88 MUSIC PRODUCTION TIPS
(Part 1)
51. check that your kick is in the same key as the bassline, else it will clash a lot
52. to fill up your drops even more, add crowd noise to fill it up even more. volume really low, else it sounds really bad
53. change chords in the second part of the drop which can help to make it sound more like a 'journey'
54. synplant is a nice synth for weird sounds
55. for a clearer and better mix, use the same delays and reverbs. have two or three that you use on everything. use a bus or use the same settings, else it will sound cluttered and sound like a mess
56. when you're mixing vocals, make sure you record a lot of takes and comp it very accurately to make it perfect
57. have one lead with one left dub and one right dub to make it wider, plus one or two harmonies.
58. it can be better to just do the delays manually, chop the sample and then automate it like you want it
59. when recording vocals, pitch it one or two semitones up or down from the original if the singer sounds better then. don't go down more than two semitones else it will sound bad.
60. always automate your reverbs and delays on your vocals, else it will sound really cluttered. give the dry signal as much breathing space as possible. even though a vocal rider or compressor does a lot.
61. automate vocal volume manually with the volume control with a vocal chain / bus
62. try use real instruments as much as possible, for example a bass guitar
63. try always having some sort of rhythm in the beginning of the track, else people won't have the ability to move on the dance floor
64. try use super-short cowbell for extra attack in the bass sound. adds a slight sparkle
65. try use a vocoder on a bass sound to make it pop more
66. automate this vocoder which helps with tension
67. RC-20 is a must-have distortion and noise unit to add colour to the sound
68. try use different toms and drums to introduce and switch up the bass sound
69. piano stabs can be really cool when done correctly and can introduce the chords for the break which is a good thing for remixes
70. bounce out the lead and use an effect either panned and it will sound wider
71. don't be afraid to use weird ideas, like an hyena laughing
72. side chain does not have to be the same amount, but use the same curve to make it sound more smooth
73. when layering stuff, make sure the ADSR is exactly the same, also applies tow hite noise
74. be a bit crazy with it as well to add more groove
75. use kicks in between notes and on the bassline to accentuate the groove
76. add vocals sounds on your claps to create more hype and energy
77. don't be afraid to sample random stuff
78. try to stand out as much as you possible can (#1 tip for getting in the business). how do you seperate yourself from the pack?
79. when you make your higher loops, don't use the same hi-hat samples but use different ones to make it sound less stale
80. reverses in hi-hats can really help add groove
81. try record your own licks in a remix to add a unique flavour
82. one of the most underrated production techniques is to use volume with automation
83. a tip to make fills: use one sample and figure out the rhythm and make them all unique
84. pretty normal to use an off-beat hi-hat, and adding a little vox on top of the hi-hat can add hype and energy into the track
85. don't use reverb on the sub-bass, but you can on the bass. use it as a sound design tool especially when you're using it in a compressing or distortion unit
86. when you're mastering use one or more limiter and compressor. first add limiter to take away worst peaks, then compressor, and a final brickwall limiter. if it's just one, it will sound very squashed. you can push it a lot more this way
87. when time-stretching vocals, try not to use a built-in DAW because it can sound bad. You can use RX-7 which has a more sophisticated algorithm
88. always adjust the cutoff and small automations on anything you can. it will make your track much more in