: cold, sterile delay sound
Use simple crash symbols and reverse crashes for impact
Problem: overcomplicated percussion
Keep productions simple to avoid sounding cheap
Problem: cluttered, unprofessional sound
Add vinyl crackle with Abbey Road plugin for analog texture
Problem: modern, sterile mastering sound
Use a quick mix rack to avoid over-processing early
Problem: slowed production, inconsistent processing
Use a quick mix rack to maintain consistency across tracks
Problem: inconsistent mixing across tracks
Mistake: pitching down a loop without adjusting warp settings
Problem: muddy, unclear hi-hat loops after pitching
Apply low cut at 428Hz on hi-hat for clarity
Problem: hi-hat muddiness in the low-mid range
Sidechain hi-hat and shaker to kick for punch
Problem: kick lacks punch due to competing transients
Use vinyl plugin for 'older' texture on pads
Problem: pads sound sterile or lifeless
Adjust riser timing for dynamic build
Problem: build-up lacks dynamic contrast
Use vintage artifacts as a genre-specific aesthetic choice
Problem: lack of sonic differentiation in modern trance
Use volume automation for emotional swells
Problem: flat dynamics, lack of emotional contrast
Use 2C Audio Ether for reverb with early reflections gain at -12dB
Problem: reverb too dominant, loss of clarity
The skeleton arrangement technique: build a backbone for sonic storytelling
Problem: arrangement lacks direction, ideas don't coalesce
Create the skeleton track with a lead or bass sound that develops into a lead
Problem: arrangement lacks direction, ideas don't coalesce
Distribute the main sequence across the track length to maintain consistency
Problem: arrangement feels repetitive, lacks movement
Automate filter cutoffs and other parameters to shape the emotional intensity around the peak
Problem: arrangement lacks emotional build and release
Use reversed synth with stretched echo for smooth transitions
Problem: abrupt transitions, lack of build-up momentum
Avoid abrupt transitions — prioritize musical flow
Problem: disconnected transitions, loss of emotional flow
Use reversed horn with filter automation for call-and-answer transitions
Problem: flat transitions, lack of harmonic interest
Add reversed percussion for rhythmic continuity
Problem: rhythmic disconnection during transitions
Create white noise riser with reversed LFO curve
Problem: harsh risers, unwanted transients
Align reversed samples with track's key for harmonic cohesion
Problem: dissonant transitions, harmonic clashes
Use reversed reverb for spatial continuity
Problem: discontinuous spatial effects
Stretch a sample double its length for a labored, drawn-out effect
Problem: lack of atmospheric texture or tension-building
Overlap and reverse sample sections for riser effects
Problem: lack of dynamic build-ups
Use a sharp minor scale for the lead melody
Problem: generic-sounding lead, lack of emotional impact
Set scale to A sharp/B flat minor for harmonic compatibility
Problem: harmonic dissonance between elements
Copy and adjust MIDI clips for sub pad layering
Problem: thin low end, inefficient layering
Add reverb to the lead for spatial separation
Problem: clashing elements, lack of spatial separation
Use sidechain with option/alt click for smoother pumping
Problem: harsh sidechain pumping
Use specific note choices (E, D-sharp, B, G) for melodic interest
Problem: predictable melodies, lack of interest
Add percussion using random sample selection
Problem: time-consuming percussion selection