Having listened to countless songs and seen many DJs, are you interested in learning more about the process of creating hardcore techno? Or maybe you've been listening to hardcore (not to be confused with hardcore punk or hardcore metal) for some time and finally made the decision to join the family and create your own songs.
Steps
Step 1. Make sure you want to do it
Do you want to create just one song? Hardcore is undoubtedly one of the most difficult genres of music and therefore finding people who enjoy it, as well as finding tutorials or attracting the interest of record companies will surely be difficult (although this would come later after you start produce). Are you sure you want to be a hardcore producer?
Step 2. Choose music production software
What is music production software? It is a digital audio workstation. If you didn't know the answer to this question, it may be a long time before you can start producing songs. The use of FL Studio is recommended, although there are also many others such as Cubase, Ableton, Pro Tool, Reason, Logic, etc. Note that some of these software only work on Windows, while others only work on Mac. There are also software that works on both operating systems. Visit the website of the software you want and download a demo version to get an idea of how it works. Please note that if you download the software illegally, the music you make will not belong to you
Step 3. Get familiar with the software
It may include some very useful tools that will make it easier for you to create your music, plus they could add more character to your songs. Also look for tutorials on YouTube and wikiHow
Step 4. Choose an interface
Virtual studio technology is an interface that will help you create sounds, be they rhythmic or melodic. If you are a beginner, buy an interface that is not too expensive. Why do you need hundreds of virtual instruments if you are just learning?
Step 5. Buy a pair of speakers (monitors)
It is important that they are as "neutral" as possible. What does this mean? If you use, for example, your phone's speaker to make music, you want it to sound its best on your phone, right? However, your song should be of sufficient quality to be heard in a nightclub, in the car or in a room. Perhaps what sounds good through your phone's speaker may sound very bad through your computer's speakers
Step 6. What is hardcore?
It is a simple question that has many possible answers. From a technical point of view, hardcore is a type of techno, with strong kick drums and bass that stand out thanks to the distortion. The tempo is generally between 150 and 200 beats per minute (bpm), although there is a faster genre (Speedcore), with 300 or more bpm. For its part, Flashcore uses bpm and super fast kick drums. Use the definition that best suits the type of song you want to make. What is the structure of the song?
Step 7. Practice makes perfect
Try to find the perfect kick and melody. You may not follow this advice, but try not to think about the song. Instead, focus on familiarizing yourself with the instruments separately
Step 8. Now try to create your song
Remember that it does not have to be the most original song or the most spectacular. You are simply practicing. This song may only be heard by you and your neighbors.
Step 9. To start, create the sound of the kick drum, which has to be loud and distorted
Step 10. Complete the song with other things, be it a main instrument or any other sound you want
Step 11. Listen to your song
Improve it. Go to the next step
Step 12. Learn to mix
A DJ is not only in charge of mixing in a nightclub. The sound engineer also takes care of this. For example, if the guitarist in the group plays at too high a volume, neither the voices nor the other instruments will be heard, and the overall sound will be mediocre. You need to add the appropriate effects and adjust the volume of each instrument so that the final result sounds good
Step 13. Listen to the music of other people (including professionals) and decipher the basic structure of the songs:
pre-intro, pause, intro, pause, etc.
Step 14. Google is your best friend
While this tutorial covers some of the basics, you need to do your research in specialized forums, where you can ask questions and see what steps you need to take to create your music
Step 15. Remember the following:
These steps are for beginners to music production, so they don't mention some of the essentials of the studios, like reference speakers, for example. If you are into music production, you will need these speakers. You will also need panels to avoid echoes and sound disturbance, in case you can make music
Advice
- Make sure you enjoy the music creation process as it can take a long time. If you only want to make one song, it will take longer than expected. For example, finding the right kick sound can take hours, or even longer if you are inexperienced.
- Make friends who like hardcore. While you can learn and improve your skills on your own, sharing your experience with other producers and having your friends listen to your music can help you a lot. You've spent time creating the song, so your opinion will always be subjective.
- Make sure you know what you want. Do you want to do “mainstream” hardcore, early hardcore, UK or French-style hardcore, or terrorcore? Listen to a lot of songs from the different categories and make sure you understand the characteristics that differentiate them from each other.
- Learning to play an instrument can help you understand music and create great songs.
- Visit the links at the end of this article, as they may help you.
- Be a perfectionist. Does the sound of the kick drum not satisfy you? Take your time and keep improving it.
- Expand your vocabulary. What is a kick drum, a hi-hat, a screech, a sweep or a sample? How are they made? What is Virtual Studio Technology (or VST)?
- If you want to do hardcore, you have to know what it is. Listen to more than one artist, for example: Angerfist, Evil Activities, Hellsystem, Accelerator, The Sickest Squad, Alien T, Amnesys, Art of Fighters, Mad Dog, AniMe, Distorted Revelation, Nitrogenetics, Drokz … You should not limit yourself only to these artists, as there are many others. Those mentioned above are part of conventional hardcore.
- Enjoy what you do.
- Don't use default sample packages. Although they may save you some time, they won't allow you to fully express your creativity.
Warnings
- Don't try to make music like everyone else. Do you want to create songs like Angerfist? Stop. He already knows how to do it perfectly. You first have to find your own style and know what kind of emotion your music will convey from the stage.
- Sticking to a single style of music can be frustrating. Listen to various genres of music for inspiration and feel free to try other types of music. In the end, you will learn many useful things that will help you improve.
- Your first song may not be the best, or it may not even be good. The important thing is that you keep trying. As long as you keep reinventing your limits and progressing, you will surely soon be amazed at your musical evolution.
- While YouTube has a lot of tutorials, don't blindly follow them to the letter. Why does the guy in the video do such a thing? Try to understand how and why the people in the tutorials do what they do.
- It will take some time to create good quality music, and even longer for a record company to discover you. Since hardcore is very alternative in some places, you will have to strengthen your profile online. Don't you like Facebook? Although it is the perfect tool to make yourself known, you can also create an account on YouTube or Soundcloud.