Currently I have very little understanding on the methods of creation to compose a track in the genre of hard house.
Research Genre
Chosen Genre: Hard House
I will be going on a journey to research and learn everything to know. My drive and motivation comes from the want to do this in my life, I want to create my own profiles on streaming platform of art I have created this genre. This project is a great step forwards into taking this path in my life.
DAW Research
Chosen DAW: FL Studios
I have used DAWs for example Logic Pro X, Pro Tools however after personal experience and researching the genre the most efficient DAW used is fl studios which I have no experience with therefore my research will also include learning a new DAW.
Researching Hard Style
Learning the genre requires learning simulate genres which will help understand the structure to create. I been researching hardstyle electric dance music though online YouTube tutorial videos.
Information Learned
BPM: 135-150
Start creating a melody using FL keys, include ghost notes to the key of the melody.
What are ghost notes?
A ghost note is a musical note with a rhythmic value, but no discernible pitch when played.
“discernible” means able to be perceived by a sense.
Sound Banks
Downloading sound banks will be a huge contributing factor, I will not be able to use stock instrumentation for this genre. I will research and download the correct sound banks to find the best sounding instrumentation.
In the video serum was used which is a synthesiser with the correct instrumentation, I will research into serum more to see if its the correct purchase for me.
Reverberation
A method to create reverb is to use reverb busses to control and clean, using peak controller.
Reverberation is key to creating the atmospheric sound this genre requires.
Chords and Kicks
Key Tip, change ping and pongs this way every time the delay of the leads is on one side, the delay of the chords will be in the other side.
- Control the reverb as in the leads.
- Finally cut chords to follow the melodies rhythm.
Kicks
Create feeling in the music by the use of changed octaves, tones and semi tones.
- Add rolls
Create Build Up
- Add Padds
Open cut off, off one to create a rising effect.
- Add plucky chords to create rhythm
- Add pluck with melody
- Add leads with a filter
- Add percussions
- Add FX
Making the Sound Huge
- Add leads without the filter keep. the rest of the things
- Add more huge chords
- Support it with a sub bass
To create a build up
- Add risers, noises, the drop kick, filter again the leads
- Decrease the volume before the drop and add endless smile
Information Learned
Kicks
Most popular kicks used are 909 however 808s are also used
Distortion
“misstortion” is a free plug in used to add distortion to the kick.
Symmetry
Key Tip hen Changing the Symmetry
- Apply a DC filter or the wave form won’t stay centred.
EQ
Its best to apply an EQ before the distortion plug in as EQ will take effect on distortion.
- Use EQ to boost sub bass frequencies
Key Tip: If the kick is to flat add a progressive pitch change to create movement.
Boost mid frequency with EQ to create that “hard style” kick.
To achieve agrestion and hard style felling instead on tone being 50Hz, 60-80Hz is best. Any higher and you will lose sub base.
Render the Kick
This allows to cut between ADSR which is attack, delay, sustain and release. Great production technique to create change how the kick sounds.
I have learned great structural and production techniques to apply in my own work however there’s much more to learn.
I will further develop my research by:
- Researching more genre structural techniques for example how to create drum patterns in hard house and similar genres.
- Researching serum for correct genre instrumentation.
- Researching the DAW FL studios