This is session 26 of the YouTube Series with Francois PML called “Producer Notes”. In Episode 026 we’re analysing the Melodic Techno style of artist “Cassian” and labels like Afterlife Recordings. We’re looking to reverse engineer the style of Cassian’s remix for John Summit “Shiver” only using Ableton stock effects and instruments, plus Xfer Serum.
Watch and see what we can learn from this style sitting somewhere between Melodic Techno and Trance.
The key lessons from this episode are:
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Drums: Clean and Simple, short kick (almost like trance) - Bass: Purposeful collection of separated rolling bass layers (notice: this is reverse engineered).
- Bass: Smooth Low Stabs for deep feel
- Gnarly Stabs only used in Main Drop
- Pluck Arp: Serving for “Harmonising” and adding Melody-Feel
- The Chord Progression is mainly achieved through bass changes
- Pluck Stabs: Layered from Saw, Square, Noise wavetables.
- Vocals: Textures in the background that serve as pads with a bit of rhythm.
- Vocal theme: plays call and response with the high pluck stabs
- Arrangement: very deliberate placing of vocals, plucks, dreamy pads, gnarly stabs and back
Referenced in this video:
🗳 Ableton Project File from this video (Part of Melodic Techno Mirage Pack)
📦 Everything Bundle
🎹 Music Theory for Melodic Techno & House
🎙 Vocals Vol.1 Sample Pack
🥁 Deep Premium Vol. 6 Drum Sample Pack
