Arrangement Tips To Inspire Your Drops. Ft. Arps, Counter Melody, Harmony and other keywords!

[@hey_maurice]

I’m one year late on the posting of this absolute GEM of a video, but damn, am I glad the algorithm came through! Great video! Not enough people across ALL genres talk about horizontal arrangement, so I LOVED this. You always seem to find the best topics to fill the void that others aren’t talking about.

[@SandNigah]

I spent $70 on an arrangement course while this is 10x the information and for free

[@RossTempo]

Counter melody was really cool! You should do a melody tutorial how to make real melodies to chords and the difference between harmonies and melodies etc all great examples they are all great btw ❤️

[@Judasz696]

Yes this would he cool.

[@rebirthtreatmentcenter]

I’m so grateful for all the content. Another great video. Binging all your old stuff. Didn’t know you had so many I didn’t watch. My only concern is that I enjoy watching you sequence and produce rather than me practicing.

[@bigbangboo]

Watching all content for 3rd time and here goes the algorithm comment 🎉 Pure rave Stab definitely the winner for me 🕺🏻 Wish u all the best ❤

[@Pattarns_Music]

Man, thank you so much for this content. There's no other channel like yours on KZbin right now, and just what I need at this point in my journey! Every video teaches me something unique that instantly improves my current track, it's insane.

[@WaldemarBurg]

SAME FOR ME!!!!! Thanks for being on point like no other!

[@general---777a]

I started "producing" 2 yrs ago, without any prior knowledge about musical theory. My music sounds so 💩and now that I'm finally spending time on theory I can see where I am making all my millions of mistakes 😂😂 Thanks for this. I'm a bit behind but watching all your vids and learning a LOT.

[@rondovk]

I’ve been binging all your videos - incredible content, can clearly tell you’re a professional This video is an interesting one given my genre of choice is trance - lot of vertical arrangement and layers with trance, so nuanced to square with a less is more style I’d say you put forward here

[@JonathanClark99]

As usual, mind absolutely blown!

[@sashanvak]

I have just been recommended your channel by the algorithm. EDM based only - unique and highly appreciated.

[@d05music17]

I'm your new biggest fan, the genre of music is bang on and delivery is awesome. Thanks mate

[@omphileleseyane1368]

Recently stumbled across your channel....your views have changed how i look at my production after taking a break from music production for more than a 10 year's 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@henry14728]

You're absolutely sick, man. Best tutorials on music production!

[@1funk_music]

Sharing nothing but absolute gold! I will be buying you a pint or two, sir. Thanks for sharing mate 👍

[@tofuprius3384]

Just popping in part way through the video to say that in music academia, horizontal arrangement, as you mentioned in the intro, is typically what the term “arrangement” refers to. I think the techniques you go over in this video would be described perfectly as “orchestration,” which refers to the process of selecting instruments and deciding how your musical ideas will be voiced on those instruments. Okay I’m gonna finish the video now! I’m learning lots already 😄

[@Bthelick]

Yeah orchestration is certainly an appropriate term. I deliberately avoid that language /terminology in an edm context though as I aim this channel at academics specifically djs and bedroom producers.

[@RossTempo]

That harmony technique bro 🙏🏼

[@vibecity8]

Thank you for sharing these videos with us Bthelick.

[@San7hos]

Even after years of being bedroom producer, this is very revealing. Thank you! Big up for your vods. Love 'Em!

[@Bthelick]

Thank you , glad I can help 👍🤘🙏

[@San7hos]

@@Bthelickhearing this again, I'm thinking if you would also do a vod on modulation, i.e. Modulating to another key or how to bridge between two keys.

[@ricosauve9076]

Fantastic! Example 6 & 7 had me running to listen to TXL by Chris Bekker. So smooth

[@cryptout]

This is gold, glad I found your channel.

[@TheFactoryOfMusic]

Thank you man, what an absolute gem of a channel you have.

[@Ricardo18015]

I’m dubstep producer but i really love it your content ❤

[@tombishop8918]

I'm so glad I've stumbled across your channel. It's definitely my new goto! I hit a bit of a rut and haven't done anything with production for a few weeks. I'm definitely inspired to get back into my studio (garage) 😂 Thank you 🙏 😊

[@Bthelick]

Welcome back! And thankyou 👊

[@nickwoltman6526]

keep up the good work!! I’m learning so much looking at you’re videos. 📈

[@Bthelick]

Thankyou Nick, very much appreciate the support 👊

[@M189-i3b]

Quality channel man, really digging your take on tutorials, you know clearly what you are talking about👌👌

[@aqrs269]

Would love to see more on this subject. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@Bthelick]

Why burning questions in particular? Or just more tips / tricks in this area?

[@aqrs269]

@@Bthelick I haven't finish watching all your videos. It's an ocean of knowledge. Will let you know if I miss something particular. But arrangement, or moving things forward, is the one thing I struggle the most.

[@Bthelick]

@@aqrs269 no worries. This video where I finish a loop should be helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYvQhIKchLZ4nMksi=bDGCN_kOVtw0K381 Or I have a couple of start to finish videos on the live section. Also my "how to drop" might help with arrangement decisions too

[@suntanbear4763]

Hugely appreciate this video, very helpful

[@ThePhantomJack]

Another video, another gem ❤

[@georgesprackling6210]

You talked about adding paceier shakers, what makes them sound quicker, thickness, envelope shape.

[@Bthelick]

That's all certainly part of it but at the heart it's the basic rhythm, 16ths Vs 8ths etc, and the accent/dynamics. A 16th shaker that only accents the off beat will sound groovier but less frantic than a 16th shaker that has hard consistent accents on every hit. There's definitely a balance in the shape too. If the hits are very short and snappy it gains clarity but loses energy overall, but if they're too long they blend into each other and lose the sense of pace. Someone's that's fine because you just need the extra 'fizz' at the top and not the actual rhythm, other times you need the rhythm. Hope that makes sense.

[@lockkkpoppp5033]

really helpful. wanna watch your vid and opinion on horizontal arrangements as well!

[@GeorgeLocke]

Fantastic advice as always. Thanks so much.

[@renanmelo4797]

Como foi dito nos comentários. Não tem conteúdo igual no KZbin. Descobri o seu canal hoje, e estou "maratonando". Parabéns!

[@Bthelick]

Thankyou Renan. Welcome 🙏🙌❤️

[@Q-T3K]

Incredible tutorial as always - thank you!

[@afrohawk]

Fantastic brother! Can't believe you don't have more subs! High quality content here.

[@Bthelick]

Thanks Troy. It's probably because I just focus on information, and not on particularly viral subjects either. All good though 👊

[@kevingillom1818]

Hi BTL, I am new to your channel, and I really enjoy your tutorials. You have a really good delivery. I understand that you feel that there are plenty of tutorials about what you refer to as, (Horizontal Arrangement/Structure), but I really struggle with that type of arranging and would like to see your prospective. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

[@Bthelick]

Hey Kevin thanks for the compliments. I can certainly do something on that, it's a tough one, it's quite genre, user, and production specific though. Techno Vs house, producer Vs DJ, Club Vs Spotify for example. Lots of variables. Not easy to put useful info into a video that covers all that as an overarching topic if that makes sense.

[@angelgcastro1]

This sounds amazing!

[@westbeats3604]

Great video! Thanks!

[@callousrascal]

you make real g content. KEEP the good work!

[@kvvnc2502]

damn this is gonna be a good one.. Thanks man!

[@ALDORMUSIC]

The only question left after watching this tutorial is why this video does not have millions of views. Great sounds used in the video. Do you have any plans to package them as a preset pack?

[@Bthelick]

thanks! I certainly can. The bass is already uploaded from the pluck video. If you'd like any other sounds like me know which and I'll put them up.

[@ALDORMUSIC]

@@Bthelick I found this house trance lead in another video tutorial and have been using it in my production. It sounds so good. Thank you!

[@giannipulli]

Top video, as usual. Thanks for sharing this 🎉😊

[@Bthelick]

Glad you enjoyed it Gianni thank you ❤️👊🙌

[@mbvsza4647]

Please make a video on transitions next and make it the same style as this video 😭😭😭 you’re the best

[@Bthelick]

it's on the list 👊, in the mean time check my "how to drop" video if you haven't already there's some transition info in there

[@astrokid_music]

Love it!!

[@erolbrown]

Hi - What monitor are you using and at what resolution? Cracking video as always. Cheers

[@Bthelick]

I have an LG 32GN600-B It's a 32 inch flat 1440p at 144hz.

[@jonoaerts]

very concise explanations. I would consider my downfall to be not giving enough focus to my main ideas. I will definitely start to think about this more. should give clarity to my master's. In the past, I have added more sounds playing the same lines, but this can create mud in the mix.

[@Bthelick]

Yes I've been asked many times to do a 'layers' video, but it is something that you less and less as your ear develops as it creates more problems than it solves in many cases!

[@samuelhamilton5245]

Hey B. I noticed throughout many of your videos that you advocate for a simpler approach when it comes to mixing. I don't often see compressors on your instruments (very rarely if any). In this video however, I noticed compressors at: 7:44 on an individual lead, 25:22 on a Tom, and 26:24 on a lead group. May I please know the purpose of these compressors? At 26:24, the one on the lead group, is it to "glue" any of the leads together via compression? At 26:24, the one on the Tom, is it because you heavily boosted the highs so you wanted to compensate for that by compressing? If so, why wouldn't you just reduce volume? What about the individual lead at 7:44? You always advocate for finding better samples, but when do you think it would be appropriate to use a compressor, especially in the context of a whole mix, or a bus of sounds, rather than an individual sound? I know you don't touch on engineering issues much, but this would be appreciated. Thanks! - Sam

[@Bthelick]

