With the final just around the corner, Round 3 marks the last chance for contestants to prove they have what it takes to win it all. And what better way to raise the bar than by honouring the genre that laid the foundation for so many others - House, the undisputed father of EDM.

In this last round, producers dove into the genre’s rich and evolving soundscape—exploring the smooth grooves of deep house, the relentless drive of tech house, the gritty punch of bass house, and the emotional lift of melodic house. This round isn’t just about making a track—it’s about capturing the essence of a genre that

continues to shape dance floors worldwide.

After a rigorous review process, we’ve selected 10 standout tracks that truly embodied the spirit and rhythm of house. Check out the full shortlist below to discover the producers who rose to the challenge in this highly competitive round.

Why we choose Hendrik?

After countless hours of listening to the incredible submissions we received, one track rose above the rest. Congratulations to Hendrik Barendsen for delivering a production that truly captures the essence of house music.

Here’s a closer look at why his track stood out—and what made it a clear winner in this final round.

• Style – A flawless house groove—steady, infectious, and danceable. It fuses old-school charm with modern production, striking a perfect balance between classic and current.

• Technicality – Captivating synth work, precise arrangement, and a clean, controlled low end highlight the producer’s refined skill and attention to detail.

• Soul – More than just well-produced, this track feels something. The infectious vocal and emotive progressions give it a depth that lingers. 

Once again, congratulations to Hendrik Barendsen for delivering a track that blew us away! Listen to the winning track below, and check out a Q&A with him below to dive into their creative process, inspirations, and what it takes to craft an award-winning track. 

Can you introduce yourself and describe your journey as a music producer and artist?

My name is Hendrik, and I grew up in the eastern part of the Netherlands in a very musical family. My father is a drummer, my mother is a singer, and both my younger brother and sister play piano—so music has always been a huge part of my life. I started playing guitar when I was eight, and around the age of sixteen, I discovered electronic music and began experimenting with FL Studio.

After finishing high school, I realized I wanted to turn my passion into a career. That led me to study music at the ArtEZ Conservatorium in Enschede. During my studies, I learned a lot about music theory and production, and it was there that I also began my journey as an artist and DJ. At the same time, I got into producing lofi beats under the name Vlows and started producing for other DJs, which eventually became my main source of income.

After graduating, I joined three friends to start a production company called Tribe Music, where we worked on a wide range of projects—from pop and EDM to hip-hop. I did this for 4.5 years and gained a lot of valuable experience. Recently, I left the company to fully focus on my own musical projects again.

What sparked your interest in music production, and how did you begin?

Growing up surrounded by so many different styles of music definitely sparked my interest. Whether it was rock, funk, dance, or classical—there was always something playing at home or in the car. One day on YouTube, I stumbled upon a few music producers explaining how they made beats in FL Studio. That opened up a whole new world for me.

I still remember my very first beat—it was a house-style track that’s actually still on YouTube! It’s from 13 years ago and, well… let’s just say it didn’t sound amazing yet, but that was the start of it all. Check it out if you’re curious—haha!

Where do you find your inspiration, and who or what has influenced your music style?

I’ve always been drawn to a variety of styles, something that comes directly from my upbringing. My dad is a huge Toto fan, so I know all their songs by heart. As a teenager, I played a lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, and Blink-182 on electric guitar, and that rock energy still influences my music today.

I think having such a wide range of musical influences helps keep production fun and exciting. I never stick to one genre—that’s what keeps the creative process fresh.

What message do you hope your music conveys to your audience?

My main goal is to create music that makes people feel good—uplifting, danceable tracks with a happy, energetic vibe. I want listeners to feel that burst of joy, whether they’re dancing at a festival or just vibing with headphones on.

What are your plans as a producer? Can you give us a sneak peek at your upcoming releases?

Right now, I’m fully focused on my solo profile. That includes working on my own releases, ghost productions, and in-studio collaborations with other producers and artists. I’ve got several tracks in the works at the moment.

If you want a sneak peek, feel free to follow me on Instagram @musicbyhb—I regularly share previews and snippets of what I’m working on.

What’s your preferred DAW and favorite plugin?

My DAW of choice is Ableton Live. As for plugins, I’d say Spiff by Oeksound is a favorite—it’s incredibly powerful for transient shaping and really helps bring my mixes to life.

Do you have any go-to techniques or favorite tools/plugins that you use in your productions?

Definitely. One of the most important things for me is starting with high-quality sounds. I always test multiple options—whether it’s kicks, synths, basslines, or drums—before deciding on the best fit. That way, I’m not stuck trying to fix things in the mix later. It’s all about building a solid foundation.

Some of my go-to plugins are:
Spiff, Soothe2, Spectre, FabFilter Bundle, Soundtoys Bundle, Valhalla Reverbs & Delays, Neutron 3 Transient Shaper, and Gullfoss.
For instruments, I love working with Serum, Diva, Omnisphere, Trilian, and Keyscape.

Can you walk us through the making of your winning track? What was your vision behind it?

I actually started the idea while visiting Bali about a month ago. I found some super funky one-shots that really inspired me. I had made a beat earlier that had great drums but lacked musical elements, so I took those drums and merged them with the new funky house idea.

Everything just clicked. I played it for my girlfriend, and she got goosebumps from the first few seconds—that gave me the confidence to finish the track. The rest, as they say, is history—haha!

What advice would you give to producers who want to enter future competitions?

Be yourself. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s honestly the most important thing. Don’t chase trends or make something just because it’s popular—focus on what feels right for you. A lot of music today is made purely for hype, and in the process, the creativity in sound design and overall production can get lost. So experiment, try weird ideas, and make it sound good. Don’t overthink the end result—just enjoy the process and have fun with it.

If you could collaborate with any EDM artist, who would it be and why?

If I could choose anyone right now, it would be Chris Lake. His sound design, groove, and energy are just on another level.

From the earlier days, I’d love to work with Daft Punk. They’ve been such a huge influence on electronic music and were always ahead of their time in terms of creativity and vision.

That’s a wrap on this year’s Make It contest rounds—now it’s time to get ready for the Grand Final! Huge congratulations to our finalists, and a big thank you to everyone who brought their sound to the table. Stay tuned on our social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and announcements about next year’s edition. This is just the beginning.