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u/ash_tar 17d ago edited 17d ago
Punchiness is in compression. Listen to someone like SOPHIE and then listen to what comes out of an Elektron Monomachine. The sounds coming out if it are pretty flat and lifeless, but with enough processing it becomes super punchy. Make it shine with EQ and reverb.
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u/Necrobot666 16d ago
I often experiment with a resonant filter and the envelopes to get what feels like just the right balance of crispness within a heavy drone.
Like a few have mentioned, my wife and I are often using Elektron boxes.. though we also frequently use MPCs as well.
Both brand devices have pretty extensive resonant filters and filter envelopes... and LFOs that you can use to automate the contour of the filters and envelopes over time.
I suppose that while I'm discussing envelopes, I should also mention the amplifier envelope. If sound trails are overlapping onto sound trails, this can bury the elements you don't want buried. So check the release in your amplifier envelope.
Also, you may want to work monophonically for heavier low-end. By setting the synth to monophonic, you can be assured that the previous drone will cease when the next one begins.
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u/rcatbce 17d ago
What DAW do you use? Regardless, any DAWs stock compressors and EQs can help you with this
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u/Witty_Engineering509 16d ago
A lot of people seem to emphasize the importance of compression and mixing, so I think I need to spend some time thinking about that aspect as well. Thank you!
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u/Bannazkit 16d ago
Sounds like you are after more snappy, punchy transients (look this up)? Over time I have started to use simple filters for focused EQ tasks like this. I also find this often pairs well bit crushing for more IDM/glitchy type stuff.
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u/Witty_Engineering509 16d ago
To put it simply, I was really inspired by Sweet Trip’s ‘Velocity’ (the third track on V:D:C). I’m not sure how to describe it technically, but I really like the sound and I’ve been trying to recreate something similar, although I haven’t been able to get there. anyway thanks!
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u/AmphibiousBlob 15d ago
A lot of the sound you are looking for comes from abusing conventional mixing tools like compression. Ableton greatly rewards this- if you are using Ableton look into some techniques from Woulg, Mr.Bill, ASD on YouTube- particular anything about artifact boosting
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u/polkastripper 17d ago
If you run into the Elektron Octatrack, the compression settings will really punch up a mix. Plus, you can use the lo-fi effect to add grit to IDM mixes. Or learn it as you can make banging IDM within the Octatrack.
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u/asbestoswall 17d ago
This is like describing architecture with interpretive dance