10 Chord Layering Techniques (that add energy to boring chords)

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MY GEAR:
DAW (Music making software): Logic Pro and Ableton Live
Studio monitors (speakers): Yamaha HS8's
Headphones: Audeze LCD X (open back)
Camera: Canon 80d
Computer: Mac Studio with M2 Ultra chip and 2 TB hardrive
Midi controller (keyboard): Komplete Kontrol 61
Interface: Scarlett Clarett 2 pre
Desk: a cheap one from ikea
Chair: also a cheap one from ikea
My favorite plugins that I use the most:
XFER Serum
Sylenth 1
Nexus 3
Kontakt
RC 20
Valhalla Shimmer
Valhalla Vintage Verb
Shaperbox 3
XFER OTT
Fab Filter Saturn 2
Fab Filter Pro C 2
Arturia Pigments
Baby Audio Comeback Kid
Output Thermal and Portal
LABS Soft Piano
Hardware that I use behind the scenes but not in videos:
Elektron Octatrack (my fav)
Elektron Digitakt
Korg Minilogue XD

[@poohchasm]

"No wrong answers, just better choices!" Wish i heard this 15yrs ago! Great Vids!

[@YOUrDEAlerwiThHell]

1) Granular(8bars until they getting dry) 0:37 2)skinny into wide chords 1:52 3)enhance chords during arrangement 3:20 4)pick the best layering technique for your Song 4:34 5)vocoder to add harmony to vocals 5:48 6)re-arcitulate the chords 7:35 7) adding lfo to high reverb chord layers 8:50 8)layering chords using alternative dynamics 10:20 9)using harmony layers instead full stacks of chords 11:25 10)virtual analog synth , saq wave , unison, filter it. Add reverb + ott (glue reverband sound a bit ) 13:55 ->adds space and heaven

[@TheMasterOfTheFrets]

I'm not even making EDM, yet this has given me a lot of perspective and usable knowledge in my productions

[@DeuceGenius]

Same. I make trap music mostly. I do like some edm though. And like movie scores and piano

[@shevystudio]

Same

[@GTORT]

Same. I do metal

[@ILOVEKITTIES444]

msuic is music

[@poohchasm]

Same! I'm a melodic rapper and I get plenty of sauce from this channel!

[@Sisanf]

You have such a strong sense of melody and ear worms, all of your examples in your videos are so good

[@toxichater69]

I love how you use a bunch of different DAWs in your videos. Honestly, that convinced me you 100% know what you're doing lol. I can't imagine learning all those different workflows

[@PudPo]

Honestly dude your videos have really helped massively improve the quality of my production and sound design, and I was struggling with this very topic on a song I'm working on. Can't wait to implement some of these into it. Thanks for all the helpful tips and tricks

[@mcgritty8842]

You must be at least 20% better now!

[@Rainer01]

Hi Alex great Video 🎉 do you have two vocal synth then one for the right layer on for the left ?

[@user-li8rm3qj4b]

Damn seriously.!! You got artist verified with just 11 subs😱🤣 Hecker???

[@mariasotelo8490]

😮‍💨😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@theorulez]

@@mcgritty8842 Watches the video 5x to win the game. EZ Clap.

[@ilyandilymusic]

All of your videos make me want to jump in the DAW and get it done. You have a great teaching style and your examples are incredible. Keep it up!

[@TheDanko86]

9:50 just lifted me up, accelerated me to light speed and took me to another dimension.. Bravo!

[@RedBeardinVR]

Yeah this tip sounds amazing!

[@MrMelons45]

dude. RIGHT! For anyone who sees this, do you know of any artists that have a similar style? Would love to get into this genre of edm.

[@Sztrudel]

​@@MrMelons45 Illenium and Throttle maybe?

[@verbalpercussion8186]

@MrMelons45 check out Lorn and Lido

[@ianchmp]

I wasn’t really listening until 4:05 snapped me to attention. I started it over and wow, this video was a master class.

