4 Things EVERY PRODUCER SHOULD KNOW to get that PROFESSIONAL sound (like Umek, Boris Brejcha, Lane8)

Producers are storytellers. Mix after a feeling or theme, not just technical metrics. Write this down and remind yourself constantly when making new tracks.

• Adjust pluckiness of lead sounds to add energy and power • Layer sounds strategically, such as adding a plucky top layer beneath main sounds for added punch • Place layers one octave apart to create a more powerful, punchy result

• Group layers and use Plane Overdrive with significant drive to glue sounds together • Apply compressor with slow attack and fast release to preserve initial hit while controlling level • Use sidechain compression with kick to maintain pumping feel and groove

Send sounds to reverb for whole feeling. Sidechain long reverb to kick to prevent groove destruction. Use high layer as sidechain source to reverb for less reverb on initial hit.

Wrong samples can have detrimental effects on your track. Sample choice matters more than individual sound quality in isolation.

• Avoid distorted, main room style kicks that are too long for your track's style • Choose smooth kicks with medium-sized tails that complement bass elements • Match kick character to overall track aesthetic (deep melting techno style vs aggressive room style)

• Avoid using same sample repeatedly; select different hi-hat samples to complement each other • Vary sample brightness and character across percussion layers • Use shaker samples strategically rather than stacking identical sounds

Pick samples that work with your track's overall feeling and mix, not just what sounds good isolated. Test compatibility with existing elements before committing.

• Create return channel with reverb to add ambient feel to percussions • Add compressor to catch percussive transients before reverb to avoid unwanted reflections • Use Plane Overdrive for darker, dirty techno reverb character instead of clean reverb

• Cut super lows and highs to focus on mid-range frequencies • Switch to mid-side EQ mode to boost sides and create stereo width • Sidechain long reverb to kick to prevent distortion and maintain track's pumping feel

• Create separate return for high-end focus to add air and stereo field • Use EQ8 to remove low end while preserving high-frequency detail • Apply reverb with extended high-end and saturation for brightness

Use mid-side EQ to boost sides for wider stereo image. Adjust mid frequencies to balance center and side information. Experimentation with track playback yields best results.

• Use glue compressor for heavy parallel processing of drums to add crunch • Crush transients significantly to bring up character and punch • Apply distortion after compression to enhance aggressive character

Apply drum crush technique to snares and other percussion elements. Send off-hats and hi-hats to this chain as they respond well to the treatment similar to snare.

• Find reference track with similar vibe and ideally in the same key • Locate a section where kick doesn't hit limiter to avoid loudness bias • Match loudness level of reference track's kick to your track for fair comparison

• Use spectrum analyzer to compare frequency distribution between your track and reference • Apply limiter on your master track pushed around 3-6 dB to match reference mastering aggression • Check break sections separately to understand overall loudness dynamics • Use Tonal Balance tool to create target curve from reference audio for comparison