Edmwarriors Team
Are you stuck while working on your current project and want to discover how to make EDM music that blows the roofs of clubs? Look no further – Edmwarriors is here to help. In this article we will provide you with the best tips and tricks that you can employ on every one of your productions from now on.
1. How to make EDM music by giving it a living pulse
Creating a solid beat for an EDM track requires careful attention to detail and a combination of technical know-how and music theory. But do not be frightened. First and foremost, selecting the right kick drum is crucial, as it’s the heart of your song.
Layering different drum sounds can add depth and richness to your beat.
Experiment with combining kick drums, snares, and claps to create a unique texture. Most EDM sticks to a four to the floor kick pattern, which makes all other syncopations atop it more interesting.
When it comes to creating a sense of groove, hi-hats play a vital role. To make that component of the drums sound more real, vary its velocity and placement to introduce movement and human-like feel.
Adding percussion elements and fills is a proven way to elevate the excitement and energy of your track. If you want to know how to make EDM music that gets people on the floor you should pay close attention to this. Integrating percussion loops, shakers, tambourines, or other rhythmic elements to fill gaps between drum hits can add richness to your song, if done tastefully.
2. Use sidechain compression to make the drums pop
Sidechain compression is a valuable technique for enhancing the rhythm and groove of your beat. Applying it to elements like bass lines or pads, causing their volume to reduce momentarily when the kick drum hits can help maintain its power in a crowded mix.
Experimenting with swing and groove can provide a unique feel to your beat and make it more danceable. The timing of these elements can be adjusted in your DAW’s MIDI editor to introduce a sense of swing or shuffle. This is called quantization.
Percussive effects like risers, impacts, and sweeps can bring excitement and smooth transitions between the different segments of your composition. For example, reversed cymbals, or other sound effects can be used effectively to create buildups and drops. Using a high pass filter just before reintroducing the bass is another classic move, especially effective in live venues.
Creating custom sounds by layering and processing claps and snares together can give your beat a fuller and more impactful sound. Combine different samples and adjust their volume, EQ, and panning to achieve a cohesive and balanced snare/clap sound. This also makes your music sound more unique. Adding reverb or other effects can provide a sense of space and depth as well.
And of course, if you want to know how to make EDM music like a pro, then paying attention to how you mix and integrate the drums with the harmony is crucial. Proper mixing ensures that your percussion cuts through the soundscape and sound cohesive. They should each have their own niche that doesn’t interfere with other instruments.
Use EQ to remove unwanted frequencies and shape the tonal balance of each element. Also, apply compression to control dynamics and add punch. Consider utilizing parallel compression for an extra impact.
3. How to make EDM music from the bottom up: the bass
Creating a solid EDM bassline is crucial for establishing a powerful and driving foundation in your track. The first step is to choose the right sound for your bass.
Different samples and synths can be customized in lots of different ways to create a sound that is both unique and fits between the rest of the instruments. If you want to know how to make an EDM song with a solid groove, pay attention to factors like timbre, sustain, and presence in relation to the overall mix.
To make your bassline sound more human, emphasize syncopation. Accented notes or offbeat rhythms within the pattern can add groove and unpredictability to the entire arrangement, making it more lively and natural.
Also, adding slides and glides to your bassline is another neat trick that you can use if you want to make EDM music that’s both lively and captivating to listen to. Not only that, you can play with articulation to add some extra character. Experimenting with staccato notes for a percussive sound or legato notes for a smooth and flowing fee can also add variety to the bass.
4. How to make EDM music by mixing like a pro
If you want to know how to make EDM music on a professional level, then mixing is essential know-how, as the lines between that and composing are blurred.
First and foremost, EQ is a powerful tool for achieving frequency balance in your mix. Use it to carve out space for each element, addressing any frequency clashes. And in a genre like electronic dance music, pay particular attention to the low end, ensuring that the kick and bass are well-defined and sit together harmoniously.
It’s always beneficial to create depth and space in your mix by using techniques such as panning and reverb. Experiment with panning elements to widen the stereo field and create depth and separation. Using reverb tastefully to add dimension and a sense of space can add definition to certain elements of your mix, just be careful when adding it to lower-sounding instruments like bass and kick.
It is also important to take breaks during the mixing process to rest your ears. This will help you maintain objectivity and prevent ear fatigue. This is important if you want to make EDM music that sounds great on different playback systems, from headsets to car systems.
5. Your DAW is your best friend
Anyone who wants to learn how to make EDM music needs to learn how to work with a digital audio workstation. We have a tip for that as well. First and foremost, organize your project within DAW. Keep your session tidy by using color-coding, grouping tracks, and applying clear labels to tracks and plugins. This will make it easier to navigate and locate specific elements in your mix, streamlining your workflow.
Also, designing a premade template that you can use for all of your projects can be of great help. This can include tracks for each element of the drums and percussion, bass, synths, effects. The idea is that it’s like an open notebook with a pen next to it – so you can get to work immediately when inspiration comes, without the need to waste time setting up.