A few weeks ago, I trained a GPT model to become the perfect "Techno producing mentor". That means you can ask it any question related to music production (no matter how detailed) and get a goal-oriented response. (This one is specially trained in electronic music).
Here is an example of a recent conversation with the AI I trained:
Me:
how can I make my track arrangement more interesting to the listener, especially when entering the main drop section?
AI:
Creating an engaging arrangement, particularly around the main drop section, is key to keeping your listeners interested. Here are some tips to enhance your arrangement and make the transition into the drop more impactful:
- Build Tension Before the Drop: Use risers, snare rolls, and other building elements to create a sense of anticipation. Automating parameters like filters, pitch, or reverb can also help in building tension.
- Create Contrast: Make sure there's a distinct contrast between the build-up and the drop. This can be achieved through dynamics, frequency content, and rhythm. For example, you might have a thinner texture in the build-up leading to a full, bass-heavy drop.
- Use Silence Strategically: A brief moment of silence or a significant reduction in elements just before the drop can make the impact much stronger.
- Play with Expectations: Sometimes delaying the drop by a bar or adding an unexpected element right before it can catch the listener off guard, making the drop more effective.
- Change Up the Drum Pattern: If you're using a typical four-to-the-floor beat in the build-up, try switching to a different rhythm or adding new percussive elements in the drop.
- Add New Elements: Introducing a new lead sound, vocal chop, or any distinctive sound at the drop can refresh the listener's interest.
- Automate Effects: Right before the drop, you could automate a high-pass filter to gradually remove the low end, then bring it back in full force at the drop.
- Foreshadow Elements of the Drop: In the section leading up to the drop, subtly introduce elements that will be prominent in the drop. This can create a sense of cohesion.
- Vary Your Arrangement Techniques: Don’t always follow the same formula for every track. Experiment with different arrangement techniques to keep things interesting.
- Utilize Breakdowns and Bridges: Before the main drop, a breakdown or bridge can provide a change in energy and mood, setting up the drop effectively.
In Ableton Live, you can experiment with these techniques easily. Automation is particularly powerful for building tension and contrast. You can automate almost any parameter in Live – from track volumes to filter frequencies. Also, using Live's Session View, you can try out different arrangement ideas quickly by launching clips in various combinations before committing them to the Arrangement View. This approach allows for a great deal of experimentation and can lead to more dynamic and interesting arrangements.
Then, I followed up:
Me:
On point 5, How would a "change of the drums" look like? can you design a pattern for me?
AI:
Absolutely, changing the drum pattern can significantly impact the energy and feel of your drop. Let's design a pattern considering we're working in a context where the build-up uses a standard four-to-the-floor beat, common in many electronic genres.
Build-Up (Standard Four-to-the-Floor Beat):
- Kick: Every beat (1, 2, 3, 4)
- Clap or Snare: On beats 2 and 4
- Hi-hats: Running eighth notes (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &)
Drop (Changed Drum Pattern):
To make the drop more interesting, let's switch to a pattern that's different but still maintains the energy.
- Kick: Start with a kick on beat 1. Then, add a syncopated pattern, like hitting on the "and" of 2 and beat 3. So, it's 1, 2&, 3. This creates a groove that's different from the straight four-to-the-floor.
- Snare/Clap: Move it to the off-beats to create a bouncy feel. Place it on the "and" of 1, 3, and the "and" of 3. So, it hits on 1&, 3&.
- Hi-hats: Instead of a constant eighth-note pattern, go for a sixteenth-note rhythm but with some notes taken out to create a syncopated feel. For example, (1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a), remove the "e" of 1, the "&" of 2, and the "a" of 3.
Additional Elements:
- Add a percussive element like a shaker or tambourine, playing a sixteenth-note rhythm to add more energy.
- Experiment with an open hi-hat on the off-beats (like the "and" of 2 and 4) to add variation.
Putting it in Ableton Live:
- Kick Pattern: Place your kick drum hits in the MIDI clip following the pattern mentioned.
- Snare/Clap: Program the snare/clap on the off-beats as per the pattern.
- Hi-Hats: Use a MIDI clip to create the syncopated hi-hat pattern. You might find drawing in the MIDI notes or using a drum pad/controller to be effective.
- Additional Percussion: Add a new MIDI track for your shaker or tambourine and program a consistent rhythm.
Honestly Crazy!
What would be another helpful idea for a GPT? You can now train your own AI in the OpenAI Editor.
If you have OpenAI+, try out the "Techno Production Mentor" I created & leave some feedback :) I hope it helps you!