The pulsating bassline, the infectious hi-hats, the hypnotic vocal chops – tech house has a way of grabbing you by the ears and refusing to let go. It’s the sound of packed dance floors, late-night warehouse parties, and an insatiable energy that keeps you moving. But how do you capture that magic and produce a tech house track that sounds like it came straight from the decks of a world-class DJ?

This ultimate guide will break down how to make a tech house track like the pros, from crafting driving drums and basslines to weaving hypnotic melodies and building electrifying arrangements, so you can learn how to create modern tech house like the Chris Lake or Dom Dolla.

Table Of Contents:

What Makes a Great Tech House Track?

What’s the big thing about tech house, though? You can tell it apart from other dance music because of that stripped back, chunky rhythm. That driving 4/4 beat is usually made up of a short, punchy kick, and a deep, groovy bass line, with layered claps, hats, and percussive textures.

Then you get those melodic hooks that drop in and out, vocals, sound effects – and all of these come together to build a proper vibe. Think about tracks like Fisher’s Losing It or Chris Lake’s Turn Off The Lights.

Setting The BPM and Structure For a Tech House

Before laying down any sounds, you gotta set yourself up for a tech house banger. First, get your kick in the 125-128 BPM sweet spot. Personally, I find 126 BPM ideal for the average tech house drum pattern. Getting the right drum sound means starting with the right drum samples. Check out our massive library of high-quality samples for tech house and beyond!

After you get the BPM right, I suggest marking out the different sections. A lot of tech house producers I know skip this, but those dummy MIDI clips are total lifesavers. Why? Because those dummy clips mean you can make sure your arrangement stays consistent. Check this table for an idea of how you can set out your tech house structure:

Section Length Description
Intro 1 16 Bars Minimal percussion and low end groove
Intro 2 16 Bars Add melodic elements
Breakdown + Build 8 Bars Reduce energy before drop
Drop A 8 Bars Full energy, kick and bass prominent
Drop B 8 Bars Introduce melodic hook
Drop C 8 Bars Filter elements to increase tension
Drop D 8 Bars Variation of Drop A or B
Breakdown + Build 2 8 Bars Repeat before next drop
Drop 2 32 Bars Repeat of Drop 1 or new variation
Outro 16 or 32 Bars Gradually fade elements

Layering Your Kick And Bass For That Tech House Rhythm

The core of tech house, at least in my opinion, is all about the groove of the drums and bass. It all starts with a good, clean kick drum, although it doesn’t have to be crazy complex. As I’ve said already, make sure the key of your kick suits your overall sound and EQ to get the right punch.

That booming bass line you’re thinking about – go for it. Pick a punchy sine or saw wave bass patch in your favorite soft synth and lay down a driving groove. Now here’s a tip: low-pass frequencies above 300 Hz to let your bass sit under the kick. Also sidechain your bass with sidechain compression, as this lets those transients come through, giving it more drive. Play those elements together and make sure the bass has room to breathe with that crisp kick drum.

Working on the bass and kick together

So you want to use Ableton Live for a more in-depth look at basslines, but here’s the problem – how do you know if you have those levels right? Simple: the kick and bass need space in the mix, and it takes practice to learn just how to shape the two together. One way is to make small boosts and cuts using an EQ, as this lets those grooves move within the mix.

Think about using a slow attack setting on your compression, as this can create punch, making sure the sounds stay upfront. Play around with those releases: faster releases for a tight, more energetic vibe. Experiment to discover what I mean – slower releases create a rounder and smoother bass.

Building a Banging Tech House Groove With Layered Drums and Percussion

Once you get the foundation down with those layered kick drums and the powerful, rhythmic bassline, what comes next? Bring in some hi-hats. Now they are one of the most critical components of your tech house rhythm. Again, I recommend finding a strong foundation – something like a classic 909 hi-hat and lay it down on those off beats for that classic tech house shuffle. And don’t be afraid to try different hi-hat sounds and layer together. In fact, I do this all the time in my tracks.

When laying down your snares, try and make sure you place them precisely. I recommend placing them perfectly on beats two and four, but listen back and see what sounds best for you. This is because timing is so crucial with a chunky tech house beat, so don’t rush things. You can also place a clap layer for extra texture. Just make sure the clap sample has a slight bit of attack cut off the front end so the transient doesn’t get in the way of the snare.

Spicing up your rhythm by layering percussion

You have this tight beat but want to add more. There are all sorts of percussive loops that you can get from a pack. You want something a bit off-kilter with shakers that accent the beat, and then, just for some punch, find that vinyl crackle texture for a retro vibe. Just drop them on top and listen to how your groove comes alive.

Syncopation, layering and MIDI control in Tech House

What truly separates the good from the great is how you manipulate those elements using three key production techniques: syncopation, layering, and MIDI control.

First off, tech house thrives on rhythmic tension. Syncopation is a technique where you place sounds on the off-beats – the spaces between the main beats. This creates a sense of push and pull, keeping the listener engaged and wanting more. Think of the iconic hi-hat pattern in Claude VonStroke’s “Who’s Afraid of Detroit?” – those off-beat hi-hats add a layer of swagger that makes the groove irresistible.

From there, we have layering, which is the art of stacking different sounds on top of each other to create a rich and complex soundscape. This could involve layering different synth lines to create a thick, evolving melody, or adding subtle percussion elements like shakers and tambourines for extra rhythmic detail.

I also recommend using a MIDI controller for dynamic and expressive sound manipulation. By using knobs, faders, and pads on your MIDI controller, you can control various aspects of your sounds in real-time. This allows you to add subtle variations to your basslines, create filter sweeps on your synths, or trigger one-shot samples for added impact.

Writing a Killer Bass Line for Modern Tech House

So now you’re getting a better idea of the rhythm but need a deeper dive. Listen to classic tech house records – the big basslines are more about driving rhythms than complex synth sounds. But getting that tech house tech house rhythm right isn’t always easy when you are getting started.

Although you want a fat synth bass with sub-bass depth – that’s why I suggested rolling off above 300Hz before – it’s got to compliment your kick and percussive groove. Pick one note in your software synth and try playing different patterns on it with your layered hats and kicks. When you get to something you like try programming this bass rhythm in the note grid over several bars.

Pitch bending for killer grooves

Experiment to find which keys sound best, but I think those minor keys you’re thinking of for that darker tone sound the best for this genre, such as F minor or G minor. You can add to that tension by writing those minor key notes on an off beat.

You need a final secret weapon for your killer bass line – pitch bend. When making modern tech house, pitch bend automation gives you those slick slides between the notes. Program this by opening your MIDI clip’s envelope, but remember timing is key.

Conclusion

By understanding the key ingredients of a killer tech house music track, you’re well on your way to producing dance floor destroyers of your own. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with dedication, you can create music that moves people as much as the tracks you love.

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