

For example, try shifting your open hat or clap sounds by 16ths to see what alternative rhythms you can come up with.ġ2. The key to good techno is syncopation, and you can radically alter the feel of your percussion track by shifting elements forward or back. “Techno demands proper understanding of core effects, particularly reverb and dynamics.”ġ1.


Longer times create more ambient effects. Increase the pre-delay on your reverb unit to create interesting rhythmic textures. Experiment with the damping and reverb length controls until you're happy with how things sound.ġ0. Start at 100% dry and increase the wet level until the sound becomes a mangled shell of its former self. For that classic hard techno sound, place a clap on every other beat and stick it through a reasonably large reverb effect. Sine waves are ideal for this - other shapes may require filtering.ĩ. If your synths feel a bit on the weedy side, try adding a sub-oscillator (ie, an oscillator an octave or two below the route key). At the more minimal end of techno, each sound needs to be as strong as you can possibly get it. Chorus, reverb and flange effects are all created with near zero delay times, so there´s plenty of mileage to be had from this particular effect.Ĩ. If you´ve got a delay effect that gives you the option of turning the delay time all the way down to zero, make sure you experiment with these extreme times.
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Most software samplers also feature their own effects, so make sure you check out all your available options.ħ. Get to know your software´s native effects inside out. Though it´s tempting to constantly break out your most flashy effects plug-ins, techno demands proper understanding of core effects, particularly reverb and dynamics. The Roland TR-909 kit is very much the standard, but try exploring other drum machine sounds, such as those from the Roland R8, when you need a little variety.Ħ. Although chopping up percussion loops is a relatively quick and effective way to create techno beats, you can achieve much more flexibility and a more authentic sound by using one-shot percussion sounds.