[@gramscii]

This is the best production channel on YT by several orders of magnitude. So so useful

[@galadhonx9825]

Love it! Big 7L vibes at 4:20.

[@ZeekBurse]

THIS CHANGED MY LIFE!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Thank you!!! I’ve been needing these approaches to production!!

[@sahpreemking1163]

This is one of the best tutorials I've seen in a long while! Keep them coming, Alex!

[@niccko]

This third tip is perfect for my songs!

[@JTFuller]

Man, you really taught me a lot young man.. This was outstanding.. The vocorder was the doo doo.. Wow.. Thank you so much for this technique.. Fantastic explanation..

[@theorulez]

*9:50** gave me 7 Lions vibes. I love your information that you are sharing.*

[@ArianLaas]

You're taking us a step further. So great Alex

[@mcgritty8842]

20% further

[@iixmusic]

@@mcgritty8842 lmfao

[@daveaum]

I learned a lot from this clip.. that LFO trick made me think of the effects BT sometimes uses.. that's as big a compliment as I could ever pay! 🙌 Thanks for the inspiration

[@QWLMusic]

Absolutely love your videos and always walk away with something new and valuable learned! Thanks for always posting great content.

[@ShammyDeep]

Super informative video Alex! keep up the great work

[@Sky_666]

The days are better when Alex uploads video

[@nextechproductions2916]

This was really helpful, thanks mate!

[@dver89]

GRrat vid, I always try to over complicate things with too many layers, but you show that it only takes 2 or 3 layers to make great chord sounds!

[@CarlJames10]

This makes me want to keep pushing harder to learn music theory! You’re a legend brotha

[@tonescapes9673]

Always good watching these very good musical tutorials,I'm a flautist of grade 8,but have only started practicing again recently.these chord tutorials help alot,as I may have said before in a previous comment,especially as flutes,beautiful sounding they are,they're monophonic!anyway thanks for all your tutorials

[@josuev.rrj454]

wow this was 4 sure for me a complete free music production masterclass

[@undistinguishedlyricist3324]

You're extremely talented and humble in knowledge, Stay blessed my guy!

[@robinanuolinlin1815]

Im so lucky i discovered ur channel. Im purely amazed by all of your videos! Thats so much value 😮

[@RangAbdullah]

Your channel is gold-mine for trance chords.

[@mohsenkazemi6977]

whenever I search about songwriting and I mention anything about energy this guy comes up lol. and he is really good I havent watched this video yet but I know thats what I need.

[@Biometrixuk]

Really helpful stuff Alex. Thanks!

[@JefferyEgwuatu-c4l]

Bro you are the best producer I have ever seen

[@baluchito1131]

I love you man. I was depressed of not coming up with new ideas to my songs. Now I am way more expired. Shout out my man keep staying on the grind :3

[@ChrizzBeatz]

i love how you're just as blown away by your own work as we are

[@seventhnoise]

Once again really useful tips! Thanks a lot

[@danic.3760]

An idea I wanna try after this video, mixing the vocoder trick wih the LFO trick, making the vocal sound crazy. Thanks for your work 😊

[@joelbailey5808]

BEAST MODE!!! THANKS FOR HELPING THE COMMUNITY 🙏🏾

[@AndyTanguay]

Wow, these are amazing. Thank you. Always amazing to listen to someone who really knows what they're doing

[@freedomwin784]

Main Content and Usage: 1.Granular Layering Technique: Copy chords to a new instrument, convert them into an audio file, and use a granular synthesizer to add new audio elements for dynamic effects in the song. 2.Skinny Wide Layering: Create more significant chord sounds by layering narrow and wide chord components, adding depth to the music. 3.Rhythmic Layering: Add chords with a rhythmic layer to increase the music's dynamism, using rhythmic elements to enrich the harmony. 4.Picking the Right Chord Layer: Choose the appropriate chord layering technique for the song to ensure harmony matches the composition. 5.Using Vocoder for Harmony: Use a vocoder to add harmony layers, enriching the vocal section. 6.Re-articulating the Chords: Play the same chords differently in various sections to increase song variety and energy. 7.High Reverb Chord Layering with LFO: Utilize LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator) with high reverb layers to create unique sound effects. 8.Alternative Dynamics Layering: Increase harmony diversity by layering chords with different dynamic characteristics. 9.Layering with Harmony Layers: Use lightweight harmony notes in chorus sections instead of full chord layers to enrich the sound. 10.Main Chord Layer with Wide Reverb: Layer the main chord components onto a new layer with wide reverb to create a more spacious sound.

