Yesterday we published our complete guide to techno production in 2023 , covering everything from structure and format to plugins and sound design. Today we'll give you 14 quick and easy tips to help you create amazing techno crackers.
1. Add reggae resonance
Depending on the type of sound you're looking for, there are different ways to handle the impact. Add the Reverb plugin directly to your beat and it will add a different vibe. After feedback, use an equalizer or filter and filter out the high frequencies to darken the sound.
Try adding a distortion or saturation plugin after the EQ, like FabFilter Saturn 2. If you decide to use synth reverb as a layer on top of the main kick, try adding an audio sidechain like Kickstart 2, which plays the reverb after the main kick.
2. Parallel drumming
Once the drums are created, combine them and send them to the auxiliary/bass track using a parallel compressor. Parallel compression, fast release and ratio are tuned for fast attack like the Arturia Comp FET-76.
Add EQ, cut all the low frequencies and reduce the volume of the parallel comp/bass in the mix. Parallel compaction helps ensure that the elements of your drum kit are well mixed.
3. Automatic parameters
Since techno is all about groove, it's important to use automation to add movement and make the sound flow and resonate. Automate pause filtering on synths, tracks and breaks.
Other important synthetic automation parameters are attack, decay, hold, and release. For example, you can automatically remove rot and toss it before resting, then throw it away.
4. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
Try putting a Shadow Hills mastering compressor on the main bass at the beginning of the session. Techno should feel tight and cohesive, and this plugin will help you achieve that sound.
5. Level of applause
To add movement to the drums, try aligning the beat every second or every fourth beat. Choose a clapper that complements your main clapper. Try selecting the flap layer or using a zplane Elastice step to give it a shape. Add a bitcrossing plugin or FabFilter Saturn 2 on top to improve the sound.
6. Bass drum
A typical drum bus sends multiple distortion parts (such as open hi-hat, closed hi-hat, cymbal, trip and/or triple loop) to the aux/bus. Run them through tape (like Universal Audio's Studer A800 or Abbey Road's Wave vinyl plug-in) and then an equalizer like the API-2500.
The EQ can add some air to the highs with Slate Digital's VBC FG-MU or a similar bass compressor like the Maag Audio EQ4. An idea to complete the chain would be to add a plugin like the SPL TwinTube character.
7. For navigation
In preparation, remove the trip (or hi-hat). This is a common method that can be used during transitions, such as at the end of a building module. For four- or eight-bar intervals, use a plugin like zplane Elastique Pitch V2 and automate the pitch of the hi-hat or trip.
You can also use peak automation in your DAW. Open the track in Ableton and go to the Envelopes section. Select Clip, then Transpose and Auto Volume Down. After the conversion section, the volume returns to normal (zero).
8. Add movement to your bass lines
Make your bass lines more interesting and automate your modulation with Goodhertz Trem Control, Ableton's Auto Pan, or a similar tremolo plugin. Then add a filter like Simplon to automate and create a matching template on your base, automating the low pass filter frequency.
9. Research Organizations
Many producers can make a loop that sounds good, but a full song requires a different set of skills. Listen to other producers' arrangements to learn how to tell the story of a piece and how to create and convey tension using contrast and automation. Listen to the arrangement for good practice and write down the elements you play in each eight-bar sequence.
10. Reverse automation
Automatic synthesizers that support melodic lines or vocal effects. Create an Aux/Bus track and add your favorite reverb to it. Make the race longer by setting the pre-delay to around 7.5 or 8 ms and the decay time to six seconds or more.
Add a beat booster like the Cableguys ShaperBox to the chain to create a fresh beat, and finally add an EQ or filter to cut the highs and darken the sound. Try automating the delivery of the ax/tire back into the chain during assembly and back to normal before unloading.
11. Make the trap more attractive
Make your traps more interesting by managing each one a little differently. Similar to Ableton's Drums or Drum Rack, it has three different MIDI notes with the same strings and EQ, each slightly different. When playing the snare drum this way, the sound will be different each time.
Program a 1/16th note snare pattern and set a different tempo for the first six notes. This creates a more polyrhythmic rhythm in the four-story drum pattern. Double the length of your pattern and move the MIDI notes to different notes.
12. Use delay to increase activity
You may want to add more movement to the lead line or synth accompaniment by using delays. Copy the part you want to work with into a new part and add a delay to it, such as Soundtoys Echoboy or Waves H Delay. Rotate the first track to the left and the delay channel to the right. Now that the track is doubled, adjust the volume of both tracks in the mix.
13. Working with links
When creating a song, it is recommended to use a reference song for sound design, melodies, or interesting ideas or arrangements. Install the ADPTR Audio Metric AB plugin on the main bus. This plugin allows you to load multiple references and A/B mix your own reference track. For example, if you want to use the same kick or bass in a reference track, Metric AB will let you quickly see how close or far you are to the desired sound.
14. Completed trip
One element that works well in techno is the fuzzy trippy feel. To create this sound, add an equalizer such as the Pultec MEQ-5 to your travel track. Set the maximum frequency to 500 Hz and add 3 dB boost and 5 dB cut at 5 kHz. Add a Goodhertz Wolf compressor and use the parallel adhesive preset with two bases. Send an ax/bus ride with the main action. Create another aux/bass, add a fill jack, such as a Waves Abbey Road vinyl tape, and an EQ to cut the low end and boost the frequency around 2700Hz.
On another aux/bus, add delay to the Universal Audio Cooper Time Cube MkII and try False Spring with the Echo preset. Send your ride to the Cooper Time Cube optional/bus and customize it to your liking.
