How to make modern TECHNO

Building a modern techno loop from start to finish with discussion of different techno subgenres including melody techno, main room techno, and modern driving techno.

• Starting with an empty track with a pre-selected kick sound • Kick is described as a beefy kick with a slight fade out • BPM set to 124 (modern techno typically ranges 124-127)

Adjusting kick length to create space for additional elements and establishing the foundational tempo for the track.

Creating a cohesive modern techno sound rather than a complete full track, focusing on building a characteristic loop that demonstrates the genre's essential elements.

• Creating a driving bass using a low layer with an additional upper layer • Using A minor scale exclusively (white keys only) for simplified in-tune playing • Upper layer sits between the bass and lead to create darker overall vibe

Using Diva synthesizer with a Moog-inspired filter preset, switched to analog mode for less aggressive filtering suitable for sub-bass.

• Square wave selected for low-end timbre to allow soft tooth on high-end • Fast rotary effect applied for movement without excessive stereo width • Sidechain compressor added to create rhythmic ducking effect

EQ8 cuts super lows, light compression with slow attack to modify tone, and drum bus glue compressor to bind kick and bass together naturally.

Creating a main lead with simple arpeggio patterns that still sounds interesting through variation and synthesis tricks rather than complexity.

• Using Minimoog Multi-Core foundation with ads-like filter envelope • Adding FM modulation to make sound darker and more modern • Using feedback and noise to enrich the timbre

Employing chorus for width, delay and plate reverb for ambience, and EQ cuts on super highs to maintain dark sound character while adding brightness where needed.

Adding sidechain compression to the lead allows it to breathe with the beat and creates rhythmic cohesion with the bass and kick.

• Melodic techno uses stable-unstable note combinations (e.g., 5-6 arrangement) • Darker modern techno uses half-note intervals for dissonant angry sound • Driving modern techno utilizes fourths and fifths for coherent yet driving feel

Avoiding overly melancholic unstable notes while maintaining enough tension to keep the track driving rather than purely melodic or purely dark.

• Using polyrhythmic patterns that don't complete the bar for organic groovy feel • Layering multiple melodic lines at different rhythmic lengths • Extending patterns beyond one bar to create interesting movement

Varying the cutoff and filter envelope to make patterns more interesting and creating dynamic progression throughout the loop.

• Adding 16th-note hi-hats as the primary keeping beat • Using short sound with movement and stereo spread • Applying sidechain compression for rhythmic pumping effect

• Layering open percussion hits with groove character • Adding simple clean hi-hats in the foreground • Including shaker runs behind the main hat layer for added depth

Using reverb returns to apply the same ambience to all percussion hits, creating spatial cohesion and avoiding dry isolated sounds.

• Darker shaker added at lower volume level • Fast sidechain on hi-hat to duck the shaker but bring it back quickly • Delay effect on percussion for natural ambient sound

Creating a big reverb return track for all ambient hits to maintain consistent spatial ambience throughout the track.

• Using random percussion hits including hi-hats, crashes, and snares • Layering hits at varied placements for organic feel • Sound selection matters less than placement and processing

• Applying reverb to all ambient hits for cohesive space • Adding distortion after reverb to distort the reverb frequencies • Using sidechain compression on reverb for groove continuity

Maintaining dark modern sound by avoiding overly bright hi-hats and ensuring all effects add warmth and depth rather than brittleness.

Creating warm background pads using Diva Jupiter-60 patch to add warmth and prevent the track from sounding cold and digital.

• Drawing A minor harmony (root, third, fifth) in the pad • Cutting high frequencies to keep pad in background • Adding smooth envelope and effects for natural feel

Keeping the pad simple without melody to avoid competing with lead sounds, using delay and controlled effects for organic texture.

• Adding secondary pad with different timbre using triple VCO square wave • Varying oscillator brightness while maintaining dark aesthetic • Applying sidechain compression from 16th-hat to create consistent groove

Creating a back melody lead sound that enters at specific moments to add dynamic interest and variation without overwhelming the primary lead.

• Using digital oscillator for contrasting timbre compared to warm pads • Selecting stable note combinations for logical progression • Adding reverb for spaciousness and integration

• Applying multiband sidechain compression to duck specific frequencies • Targeting frequencies occupied by main lead to reduce masking • Creating space while maintaining overall tonal balance

Completing the modern techno loop with all elements blended together, demonstrating the layering approach and production techniques used throughout the track.