Layering is the art of combining two complimentary sounds that produce a more interesting, unique, and dynamic sound as the end result. It is a more advanced technique in beat making, but one that can instantly elevate the quality of your tracks and make them sound instantly more professional. Also, if you ever want to achieve that "wall of sound" quality that many songs on the radio have, layering is the way to achieve.
The best way to describe layering is to use a professional chef as a metaphor. A chef uses different flavor combinations to create unique dishes. One of the differences between a home cook and a chef, is that a chef is always experimenting and creating very interesting combinations with his food while home cooks tend to stay with pretty basic ingredients in their food. Imagine a chicken dish that only had salt on it versus a chicken dish with salt, pepper, some lemon zest, and a few other herbs that were well balanced. The dish with a few more balanced ingredients is going to taste better while the chicken dish with just salt will probably taste rather bland. Similarly, in music, a snare might sound good on it's on, but it probably has the potential to sound even better by layering it with a clap sound with reverb on it. However, layering is not simply putting random sounds together but rather, it is putting complimentary sounds together. Here are some complementary ideas that will get you started on layering:
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 a great attack portion that sticks out in a mix but have little sustain or body. Likewise, other sounds have great sustain but a dull attack. By combining these type of sounds, you'll have an end sound that still has great attack and cuts through the mix, but also is full-sounding and fills up space in a track.
Layer The Same Sound: It might seem odd to layer the same sound, but sometimes a sound is just right for a bit, but it is too "thin" in a mix. By layering, you make the song thicker and able to sit in a mix better. Please note that volume and thickness are different. Volume means adjusting decibels but thickness refers to the concentration of a sound.
These are some of the most common ways that one can layer, however, try experimenting with new ways to layer and you'll be surprised at the results. Layering is one of the advanced techniques that once mastered, will take your music to a higher level.
The best way to describe layering is to use a professional chef as a metaphor. A chef uses different flavor combinations to create unique dishes. One of the differences between a home cook and a chef, is that a chef is always experimenting and creating very interesting combinations with his food while home cooks tend to stay with pretty basic ingredients in their food. Imagine a chicken dish that only had salt on it versus a chicken dish with salt, pepper, some lemon zest, and a few other herbs that were well balanced. The dish with a few more balanced ingredients is going to taste better while the chicken dish with just salt will probably taste rather bland. Similarly, in music, a snare might sound good on it's on, but it probably has the potential to sound even better by layering it with a clap sound with reverb on it. However, layering is not simply putting random sounds together but rather, it is putting complimentary sounds together. Here are some complementary ideas that will get you started on layering:
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 a great attack portion that sticks out in a mix but have little sustain or body. Likewise, other sounds have great sustain but a dull attack. By combining these type of sounds, you'll have an end sound that still has great attack and cuts through the mix, but also is full-sounding and fills up space in a track.
Layer The Same Sound: It might seem odd to layer the same sound, but sometimes a sound is just right for a bit, but it is too "thin" in a mix. By layering, you make the song thicker and able to sit in a mix better. Please note that volume and thickness are different. Volume means adjusting decibels but thickness refers to the concentration of a sound.
These are some of the most common ways that one can layer, however, try experimenting with new ways to layer and you'll be surprised at the results. Layering is one of the advanced techniques that once mastered, will take your music to a higher level.
About the Author:
Find out more about hip-hop beats for sale by visiting Frank Lubsey's site. Frank Lubsey is a part of the Jam Sonic music production team and you can find out how to purchase beats by checking out his site.
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