[@jaybrypto]

Alex, this video is gold. I don't really make EDM, but I'm considering doing your boot camp because after over 20 years of experience doing electronic music you still wow me with the techniques you share in your videos. Great work my friend! 🙌🏼

[@nextgendegen3920]

This is fr the best tut I’ve ever watched

[@schance1666]

A true masterclass. Thanks for this, my favorite vid of yours so far.

[@kobey2333]

The chords at 10:00 are beautiful they remind me of some Lucian chords from back in the day

[@tuukka8592]

That really gave some insight into, what big sound means. Subscribed!

[@JumboDubby]

06:40 no root note on vocoder harmonies is a great tip!

[@oliverabk1244]

Inspiration just turned into Niagara Falls, I literally got some new track ideas just with these techniques. I'll make a challange with them to create one full track per technique

[@danielmaiermusic94]

4:07 gave me chills

[@One_of_Many750]

Really Digging That LFO Trick At @9:55.

[@bkimking]

Its cool jus seeing the way you make magic sounds. Thanks man, big fan...👍

[@paradigmshifter3747]

Awesome and i like how you get to the point of things without talking unnecessary stuff

[@DeuceGenius]

Nice chords man. As always. The best.

[@WHaTcAniSaY-nv9yk]

Sounding lush buddy. Nice going.

[@verbalpercussion8186]

09:18 This reminds me of Lorn. It's FM synth type engineering. Sounds awesome

[@laner4195]

Incredibly cool stuff Alex. Thank you!

[@SamFocused]

Again an inspirational video to just go back to create and try some of this techniques. Great content 💯💯💯

[@AlimaSpace]

I love your videos! Thank you so so so so so much!!!

[@ten70four24]

Great insight into how to add magic to chords!

[@shanonkiyoshi4784]

Truly enjoyed this video 🎶😎👍 Just wanted to mention your "Thick & Thin Chords" are a great idea, but your "thin" chords AREN'T thin -- they're MONO, which means their Volume is EVENLY DISTRIBUTED across both channels, making it INHERITANTLY WIDER than your "thick" chords, which are FLUCTUATING in Volume in the Stereo Field. This is great because the MONO track ANCHORS the texure in BOTH speakers while the FLUCTUATING track dances & swirls around the mono track. I do this all the time -- usually to the exact SAME signal. Let's say you DUPLICATE your PAD onto another track -> 1 Mono & the 2nd Wide. You can SATURATE the BASS of the mono track to give it some extra Presence in the center. Then add an effect to the STEREO track like Chorus or a Rotory Speaker to give it some Movement in the stereo field. You can even SATURATE the HIGH END of the stereo track to give life and shimmer to the edges during your Drop or Song Chorus for extra Power & Emphasis ⚡️😉🎉 Thanks for listening & absolutely looking forward to your next video 😎👍🎶

[@unimkeabana7703]

5:31 is such a jam for great summer party

[@esieweha]

Great inspiration! Thank you for sharing your knowledge 😊✌️

[@berserker2551]

More videos like this one please Its very Helpfull 🙃

[@micart671]

Hey mate, thanks so much. I love your style.

[@TraxtasyMedia]

Awesome guide. My actual project consists of a four note patterns, I vary every bar, so I avoid a boring structure

[@LoveMeBack]

You make it look easy. Well done!

[@Vizor88]

What a wonderful channel, Alex! Jesus bless you dear friend!

[@TheRtyfghcvb]

Awesome bro. Loved it.

