Recreating 2 MODERN melodic techno DROPS from Stephan Bodzin and ARTBAT

Tutorial focused on recreating modern melodic techno drops in Ableton, with reference to a complete track video and available project files

First drop is from Stephan Bodzin's latest release 'Diamond'

Tutorial begins with the break section, which is the foundation for the drop that follows

Emphasis on understanding drop mechanics and sound design techniques used in modern melodic techno

The break features a gliding synth sound in D minor, created by layering notes D and D4 (two octaves apart) to produce the glide effect

• Remove the plate reverb initially • Drop the leg (envelope) and open the keyboard envelope so cutoff opens with higher notes • This creates a more drastic glide effect as the filter opens

• Create a return channel with echo effect at 100% wet with ping pong mode • Add reverb (darker, larger room tone) to the return • Cut low-end frequencies from both echo and reverb to focus on the swirling synth sound

Creates a swarming effect in the background with the gliding synth sound as the core element of the break

Large pad sound using Diva with slight attack and long decay, utilizing all oscillators with slight FM and LFO modulation for evolving texture

Stacked notes creating a big, deep ambient sound typical of modern melodic techno, not overly complicated but densely layered

• Driving note played continuously with slight movement up and down • Creates small melodic variations to maintain interest • Velocity modulation differentiates driving parts (quieter) from chord passages (louder) • Velocity controls cutoff filter opening and volume envelope application

Use UFP filter for aggressive character, apply envelope to cutoff, add noise for richness, and layer with velocity-controlled dynamics

• Delay effect synchronized to track tempo • Ping pong delay creates stereo movement • Send to reverb return for cohesion with pad and gliding synth layers

• Auto pan effect for continuous left-right movement • Secondary auto pan using triangle LFO with inverted phase at 100% for volume automation • Creates subtle sidechain-like effect without sidechain compression

Subtle overdrive on the low end to add character and fatness to the driving sound, especially effective for maintaining energy in the break

Velocity control combined with envelope manipulation is crucial - it determines whether the arpeggiated section stays quiet and groovy or swells into louder melodic passages

• Off-beat noise hit using slide effect for swirling character • Echo and auto pan effects create train-like movement • Simple clap sound from deep melodic sample pack with reverb for organic feel

Simple noise sound layers to fill ambience and support the overall cinematic quality of the break

Extensive automation applied to all main elements to create evolution throughout the break, despite core elements remaining relatively simple

The power of the track comes from careful parameter automation rather than excessive layering - single sounds become emotionally impactful through continuous evolution

• Kick and bass (minimalist approach) • Driving hi-hats with sidechain to kick, attack and decay modulation for groove • Open hi-hat variation in brighter tonality • Closed hi-hat/shaker for high-end driving sound

• Frequency automation to brighten the pad gradually • Increasing envelope amount for growing presence • Longer decay time as the break progresses to build intensity

• Volatile Shimmer reverb - bright, shimmery, long decay for atmospheric quality • Vintage Reverb - darker tone, smaller than shimmer, adds depth • Both reverbs automated to increase before the drop, building anticipation

Utility with automated gain - loud at beginning when cutoff is down, gradually increasing to add brightness and splash to the overall mix

• Original track includes vocal layer requiring cinematic chord progression • Tutorial simplifies progression since vocal is removed, making it less cinematic but maintaining core sound design

Jupiter 8-style sound created in Serum with unison and sawtooth waves, LFO modulation of position for movement

• First pad layer: SuperJupiter-style with unison modulation • Second pad: Brighter version using sawtooth and softwood alternation with big plate reverb • Additional cinematic pad layers to create depth and drama

• Simple piano for emphasis on first hit of chord progression • Bass layer following root notes with unison and distortion for warmth • Combination creates big cinematic sound foundation

Break-into-break technique: primary break with vocal builds and drops into a secondary, quieter break before the main drop

Serum-based string with two sawtooth waves (7 units for richness), smooth envelopes, open filter, distortion, chorus, and reverb for dramatic effect

• Melodic techno arpeggio on scale wave with very short envelopes • Chorus and reverb effects for ambient quality • Echo effect with high feedback creating big ambient mode

ARTBAT combines two different sonic elements - cinematic strings and melted techno arpeggio - creating unique creative contrast within the track structure

Large Serum sound with asymmetrical distortion and multiband compression, creating aggressive crispy character typical of ARTBAT productions

• High-end EQ cut with envelope gain automation • At attack phase, envelope opens the cut to brighten the sound • Quickly closes for plucky attack character • Creates dynamic tonal movement without static filtering

Added white noise on top of distorted sound for richness and additional textural depth

• Cinematic impact sound for devastating emotional effect • String sound (Diva) with analog vibe for melodic support • Combination of aggressive distortion with cinematic elements creates signature ARTBAT sound

• First riser: Serum with band pass filter sweep from low to high frequency • Second riser: Operator with flanger effect creating weird, unsettling movement • White noise risers build tension and anticipation before drop

ARTBAT uses less automation compared to Stephan Bodzin, focusing more on composition and sound design rather than parameter evolution

• Opening Serum cutoff slightly during drop for aggressive character • Subtle volume automation throughout • Minimal EQ adjustments to maintain clarity

Drop features cool bass sound using two sawtooth waves in Serum with no additional effects, relying on pure synthesis for character

Simple ambient clap placed before main drum section, establishing the groove for the drop

All elements work together to create a unique sound that combines different genres into one cohesive production

ARTBAT's approach emphasizes composition and strategic sound design over heavy automation, contrasting with the Bodzin drop technique

Modern melodic techno success comes from understanding both synthesis fundamentals and creative arrangement decisions

Full project files and complete track remakes available on Patreon channel

Full remake of ARTBAT track available with original vocals for reference

Both drops demonstrate how different production philosophies - automation-heavy versus composition-focused - can create compelling modern melodic techno

Channel encourages subscription and likes for continued tutorial content on electronic music production