Layering sounds

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emotionz22
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Layering sounds

Post by emotionz22 » Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:13 am

Any suggestions or tips on layering...I made a topic recently on making a track full...I see that this one way of making it sound full and complete...but I just want some tips on layering as far as sounds and methods...for example I know a basic way to layer is combining two octaves of two diff sounds or the same to give it a bigger sound...that's what I'm looking for ...ways to get that big and full sound by layering...Esp. percussion which I'm lacking in right now far as catchy rhythms

oddpop
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Re: Layering sounds

Post by oddpop » Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:53 pm

layering percussion too much just sounds cheesy.

I usually only layer Pads and Keyboards. and maybe double up on Guitar parts sometimes.

I don't layer Bass sounds much as it gets too muddy.

for Keys I'll just replay the part with a different patch and pan the two or three parts seperately.
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bodo
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Re: Layering sounds

Post by bodo » Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:58 pm

Well, I disagree, layering can be just the way to achieve a unique sound, especially when it comes to bass and pads, just make sure they each got their own frequency spectrum, so you can deal with the added 'mud' that can creep in.

Layering percussion is a lot of fun, especially combining electronic, acoustic and glitchy snippets. Usually I try to focus on the attack and decay of a sound (esp. regarding kick drums) so you could for instance take an attack of a metal bowl hit, layer it with a pitched snare, and have something else ring on for a while.

It really is about experimenting and making sure you get a lot of different textures & flavours working together, and not being afraid to take really small snippets of some nonsensical sound and mixing it in with something (a bit) more common.

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