These compressors here are all side chains. When I talk about/advise on compression I don't count side chain compression as that, is a groove decision not a sound dynamics decision. It's appropriate to use a compressor when you need one! Simple as that. A compressor's actual job is to reduce the dynamics of a sound so use one when the sound is too dynamic which can be the case with many acoustic sounds like untreated vocals. Like anything else in this field it requires ear training. Unfortunately newer producers who mostly listen to electronic music will have little ear for understanding dynamics. Compression can be applied as a flavor tool too if you are aware of how a compressor behaves tone wise like knowing how FET Vs VARI MU Vs Optical etc. Again, this requires air training and experience to utilize. I don't recommend to newcomers because these differences are extremely subtle and usually not appropriate in electronic music anyway and it's far easier to cause damage than not , so in general if you don't know if you need one, then leave well alone (especially in this type of genre). Compressing a whole mix or sub group for reasons like 'glue' largely comes from band mixing. I use it when I mix other genres like Rock etc but I don't advise trying it in electronic dance. Again there is just very little reason for it. Your drums shouldn't need gluing together like a real live drum kit from 16 microphones with hit volumes all over the place from a human player. if the sound is coming from an electronic source with consistent volume there are no or few dynamics to compress. Any compression you try to use without a keen ear will just rob the sound of what little dynamics is had and it's those dynamics that make your track punch out of the speakers and sound alive. There are groove considerations too. Grouping all drums and compressing will mean your hi hats / shakers etc will now be dictated by the kick and snare/clap. Is that what you want? is better for your audience? do you understand groove enough to know if the drive /pace of you track is crucial to needing a consistent or dynamic op drums or do you understand how it will effect how certain people dance? Then there's the tonal consideration. Ducking the hats/shakers on the kick etc via buss compression will make your track duller on average, because those instruments will be a large part of the tracks top end, so again is that something you want? I advise just leave it alone its completely unnecessary. The Tom high end is simply because I picked the wrong tom! Well, I picked the right tom for the low end groove but then I decided I wanted to hear its transient click (probably so it bounced with the kick better when all other sounds were in) and that's how much top end took to unmask it. Happens sometimes.

[@samuelhamilton5245]

@@Bthelick Invaluable information! I have been aimlessly using compressors in my house tracks for 2-3 years now (with no real direction on how I was using them) and I always wondered what I was doing wrong. As you say, sample selection (kicks, hats, etc.) is vital and can help you avoid needing processing (like seen in your short "The secret to my drum sound" - yes, I am a super fan). Thanks again B! 🍻 - Sam

[@Bthelick]

Thanks Sam glad it makes sense 👊

[@emadiskanderani4650]

Loved the content, really helpful. would be great if you drop this project file :)

[@Bthelick]

I'd love to but there's too many legal hurdles I'm afraid.

[@speakingcolors]

Which Medusa videos are you talking about? I haven't write a bass and sound like this since 2006-2007... I'm a bit rusty lol

[@Bthelick]

The video was called "that house trance pluck sound" kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqG0dWaloMyYqMk Based on the meduza remix of power over me by Dermot Kennedy.

[@JL-dk8se]

Great video, learned so much over the last week watching loads of your stuff. Excellent channel. A video on how robert hood, floorplan makes his music would be good. I can't get into my head how he creates his bass lines and energy in his tracks especially never grow old replant edit.

[@Bthelick]

Thanks! I'll add it to the list 👊❤️

[@damonkex]

Will this be released anywhere? Great melody

[@Bthelick]

Thanks 🙏 Yeah one of them is in the queue for sure, I just can't remember which! 🤣.

[@C-MAGs]

Now, I'm fairly old but was I the only one who shouted "Aceeeeeeeeed" at the Rave Stab example? :D

[@Bthelick]

Haha surely not.

[@3dPrintingEnthusiast]

what kind of pluck would you say the Lead is? im trying to figure it out so i can learn to make it

[@Bthelick]

You mean the main lead at the start? It's the house trance pluck from my house trance pluck video! (I show how to make it there)

[@satiso791]

@@Bthelick youre the man! these videos are the best out there. im not joking

[@rafikazmy3892]

dude am new to this and out of so many tutorials and yt-ers ur absolutely the best…clearly presenting ur ideas and ur music rocks..keep up the good work..so inspiring 🫨

[@RossTempo]

I have a question 😊 the piano drop is in Cminor yet the track is is A minor. Have you just pitched it down so the midi isn’t relevant? And the notes we can see are playing 3 semitones down?

[@Bthelick]

Track is in A#. Everything is playing back at +1

[@buzzandjim4265]

Comment for the algae riddim

[@mrmick2878]

How to get sub bass sound at kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6mrpYqAhJh8b5o (3:36)?

[@Bthelick]

It's just a saw with a plucky envelope and a pitch spike. I've put the links in the description you can see how I made it there. I called it "pokey bass" (FYI You can just type "3:36" btw)

[@mrmick2878]

Thank you very much! @@Bthelick