Making melodic techno with only 3 notes

The F minor scale is chosen as the foundation, with three specific notes: F (root), C (the fifth), and C sharp or D flat (the sixth)

• Stable notes in a minor key: first, third, and fifth notes • Unstable notes: the sixth note (C sharp) creates tension • The sixth note resolves upward to the fifth, giving a darker vibe

Many melodic techno tracks avoid using the seventh note, allowing the unstable sixth to resolve into the first note by going up

The chord progression alternates between the sixth and the root, creating a dramatic and characteristic melodic techno sound

A preset from Ableton is selected and slightly modified to create the main harmonic pad that establishes the chord progression

• Playing different octaves of the same notes creates different emotional vibes • Layering stable notes (root and fifth) creates a cinematic, confident effect • Positioning unstable notes (sixth) creates tension and drama

The cutoff filter is automated to gradually open up, transitioning from darker notes at the beginning to brighter notes as the section progresses, creating a building effect

A complementary arpeggio is added using the same three notes, alternating between them to create additional movement and drama in the break

An acoustic-style kick from the Mercurial Tones premium artist pack is chosen and processed with an EQ to cut the highs for a darker tone

• Multiple bass layers are stacked: a soft, fat creamy bass from Pigments preset pack • A driving stereo layer on top for wider sound • A simple sub bass with sidechain to the kick • Parallel compression makes the bass more punchy

Three hi-hat layers are combined: relaxed basic hats, tight driving hats, and organic hats with random LFO-based attack variation to create natural-sounding groove

The groove is enhanced by changing the timing slightly throughout, creating randomness and movement in the percussion while maintaining the driving nature of melodic techno

A Serum synth pad is created using unison and filter to provide a warm background sound that establishes the warmth of the track

• The pad is quantized for cleaner timing • Attack and release times are adjusted for smoothness • Reverb is added to create spatial ambience

Sidechain compression is applied to the pad from the kick, creating a pumping effect that makes the listener feel the kick's impact

The warm pad is layered to sit behind the main elements, establishing the track's overall atmosphere without overwhelming the primary melodic and rhythmic elements

An analog-style clap sample is processed with a ping-pong delay at full wet to create left-right stereo reflections

• A utility channel is used to automate the delay gain • The delay effect is turned on and off throughout the section to create buildup moments • This creates a dynamic ambient effect

White noise from Serum is layered with the clap using a high-pass filter to remove low frequencies, complementing the clap perfectly

• A second, more open clap sound is added every other bar • Reverb is applied to glue all clap layers together in the same space • Each clap hit can be panned and processed differently for variation

• Intro section uses melodic elements to establish the theme • Break section features the main pad and arpeggio building tension • Chorus drops all elements together with full groove and drums

A rim shot is added on the F note to match the harmonic content, double pads are introduced for brightness, and serum pads provide ambient texture in the verse

• EQ automation sweeps from dark to bright throughout the break • Delays and reverbs create dramatic atmospheric moments • Sidechain compression on the clap provides rhythmic punctuation

All elements are combined and automated, creating a complete melodic techno track made entirely from three notes (F, C, C sharp) with varying octaves, filters, and effects

The complete melodic techno track demonstrates how three notes, when used creatively with different octaves, filters, and effects, can create a full, dynamic composition

• Viewers are invited to make their own track using a limited number of notes • Submissions should be sent to hannah@mercurialstones.com • A winner will be selected in one week

The winning entry receives a 100 euro Mercurial Tones voucher for presets and samples, with emphasis on the creative challenge over the prize

The importance of challenging yourself with creative constraints to generate new ideas and push your production skills forward