In music production, one of the first questions to ask is: are we after a recipe or a set of prospects (i.e. development plan)? Do we just need to define a technique to produce a house track or we want to delve deeper?
If we're after the former, we could provide "a definition". Something like "well, take 4/4 time signature, put the kick on the beat, clap on beats 2 & 4, hi hats on the upbeats, throw in a repetitive bass line based on a pentatonic scale - et voilà!".
This of course is a gross oversimplification. It's understood that at the very least a lead line and some synth pads would need to be mentioned. And then there's layering, mixing, mastering... but I think the reader gets the core point here.
Our Aim Here Therefore Is...
To inspire the reader to think as much as they do. Analyze the sound, be aware of what they're after in the track. And not only the given house track as a whole, but also it's constituent parts.
This is primarily related to the drum patterns and the bass, which are at the core of the genre's sound of course. A house track is primarily a groove track, based on a fixed drum pattern and a simple - yet very rhythmical bass line.
We'll also touch on the prospects of a career in the field and the learning options, similar to the approach taken in our article on the topic of how to find your sound as an artist .
Cause let's face it: a fixed recipe would suffice for only one track anyway really. And even that isn't likely to produce an original result. Seeking to establish a prospect is therefore a much more challenging approach, and on the long run - the only viable one.
So, let's dive into it:
Learning the Basics
This alone is a thrilling journey into the heart of the musical landscape of any genre. Likewise, to grasp how to make house music, one must first understand its core elements.
House music production begins with the rhythmic foundation, where the choice of the kick drum sound is paramount. This instrument acts as the heartbeat of your composition, setting the pace and groove for your entire track.
Simultaneously, as noted in the opening, crafting a distinctive bass line is essential! It infuses your music with the infectious energy that characterizes the genre.
House music encompasses a diverse array of styles, from the soulful sounds of deep house to the energetic beats of big room house. Exploring the sub-genres not only broadens your musical horizons but also deepens your understanding of the genre as a whole.
As you progress in making house music, remember that it's not just about assembling sounds but also about meticulous sound design. Seamlessly blending various elements, such as vocal samples and synth melodies, is key to creating a cohesive and engaging house track.
To produce authentic house tracks, one must also appreciate the genre's rich history, from its roots in early house music to its modern evolution.
Furthermore, experimenting with different plugins while exploring the nuances of the stereo field, will inevitably lead to gaining a good understanding of what makes a house track sound good.
As you delve deeper into the world of house music, you'll discover that it's not just a specific genre but a boundless realm of creativity waiting to be explored.
Choosing the Sub-Genre
A pivotal step in your journey to the track that resonates with your creative vision.
The world of house music offers a diverse range of sub-genres, each with its own unique characteristics and sonic landscapes.
You might be drawn to the more experimental soundscapes of tech house, or the high-energy rhythms of progressive house. On the other hand, deep house is known for its smooth and melodic compositions, often characterized by lush chord progressions and intricate percussion.
Progressive house leans towards epic and anthemic melodies, while bass house focuses on heavy basslines and energetic drops. Bass house drops almost define the matter on their own...
Your choice will define the mood and style of your tracks. It's worth noting here that there isn't a strict consensus on what qualifies as "a true house genre". This should explain why this article won't feature a list of house sub-genres.
But with all due respect: who cares if someone begs to differ over your choice?! It's essential to immerse yourself in the distinct elements that describe the style you're after and define your aesthetic preferences.
Keep in mind that while your choice provides a foundation, you're not limited to strict boundaries. Many artists blend elements from different sub-genres to create unique and innovative sounds.
Don't be afraid to experiment as you embark on your journey in producing house music. Take inspiration from tracks you hold dear, and infuse your creativity into your own tracks.
Ultimately, whatever you choose should align with your passion and artistic vision, allowing you to craft captivating tracks that best resonate with you.
The Studio Setup
To even begin answering the question of how to make house music, you obviously need a decent studio setup. It will ensure that your creative process flows smoothly.
As you embark on your journey, a few fundamental components will play a significant role in shaping your sonic creations.
Any DAW should do, though FL Studio and Ableton Live seem to be the most popular among house producers. These platforms offer a range of tools and plugins that also aid in sound design, allowing you to fine-tune every aspect of your composition.
Investing in quality drum machines is essential. The kick drum is the heartbeat of house music and many house tracks are made by combining the outputs of a multitude of those.
Having the right equipment to craft punchy and rhythm-driven beats is crucial. It's important to note in passing here, that a ton of money need not be invested. For most intents and purposes, cheap (or entirely free) solutions should do, at least in the beginning.
That said, while learning how to make house music that stands out, you'll want access to a diverse library of drum sounds, samples, and sample packs. These resources provide a vast spectrum of options, enabling you to experiment and craft unique rhythms for your tracks.
Knowing how to compose rhythmically rich bass lines is a fundamental skill in producing house music. Whether you opt for software synthesizers such as Native Instruments or utilize a hardware solution, mastering the art of crafting captivating basslines is in a league of its own!
As you delve into the intricate world of sound design, consider exploring the frequency spectrum to ensure your compositions sound good across a range of audio systems.
While setting up your studio, consider the human feel, incorporating elements like FM synthesis to add warmth and character to your environment.
A well-rounded studio setup should inspire creativity and offer the flexibility to experiment with different sounds and techniques. This enables you to craft captivating house tracks that will later resonate with your audience.
Learning Through Trial and Error
The most rewarding and immersive journey into the world of electronic music (or any learning endeavor really).
With no fixed playbook on how to make house music, this experimental approach allows budding producers to harness their creativity and intuition.
When you're starting, it's all about building a basic song flow for a new track. As noted in the previous section, you probably begun by gathering an array of drum samples and drum machines to craft your rhythms. But now what?
Building the beat lays the foundation for your composition. Tech house enthusiasts for example, often find this step to be the most captivating part of the process.
As you experiment with different sounds, don't be afraid to revisit a previously picked reference track. Or pick a new one if you're after something else, seeking a new perspective. Analyzing the elements that made a hit in disco music or future house could also guide your efforts. Anything goes!
One of the joys of learning through trial and error is the freedom to explore various elements. Whether it's experimenting with a vocal sample, fine-tuning bass lines, or discovering how to seamlessly blend different elements, this process is a valuable learning experience.
As you continue to build your tracks, you'll realize that it's not just about adhering to a specific formula. Rather, it's about finding your unique voice within house (or any electronic music genre for that matter).
With every new project, you'll uncover new styles and maybe even venture into other genres to keep things interesting. Yes - at times even into those which you hated a decade ago! :)
Embracing the journey of learning through constantly trying and retrying, allows you to infuse your compositions with the human feel. This will later enable you to spice things up beyond what you thought was possible at the very beginning.
Seeking Advice
The realm of electronic music, with its intricate nuances and diverse styles, can initially seem overwhelming. However, with guidance from experienced producers, you can more easily navigate the road, learning how to make house music in a more straightforward and organic way.
One valuable piece of advice when embarking on your journey to create a decent house track is to focus on the chord progression and the structure of your composition. This foundation, when done well, can elevate your music to new heights.
Regularly seek advice or at least a pro's opinion on your basslines. Can't overemphasize this: writing basslines is at the core of this craft!
This isn't DnB, so generally speaking, you can't really get overly creative with your drums. Consult an experienced producer whenever you're thinking on introducing variations in this regard, specially with the kick drums and hi-hats.
Producers often emphasize the importance of the mastering stage, where you polish your track and ensure it sounds good across various sound system setups. A well-balanced mastering chain can make all the difference in the final sound of your track.
Seeking advice from experienced producers is a must! Their valuable insights and tips on how to make your house track sound professional and captivating are beyond quintessential!
Comparing Your Work to That of Famous Producers
Once the basics have been established and tracks have been produced, this is the next step.
Seeking to embellish your perceptions and style can be a valuable exercise in the pursuit of excellence. It offers a unique perspective on your own creations and allows you to identify areas of improvement.
Thoroughly studying and analyzing the works of legendary artists provides an accurate insight into the intricacies of professional house music production. By examining the sound and many other elements used by renowned artists, you can gain insights into what sets their tracks apart.
A proven and especially effective method is to choose one track from a celebrated producer and dissect it meticulously. Compared to just referencing, this would mean to go into great depths with the analysis of the track.
Pay close attention to the delicate flow of their bass lines, the side-chaining, their drums (the entire set of drum sounds used), and the nuances of the overall atmosphere.
This analysis can reveal the techniques and arrangements that contribute to the track's success. You can then experiment with similar approaches in your own productions, while adding your unique flair to create something distinctive.
While this can be inspiring, it's also essential for you to maintain your artistic identity. While it's beneficial to learn from the masters, remember that your journey in house music is a creative one.
Embrace the knowledge you gain from these comparisons to refine your skills and develop your own signature style. In doing so, you'll not only pay homage to the greats but also contribute your unique voice to the ever-evolving world of electronic music.
Why Not Give a Punt at DJing?
Not only can you learn how to make house music through DJing, but most would agree it's an especially immersive experience too!
DJing offers a unique avenue for aspiring producers to immerse themselves in the world of house music, developing an intuitive understanding of the genre's building blocks and dynamics.
DJs often have an intimate understanding of the intricate elements that make a house track come alive. Be it in their own mind or on the dance floor, this knowledge can be invaluable especially when it comes to planning of the drops and build-ups!
