11 Synth Layering Techniques That Changed My Productions
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- ► Sign-up for my free music production workshop here: bit.ly/3biQBm0. Synth layering is an essential skill to learn regardless of genre - it will make your synths richer, more interesting and more “pro” sounding….BUT, there are a few guidelines to follow to get the best results…
In this synth layering tutorial, I break down the 4 core tenets of choosing the right layers. I then show you 11 different synth-layering techniques to make your music sound more interesting, more “expensive” sounding, and more professional.
So if you’ve been wondering how to layer synths, or you want to know how to make sounds big, or just create bigger synths - these layering synth tips will definitely help.
Shout out to my Accelerator student, Zoya, who recently played at Luminosity festival in the Netherlands. Listen to her music here and support if you dig:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/5eqTh...
Instagram: / zoyasmusic
💪 Want to make music that sounds THAT good within 8 weeks? Check out my Accelerator program here:
www.musicproductionaccelerator...
🎓…and don’t forget to check out our second CZcams channel for weekly feedback streams here:
/ edmtipsacademy
What we cover in this tutorial:
00:00 - Why layering synths is important
01:10 - Characteristics to consider when choosing layers (layered synths should compliment eachother - not fight for space):
Frequency / Timbre
Voicing / Composition
ADSR Shape / Transients
Stereo Field
Depth (Reverb)
11 Synth Layering Techniques....
02:31 - Call and Response
05:01 - Sample Layer
06:52 - Looping Sample
09:43 - Formant Shifter
12:10 - Extreme Pitch Range
14:06 - Polyphonic Splitting
16:26 - Noise Patches
18:31 - Pitch Envelopes
20:40 - The Jiffy Bag (AKA, the Double-envelope)
23:42 - Grouping / Bussing
25:26 - Auxiliary Effects
Let me know in the comments which of there you’re going to try or whether you have any synth-layering ideas for me to try out!
Gear I use in this video…
🔈 My Audio Gear:
Monitors: bit.ly/AdamTV8
Headphones 1: bit.ly/MyHeadphones650
Headphones 2: bit.ly/TMA2Headphones
Audio Interface: bit.ly/ApolloInterface
MIDI Keyboard 1: bit.ly/ArturiaKeyLab61
MIDI Keyboard 2: bit.ly/AKAILPK25
Microphone 1: bit.ly/RodeUSB
Microphone 2: bit.ly/ShureSM7
Computer: amzn.to/3uYU28J
🎛 Discounted Plugin Deals:
bit.ly/2NGRIgL
💻 …And some of my Favourite Software…
🎤 Vocal Processing (I use all of these):
Celemony Melodyne: bit.ly/3l5cmaA
Antares Autotune: bit.ly/3MeBY0a
Waves CLA Vocals: bit.ly/3aGx4LM
🎶 My ENTIRE Music and Video Equipment: bit.ly/2K4eFHZ
👥 Join our community here! / edmtipsofficial
….AND SAY HI ON THE SOCIALS, BRUH:
📌Twitter: / edmtipsofficial
📌Instagram: / edmtipsoffi. .
📌Web: www.edmtips.com
Cheers, and happy producing!
Will
OTHER VIDEOS TO CHECK OUT:
► How to EQ like a PRO - 11 EQ Mistakes That RUIN Your Mixes 😖 👉 • How to EQ like a PRO -...
► 7 Transition Secrets the Pros Use (and how to use them in your music!) 👉 • 7 Transition Secrets t...
LEARN HOW TO PRODUCE LIKE FAMOUS ARTISTS:
► How to Make TECH HOUSE (like FISHER) 👉 • How to Make TECH HOUSE...
► How to Make TECHNO (like CHARLOTTE DE WITTE, Amelie Lens, Adam Beyer) 👉 • How to Make TECHNO (li...
► How to Make DEEP HOUSE 👉 • How to Make DEEP HOUSE...
► How to Make HOUSE MUSIC in Ableton 10 - Step by Step 👉 • How to Make House Musi...
► How to make PROGRESSIVE HOUSE (Like BEN BÖHMER, Lane 8 and Anjunadeep) 👉 • How to make PROGRESSIV...
► How to Make HOUSE MUSIC (like DUKE DUMONT) 👉 • How to Make HOUSE MUSI...
► How to Make HOUSE MUSIC (like CAMELPHAT) 👉 • How to Make HOUSE MUSI...
► How to Make MELODIC TECHNO (Like TALE OF US) 👉 • How to Make TECHNO (Li...
