How to Layer Sounds (Properly!) + FREE GIFT
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video I show you how to layer synths and drums (properly!) when producing EDM (of any genre).
►► Download my FREE 30 Essential EDM Mixing Tips: bit.ly/2AwXWLn
Here are some of the benefits of Layering sounds in a mix:
1. It's an awesome way to start building your own unique, signature sound - rather than just using presets that everyone else has.
2. The ability to control multiple layers gives you far greater control over the final sound.
3. Layering also allows you to iron out technical (potentially destructive) problems, like clipping and distortion, giving you a louder final mix.
HOWEVER, it’s not just as simple as slapping sounds you like on top of each other.
We layer successfully by considering three main characteristics of each sound we layer. All must be considered to get a truly awesome layered sound:
1. Frequency / Tone.
2. Transients (or Dynamics).
3. Stereo Field.
OK…Let’s dig into each of these 3 characteristics:
(I recommend approaching the first two characteristics in mono, as the stereo field can be distracting, and working in mono can help you hear whether your layers are having phase-issues. If you don’t know how to do that, check this tip out: • How to Mix - Do This 1... .
1. Frequency / Tone / Timbre.
Ok, probably the most obvious one.
Make sure each of the layers compliments the others in terms of not clashing too much in the frequency spectrum. Choosing the right sounds to start with is key here....sounds that have a specific job. You can then put a spectrum analyser over each layer to see the big frequency clash areas and fundamental frequencies. Use reductive EQ to carve out space for each.
Let’s check out two layering examples - one for a lush pad sound, and the other for a kick drum. I've also included a walkthrough tutorial video of these examples at the bottom of this post.
EXAMPLE 1 (Pad): You might build a pad consisting of 3 frequency layers: 1 bass sound, 1 midrang-ey flute sound and 1 sizzling saw wave sound for the upper frequencies.
EXAMPLE 2 (Kick): Kick layering. You might have a subby kick, a woody "knock" sound in the mid-range, and a tick in the upper frequency. Again, use subtractive EQ to carve out space for each. You can check out this post if you want more detail.
What to watch out for:
Big presets in synths and samplers will often have loads of effects on them, so they sound awesome when you preview them. However, this doesn’t help with successful layering. Try turning off the effects, then apply global effects to the total layered sound (in a group or on a buss). This will give you more control, and a cleaner, less cluttered sound.
2. Transients and / or dynamics.
Simple, but the most often overlooked: If you have a sound with a fast attack, you might layer it with a sound with a slower attack, and a sound with a long release. This will stop transient build-ups, give your overall sound more clarity, and greatly reduce the likelihood of clipping and distorting.
Let’s plug it into our two examples from above:
EXAMPLE 1 (Pad): We’re going to make the bass part of the pad have a slightly longer attack than the flute, and the saw synth high frequency part will have a long release.
EXAMPLE 2 (Kick): The mid range and top will both have a past attack, but the sub bass can have a couple of milliseconds delay, and more release. This slower attack should be inaudible to our ears, but will reduce clipping and give us more headroom in our mix.
3. Stereo Field.
I always approach stereo last. Why? Because it can be used to mask over otherwise poorly matched sounds. If you get the first two characteristics matched, though, this is the next to tackle, and it’s pretty simple.
You can either pan sounds left and right, or you can increase (or reduce) stereo width with a stereo-imaging plugin. Here’s a good free one (bit.ly/2KJD982).
EXAMPLE 1 (Pad): Ok, we’ll keep the sub synth mono, as we don’t want frequencies below about 130Hz in stereo. We can then either pan the flute sound slightly left and the saw synth right, or use a stereo imager to make the saw synth extra wide, and allow space in the stereo field for the flute sound.
EXAMPLE 2 (Kick): It’s totally fine for most kicks to be completely in mono, but you might want to spread out the top "click" layer with a stereo imager for more interest. The sub kick layer would most definitely be completely mono.
So what next?
When you’ve got your sounds layered and sounding good, you can then gel all the layers together with some light compression (barely any gain reduction), and maybe apply a little reverb if it’s the pad example (but not for the kick!)
What do you think about layering sounds? Have you got any tips or questions? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
► My ENTIRE Music and Video Equipment: www.amazon.co....
