COMPOSITION
Build a build-up, layer by layer
A good build-up is a sequence of small decisions, not one big effect. Stack the layers here and hear the difference between a build-up that pays off and one that just gets louder.
Try it
- Start with just a filtered loop and a riser. Listen to how little is actually there.
- Add a snare roll that increases in density over 8 bars.
- Pull one element out two bars before the drop instead of adding one. Notice the anticipation it creates.
What to listen for
Removing an element right before the drop is one of the most underused tricks in tension building. Silence, or near-silence, reads as more tension than another layer of noise.
This tool is one part of the picture. Electronic Music Production for Beginners covers the rest.