AND…
► How to Mix a Track in 30 Seconds 👉 • How to Mix a Track in ...
► How to Turn a Loop into a Song 👉 • How to Turn Your Loop ...
► How to Mix Low End (Kick & Bass) 👉 • 3 SIMPLE Rules for the...
► How to Make EDM Chord Progressions 👉 • EDM Chord Progressions...
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• 11 Synth Layering Tech...
#sounddesign #layering #tutorial
Let me know which of these you're going to try! Or do you have any more layering techniques you can share in the comments?
Hi, thanks for the great content! I have a question hopefully you can help me with, adding an EQ to a channel seems to add gain, but no perceived volume and I don't understand what's going on, all im doing with the EQ Is high passing and low passing and watching one of your other videos I learnt that this is a good way to achieve louder mixes by cutting any un used frequencies by removing it with a high pass, but doing this seems to add 2.3db of gain on my meter,
Hell NO, Your Tips YES🎶🎶🎶
All of them :)
Thank you for the video! Can you do one like this but with aggressive basses and lead sounds from styles like dubstep or main stage edm?
@bobbyb9273 hi did you get your problem solved?
My favourite techniques you covered were sampling middle C of the original synth while messing with the loop points, and sampling the entire original synth line while playing with the formants in complex pro. I never thought of these two tricks and found immediate use for them in a track I'm working on right now. You're doing great things for the production community and I appreciate your work. Always excited to see a video notification from you!
Love it! I am super stoked you found it so useful and now using this in your tracks! 🙌🏻
This guy has to be one of the best teachers on the planet for this.
Thank you so much, David, I really appreciate the support! 🙂
Phenomenal video this time. As a newer producer I've been struggling goin from a layer or two of vanilla synths to getting closer to what I hear in ym favorite songs. Thank you for making such a robust video!
You're welcome, glad it helped!🙌🏻
Hell yeah Will!! One of you best and most useful tutorials you've shared. I plan to try 'em all!! 🙏
Awesome, thank you!
The level of production and passion you put into your tutorials is inspiring. Keep up the good work!
Cheers, Josh...Thanks as always for watching and supporting!
Layering is so incredibly important in any genre. Great work as usual.
Thank you!
I SWEAR THIS VIDEO IS PURE GOLD. THX SO MUCH THERE'S ALMOST NOBODY SPEAKING SERIUSLY OF LAYERS WHEN IS THE MAIN KEY OF PROFESIONAL PRODUCTIONS! BLESSINGS! THX SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!
Rock on! 👌🏻
Wow, the last ones my favourite, it brings so much extra detail into the mix. I thin your last two videos have been amazing. I loved them all really :) Thanks for the tips Will.
Thanks for this video Will! Most of the things you shared I was familiar with but haven't really spent the (seemingly) tedious amount of time crafting my sound with all these tools so today I did. This and several other videos have been a big help. One point is that perhaps I can speak for others that have watched a million videos about music production when I say it's the "little things" you do that a keen watcher might notice that are one of your most valuable qualities. Great video production makes watching over your shoulder a joy. Keep up the amazing work! ~ Trav
Thank you so much for your kind words of support, Trav, I really appreciate it! 🙂🙌🏻
Man, you’re god sent. Thank you! Love your videos :)
Cheers, I am really glad my videos have helped you so far! 🙂🙌🏻
Brilliant ideas, I was only doing a few of these but usually have pretty bland synths so this info will take them to the next level! Thanks as always Will! 👍
You're welcome, really glad it was helpful! 🙏🏻🙌🏻
Another great video. Also some easy things along the lines of your rules mentioned at the beginning. Just find a couple of patches on a couple of synths and play the same on both. For example a spikey FM synth and fat analog is usually a winner.
I bought your Radio Ready Program just to support you, but tbh it is amazing! And together with your free CZcams videos... I mean, just wow!
I tried out the pitch envelopes and the extreme ranges, and it just added so much high energy and sounded great! But it haven't yet been transported from one physical location to another, so I think I still have a lot to learn ;)
Keep going, you'll get there too 😎
holy hell. These would all be awesome as separate videos, let only doing a full 11 techniques. I'll be rewatching like a madman learning these, thanks so much Will!! I really appreciate you taking the time to add some stellar content completely for free :-)
Rock on! You're welcome! Thank you for watching and supporting the channel 🙂
Love your videos mate, thanks
Glad you like them! No worries :)
I tried the formant shifting technique and really liked it!
Hell yeah!! So many good ideas here- thanks Will
You're welcome, glad you found them useful! 🙌🏻
hell yeah. just found your chanel few days ago. this is totally what i needed, very help full and im looking forward to see more and one day do your masterclass
Awesome, I am glad you're enjoying my videos :)
Drop me an email when you're ready for the Accelerator or if you have any questions about it.
This was brilliant, thanks! A couple tricks I had never thought of!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed :) Which technique will you try next?
@@EDMTips Not sure...I quite liked the use of noise patches. It adds a nice quality to the synth. I also never thought of using pitch envelopes...I might play around with that and see if I have can make it work anywhere.
Awsome video bro ❤️❤️❤️.Thanks for the layering secrets
Thanks, glad you found this helpful! 🙌🏻
This was absolutely top draw stuff, many of the techniques I had never seen used before; the polyphonic splitting gave me hours of experimentation and the double envelope technique was superb, changed the way I think about my synths and how I should approach synth layering sound design. Thank you, Will, this tutorial was terrific.😀
Noice! I am glad you found it so useful! 😎🙌🏻
Another fantastic helpful video..Deffo be coming back to this a few times..
You're welcome, glad it was helpful! 🙌🏻
Love the new editing style Will.
Thank you, Adam, we are constantly working on improving things and producers here :)
Thank you! All these tricks are so helpful! Love your content :)
Thank you for watching and supporting the channel, Nephra! 🙌🏻
Hi, So many thanks for the all these tips
You're welcome, Kaan! Glad you found them helpful 🙌🏻
This Is Awesome! Thanks so much for spilling the beans here. Very helpful!!!
You're welcome, glad you found it helpful! 🙌🏻
Excellent stuff. When I only had a 2012 4-core duo I was forced to have very few VSTs and tracks. Now I can have endless tracks I produce mudwave! This video is perfect. This week I've been doing a deep dive into Davinci Resolve Studio 18 and I'm loving the power. 😄 I went into Birmingham today and had a play with a Sony A7iv, expensive but fabulous. That's the road to never-ending expense. Lenses, gimbals, filters, lights, tripods. Heck.
It's almost as bad as buying third-party plugins and hardware 😂
@@EDMTips Samples and Kontakt libraries cause the proliferation of new SSDs. I'm sure that video data is an order of magnitude worse. Roll on quantum storage, a petabyte for £100.
Another great video - really enjoying these!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching and for the kind words of support :)
Another belta mate! i reversed the chord progression and added another instance of SERUM ontop at the end of 8 bars or 16 was getting extra high and low notes happy accident indeed but wow man it jacks i will show you what ive been doing once i am more confident thanks again!! Hope you still do 1-2-1 as i think its time to step it up a bit!!
Awesome, I am glad you found it helpful!
We still do, during our Accelerator program. You can apply by following a link in the video description when you're ready
Again,as per usual-big thanks.I use reason 12 &it's certainly transferable to any DAW.cheers squire
You're welcome, glad you found his helpful! And indeed, these are transferable to pretty much ANY DAW :)
Love all these tips. I'll implement them all in my next track 😎🏆❤️
Awesome, look forward to hearing it! 🙌🏻
Some fantastic advise and techniques, that are so inspiring and just what I was looking for to help me with my new xd synth.. thank you so much!
You never miss. This was seriously eye opening. Thank you so much. I would totally subscribe to your accelerator program if I could. Maybe one day!
We’ll be happy to have you!
I am glad you find my videos helpful, thank you for watching and supporting the channel! 🙂🙌🏻🙏🏻
THank you for the million time! You get me to love EDM music _ that i used to h a t e !!!! I love your lessons! have a great summer!!!!
BOOM! 🙌🙌 😎
So stoked to hear that, Michael! 🙏🏻
Thank you very much man. These were very very cool tips!!!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed :)
OMG! This explains sooo much! I was layering sounds while in LA, and now I'm in oakland at someone else's desk w/o my gear!!
I noticed that Will didn't include the "How to get back" section in this tutorial! Gawd! Hope he covers that tomorrow...Who's watching the cat!!
This is just amazing!!! I probably gonna try all these techniques and see which one is the most applicable one for my kind of music ;)
Let me know how you get on!
Ok, all of these are fantastic ideas, but polyphonic layering just blew my mind! 😂
Add this to a list of awesome things I had no idea you could do with Ableton.