#layering #musicproduction
What do you think, y'all? Any questions about layering, or anything you'd like to see covered in a tutorial? Let me know below! :)
Thank you so much for this tutorial mate, this is exactly what I'm struggling with :) Is this the same method with Leads also?
You're very welcome, and yes...same things apply for leads. Please share if you like as trying to up my subs :)
Awesome! Thank you
You're welcome :)
Yes, and yes! th-cam.com/video/8PqG7qcYbbQ/w-d-xo.html
Informative, concise, right to the point
Thanks! Glad you liked it :)
Lots of effort for these guides, appreciate it
Thanks for acknowledging the effort :) You're welcome!
Great vids, sound advice. Sorry, I'm using the new Pun plugin
Great channel Will!
Thank you kindly!
Best layering tutorial on the internet!
Thank you thank you thank you so much 🙏💕
You're welcome!
This might be one of the most useful tutorials on this subject I've ever seen. There's a million of these, but not one of them was as well put, and none of them covered so much ground in such a short time. Of course there could have been more covered in fine detail, but you gave the most important points which is what counts. Thank you for this.
Glad it was helpful! You're very welcome :)
Thank you and its crazy I now understand what you're talking about from watching your channel.
I am glad to hear that! 🙌🏻
Great stuff. Thinking more now in depth about the layered sounds, frequencies stereo field and glueing them together
Hi Will, this track is mind expanding! Did you ever release it? If yes would you mind posting the name or a link here?
Dont quit on us man, good stuff. Been making music for a long time but I seem to be learning new stuff still 😁
Glad to hear it!
很有帮助，谢谢！
Is the attack and release in the glue compressor depends on how the melody is made? 🤔🤔
That intro! XD
😬
Will skinny af from all those drugs he took in his earlier hears
Oh dear.... Never heard this before
this was awesome man! thank you
Awesome video bro! should have so many more likes!
Thanks, man! Please share and hopefully it will get more likes :)
turn the music off while you speak, or at least duck using a compressor.
Came back to this again! Such a great tutorial!
Glad you like it, man!
Very Helpfull.....Thx Man..
You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful :)
wow i was looking for this tuto of layring Thanks :)
You're welcome :)
Hi Will, I see you use glue compressor as a first in the chain on group..and after that you have saturator, reverb etc..isn't it better to use the glue compressor at the end of the chain to glue all the effects together? thank you
Well, there's no hard and fast rule...experiment and see what sounds good! The only thing is, if you compress all your effects, you can lose dynamics, and if you compress the reverb with the dry signal you can end up with a weird, squashed pumping sound. However, that can be cool if it's what your after! As long as you're aware of what each plugin is doing (rather than just slapping them on)...that's the main thing :)
great tutorial!
Thanks!
thank u sir!
You're welcome :)
Will como esta están bueno los tutoriale el curso de EDM es está en inglés solamente o esta en español también estoy interesado
All in English at the moment!
I use Logic Pro X
I donot know what it is call in Your Daw
But I would like to use this tips with track stacks but chose summoning tracks option this allows You to play on midi keyboard of everything in real time
I hope I will be able to create a big warm analog synth pad
Any other tips to make the blend smooth as possible ?
Hi Brian....What do you mean make the blend smooth?
EDM tips first I love that You are sharing this 😎
I am sorry if I did not explain better 😮 my bad
What I was meaning let say I have just two layers
Top layer 1. I have a soft sounding piano in and bottom layer 2. I have a recording of me making a single scratching sound
And as I play softly on the midi keyboard I would hear the piano but as I press abit harder on the keys I would start to hear yhe scratching sound bleed through
This is why I am using Logic Track Stacks using the Summoning Tracks option
So I can play in real time
I hope this makes abit more since
@@briancraig1684 Ah, I see. Unfortunately I haven't used Logic Track Stacks before!
EDM tips I understand but once I figure this out Your layering ideas will help shape my Over all sound again thanks for making this video
If I have questions about what you talked about I will get back to You God Bless Sir 😎
Thank you for all of this advice!!!
You are welcome!
how do i put my bass( not the sub ) in stereo or full mono
This'll help: th-cam.com/video/8PqG7qcYbbQ/w-d-xo.html&