I Made a Banger Techno Soundtrack for Dune

Dune has been the most influential movie of recent years with exceptional soundtracks, but there was a missed opportunity to add a techno track that captures the wild and futuristic essence of the Dune world.

Reached out to collaborators Daniel and another person who share equal excitement about Dune to work on the track together.

Inspired by the scene where Harkonnen ships descend from the sky, creating a sense of horror with everything looking tiny compared to the massive ships.

Collaborators discussed incorporating vocal ideas into the track and planned to work together on the project.

After extensive searching through sample packs and presets, found a sample with the vibe of descending into deep time with silver luminous discs spinning, though it was initially too childlike.

• Used Peach Monster to layer different types of voices creating a good versus bad fighting sensation • Applied compression and discussion effects • Used elevator Reverb for depth • Reversed the sample tail to make it more epic

Layered multiple processing effects to transform the original childlike sample into something more fitting for the dark, intense Dune atmosphere.

Added the OS as the final touch to complete the vocal sound design.

• Used a kick from Summit Kicks sample pack • Layered with answering sub bass for foundation

Created multiple bass layers with different grooves - a sub bass groove and another groove layer slightly different, making the overall groove extremely driving.

Added additional top layer elements and slide steps to create a beautiful, complete drum foundation.

Incorporated clap and simple driving hats to add rhythmic texture and drive to the track.

Created warm and mysterious ambience through layered pads and noise textures stacked on top of each other.

• Noise texture as foundation • Multiple layered pads for warmth • Cartridge layering for cohesion

Layered all elements together to create a cohesive ambient backdrop that supports both the aggression and mystery of the overall track.

Combined all ambient layers to work smoothly with the drum and groove elements already established.

Created an aggressive version of the sound to convey intensity and power within the track.

Developed a mysterious counterpart to balance the aggression and add depth to the overall composition.

Created a B-part to provide variation and prevent the track from becoming monotonous.

Added a smooth RPG on the background to tie everything together and provide harmonic support.

Felt something was missing that would enhance the feeling of war, panic, and loss in the track.

Drew inspiration from the first Dune movie where a dark, rooting, aggressive vocal - a highly compressed raw vocal chant - appears in the very first scene.

Combined organic vocal elements with inorganic synthesized sounds to create a unique character for the drop section.

Used this duality to convey the contrast between human experience and the alien, otherworldly nature of the Dune universe.

Created a lead sound that is almost horn-like but scary, capturing the menacing essence needed for the track.

• Stacked two wavetables on top of each other • First wavetable provides the base • Second wavetable delivers the aggressive character

• Used function with pitch modulation for epic sound • Applied distortion and comb filter for texture variation • Added end distortion and multiplying compression for dynamic squash

• Automated cutoff for evolving tone • Automated EQ to shape frequency content • Automated both amount and radius for weird slapping effects at the end

Copied the same scene three times with different pitch automation on each copy to create harmonic variation without duplication.

Created different functions for each variation, with each copy being slightly different from the others through unique function settings.

Adjusted note patterns across the three variations to create melodic movement and interest.

Added cinematic drums as supply samples to support the melodic elements and enhance the epic, filmic quality of the track.

Anyone who purchases the track on Beatport and sends the receipt to contact macquarius.com will receive the full project file and presets.

The full project allows viewers to explore and digest the production techniques at their own pace rather than just watching the video explanation.

The project files and presets are only available for physics, so viewers should not miss this opportunity.

More music production content and tutorials are available for those interested in learning additional techniques.