Make RIDDIM like Subtronics in 5 Straightforward Steps

So, in search of a information on learn how to make Riddim? Somebody who will educate you every part you should know to create a Riddim banger? Nicely, you’ve come to the proper place!

On this information, we're going to go over all the primary components of a banging Riddim observe, together with:

• making a kick and clap your self;
• re-sampling some growly basses;
• constructing rigidity earlier than the drop;

… and much more! Let’s get began.

What's Riddim?

Earlier than diving into Abelton, let’s shortly go over what Riddim truly is.

Riddim is a subgenre of dubstep that focuses on heavy, repetitive basslines and a minimalistic strategy to drums.

The style originated from the UK dubstep scene and has a uncooked, gritty sound. Tracks usually use easy, syncopated drum patterns and in depth use of wobbles and growls. The title “Riddim” itself comes from the Jamaican phrase for “rhythm”. Not like extra melodic dubstep, Riddim focuses on its underground really feel.

Artists reminiscent of Coki helped form the early sound of Riddim. At present, artists reminiscent of Subtronics and BadKlaat are pushing the boundaries of Riddim.

Step #1: Establishing our Riddim Mission

Earlier than deciding on any samples or doing loopy sound design, let’s set ourselves up for fulfillment.

And this implies making ready our venture (bonus level if you have already got a template).

Specifically, we're going to do 2 issues right here:

• set the proper tempo;
• construction our observe based mostly on a reference observe.

Many producers overlook this step, however it's going to prevent so many complications down the road.

When it comes to tempo, Riddim is often across the 140-145 BPM vary. Let’s go together with 140.

Subsequent up, I’m going to usher in a reference observe to get an thought for the track construction. This may give us a kind of “map” that we will observe as we begin fleshing out our association. After all, we will all the time deviate from this construction afterward if we wish. The reference observe right here is SHUTUP by RAK:

For this, we're going to use some dummy MIDI clips:

Dummy clips are merely empty MIDI clips that you just title and shade to create your observe construction. Right here’s the tough construction we are going to begin with:

• Anacrusis: 2 bars
• Intro Atmosphere: 8 bars
• Construct (synths): 8 bars
• Construct (drums): 8 bars
• False drop: 4 bars
• Drop 1A: 8 bars
• Drop 1B: 8 bars
• Construct (drums): 8 bars
• False drop: 4 bars
• Drop 2A: 8 bars
• Drop 2B: 8 bars
• Outro Atmosphere: 8 bars

Growth! Now we now have a extremely stable construction we will observe when constructing our observe. Let’s delete the reference observe from the venture and begin cooking 🔥

Step #2: Laying down some Riddim Drums

As is typical in most digital music genres, let’s begin with the drop. It's because the drop usually options essentially the most components of the observe (drums, bass, synths, and so forth.). So to construct your different sections, all it's a must to do is begin eradicating sure components (I’m oversimplifying however you get the concept).

I’m preemptively creating a bunch channel as a result of I do know I’m going to course of all my drums as a bunch. Professional tip to remain organized, title your teams in all caps 😉

For the drum sample, Riddim has a basic two-step sample, with a kick on the 1 and three, and a snare/clap on the two and 4.

Nonetheless, what units Riddim aside is that you just truly put a kick on the two and 4 as effectively. This kick tends to be quieter, and that is what creates that “whack” in Riddim.

Let’s begin with the kick then.

Selecting the best kick(s)

Selecting the one, excellent kick drum is nearly unattainable. That’s why we all the time suggest layering totally different kicks collectively. The bottom line is to solely hold the elements that you just like.

Let’s put that into apply with our Riddim kick drum.

For our first layer, I’m simply going to maintain the “click on” of this kick:

This implies shortening the pattern and high-passing it. Right here’s what it seems like now:

Subsequent, I’m going to layer on this kick right here:

Subsequent, I’m going to use a easy limiter to manage the peaks of my new kick. That is to ensure that we don’t have any transients poking via.

Lastly, simply create a brand new audio channel, set it to resample, arm it, and document our new kick!

Earlier than we create our Riddim drum sample, let’s usher in a clap.

Snares/claps

For this observe, we're going to use a shiny clap with some reverb utilized to it:

Not dangerous, however I desire a second layer that’s just a little extra thick. For this layer, I’m merely going to look Riddim pattern packs, and I ended with this one which I like:

I’ve merely shortened the tail a bit so we don’t get all that inbuilt reverb:

Lastly, I’m going to layer in a snare so as to add a bit extra weight to our predominant clap. I’m additionally going so as to add the tail of one other snare on each second clap. This may give a tiny little bit of variation and make our drums sound much less generic.

After all, at every stage right here, I’m EQ’ing every pattern to solely hold the frequencies I would like. I’m additionally clipping the claps group to take away a few of the transient.

In the long run here's what all of the layers sound like collectively:

For now, I'm going to depart the sample fairly easy. That is the ability of Riddim – a easy rhythm within the drums will enable for extra variation and creativity within the bass.

Let’s merely add some hi-hats and name it a day for our drums.