As a DJ, you are constantly exposed to a wide array of house music from various sub-genres. You are hence due to develop an innate sense of how different elements work together to create an electrifying atmosphere.
This exposure allows you to absorb the rhythms, melodies, and the nuances of the genre, which you can then incorporate into your own works.
As you mix and transition between tracks, you gain insight into the crucial elements that keep the energy flowing on the dance floor. One of the key takeaways here is the importance of creating seamless transitions, often with just eight bars of music.
This skill directly translates to the production process, where understanding how to seamlessly blend elements like a certain vocal sample with other sampled vocals becomes crucial.
Additionally, the experience of reading a crowd and selecting tracks that resonate with the audience teaches you the power of crafting a quality track. This captures the essence of house music, ensuring you're connected with listeners on a visceral level.
Revisiting Your Old Works...
...is one of the most valuable approaches to learning in general! It allows you to gain insights and refine your skills by deconstructing your previous creations.
Over time, as you produce and delve deeper into the world of house music and electronic dance music in general, you accumulate a collection of your own tracks.
These tracks serve as a treasure trove of knowledge, where you can dissect and explore the key elements. When you revisit your older house track, seize the opportunity to examine its intricate details.
Analyzing the chord progression you used from a new perspective, the arrangement of hi hats, the impact of kick hits placement can redefine the way you produce house music. Yes - you can learn from your old self (at the very least, you can learn how not to repeat a mistake:).
But then again on the other hand, you may discover creative choices which sound good, yet you forgot about in the meantime. This will also help you understand how certain sounds contribute to the overall sound of your music.
This self-exploration allows you to refine your skills and experiment further, seeking to spice things up and push your creative boundaries to new heights. By dissecting your old tracks and reimagining them with a fresh perspective, you also evolve as an artist - never forget that!
Leaving the Comfort Zone on Regular Basis
A time comes when you need to fully trust your instincts and allow the process to evolve organically!
Leaving one's comfort zone is often a necessary and always a transformative journey! What was previously an exception should at a certain point become a habit.
As a producer, it's natural to gravitate toward familiar sounds and techniques. However, venturing beyond these boundaries and exploring other elements can open up a world of creative possibilities.
A few tips can help you embrace this creative journey. Start by introducing elements that challenge your established norms. Perhaps it's incorporating unconventional bass tones or experimenting with the drums, especially complex drum patterns seldom (if ever) found in house music.
One of the ways to break free from the comfort zone is by deconstructing and remaking tracks you previously thought of as being exceptionally avant-garde. Check out how an entirely different Native Instruments plugin or setup would behave, otherwise perhaps more suitable for another sub-genre.
Exploring other avant-garde tracks outside your genre can introduce new textures and timbres to your music also. By dissecting their drums, bass, and all the sounds used, you gain a deeper grasp of further areas for improvement.
Establishing Your Name on the Scene
On the house music scene, establishing your name is a journey that requires dedication and a keen focus.
To make a lasting impact, you must ensure that all the elements of your tracks, from the groove of the drums to the depth of the bass, contribute to a unique and captivating sound that sets you apart.
Always keep refining your production skills to ensure that each track you release reflects your dedication to the art form. Pay meticulous attention to the details of your sound design, crafting rich textures and melodies that resonate with listeners.
Collaborative efforts can bring fresh perspectives to your music and introduce your work to new audiences. Start with a single track, perhaps not even a whole track, introducing other tracks later.
Yes - building your name in the house music community involves networking and collaboration. It depends on it even! Connect with fellow producers, DJs, and labels to foster relationships that can open doors to opportunities for exposure and growth.
Remember that establishing your presence in the house music scene is a gradual process. With persistence, creativity, and a commitment to honing your skills, you can surely leave a lasting mark on this dynamic and vibrant musical landscape.
Never Stop Learning!
In the world of music - and life in general - this is one of the most valuable principles you must embrace!
The journey of refining your skills and crafting the perfect sound and rhythm is a continuous process that evolves with every new track you create. And one might add: a never-ending one!
Staying open to learning from others! Even as an established artist, the willingness to keep learning and evolving in your sound and production techniques ensures that your journey in house music remains dynamic and filled with artistic growth!
Always Remember...
House music is more than your favorite track, your favorite drum sampler, Native Instruments plugin, your favorite bassline, your favorite side-chaining setup...
Yet, more often than not, the road begins exactly like that: as a set of favorite things!
So, remember to revisit the very beginnings from time to time... the favorite track, bass, drums... even that future house track whose bass sound you hated and the others loved... and yes: also that bass house mess you originally thought was masterful... :)
Learn, listen, relearn, and then learn some more!