Glad it was so helpful, Chris! We all here to learn :)
omg I didnt know that 2 different synths could be on the same track 🤦♂thanks , amazing tutorial !!🙏
I appreciate your channel so much! It helped me a lot!!!! you are a blessing sir! I am striving to practice production day by day after my corporate job as it is my dream to become a producer. Thank you.
You're welcome, glad my videos have helped you so far!
Anything else in particular you’re struggling with and would like me to cover on the channel?
I just want to thank you for these videos. I've made so much improvement this past year. A lot of which is directly due to your lessons. I'm almost ready to start releasing music. Just need a little more experience
Great to hear! Keep up the good work and take a plunge :)
I love the way he explain
Honestly & simple
Appreciate it! 🙌🙏 Thanks for watching and kind words of support!
Amen brother! Thank you!
You're welcome, glad you found it helpful! 🙂🙌🏻
Damn! This is really amazing! Thanks for this ! Cant wait to get started !
You're welcome... Glad it was useful!
Yooo EDM TIPS this is one of the best layering techniques ive seen on this app this is why I made the switch to Abelton
all DAW's are good
These are some cool ways to add more ..I love the reverse.. the first set
Thank you, hope you'll use this in your next track!
Brilliant, thanks, I needed that
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed :)
Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤩
Glad you liked it! 🙌🏻
Amen :D
love all of this tips ... Thank you so much.
Really glad you enjoyed it! Any point in particular you found useful?
this is so helpful thank you so much!
You're so welcome, glad you enjoyed! 🙌🏻
Super helpful sir.
Awesome, gad it helped! Anything else you're struggling with?
Yesss, Will! Massive tips mate! 🔥🔥
Thank you! Which technique will you use next?
@@EDMTips Def need to include more sample layering, noise layers, and digging the pitched envelopes. That last one is sick too.
Killer tips mate. You are of the best around here. Love the *resample and ping pong loop *. Cheers from Peter Lazer.
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed
Super informative info - def learned a few things today!
Nice one! Glad it was helpful! Anything else you're struggling with?
@@EDMTips overall I'm pretty savvy with the engineering and sound design, I struggle with finding the right synths/patches for chords and getting them to fit in the mix without being pushed too far back or too forward in the mix
This channel is actually amazing, having just discovered it, it will really help.me to become a better composer
Excellent! Glad you enjoy it :)
A video I will 100% come back to! Stellar ideas for layering! Guess the formant shifter technique is the one I'll try next up! :)
Great choice! Look forward to hearing the result! 🔥
I think you just saved the life of a big collection of sounds I purchased and all of a sudden (may be I used better headphones meanwhile) I realized they were lacking substance. Thank you again!
All are my fav, but since I have to choose…my choice fav is the first technique as I love adding in the glitch sounding elements. I got a Roli Seaboard Rise and want to learn more advanced sound design techniques. My preferred genre is chill ambient downtempo but love leaning towards other genres…for example, adding in trap percussion elements and vocals. Or why not add in chakra tuning vocals in the background for the sus part. 😅😂 It’s so much fun!!
Thanks for all of your videos. Been geeking out on them.I want to produce jams like UB40's - She Caught The Train. It has an 80's synth vibe with world music or reggae. Then add spanish lyrics. That's my dream right there. To produce the best Latin Album of this time. About to get Ableton and Komplete 14. I'm not new to music. Just left it for a few years, but now I just have this fire in my soul to make music again. Thanks for all the great insights.
You're welcome, I am glad you're enjoying my videos 🙂
This is a literal goldmine, by far my favourite video from you so far ! Thanks Will 🔥🔥
You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it! 🙂🙌🏻
These are very good tips !!!!
Thank you... Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you very much for everything you bring to us. In the series " how to make" I would love to see a safe Sebastien Léger tutorial, I love him and he has his style. Thank you again for all your hard work, it's amazing!
Great suggestion! What's your favourite track of his?
@@EDMTips hey! I would say : lanarka or secret 🙏
Hell Yeah Brother! Very nice one... the polyphonic splitting tip showed exactly what I had been doing. Add extra layer and then remove notes.. this is much easier and faster 🙂
Totally, such a great tip! 🙌🏻
I was going into piano roll and deactivating highs and lows to split them. This video definitely fixes that slow workflow for me
Hell yeahhhhh
I'm def using the reversing trick tho
Amazing!!
Cheers, I am glad you liked it 🙌🏻
Thank you for watching and supporting the channel 🙂
perfection
thank you
You're welcome! Glad you liked it 🙂🙌🏻
Think I'm going to give all of them a go but the Polyphonic splitting stands out, it looks really interesting. It's all new information for me to absorb haha Nice one!
