How to make modern TECHNO

Modern techno is characterized by a groove, big lead sounds, and deep atmospheric elements with building breakdowns.

• Driving groove foundation • Bold lead synth sounds • Deep atmospheric layers

The typical modern techno track builds from a groove, introduces powerful lead sounds, and features building breakdowns that create depth.

Understanding these core elements is essential before building your own modern techno track.

The low end is always the focus in techno. Start by selecting a beefy kick from your sample pack and layer it with a sub bass for balance.

• Distort the kick using Trash plugin • Use EQ to control excessive highs • Add sidechain compression for movement • Keep the distorted sound for ambience

Layer a driving bass pattern using Pigments or similar synth to add movement. Use moving filters to make the sound more interesting and remove excessive attack.

Add colored percussion elements in the low end using hi-hat loops, white noise textures, and deep bass samples pitched down. These subtle layers make the track unique without being obvious.

The big lead sound is crucial in modern techno because everything revolves around this element. Start immediately after establishing the low end.

• Use Serum with Dream preset and adjust decay • Create a super soft wave sound using digital oscillation mode • Combine multiple oscillators for depth • Add slight attack, sustain, release with empty chorus and reverb

The sustained sound is perfect for arpeggiation. Use the gate to control sound length, typically around 16 bars or longer, creating a continuously evolving melodic element.

Take inspiration from reference tracks. Layer the lead melody across multiple bars and vary the pattern occasionally rather than playing it continuously.

Add hi-hat loops to create the techno groove. Use multiple hi-hat samples from your sample pack with 16th note patterns and subtle randomness.

• Stack hi-hat loops with different characteristics • Add percussive elements for texture • Include super percussive sounds that complete other elements • Balance volume to avoid masking the main sounds

Layer claps with splashy textures. Combine a club-style clap with a splashy element on top. Adjust volume and EQ to sit properly in the mix.

Once you have the low end, high-end lead sound, and rhythm elements, you are approximately 60 percent complete. The remaining work is filling the space with effects and build elements.

A modern techno track typically features a quiet break that builds to a climax before dropping back to the main riff. This provides dynamic contrast.

• Start with a simple preset in Serum • Hum melodies while the track plays to develop ideas • Create a progression that feels epic • Begin with single notes, then add harmonies

Support the chord progression with multiple pad layers. Start with a deep, dark pad and add brighter pads in higher octaves. Automate the cutoff to open the sound progressively.

Add acid sounds using 303 emulation presets. Automate the envelope to build alongside the pads. Include supporting drone elements and percussive hits to create interest throughout the break.

Add female or male vocal samples to the track. Distort vocals heavily with effects like echo and shimmer to create a techno character rather than deep house or pop feel.

• Drive vocal distortion significantly • Add echo and shimmer effects • Cut low frequencies to maintain crispness • Create reversed versions for atmospheric texture

Add drone elements with distortion and effects. Include operators in fixed mode with automation to sweep frequencies upward, creating epic build-up moments with multiple pitch modulations.

Send hats, pads, and certain elements to reverb and shimmers to create ambience. This adds spatial depth right before breaks and transitions between sections.

Arrange all elements including vocals, reversed elite sounds, drones, effect hits, and horn samples. Create the structure with chorus, drop, break, vocals, and return to drop.

• Apply effects to create cohesion • Use reverb sends for space • Stack distortion on multiple elements • Create shimmer effects for ambience

Ensure throughout the track there is dynamic movement through automation. Adjust cutoffs, envelopes, and effects timing to maintain interest and energy.

Play through the entire track from start to finish to verify all elements work together cohesively. Make final adjustments to levels and effects before completing the production.