How is a good main synth line made?

hardware, software, tips and tricks
Forum rules
By using this "Production" sub-forum, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed with our terms of use for this site. Click HERE to read them. If you do not agree to our terms of use, you must exit this site immediately. We do not accept any responsibility for the content, submissions, information or links contained herein. Users posting content here, do so completely at their own risk.

Quick Link to Feedback Forum
Locked
User avatar
borrowed
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:13 am

How is a good main synth line made?

Post by borrowed » Mon Nov 15, 2010 1:08 am

I hear a lot about sounds themselves and how to make them, but how do you go about making a nice note progression for a main synth?
I usually just fuck around on the keys till something sounds good, but is there a better way? Certain scales or chords?
I'm referring to something like this

User avatar
3za
Posts: 4605
Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:24 pm

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by 3za » Mon Nov 15, 2010 1:19 am

borrowed wrote:I usually just fuck around on the keys till something sounds good
I think that is the best way
2 keyboards 1 computer
Sure_Fire wrote:By the way does anyone have the stems to make it bun dem? Missed the beatport comp and would very much like the ego booster of saying I remixed Skrillex.

tbunreal
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:37 pm

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by tbunreal » Mon Nov 15, 2010 1:23 am

A lot of it has to do with the sound you have also, better sounding sound with make your progression sound better.

User avatar
3za
Posts: 4605
Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:24 pm

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by 3za » Mon Nov 15, 2010 1:28 am

tbunreal wrote:A lot of it has to do with the sound you have also, better sounding sound with make your progression sound better.
Is that why I have this song in my head everyday of my life... :6:

2 keyboards 1 computer
Sure_Fire wrote:By the way does anyone have the stems to make it bun dem? Missed the beatport comp and would very much like the ego booster of saying I remixed Skrillex.

Technosaurus
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 7:18 pm

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by Technosaurus » Mon Nov 15, 2010 1:32 am

If you google a bit and find some info on basic music theory, such as chord progressions and shit, you can get a grasp on that and then you'll find melodies much easier to write. Look into jazz and stuff (although there is a lot to learn here) and just think about the progressions, then write your melody around those chords.

For example, I'm in the key of C - no sharps no flats - and my chord progression is C - F - G - C, the chords are CEG, FAC, GBD, CEG, (a chord is built up a root note, a third [can be major or minor, major is 4 semitones, minor is 3] and then the fifth, although more complex chords incorporate more intervals) so my melody will be based around those notes and the notes of the scale C major.. Once you learn about scales and keys and what notes are in those scales you'll quickly get an ear for what works. Harmonic minor scale is very moody and eastern sounding, good one for dubstep. Most dubstep is minor, so learn a minor scale and then you can apply that across any key, as the distance between the notes will be the same no matter what.

My explanation is pretty basic, but you'll find loooooads of free, in-depth information on the web.

Bitta research and a bit of practice and you'll get the hang of it. Although I'm not the most amazing composer, once you know what you're doing you can come up with cool stuff. Messing around on the keys without thinking and just going for what sounds nice is always good too, but knowing the rules makes breaking them easier. :D

User avatar
amphibian
Posts: 1421
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:52 am

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by amphibian » Mon Nov 15, 2010 1:51 am

3za wrote:
borrowed wrote:I usually just fuck around on the keys till something sounds good
I think that is the best way
If you understand scales and chord progression, you can knock out a winning melody in seconds.
Latest Track
Digital Pilgrimz - Shogun (pHybian remix) - FORTHCOMING FUTURE FOLLOWERS
Soundcloud

Deep. Dark.

glottis5
Posts: 932
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:33 am
Contact:

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by glottis5 » Mon Nov 15, 2010 3:35 am

thanks for bringing that song to my attention op, it's sick as fuck

User avatar
borrowed
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:13 am

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by borrowed » Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:31 am

glottis5 wrote:thanks for bringing that song to my attention op, it's sick as fuck
Yep someone posted another Skeamz track on this forum and I've just been rinsing all of his tunes since. Man makes dozens of crazy beats.

User avatar
therook
Posts: 486
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:40 pm

Re: How is a good main synth line made?

Post by therook » Mon Nov 15, 2010 5:06 am

Just go up and down the pentatonic scale. Instant win.
Latest Track:
Soundcloud

Locked

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests