Today we will discuss the concept of layering. Layering is simply the art of combining different sounds together to make the resulting sound more interesting, powerful, and unique than the individual sounds that you started with. Layering is an advanced technique, but once you begin to master the technique of layering, your tracks will sound more professional and you will begin to achieve that sought-after "wall of sound" vibe in your tracks.
A good metaphor for layering is that of a painter. A beginning painter uses the most basic primary colors. However, as they get more advanced and experienced, they begin to combine different colors to achieve subtler colors in their paintings. This is how they paint pictures with beautiful sunsets and vibrant colors that are mesmerizing. These unique and interesting colors simply can't be achieved with just sticking to the basic primary colors. How a painter combines colors is similar to how a beat maker combines different sounds. For example, a kick sound might sound good on it's own. However, if that kick sound was combined with another complementary kick sound, the end result is a sound that is all your own and is probably more interesting. However, one key thing to point out is that a beat maker doesn't just put random sounds together, but rather, they put complementary sounds together. Layering is a skill within itself that takes time to master. Here a few layering ideas that will help to get you started.
Layer Frequencies: Use sounds that occupy different frequencies. An example might be a low-frequency bass sound with a mid-range synth sound that plays that plays the exact part as the bass.
Layer Sounds w/ Different Sustains: Some sounds have great attack portions but do not take up enough space in a mix. Combine these type of sounds with sounds that have dull attacks but a great body quality or reverb sound to it. A good example is a dry (no reverb) snare sound with a clap sound drenched in reverb.
Layer The Same Sound: This advice does go counter to complements, but sometimes, you may have a certain sound that you like but it sounds too "thin". Simply duplicating the sound can "thicken" the sound up and allow it to be more present in your mix. Notice, there is a subtle difference between "thickening" and simply turning the volume up on a sound. Turning the volume up on a sound just makes it more loud while thickening a song makes the sound more dense and concentrated.
The above ideas are a few of the basic ideas behind layering, however, be sure to experiment with different ways to layer. When you master the art of layering, your tracks will instantly sound more professional and interesting.
A good metaphor for layering is that of a painter. A beginning painter uses the most basic primary colors. However, as they get more advanced and experienced, they begin to combine different colors to achieve subtler colors in their paintings. This is how they paint pictures with beautiful sunsets and vibrant colors that are mesmerizing. These unique and interesting colors simply can't be achieved with just sticking to the basic primary colors. How a painter combines colors is similar to how a beat maker combines different sounds. For example, a kick sound might sound good on it's own. However, if that kick sound was combined with another complementary kick sound, the end result is a sound that is all your own and is probably more interesting. However, one key thing to point out is that a beat maker doesn't just put random sounds together, but rather, they put complementary sounds together. Layering is a skill within itself that takes time to master. Here a few layering ideas that will help to get you started.
Layer Frequencies: Use sounds that occupy different frequencies. An example might be a low-frequency bass sound with a mid-range synth sound that plays that plays the exact part as the bass.
Layer Sounds w/ Different Sustains: Some sounds have great attack portions but do not take up enough space in a mix. Combine these type of sounds with sounds that have dull attacks but a great body quality or reverb sound to it. A good example is a dry (no reverb) snare sound with a clap sound drenched in reverb.
Layer The Same Sound: This advice does go counter to complements, but sometimes, you may have a certain sound that you like but it sounds too "thin". Simply duplicating the sound can "thicken" the sound up and allow it to be more present in your mix. Notice, there is a subtle difference between "thickening" and simply turning the volume up on a sound. Turning the volume up on a sound just makes it more loud while thickening a song makes the sound more dense and concentrated.
The above ideas are a few of the basic ideas behind layering, however, be sure to experiment with different ways to layer. When you master the art of layering, your tracks will instantly sound more professional and interesting.
About the Author:
Find out more about hip-hop beats for sale by checking out Frank Lubsey's site. Frank Lubsey is a part of the Jam Sonic music production squad and you can learn how to purchase beats by checking out his site.
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