About This Course
Ever wanted to see three top techno producers thrown in a (virtual) room together to make a track from scratch and see what happens?
Saytek is known for his impressive live sets featuring analogue gear that creates unique sonic results. In this special collaboration, he teams up with techno powerhouse Spektre, who gather a cool 500,000 Spotify plays a month, to create a song from start to finish.
From beginning with a simple drum pattern, to advanced sound design techniques, this lesson has something to offer for all aspiring house & techno producers. Tips on arrangement and workflow offer the chance for beginner and experienced producers alike to improve their productivity during composition.
No external plugins used. Project created on Ableton Live.
You will learn:
- How to create clips within Ableton Live’s session view to use as building blocks to a track
- How to program drums using samples and MIDI
- How to write a bassline
- How to write chords
- Ensuring that elements are all playing in the same key
- How to warp and chop vocals
- How to process elements with plugins: Compressor, Auto filter, Echo and more
- How to synthesise a riser using Analog
- Adding movement with LFOs and automation
- Methods of arrangement and composition
- How to resample a MIDI track into an audio sample
- How to create a compelling build-up
- Critical listening and making improvements
- Sharing projects and collaboration
Lessons:
1. Creating a Drum Pattern
Saytek demonstrates how to create a drum pattern using Ableton Live stock plugins.
- Introduction
- Making a pumping kick
- Using toms to make a bassline
- Adding a hi-hat
- Adding a clap
- Adding a ride
- Filling out drums with a percussive loop
- Making a pumping kick 2
2. Making a bassline
In this next chapter, Saytek builds a bassline as a solid basis for the track. He uses analog, a synth available within Ableton Live.
- Preparing a piano roll for efficient composition
- Making a bass sound
- Shaping a sound by changing its envelope
3. Adding chords
How chords can be used to add character to a track.
- Writing chords in the piano roll
- Transforming the sound
4. Adding vocals
- Choosing a sample
- Track organisation & project sharing
5. Sound Design
Spektre are given the project and they begin by focusing on sound design. They demonstrate how to evolve a synth, add movement and edit drum transients.
- Customizing drum transients
- Creating a melody
- Processing a synth
- Evolving a sound
- Ensuring drums are in phase
- Using automation instead of an LFO
6. Arranging a track
Once elements have been built, Spektre begin to form an arrangement, blending the elements together using automation.
- Preparation
- Blending in elements
- Evolving a sound 2
- Filling in the gaps
7. Creative vocal processing
Saytek utilises sound design techniques to transform a vocal sample, making a perfect transition sound.
- Intro and recap
- Adding and chopping a vocal sample
- Compressing vocals
- Adding a delay using send & return
8. Creative percussion processing
How to use percussion to enhance a buildup.
- Using a clap during a buildup
- Layering a clap and using a filter delay
9. Creating a riser in Ableton Live’s ‘Analog’
Saytek shows how to create a riser from scratch, within Ableton Live’s ‘Analog’ synth
10. Resampling a MIDI track
How to quickly bounce a MIDI loop to audio for further processing. Saytek then warps the sample to make an atmospheric sweep.
- How to bounce MIDI roll to audio
- Creating a loop
- Combining filters
- Using Echo and warping sample
- Adding vinyl distortion
- Organising the project
11. Making an intro
Spektre create space at the beginning of the track to make an intro using the elements created so far.
- Creating space within the arrangement
- Creating minimalistic drums
- Resampling within Ableton
- Fading in chords
- Building upon minimal drums
- Adding a breakdown
- Adding melodic elements
12. Building on the track
With the arrangement in place, Spektre begin to focus on improving the track with variation and subtle changes.
- Removing rumble from riser
- Critical listening
- Building on the break
- Building percussion
- Extending the project with a second verse and outro
- Listening to the final track
13. Live Q&A Part 1
Saytek and Spektre answer questions on collaborating remotely, tuning samples and recommendations for equipment in this Q&A.
- Discussion on file sharing during collaborations.
- Spektre discuss ideas to progress the track
- Good headphones for production?
- What’s the difference between having a loop linked or unlinked when automating.
- What is the reason for putting a delay on a channel, instead of a send.
- Would you generally use sidechaining at the production stage or the mixdown stage?
- What is the process of renting out a studio or booking studio time?
- Do you check the root note of the kick to tune it to other instruments?
14. Live Q&A Part 2
Saytek and Spektre answer questions on automation, third party synths and improving as a producer.
- On a breakdown section, could you use volume automation to create a build up?
- Would you recommend any third-party synths?
- How long on average would it take you to complete a track?
- Do you layer your claps or hats?
- What’s the best strategy to keep an arrangement interesting
- What do you recommend to attenuate clashing frequencies?
- How much practice (per day) would I need to get to your level?
15. Live Q&A Part 3
Questions on workflow and warping are asked to both Saytek and Spektre.
- Does the vocal sample have to be in sync?
- Do you use different warping algorithms for different styles of vocals?
- Is there a recommended algorithm for atmospheric sounds
- What’s your advice for organisation and workflow?
- Have you adopted Loopcloud or Splice into your workflow?
16. Live Q&A Part 4
To end the collab, Saytek and Spektre answer questions on resampling and efficiency within the studio.
- Would it help setting a time limit to organise the arrangement?
- Earlier, you resampled and reversed the clap. Would you resample other sounds like the chords?
- Does it help to be ruthless - deleting things even if you’ve spent a lot of time working on them?
- Saytek, do you ever work with someone else?