How to Mix Electronic Music Like a Pro

Want to learn how to mix electronic music like a pro? Check out this blog post for some tips and tricks on getting started.

Introduction

Hi, I’m Fabian and I’m a professional music producer and DJ. I’ve been making electronic music for over 10 years and I’ve learned a lot about mixing along the way.

In this guide, I’m going to share my best tips and techniques for mixing electronic music. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to mix like a pro!

Here’s what we’ll cover:

– The basics of mixing
– How to mix drums
– How to mix basslines
– How to mix synths and melodies
– How to create effects chains
– How to use EQ, compression, and other essential mixing tools
– And more!

The Different Types of Electronic Music

There are many different types of electronic music, and each one has its own unique sound. If you’re just getting started in the world of electronic music, it can be helpful to know the different types of music and what they entail. This guide will introduce you to the different types of electronic music and help you find the right style for you.

Techno

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan, in the United States in the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which other subgenres have been built.

Techno is generally characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, a tempo of 120 to 150 beats per minute (bpm), and synthesized percussion. It is often produced for use in a continuous DJ set, where the DJ creates a seamless flow of tracks by selector tracks from different records that are usually mixed using a mixer.

The central rhythmic component of techno is provided by drum machines, particularly the Roland TR-808 and TR-909, looped or sequenced by synthesizers such as the Roland TB-303 bass line synthesizer or other sequencers. Drum machine tracks are often accompanied by bass lines played on synthesizer keyboards, and electric piano or guitar. While Washington, D.C., Chicago, Chicago house and disco were major influences on techno, it also draws inspiration from electronic art music styles such as Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra; as well as funk, electro and hip hop.

Trance

Trance music is a subgenre of electronic music that emerged in the 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo of between 130 and 160 beats per minute, uplifting melodies, and often contains elements of pop music. Trance music is often used in nightclubs and festivals, and is also a popular choice for fitness and dancing classes.

House

Most people think of House music as a 4/4 beat with a build and drop, but there is so much more to it than that! The patterns are usually repetitive and may have a range of different speeds and tempos. The genre first started in Chicago in the 1980s, but it has since spread all over the world and taken on many different forms.

Some of the most popular sub-genres of House music include:
-Deep House: This style is characterized by its smooth, soulful sound and often features piano or saxophone melodies.
– Funky House: As the name suggests, Funky House is all about the funky basslines and grooves.
– Progressive House: Progressive House is known for its long, evolving buildups and breakdowns.
– Tech House: This sub-genre combine elements of Techno and House to create a harder, more driving sound.

Drum and Bass

Drum and bass (commonly abbreviated to D&B, DnB or D’n’B) is a genre of electronic music characterised by fast breakbeats (typically 160–180 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, sampled sources, and synthesizers. The music grew out of the UK’s jungle and hardcore rave scenes in the early 1990s, and developed into a more commercial form that incorporated elements from a wide range of genres.

Dubstep

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by heavy bass and rhythmic drums that create a sense of tension and release. The music is often dark and cinematic, with elements of dub, garage, grime, and techno. It emerged in the early 2000s in the UK underground scene, and has since become one of the most popular genres in the world.

Dubstep is typically made with two or more bass instruments, a drum machine, and synthesizers. The bass is the most important element in dubstep, and it is usually made with Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins. The drums are typically simple and repetitive, with a heavy emphasis on the bass. Synthesizers are used to create unique sound effects and textures.

Dubstep tracks are typically between 140 and 150 beats per minute (bpm). The genre is defined by its heavy bass, but it also often includes elements of other genres such as grime, garage, techno, house, drum & bass, and hip hop.

How to Mix Electronic Music

Maneuvering your way around a mixing board and getting a killer sound can be tough, especially if you’re just starting out. But with a little practice, you can mix like a pro in no time. In this article, we’ll show you some basic tips on how to mix electronic music.

Choose the Right Software

With all of the different electronic music making software out there, it’s hard to know where to start. Do you go for the most popular, or the one that all of your favorite producers use? Do you try something new that could potentially revolutionize your workflow?

