Module 1 - Foundation

After a quick introduction from your tutor Jay, we begin making the foundation of this Marshmello style track - that being the future bass / trap style drums and bass. All samples and rendered audio are provided in the download package so you'll always be able to follow along building this track, even if you don't have a certain instrument or effect. All of the sounds made in this tutorial are crafted from scratch in the chosen instrument, so you will learn the sound design techniques necessary to make your own sounds. For example; for the bass you'll learn to make your own 2 layers (sub and mid buzz) and therefore learning synthesis in Retrologue at the same time. You can use any analogue style synth for this.

Module 2 - Melodies & Chords

We now need to add a Marshmello style melody and chord structure. This is very easily done, even if you don't have any music theory knowledge as most DAWs come with some great tools to help you. The melody of the track is super important as it will spike a listener's interest, and if done right will keep them engaged with to your music. You'll learn how to come up with your own Marshmello style melody from scratch. We demonstrate 'Chord Pads' to help you come up with a basic chord progression and with a bit of guidance you can learn to make this more complex and interesting by using simple and easy to repeat techniques. We build all sounds from scratch using Retrologue, Serum and Vital.

Module 3 - Vocal Processing

With the beat, bass, melodies and chords done, it's time to move onto one of the other main hooks - that is the vocals. After receiving the recordings back from one of our trusted singers, Jay shows you how to clean and prepare the vocal and how to choose and chop out all the best parts to make one great take (comping).

It's then onto making them sound professional, so we teach; time and pitch correction, EQ, compression, delay, reverb and plenty of other production techniques that have been picked up over the years. We end by giving the vocal a 'modern' twist with a bit of selective auto-tune. This is common in today's chart hits including some of Marshmello's tracks.

Module 4 - Song Structure

Correct song structure is incredibly important in any genre, but even more so in pop / chart music. This is because you only have approx 3 minutes to 'sell' your track to the listener and stand out from the thousands of others. It's best to create a sense of tension and release throughout the track, that makes your track catchy and brings back the listener time and time again. Here you will learn about how the energy of the track should flow, in order to achieve maximum engagement. Learn why the verse, chorus, middle 8 structure is only part of the puzzle and in order to fully succeed you need to understand the energetic flow throughout your mix.

Module 5 - Fills, FX, Pads, Arps

The next part of building our track is to fill it out with more instruments and fills / FX. We get into even more sound design in this module creating pads, an arpeggiator, different melodies and sounds for the breakdown section, all the while you are being taught how to use synths such as Serum and Vital (Vital is free so go and get it!). All audio and midi is provided just in case you don't have a particular synth so don't worry. We also add several transitional effects such as white noise risers and crash cymbals and drum fills. These are imperative to help the different sections flow together. You'll also learn what types of FX to put on these sounds for maximum effect.

Module 6 - Mixing & Automation

With any professional track, it is vital that you end up with a clear and balanced mix. In this final module you will start to see how all of the prior mixing work we have done starts fitting together. You will gain insight into what leads to an effortless mix, and then how to make the final changes that lead to a balanced, lively and engaging track. After making sure that every element can be heard clearly and has it's own space in the 3D mixing area, we'll use automation to bring this mix to life. We'll accentuate the tension and release of this track by automating volume, panning, frequency, delay and more. We finish the track off with some basic mastering.

Module 1 - Foundation

After a quick introduction from your tutor Jay, we begin making the foundation of this Marshmello style track - that being the future bass / trap style drums and bass. All samples and rendered audio are provided in the download package so you'll always be able to follow along building this track, even if you don't have a certain instrument or effect. All of the sounds made in this tutorial are crafted from scratch in the chosen instrument, so you will learn the sound design techniques necessary to make your own sounds. For example; for the bass you'll learn to make your own 2 layers (sub and mid buzz) and therefore learning synthesis in Retrologue at the same time. You can use any analogue style synth for this.

Module 2 - Melodies & Chords

We now need to add a Marshmello style melody and chord structure. This is very easily done, even if you don't have any music theory knowledge as most DAWs come with some great tools to help you. The melody of the track is super important as it will spike a listener's interest, and if done right will keep them engaged with to your music. You'll learn how to come up with your own Marshmello style melody from scratch. We demonstrate 'Chord Pads' to help you come up with a basic chord progression and with a bit of guidance you can learn to make this more complex and interesting by using simple and easy to repeat techniques. We build all sounds from scratch using Retrologue, Serum and Vital.

Module 3 - Vocal Processing

With the beat, bass, melodies and chords done, it's time to move onto one of the other main hooks - that is the vocals. After receiving the recordings back from one of our trusted singers, Jay shows you how to clean and prepare the vocal and how to choose and chop out all the best parts to make one great take (comping).

It's then onto making them sound professional, so we teach; time and pitch correction, EQ, compression, delay, reverb and plenty of other production techniques that have been picked up over the years. We end by giving the vocal a 'modern' twist with a bit of selective auto-tune. This is common in today's chart hits including some of Marshmello's tracks.

Module 4 - Song Structure

Correct song structure is incredibly important in any genre, but even more so in pop / chart music. This is because you only have approx 3 minutes to 'sell' your track to the listener and stand out from the thousands of others. It's best to create a sense of tension and release throughout the track, that makes your track catchy and brings back the listener time and time again. Here you will learn about how the energy of the track should flow, in order to achieve maximum engagement. Learn why the verse, chorus, middle 8 structure is only part of the puzzle and in order to fully succeed you need to understand the energetic flow throughout your mix.

Module 5 - Fills, FX, Pads, Arps

The next part of building our track is to fill it out with more instruments and fills / FX. We get into even more sound design in this module creating pads, an arpeggiator, different melodies and sounds for the breakdown section, all the while you are being taught how to use synths such as Serum and Vital (Vital is free so go and get it!). All audio and midi is provided just in case you don't have a particular synth so don't worry. We also add several transitional effects such as white noise risers and crash cymbals and drum fills. These are imperative to help the different sections flow together. You'll also learn what types of FX to put on these sounds for maximum effect.

Module 6 - Mixing & Automation

With any professional track, it is vital that you end up with a clear and balanced mix. In this final module you will start to see how all of the prior mixing work we have done starts fitting together. You will gain insight into what leads to an effortless mix, and then how to make the final changes that lead to a balanced, lively and engaging track. After making sure that every element can be heard clearly and has it's own space in the 3D mixing area, we'll use automation to bring this mix to life. We'll accentuate the tension and release of this track by automating volume, panning, frequency, delay and more. We finish the track off with some basic mastering.