The hi-hats

We are actually going so as to add some offbeat hats.

Right here’s the primary pattern I’m including, solely on the offbeat:

When it comes to gainstaging, we need to combine the hat so it sits proper beneath the extent of the kick and clap.

I’m going so as to add a second hat layer to present it a bit extra presence, then add some clipping to each hats collectively.

Clipping at every stage of the method in Riddim is essential to get your loudness proper by the tip of the observe.

To wrap it up, I’m going so as to add a single hat hit on every kick as effectively, however flip it down round 9dB so it doesn’t leap out:

It’s refined however provides that little little bit of continuity to our drum loop. And truthfully, that’s adequate for now, so let’s transfer on to some bass!

Step #3: Including a Fats Riddim BASS

Now in most tutorials, that is the place we'd do some sound design (often in Serum). By the way in which, if you wish to be taught every part you should find out about Serum, take a look at our free Masterclass right here:

However let’s swap issues up a bit right here and begin from a pattern. I’m going to make use of this loop from our free EDM Starter Package and chop it up.

Right here’s the loop:

Subsequent, I’m going to cut a small part, set the clip to “Advanced Professional” and pitch it down the octave. Subsequent, I’m going to play with the timing and begin factors in order that it matches with our drum loop:

Right here’s what it seems like proper now:

Then, by pitching up and down particular person samples, I can create a model new melody.

Right here’s what we received:

As you may hear, I’m fading out and in of every little bass pattern. That is to present the kick and clap sufficient room to come back via.

Bass post-processing

Now that we now have our loop, let’s go wild on some FX!

Firstly, I’m going to deliver out Roar, which is Ableton Stay’s model new distortion plugin (full tutorial on that right here):

After looking some totally different shaper modes, I settled on “Noise”. I additionally boosted the Suggestions quantity to get that basic Riddim impact.

Subsequent up, I’m going to do a bit extra processing to essentially get the crunch out of that bass:

Right here’s what our bass seems like now:

Now if we simply left that rolling for 3min, it will get fairly boring. So let’s spice issues up.

Including some bass chops

First I’m going to take away a bass hit. We’re then going to switch it with one thing totally different to create a little bit of variation:

When it comes to sound design, we all the time suggest to begin with a preset. You'll be able to then change the wavetables, envelopes, filters, and extra to make it your personal.

Right here’s what I’ve settled on right here:

A number of bars later, we're going to do the identical course of, however usher in one other Serum preset:

Good! Now our loop is absolutely beginning to take form 😍

To wrap up our bass, I’m going to layer in a sub-bass:

Word that right here, the sub-bass is simply enjoying one observe (the basic, on this case, D#). The one factor we have to take note of is that the envelope of our sub (i.e. how the sound rises and falls) matches that of our predominant bass pattern.

To do that, set your LFO to manage the extent of the sub, set it to 1/4 observe, then play with the ADSR parameters:

And we’re just about carried out for the bass! You may get much more artistic by drawing some automation and modulation of the LFO price of various bass sounds, the pitch, and much more.

Step #4: Creating an Intro that Immediately Hooks

Subsequent up, let’s flip our consideration to the intro.

The intro is usually neglected by most producers. But it surely’s an important a part of your observe to get proper. In any other case, individuals will shortly skip to the following observe.

Let’s begin with this sound, which is definitely a bass chop with some delay and reverb on:

Subsequent up, let’s create a pleasant synth pad in D# minor, which is the important thing of our observe. Once more, I’m going to easily begin off with a Serum preset, after which tweak it to make it our personal. I’m additionally going to layer in some practice foley (as a result of why not):

We additionally want some impacts to create a way of rigidity:

I’m additionally feeling like a choir may slot in actually properly in right here:

Cool! Lastly, I’m going so as to add a number of extra impacts and FX, and the primary a part of our intro is already carried out.

If you happen to’re in search of learn how to make a Riddim intro, the secret is to create rigidity and a kind of creepy/haunting vibe.

Subsequent up, let’s usher in some synths for half 2 of our intro:

Step #5: The BUILD Earlier than the Drop

Now that our intro is just about fleshed out, let’s transfer to the construct.

In essence, the construct is solely the continuation of the intro, with extra drum components increase the hype.

A basic trick to attain this shortly is so as to add a clap on every beat:

Right here’s what it seems like:

I additionally felt like a basic Amen break may work actually properly right here. I’m going to fade it in, main into the construct:

Lastly, for our construct, I’m going so as to add the next components:

• a kick construct towards the tip of the construct;
• a shortened model of the choir that slowly pitches up;
• create just a little silence hole by eradicating drum components earlier than the drop;
• a number of reverse sweeps main into the drop;
• add some automation to the lead, including some bitcrushing and reducing the quantity;
• tease the bass.

All in all, that is what our intro + construct sound like now:

Final Phrases on Make Riddim

That’s it for this information on learn how to make Riddim! Hopefully, you discovered it helpful and can be capable of implement a few of the tips we confirmed you. Be certain that to seize the complete venture file and pattern pack free of charge down beneath, and drop us a line at [email protected] if in case you have any questions!