How to make Techno, Cyberpunk and synthpop from scratch

Choose an organic-sounding kick sample from a sample pack, ideal for synthpop with a subtle EQ boost to bring out the presence.

• Use an analog snare sample for authenticity • Apply distortion using overdrive • Add a large reverb with a wet chain at 100% for the washy effect • Use compression to control reverb tail when kick hits • Apply a gate to create a start-and-stop effect with proper release timing

Add a driving bass using Mini V3 synthesizer with a preset like 'Stranger Things', adjust brightness, and apply compression with high ratio to maintain consistent volume across hits.

• Sidechain the bass to the kick with fast attack • Sidechain the snare with slower attack for distinct movement • Use EQ to enhance analog vibe around 2kHz • Adjust overdrive to control tone darkness

Use a preset from A3 Mini sample pack with multiple notes in an arpeggio pattern, requiring selective editing to remove some notes while preserving the core melodic structure.

• Select a bright, chippy square wave sound with cutoff at maximum for old-school 80s character • Create rhythmic phrases by removing specific notes to avoid overwhelming the track • Layer with reverb to add brightness and sustain • Keep phrases short and punchy with pauses between them

Add an ethereal voices pad with sustained sound, slight decay, and velocity modulation on cutoff for dynamic expression. Include subtle effect modulation for an unstable, dreamy vibe that fills the space.

• Create simple two or three-note chord phrases to answer the main melody • Use short decay with no sustain for punctuated rhythm • Switch between C sharp and B notes to create tension • Add a pulley stubby cord sound as a background element to build tension

Structure the track with an intro, verse, break, and big chorus where all elements come together. The arrangement is playful but not overly complicated.

• Use a preset with long sustain and extended modulation • Automate VCO to control LFO amount • Modulate cutoff and pulse width with LFO • Add chorus for bright sound and delay for ambient effect • Create an additional octave lower darker version for depth

• Start with simple serum white noise • Use band pass filter moved upward for intensity • Layer reverse light and reverse noise from sample pack • Add support synth playing same chords as melody • Include slight female vocal samples for texture

• Layer classic 80s tom hits with 909 snare and analog snare combination • Add slight crisp white noise to tom layer • Use echo delay on percussion for classic 80s effect • Layer second bass part with slightly changing notes • Maintain consistent ambience throughout arrangement

Set tempo to 96 BPM, chosen to reference the 1996 Twisted Metal game which pioneered early cyberpunk music, creating an industrial aesthetic with metal-influenced heavy riffs.

• Select a drum code-influenced kick sample with industrial vibe • Combine kick with sub rumble and friction rumble layers • Create heavy, distorted foundation for the track • Maintain consistent pulse throughout the cyberpunk section

Build two-layer bass: first layer darker and distorted using Serum with sine wave oscillators; second layer brighter using Mini synthesizer. Always design distortion alongside filter changes as cutoff, resonance, and detuning affect how distortion reacts.

• Use guitar pedal emulation with bass and treble settings • Apply high resonance with distortion and amp layers • Create plucky character by pushing sound into pedal overdrive • Use velocity modulation on cutoff to mimic palm-muted guitar technique

• Adapt the original melody using metal half-note riff patterns • Reference Metallica Master of Puppets technique of playing half notes • Use velocity changes to create dynamic note expressions • Create palm-muted effect by assigning velocity to cutoff control • Apply decreasing tempo to make riffs catchier and heavier

• First layer from Serum with distorted, darker character • Second layer from Mini with brighter, less distorted sound • Blend layers for balanced grit and clarity • Keep same pedal glue sound across both layers • Adjust brightness and phasing between oscillators

Take the original melody and process with acid sound preset. Apply aggressive distortion and amp, then add large ping-pong echo or delay to create computerized, otherworldly ambience combined with the heavy bass.

• Use symbol sound instead of hi-hats • Place symbols at beginning of each quarter bar, unconventionally positioned • Create unique rhythm pattern that differs from typical track placement • Reduce overall brightness compared to other elements

• Use distorted pad sound resembling guitar despite being synthetic • Apply distortion to any pad to immediately create guitar vibe • Use pads for break sections to switch between synths • Create power feel with distorted dark half-note pads • Include siren-like end-of-world sound effect pad

Use Serum LFO set to maximum rate feeding the signal back on itself for a feedback-like effect. Apply envelope on frequency for weird sweep sounds. Combine with aggressive amp to create classic Twisted Metal-style effects.

• Layer simple clap sound for snare texture • Include old-school break sample from sample pack • Add snare roll during break sections • Create anticipation before dropping back into main section • Use elements to punctuate structural transitions

Combine all distorted elements including pads, bass layers, and effect sounds to create intense cyberpunk atmosphere. Use breaks to release tension with old-school samples before building back to heavy sections.

Set tempo to 128 BPM for main room techno style. Start with a fat techno kick from core sample pack and add sub rumble and friction rumble layers to create full-bodied low-end foundation.

• Use the same original melody from other genres • Apply original preset that matches the melody tonally • Create thick noise texture with the melody sound • Add overdrive and slight delay for character • Use auto filter with sidechain to open and close dynamically

• Start with darker original melody preset in intro • Add brighter preset version during drop/chorus section • Create contrast between sections without changing melodic content • Avoid overwhelming mix by not playing both layers simultaneously • Use brightness variation to build and release energy

Add a bright supercell-style sound with very short decay time but preserved sustain. Use decay modeling for nice tail on release. Apply auto pan effect at 1 Hz rate to create moving feel where each half-bar alternates between quiet and loud.

• Create 16-note hi-hat pattern with repeating notes • Vary velocities slightly to give each hit unique character • Use LFO to change derivative signal of color • Create subtle difference at each hit for humanization • Add side-chain mid-side separation for clean sound on sides

• Add subtle reverb on side channels of hi-hats • Layer multiple hi-hat types: 16-note main, transient layer, and hard hit version • Include 909 hat sound for additional texture • Add ride cymbal on top for complexity • Balance layers to maintain clarity

Start with clean melody, open it up while building ambience, progress to drop section. Include back hits (clap sound) to build momentum, use sliding vibe with sidechain automation throughout.

• Use percussion with slight group and tempo modulation • Include beeps from earlier synth design • Add white noise riser before drop • Layer triple hit copied down an octave • Send melody into reverb and delay for space

• Introduce shakers, 16-note hi-hats, and additional hats together • Bring in ride cymbal • Layer melody with both dark and bright preset versions • Blend melody layers by reducing levels of first version while increasing second • Avoid excessive noise by carefully managing layer volumes

Use volume automation to fade out first melody layer while bringing in second layer during climax. Ensures smooth transition and prevents harsh buildup while maintaining melodic continuity.

Focus on arrangement structure rather than detailed mixing at production stage. Achieve basic balance between layers while prioritizing creative element placement and progression flow.

Complete the techno track with all percussion, melody layers, and effects working together. The same core melody from synthpop and cyberpunk is now interpreted as a main room techno track with distinct energy and movement.