Have you ever wondered how producers create your favorite tracks?
SIMPLE! It ALL boils down to mastering the art of layering sounds properly!
This article will dive a bit deeper into the MOST crucial music production process.
We’ll share production tips and tricks on how to layer sounds music to make your track sound ALIVE!
Tips You Need to Know When You Layer Music
Feeling like your mix lacks a little flavor?
Here are some layering tips you might want to try to spice things up!
Tip 1: DON’T Stick to One Layering Style
The last thing you want to do is create a track that uses these same layers, from the opening verse to the bridge.
It’s a good idea for you to experiment with different patterns and combinations between multiple music tracks for a MORE interesting listening experience and complete overall sound.
For example, you incorporate different layers such as percussion, snare, kick, or other effects to your lead hit.
Create a sense of tension before the chorus by pulling some layers off and then re-introduce them to the climax of the song.
Let your layers dance around and compliment each other!
Doing this gives more depth to your sound, making it engaging and exciting to the ears.
The casual listeners might think you’re playing in an actual orchestra or band with all the different layers on the track.
Tip 2: Use Your Time Wisely
The sample library has many sounds and layering options to choose from.
It can be easy to believe you have a limitless amount of time to play around with each sound on the layering kit.
YES, we encourage you to experiment with the different sound effects such as the kick drum, reverb, synth, etc.
HOWEVER, you might run out of time to record your mix if you spend way too many hours trying all these examples.
Effective time management is an ABSOLUTE MUST if you want your mix to have a richly-textured sound.
We highly encourage you to organize your beats, templates, and sounds accordingly so that you will have a MORE organized mixing session!
Especially if you’re collaborating with other producers and mixing engineers.
Tip 3: Organize Your Layers in an Orderly Fashion
This may be the most tiresome tip, but believe us, performing this step faithfully will spell the difference between a forgettable track and an iconic song release.
Keep in mind that one layer present in the mix SHOULD complement the rest, regardless of your genre preference.
Doing so will avoid the components (drums, snares, synths, etc.) from clashing in the frequency spectrum. You might get a fully distorted and unorganized source sound if this happens.
Organize your sample library so that you choose the correct layer when it’s time to mix!
You can even create folders and label them (For example: percussion, synth, lead vocal, etc.) in case you don’t want to misplace any of these while layering sounds.
Tip 4: Utilize Transient Reduction
We’re certain you want each electronic music layer to sound great and uncluttered. After all, the last thing you need is a muddy-sounding mix all over the stereo field.
You also wouldn’t want to ruin the stacked sound by reducing your transients.
The BEST solution to this problem is applying gain reduction into your current mix.
This is more than enough to provide a perfectly balanced pitch among all the layered sounds, from the kick drums to your synths.
Tip 5: Master the Three ‘Dimensions’ of Space
If you want to get that live concert or performance feel, you need to utilize the space correctly when setting up each layer.
What do we mean?
You need to monitor these three aspects for a cleaner tone:
- Height (frequency spectrum)
- Width (pan)
- Depth (loudness and space via reverb)
In geometry, these three concepts are always emphasized when constructing a new house or building. The same goes for layering sounds.
All you have to do is modify the volume, equalization (EQ), and compression.
Get the right blend of these three to deliver the right soundscape to your listener.
SOUND TIP: If you want a roomy soundscape, try adding some white noise layers. White noise will let the listener visualize the supposed empty space.
Tip 6: Spice Up Your Interest for Every Layer
Playing it safe will never take you anywhere in life. The same applies to layering!
If you want to improve the texture of your sound, you should avoid being invested in a certain part.
Of course, your lead will be a crucial starting point.
But adding and experimenting with different sound layering will make your end result better than what you imagined!
REMEMBER: Trying out the different sounds is similar to conducting a science experiment, so you need to be prepared to delete and modify some stuff in between.
It will be tedious, but the final product will speak for itself.
Tip 7: Looping Is the Key
Layer your mix with loops. It will get messy at first, but cleaning up your loops will be easy as you go along.
You may start with a 4-bar loop so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Replicate this loop, but add some personality to it using reverb, equalizer, volume, or other special effects.
Also, monitor your space and placement. You wouldn’t want multiple loops competing with one another, thus resulting in a messy and distorted sound.
Make sure to space out the loops evenly so that you have a well-produced track.
FAQs
What Is Layering in Music?
Layering sounds is similar to making a sandwich. You put multiple ingredients like cheese, ham, lettuce, and mayonnaise to make it taste good.
That’s similar to how layering works, minus the food, of course.
Instead, you mix and match certain parts of your original mix into different tracks, giving your sound that extra kick!
The Importance of Tweaking Your Layering Technique
TWEAKING plays an interesting role in the world of mixing and sound layering.
HOW SO?
Modifying your sound layering elements with different ideas rather than using the same combination delivers richer texture and more creative freedom to your signature sound.
Indeed, you have yourself a recipe for an awesome 3-4 minute banger!
What Are the Layers of a Song?
One song can differ in terms of style and genre, but one thing that remains constant across ALL SONGS is the layers.
Let’s take a look at each layer one by one.
- Melodic role: the main melody/lead vocal; an instrument can imitate this melody.
- Harmonic role: supplies the harmony via a bass line, sustained note or accompanying chords/vocals.
- Rhythmic role: delivers the pulse, ostinato, or riff; can either be pitched (bass guitar riff) or non-pitched (snare or kick drum kit)
- Tone Color role: provides the emotional impact to give the song a MORE interesting sound
Why Is Sound Layering Necessary?
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is heavily criticized for its repetitive and bland layering process. It doesn’t help that the distortion of the bass can be overused.
This is why many experts believe that music production is one of the most important steps for creating a balanced mix and high-quality recording.
You mess up one synth layer, and the rest of the mix gets affected. You might not get the perfect pitch you’ve always wanted.
To be more specific, you want to avoid phase cancellation happening AT ALL COSTS.
This is why the producers have to be beside the musician or in the same studio room when producing a track.
They are in charge of making sure all the layering stuff is in place for a clean-looking track. And all layers blend well with each other.
So don’t forget to thank these producers for creating your favorite songs when you hear them on the radio or on a streaming app.
Conclusion
Now you know why your favorite artists hire the top sound engineers to layer sounds for every song and album release.
However, anyone can possess the ability to produce high-end sounds, whether it be a casual listener, musical junkie, or hip-hop head.
You are free to play around with layering sounds in the stereo field however you desire.
For all you know, a perfectly made sound could be the best birthday present you could give your musician friends.
READ MORE:
How to Arrange Music: A Beginner’s Guide
Using MIDI Chord Progressions: A Simple Beginner’s Guide
Changelog:
April 21, 2022 – minor content edits, added internal links