You’re welcome! Glad it was useful and hope you will use it in your next track :)
Can't afford the course, but I absolutely love the CZcams videos! I've learned so much so far.
Stoked to hear that! Thanks for watching and supporting the channel 🙂
hell yeah brotha trying them all! 🤟
Noice! Glad it was helpful, and stoked to hear you are using these in your tracks! 🙌🏻
👌like Always top. Appreciate for this often regularity with uploads. Your content and quality is like a gold. High value🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thanks as always for watching and supporting the channel! 🙏🏻
very helpful brother! Commenting to boost your algorithm
Well done mate.
Thank you for watching and supporting the channel! 🙌🏻
Interesting title, been wanting to layer for a while now
I Love tip 6.
I knew that option but never used it.
I was in de habit of splitting the midi up and have two channels with each a different synth.
But your way is faster and it saves project space.
And I think its better for the fx you can put op on that Instrument rack.
You can even go further by having three chains in that one Rack.
In my old ways i would have to split that midi up in three parts and make 3 different midi tracks etc.......
That's how I've been doing it 😂. I've found that anything I do in ableton there's always an easier way
Great tips
Thank you, glad you liked it! 🙂🙌🏻
You're a real one mate
Thank you, I really appreciate the support! 🙌🏻
Amazing tricks ❤️❤️❤️
Cheers! Glad you enjoy :)
YOU ARE MUSIC TEACHER NO.1.!
Thank you so much for your kind words of support! 🙌🏻
hahahah Will great job..........I was just taking notes and then your comments at around 28:00 I busted laughing out loud.........and yes that Crystalizer turned the synth magic sauce for sure!
😆🙌
Very useful video 😊
Glad you found it helpful 🙌🏻
Love Technique 2! Haven’t finished the video yet so expect more comments 🎉
Cheers, William, glad you're enjoying it :)
Learning music production from Peregrin Took is the best. FR though, you are an excellent teacher friend.
Thanks, that's a new one for me 🤣
Asa matter of fact I do enjoy this :))) great vid. thank you
You're welcome, glad it was helpful! 🙌🏻
Hell yeah amen brother 🙏 😈 I can definitely see myself using all these techniques 🤗
BOOM! 🙌🙌
wow this is GREAT. do you make tracks as an artist or are you mainly a music teacher?
Heat.
Call response bass is too easyyyy. Love that spice
I forgot how good simpler & sampler actually are, I always learn something from you fella!!.
Thank you, I glad it was useful! Anything else you're struggling with?
Finishing tracks.
You make my day
Appreciate it! Thanks for watching and supporting the channel :)
How often does a google search lead you to exactly the info you want? I was wondering how to choose which synth sounds to layer. I googled it but I wasn't optimistic. Well, this video gave me exactly what I was looking for at 1:11. I don't have much production experience, but I understood everything. Very exciting.
All awesome tips. 😀 did you mean to use the galantis / craig david chords (DNA)? When the ad popped up in the middle 🤣 sounded very similar. Great vid as always 👊💥
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed! It wasn't intentional no but we both can pretend it was 😎
So many useful features locked away behind the suite version of ableton
You can do every one of them with Live demo and free vst's ;) What are you missing?
What Barez said :)
At first, thanks for all your Videos....they helps me a lot.
But what about Hardwares on Ableton?
I have the SE-02 and the TR-8 from Roland and I want to try to create my Music on the fly.
But the USB connections of both are not detected from Ableton....I connect them with Jack Cable on my Soundcard but with this option I haven't any control of my Gears with Ableton...I just have à Audio signal.
How can I change this?
I found nothing about the subject.....help are welcome....THX
(I know tihs is in the description, but posting this as a comment for future self. TYSM for this helpful video!)
02:31 - Call and Response
05:01 - Sample Layer
06:52 - Looping Sample
09:43 - Formant Shifter
12:10 - Extreme Pitch Range
14:06 - Polyphonic Splitting
16:26 - Noise Patches
18:31 - Pitch Envelopes
20:40 - The Jiffy Bag (AKA, the Double-envelope)
23:42 - Grouping / Bussing
25:26 - Auxiliary Effects
Cheers man!
thanks !
You're welcome! 🙌🏻
does the pasta work well for dampering?
26:40 "doesn't work so well with long sustained sounds" Exactly. That's why I wouldn't sidechain to the whole bus but only to the pluck layer of it.
Great video
Thanks!
Do you cover Cubase in your accelerated course?