14 Tips For Producing Better Techno: "Automate The Lowpass Filter Frequency To Create A Rhythmic Pattern On Your Bassline"
Yesterday we published our definitive guide to techno production in 2023, covering everything from structure and format to plugins and sound design . Today we're going to give you 14 quick and easy tips to help you create floor-filling techno tracks.
1. Add reverb to the drum kit
There are many ways to treat your drums depending on the type of sound you are looking for. Add a reverb plugin directly to the drums and it will add a different atmosphere. Use an equalizer or a post-reverb filter and a high-pass filter to darken the sound.
Try adding a distortion or overdrive plugin like FabFilter Saturn 2 after the EQ. If you decide to use the processed reverb as a layer over the main kick, try adding a sidechain to the sound like Kickstart 2 so that the reverb plays after the main kick.
2. Parallel drum processing
Once you've built your drums, compose them and send them to an additional track/bus using a parallel compressor. Use a compressor like the Arturia Comp FET-76 for fast attack, fast release, and parallel compression with the ratio set to ALL.
Add EQ, remove all the bass and reduce the sub/parallel bass in the mix. Parallel composition will help the elements of your drum kit blend well together.
3. Automation of parameters
Since techno is based on beats, it's especially important to use automation to add dynamism to sounds so they flow and sound natural. In Tune, the filter is automatically cut when tracks and breaks are inserted.
Other important parameters to automate in a synthesizer are attack, decay, stop, and release. For example, you can automate the fall, release before rest, and slow down during landing.
4. Shadow Hills Master Compressor
Try putting the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor on the main bass when you start the session. Techno should be compact and crisp, and this plugin will help you achieve that sound.
5. Level of applause
To add movement to your drumming, try placing every second or fourth clap on the beat. Choose a clap that complements the main clap. Try turning off the clap or using the Zeplane elastic step to lower the altitude. To finish off the sound, add a little crushing plugin or FabFilter Saturn 2 on top.
6. Bass drum
Create a simple drum bus by sending multiple drum parts (eg open hi-hat, closed hi-hat, snare, ride, and/or up loop) and send them to the bus/axe. Double the speed of the tape (such as Universal Audio's Studer A800 tape recorder or Wave's Abbey Road vinyl plug-in) and then process it with an equalizer like the API-2500.
Follow with Slate Digital's VBC FG-MU compressor or a similar bass compressor, then an EQ that can add some air to the top like the Maag Audio EQ4. To add character can be an add-on like SPL TwinTube.
7. Falling on the road
Lower the tempo (or hi-hat) in the arrangement. This is a simple technique that can be used during transitions such as the end of a setup section. Use a plug-in like zplane Elastique Pitch V2 for four or eight bar durations and automate the hi-hat pitch or trip.
You can also use peak automation in your DAW. Open the clip in Ableton and go to the About section. Select a clip, then change the volume and play it automatically. After the transition section, return the playing field to its normal (zero) position.
8. Add motion to the baseline
Make your bass lines more interesting and automate modulation with Goodhertz Trem Control, Ableton's Auto Pan or a similar tremolo plugin. Next, add a filter like Simplon to the above automation and automate the frequency of the low pass filter to create a rhythmic pattern in your base.
9. Research organizations
Many producers can make an episode that sounds good, but a full song requires a different skill set. Listen to other producers' arrangements to learn how to tell a piece's story and build and release tension using contrast and automation. It is good practice to listen to the arrangement and write down the elements you hear in each eight-bar sequence.
10. Echo automation
Supports effects including automatic synthesizer, harmonic line or reverb. Create an aux/bass track and put your favorite reverb on it. extend the reverb by setting the predelay to about 7.5 or 8 milliseconds and the decay time to six seconds or more.
Add a beat inspiration tool like the Cableguys ShaperBox to the chain to create a new beat, and finally add an equalizer or filter to remove the highs and darken the sound. Try automating the send to Bass/Aux in the reverb chain during setup and reset it to normal before it decays.
11. Make your sheet more attractive
Make your snare rolls more interesting by treating each one a little differently In Ableton, when you take a sample like a drum roll or kick drum, put the same snare on three different MIDI notes and equalize them a little differently. So every time you hit the drums, there will be a difference in sound.
Program a 1/16 note snare pattern and set a different tempo for the first six notes. This will create a polyrhythmic beat in the style of a four-floor drum. Double the length of your sample and move your MIDI notes to different registers
12. Use delay to add motion
You may want to add more movement to the synth's baseline or background using a delay. 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. Move the master track to the left and the delay channel to the right Now that the track is open, adjust the volume of both tracks accordingly in the mix.
13. Working with references
Whether it's for sound design, ideas, or melodic or rhythmic arrangements, it's a good idea to use a reference track when creating a song. Download a plugin called ADPTR Audio Metric AB on your main bus. This plugin allows you to load multiple references and A/B your mix with your reference track. For example, if you want to use drums or bass as a reference track, Metric AB lets you quickly check how close or far it is to the sound you want.
14. Wash the drive
One element of technique that works well is washing. To create this sound, add an equalizer like a Pultec MEQ-5 to the travel track Set the Max to 500Hz, add 3dB gain, cut 5kHz to 5dB Add a Goodhertz Wulf compressor and use the parallel 2-Bus Glue setting. Sends a Bass/Aux trip containing the original reverb. Create another bass/bass amp, add a plug-in like Waves Abbey Road Vinyl Tape and add an EQ to lower the lows and boost around 2700Hz.
Add a Universal Audio Cooper Time Cube MkIII delay on another aux/bus and try a pseudo preset with reverb. Book your ride on a Cooper Time Cube bus/assistant and customize it to your liking.
