Tyler Wynn
Unlike other music genres, such as jazz or rock, which are created around traditional instruments, EDM is produced using sounds from audio production software on a computer. The music style cuts across many sub-genres of electronic music, including techno, house, trap, trance, dance-pop, and more. Each sub-genre has its own unique sound, and producers often blend elements of two or more genres to create something entirely new. The process of creating EDM involves using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and plugins to make, edit, and arrange tracks. Producers often use MIDI controllers or the MIDI roll within the DAW to input notes and drum beats, and they can enhance their productions by purchasing additional sample packs and synth libraries.
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What You'll Learn
Using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
There are several popular DAWs commonly used for EDM production, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase Pro, FL Studio, Bitwig Studio, and Studio One. Each of these DAWs offers unique features and workflows suited for electronic music creation. For example, Ableton Live is known for its live performance capabilities, allowing users to seamlessly transition from the studio to the stage. On the other hand, Bitwig Studio offers an unparalleled modular sound design environment, allowing users to push the limits of electronic music production.
When choosing a DAW, it is essential to consider your specific needs and production style. Review the features, technical specifications, and price of each DAW to find the one that best complements your workflow and inspires creativity. Additionally, look for a DAW that offers the technical capabilities required for professional-quality production.
DAWs provide a range of tools to enhance your EDM production. They often include sample libraries, audio samples, and synthesizers. However, advanced producers may choose to purchase additional sample packs and synth libraries to expand their sound palette. DAWs also support plugins, which can be used to produce specific effects such as EQ, compression, and reverb. These plugins are essential for creating the signature sounds of EDM, such as the ""pluck" sound or the punchy kick drum layered with a sub-bass to achieve the "mainroom" or "bigroom" sound.
Overall, selecting the right DAW and utilizing its features effectively are crucial steps in creating captivating and dynamic EDM tracks.
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Creating a bass line
There are a few key steps to creating an effective EDM bass line. Firstly, it is important to understand the music theory behind bass lines. This includes knowing the musical key of the track and the relationship between pitches within that key. Most EDM tracks use only one musical key, and minor keys are more common than major keys as they can sound more serious.
Once you have determined the key, you can create a bass line rhythm. This can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 bars long, and you can place the notes of the rhythm within the pitches of the chosen key. It is common for EDM bass lines to be repetitive, so you may want to repeat the whole bass line or just the rhythm, changing the pitches of the notes in the repeated section.
Another approach is to create a bass line that matches the chords in your track. You can do this by taking the root note of each chord as the melody for your bass line. For example, if your chord progression is E minor, C major, G major, D major, your bass line notes would be E, C, G, D. This approach works in almost every scenario, but it can be a bit simple and boring. To make it more interesting, you can mix and match between root notes and other notes within the chords to create a familiar yet unexpected bass progression.
You can also create a bass line by thinking of it as a drum. Load a tom or clap sample and create a drum groove, then change the note pitches to the note of your bass melody to create a groovy bass line.
Additionally, you can use reference tracks to inspire your bass line. Find a song with a bass line you like and figure out the notes using a spectral analyzer plugin like SPAN by Voxengo. By understanding how the bass lines of your favourite songs work, you can start creating your own.
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The drop
To make the drop sound powerful, one must emphasise the buildup. This can be done by playing with the pitch, for example, or by building tension through vocal samples, which can be played in full just before the drop or hinted at during the buildup. Another way to build tension is to automate reverb during the buildup, creating a big reverb swell, and then cutting the reverb right before the drop to make it sound upfront and centre.
The kick is what gives the drop its power. To ensure the kick punches through the mix, don't smother it with too many other layers. You can also play with stereo panning, bringing all the instruments to the centre during the buildup and then widening the stereo width again when the drop hits.
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Plugins and effects
Some of the most popular plugins for EDM include Serum, Sylenth1, and Massive. Serum is a subtractive wavetable synthesizer with a visual and workflow-oriented interface that makes creating sounds fun and easy. It offers a wide range of built-in effects and hundreds of presets. It is considered one of the best synths among the music production community. Sylenth1 and Diva are great for recreating the classic analog sound from early EDM, with warm and rich textures.
For beginners, it is suggested to start with Serum or Massive, as they are versatile and easy to learn. Phase Plant is a good step up from Serum, offering a modular design and extra synthesis types. For those seeking the most powerful synth, Omnisphere is the top choice, although it comes with a higher price tag. If you are on a budget, Rapid Synth is a more affordable option designed specifically for EDM production.
Other notable plugins include Usynth, Analog Lab, Valhalla, and SoundToys. Usynth and Analog Lab provide excellent presets for various synths, while Valhalla offers superb-sounding reverb at a reasonable price. SoundToys is a bundle of effects that can enhance your productions, with Decapitator being a standout for providing subtle to extreme hardware-modelled saturation, perfect for boosting EDM basses.
Additionally, XLN Audio's RC-20 Retro Color is a multi-effect plugin that adds vintage character to your sounds. It features FX modules that replicate vinyl records and VHS machines, as well as add noise, wobble, and dropouts. It also includes space and chorus effects to make your synths groove.
When using plugins and effects, it is important to experiment and create unique and compelling tracks. This involves layering sounds, adjusting parameters, and automating effects to achieve the desired results.
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Sidechaining
Sidechain compression works by adjusting a track's volume based on another track's levels. A compressor modifies the output volume of one track depending on the input signal from another track. This helps different audio signals fit various instruments together and reduces muddiness through gain manipulation.
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Frequently asked questions
A computer with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is the main instrument needed to make EDM tracks. You should have a computer with ample RAM (16GB or higher), a fast processor, enough storage space (SSD is preferable), and a good audio interface. Popular DAWs include Fruity Loops (FL Studio), Cubase, Logic, and Ableton Live.
Sidechaining is a standard practice in many EDM styles. It involves using compression to control the volume of certain tracks in relation to others. Another technique is the ""pluck"" sound, which in EDM refers to a percussive and melodic category of sound. A good bass line is also important in EDM—it should complement the drum pattern and add its own character.
First, choose a DAW and any plugins you want to use to create unique sounds and effects. Then, decide on the structure of your track, including the drum pattern, bass line, and various instruments. Once you have the basic structure, you can start to layer and arrange the different elements using music production software. Finally, mix and master your track to ensure it sounds good on any sound system.
