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How to Learn to Make a Techno Song

Techno is a genre of dance music. In its typical form techno is upbeat instrumental music. It is distinguishable from other forms of dance music such as house or rave because it often lacks a distinct melody. Instead techno is characterized by manipulated sound waves. The texture and timber of the prominent sounds dictate the mood and vibe of a song, while the beat dictates the flow and feel. Techno typically features only synthesized sounds. Because there are rarely any live instruments, you don't need to be a trained musician to learn how to make a techno song.

Things You'll Need

  • MIDI controller
  • Music production program
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open a music production program on your computer. Double-click on the program icon on your desk top. The program may take a few seconds to open up.

    • 2

      Open a new session. Click "file," select "new" and then "new track." You can also do this by using the "ctrl" and "N" shortcut on a PC, or "command" and "N" on a Mac.

    • 3

      Select the drum sequencer tool from the "edit" menu. You operate the sequencer with a step editor, which lets you place notes and beats in the track using a visual guide. The track is laid out as a grid, with each square representing a measure in the song.

    • 4

      Set a tempo. Tempo is measured in beats per minute, or "BPM." Techno music is typically very fast, around 150 BPM. Double-click the three digit number at the center of the bottom panel. The default BPM for a new track in a production program is 120.

    • 5

      Create a beat. The exact method of arranging the drum track depends on your particular program, but you typically insert notes by selecting them from a side-menu or using key-commands. For example, in the Logic program the "Ultrabeat" drum sequencer has a visual layout of the keyboard on the left and each has a drum sound assigned. Click each drum sound that you want to use and then select the position on the horizontal axis of the grid.

    • 6

      Create a loop. Once you've created four measures of drum beat, highlight it, copy it and paste it to create an eight-bar section. Techno is characterized by a driving "four on the floor" beat. Four on the floor denotes a kick drum on each beat of a measure. Select a dense sounding kick drum, place it on each grid line then build the beat around the four on the floor pattern.

    • 7

      Create a bass line. Click "devices" and select "MIDI instrument." This lets you use your MIDI controller to manipulate bass frequency wave forms. Select "new channel" and click "MIDI" when prompted; this places the instrument on a separate track from the drums. Select your instrument from the MIDI library. The instrument selection interface varies from program to program, but you typically select from a list on the side of your screen. For example, in Logic select "Media," "Logic Instruments," "Synth Bass" and then pick the sound you like. Techno songs typically have percussive, driving bass lines that mimic the pattern of the kick drum.

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