What is ear candy? According to Merriam Webster the definition of ear candy is:

Music that is pleasing to listen to but lacks depth

While it may be accurate to describe the tosh bleating at you from an elevator speaker as ear candy, my learned friends in academia don’t quite understand how the phrase is used in the context of modern music production.

And so, dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to discuss the mystery that is ear candy. We'll be looking at what it is, why so many producers use it, and how you can go about sprinkling some in your own songs.

A More Accurate Definition of Ear Candy

In a broad sense, ear candy can be described as the extra musical flourishes and sonic details in a song that add interest for the listener.

Take away the ear candy, and the song itself doesn't change. It's still got a melody , some harmony , rhythm , and structure . It's recognizable, even if someone did a cover of it in a wildly different genre.

Ear candy on the other hand, is the little bursts of sonic delight that you'll find tucked away in a mix. It's not essential to the song, but it makes the track more memorable and engaging.

Why Do Producers Use Ear Candy?

If ear candy isn't an essential part of a song's DNA, why do so many producers use it in their tracks?

Engagement

There's a lot of music out there, and if you want listeners to keep coming back for more you have to keep them engaged.

Ear candy can also prevent a track feeling repetitive by adding moments of interest and fun.

Emotional Impact

Sound design elements can add to the emotional or storytelling aspect of a song.

Well-placed ear candy (or fairy dust, as I like to call it) can make a transition feel more dramatic, adding depth to the emotional impact of the track.

Signature Sound

Having a unique voice , or signature sound, is a vital aspect of an artist's career - it's what makes them instantly recognizable. Skrillex may have gone overkill on the ear candy game, but his sound is unmistakable.

Add Movement and Dynamics

With all the gubbins technology gives us, songs can easily sound too perfect. Flawlessly tuned vocals. Crisply aligned rhythm sections.  Pristine recordings. These can all make a song sound too consistent and leave our brains wanting a little je ne sais quoi .

Judicious use of ear candy can create a sense of movement and add depth to a mix, making it more memorable and dynamic.

Easter Eggs

Great songs sometimes contain hidden gems that fans only discover after repeated listens. Ear candy can be a way of rewarding the dedicated listener, and adds to a song's replay value.

Common Types of Ear Candy

Melodic and Harmonic Elements

Vocal Throws

A vocal throw is a production technique where a word or phrase from the lyrics is isolated and processed in some way. Often using delay, the 'throw' occurs after the lead vocal has stopped.

Vocal throws are often used in pop music to fill space creatively without cluttering up the arrangement.

You can hear a really subtle example of this at the top of Adele's Hello :

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxOMicB5oTAHH14iCtD37ZxId1PBG71gr2?si=VZWivcX8ZmnFt-0y

Gang Vocals

Gang vocals are another great way of bringing a track to life and adding ear candy. Often used in the chorus, gang vocals are generally non-melodic. A great example is in the final choruses of Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk :

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxnk6gee_uK_E0-OIh6lLoD5TX_jKVzu4x?si=JezhPr2JlnuwCdf9

Counter Melodies

Subtle counter melodies can be another way of filling out an arrangement without the main thrust of the song getting lost.

Small phrases work best in this situation - Coldplay's Viva La Vida is an example that's chock full of these little nuggets of delight:

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxOMicB5oTAHH14iCtD37ZxId1PBG71gr2?si=VZWivcX8ZmnFt-0y

Rhythmic Tricks

Silence

Adding intentional silence at unexpected points is another way of spicing up a track. The trick here is to pick the right moment; right at the top of the chorus, or just before it starts is a great way to add tension and anticipation.

Elle King's Ex's & Oh's is a good example; at the end of the verse all the instruments drop out, leaving just the vocal, which in turn leaves the final beat of the last measure to stand alone:

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxem-yficJiQZLcELoNAdMePWns3bTD6t0?si=mIdaMZr4sgi5S3MO

Drum Fills

Most drum fills are a form of phrasing to distinguish between sections, but you can also use them as a form of ear candy. A classic example is that fill from Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight:

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxsaKS0ZEw4n_A2EWyG08RwFugHHwkv0mg?si=CW25_sLK_cXRimtl

Rolls, Triplets, and Trills

Subtle use of rolls, triplets, or trills, particularly in higher percussion instruments, can also keep a listener engaged.

Production Techniques

Panning

When you're mixing a track, panning is used to achieve separation between the instruments and create space in the arrangement. As a general rule the panning stays static throughout the song.

However, if you play around with the panning it can be used to create interesting effects. The Killers' Mr Brightside starts off with unconventional panning in the first verse (guitars hard left, drums hard right), before bringing the rhythm section front and center for the remaining verses.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxOUioHJUGT4NeJ1js1TOCS8Y7otf4foGc?si=5BADW74DiBgDHN-U

Modulation

Using LFO-based modulation effects on instrument and vocal tracks is another great one for adding excitement to a mix.

Sound Design & SFX

Uplifters/Downlifters

Always a sure-fire way to create excitement in a song, uplifters (or risers) are common in EDM.

Hits and Impacts

Another favorite of EDM tracks, low-end booms, impacts, and hits can all emphasize a drop.

Reversing, Glitching and Pitch Shifting

There's a ton of ways to manipulate audio . Playing around with any sounds within your track can create interesting and ear catching transitions.

Layering & Textures

Layering up different sounds is a great technique for creating richness and depth in a mix. Stacking sounds together to build dynamics is a great idea to keep the listener engaged.

Creative use of samples that don't form the backbone of the music can also generate sonic interest. Whether it's vinyl crackles or the subtle sound of rain, keep the volume low.

How to Add Ear Candy in Your Own Music

Now you know what ear candy is, how do you go about putting it in your own music?

Listen

Take a good listen to your track to identify what kind of ear candy could work. Is it bass heavy? Throw in some high end flourishes!

Use Automation

Practically any plugin and synth parameter can be controlled using automation . Use it to make your ear candy moments really pop.

Create a Candy Stash

Speed up the process of creating ear candy by putting together a folder of your favorite ear candy sources. Add plugin chains that you use for manipulating sounds, and MIDI files of any favorite runs, fills, or riffs.

Spend a little time each week playing in your DAW to discover new and fun ways to manipulate audio. Now you'll never run out of fairy dust to throw in while mixing.

Be Subtle

The key thing to remember is that ear candy isn't an essential part of a track - it's there for decoration.

Tuck those magical sounds away in the mix so they only get discovered if fans listen closely. And if you're doing a big obvious thing, like note of silence, choose those moments wisely.

Conclusion

Ear candy is a great way to add spice to your tracks without over-complicating the music itself. It's great opportunity to flex your creativity and play around with audio, keeping your music sounding fresh.

Go forth, and sweeten-eth up your music!