There are a few things to consider when choosing software for electronic music production. The first is compatibility. If you’re using a Mac, you’ll want to make sure that the software you choose works on that platform. The same goes for Windows or Linux. You’ll also want to make sure that the software can handle the file formats that you want to use. For example, if you want to use ableton live 9 suite , make sure it can open and save .alp files.

The next thing to consider is features. What kind of music do you want to make? If you’re into EDM, you might want a program with a lot of built-in effects and instruments. If you’re into hip hop, you might want something with a good drum machine and sample library. Or if you’re into film scoring, you might need something with good MIDI support and notation capabilities.

Finally, consider price. There are some very good free options out there, so don’t feel like you have to spend a lot of money on software. But at the same time, don’t skimp too much either – remember, this is your musical canvas we’re talking about!

Understand the Basic Terms

In order to understand how to mix electronic music, you need to first understand some of the basic terms.

-Panning: This refers to the placement of a sound in the stereo field. You can pan a sound to the left or right, which will make it seem like it is coming from that direction.
-EQ: This stands for equalization, and it is used to adjust the frequency response of a sound. For example, you can use EQ to make a sound brighter or warmer.
-Compression: This is a process that is used to reduce the dynamic range of a sound. In other words, it makes the loudest parts of a sound quieter and the quietest parts louder.
-Reverb: This is an effect that simulates the reflections of sounds in an environment. It can be used to make a sound seem like it is coming from a larger space, or to add some “ambience” to a sound.

Learn How to Equalize

Equalization is the first step in learning how to mix electronic music. Start by turning all of the EQ knobs to the 12 o’clock position. This will be your starting point, and you can make adjustments from there. As a general rule, you want to start by boosting frequencies that are lacking, and then cutting frequencies that are overpowering.

For example, if a track sounds muddy, you would want to boost the highs and cut the lows. If a track sounds thin, you would want to boost the lows and cut the highs. It’s important to use EQ sparingly, as too much of it can ruin a good thing. A little bit can go a long way.

Once you’ve equalized the track, it’s time to add some effects. Reverb is a good place to start. Add just enough so that it sounds natural, and be sure not to overdo it. Too much reverb will make the track sound muddy and cluttered. Echo is another good effect to use sparingly. A little echo can add depth and dimension to a track, but too much will make it sound cluttered and confusing.

Delay is another common effect used in electronic music. Again, less is more when it comes to delay. A short delay with a long release will add an atmospheric quality to the track without sounding cluttered or busy.

Get to Know Your Filters

As you become more familiar with electronic music, you will start to notice that a lot of tracks will use filters. Filters are basically a way of manipulating the soundwaves that make up a track, and they can be used to do everything from changing the timbre of a sound to creating sweeping effects.

There are two main types of filters that you need to be aware of, and each one can be used in different ways. Low-pass filters (LPF) are the most common type of filter, and they are used to remove high frequencies from a sound. This can be useful for creating a warm, mellow tone, or for reducing the amount of digital artifacts in a track. High-pass filters (HPF) do the opposite, and they are used to remove low frequencies from a sound. This can be useful for making a sound brighter, or for cutting outbass frequencies that might muddy up a mix.

Most mixing consoles will have some kind of filter section that you can use to control the frequency response of your tracks. If you don’t have access to a mixing console, don’t worry – there are plenty of software plugins that you can use to achieve the same thing. Experiment with different types and amounts of filtering, and see how it affects the overall sound of your mix.

Experiment with Effects

As you become more familiar with your software, you will start to notice all of the different effects that are available to you. While it may be tempting to add effects to every track, it’s important to use them sparingly. Too many effects can ruin the mix and make it sound cluttered. Start with a dry mix and only add effects when they are absolutely necessary. Reverb and delay are two of the most commonly used effects in electronic music. Reverb creates a sense of space and can make a track sound bigger. Delay can be used to add interest and texture to a track. There are many other types of effects available, so experiment and see what sounds best.

Conclusion

Now that you know the basics of how to mix electronic music, you can start experimenting with different techniques to find what works best for you. There is no one right way to mix, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different things and see what sounds good. With practice, you’ll develop a style that is all your own.