[@EndpathFan]

Your students Braden’s project sounds a lot like River by Miley . 5:30 Love all the layering techniques. I learned a lot!

[@iami0]

Love your tutorials, much appreciated.

[@mickysatpathy]

You are doing such an amazing job..Thank You So much For Such great music making contents..Lots Of Love From INDIA❤️🇮🇳..Keep Us informative Guru Ji 🙏

[@Emece_.]

Thanks for all dude , great content. 🔥🔥🔥

[@lmcmulle]

Again, a great one!

[@AtlasBeats]

The 7th point is DOPE !

[@АлександрБ-э8ш]

Thank you, Alex! 🙏👍

[@Lost1nTranslation]

9:50 holy fire 🤯😮🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@prabhasgamingempire8043]

I don't have laptop watching & hoping one day I will also do that.. Basically I am a song writer.. But I don't have to hire music producer so I am learning to make one... It's just delaying my production.. trying to make music on bandlab...😅😅😅

[@brezieofficial]

I like how he turns his head from the screen when he plays something. I think today we can tend to lean to far into what the music looks like rather than how it sounds. Super subtle but something I think really important!

[@p201moondust]

Thank you. It helped me a lot.💕

[@ИгорьГригорьев-и4ь]

2:57 I like this style of music. Somehow it always reminds of space, and crunching of malfunctioning microphone creates the feeling of astronauts talking on the radio outdoor, for example, of the ISS

[@MrPovilytis]

Man, it was super useful! Thanks for uploading such videos 🙌

[@NovanNation]

I just signed up for your boot camp but since I have no money and am a stay at home dad my fiance has the job because it makes her happy so I choose to stay home so someone can watch the kids. if the charge is to keep out tools ive been working on my music production through KZbin and figuring out. im not trying to do anything but give you more information for my app since there was not the option. ive been working with music production since I found fl 8 now I use Logic Pro x since I got a free copy from my previous school. (which did not go well at all because I had problems understanding what I was reading and internet issues) I have learned I need a more lax way of learning I decided to apply for the boot camp just cause nothing ventured nothing gained. ive been using your videos to help me as much as they can (since I learn best through visual and audio). I also make my music all by ear I have no knowledge of music theory or structure. I hope you get back to me love the videos btw keep it up.

[@ramonf.9217]

You are amazing, thanks a lot Alex R.

[@emmanuelborn8118]

oh man that's just great, thanks a lot !

[@quotestvee]

Brilliant ideaa and tutorials…gonna save lots of my time ….

[@OuterConnection]

Gran video hermano:)

[@a.ro6]

creative 💯 good job👌

[@bon12082]

Bro you're lit 👍🏼 thanks

[@thomaswhitten468]

At 9:50, thats my favorite, it sounds so great, i like how the LFO sounds, i wonder how using this technique would sound with melodic dubstep?

[@mcgritty8842]

It would sound at least 20% better

[@asdfaasdfa123]

Thank you at all times.👍🏽

[@l3nox_music]

Thank you so much for this Tutorial Love from India

[@escapevelocity6185]

AMAZING STUFF THANK YOU

[@ravihingrickrude7506]

This is soooo good! Thank you!

[@Jellycow1]

This is SO helpful thank uuuu 🥹

[@jaimykim6417]

9:50 sent me through the Galaxy🤯

[@joeyrabz1616]

Shiii... Man you're good... Make me wanna work NOW & implement these tips.

[@huber-lofiandchillbeat]

Thanks a lot some of this technics are gonna be useful for sure

[@SpyderBlackOfficial]

Pigments is a BEASTTTTTTTTTTTT! Thank You By The Way Alex Brother!!!

[@mathiasg3335]

Great video, you explained really well what you did and why. It is easy to understand and sounds amazing, just gave me some inspiration for New techniques using FM with my SY99.

[@officialzetrax]

ur a blessing!!!

[@jesusvictor6587]

Love you Alexi.

[@briankruesi6484]

This is really great. Didn’t realize you started using Ableton.