Tuesday, February 12, 2013

How to Create the Eurodance Riff

While inspiration is always great, after analyzing many songs in the genre I've figured out some methods that will help you build your riff.

First, decide if you are going to use 1/8 or 1/16 notes. Or you can work with both.

The second step is to decide the form of your riff. Below are the main forms your riff can take (of course there can be more). We will concentrate on the first 3 notes. You can use the notes of the given chord to build the riffs, but is not 100% mandatory to stick to them, you can also use nearby notes.

The V method  (1/16 notes)


The V method - upside down (1/16 notes)


For both these methods continue with the form until you make one measure, but you can variate the ending. Remember that the distance between the 2 consecutive notes can be as long as one octave.

The broken chord method (1/16 notes)



For this method copy the form 2 more times until you make one measure (variate the next 2 forms).

The chord method (1/8 notes)


For this method copy the form more until you make one measure but change the intervals or use chord inversions.

The linear method (1/8 notes)


For this method add 3 or 4 more notes (1/8) until you make one measure, but change the pattern (don't keep it linear).

The pattern method

Start building a pattern (let's say for the first 4 bars) and then you're copying the pattern over the next 12 bars respecting the harmony rules (chord progressions). Or you could create a double pattern (first 8 bars).

The no rules method

Build a catchy riff on your piano keyboard. Don't stick to any rules!

Friday, February 8, 2013

How to recreate the classic Eurodance sound

This tutorial is brought to you with the help of Krasi from the dancetheria.com forum - Thank you, Krasi!

Alright, let's learn how to recreate the famous classic Eurodance sound.

First we need a virtual synth, we will use Synth1 because it's free and it's very good.

http://www.vst4you.com/pages/vst%20instruments/synth1.html 

Follow the next steps:

1.set both oscillators to saw

2. adjust the fine tuning of the second oscillator to +12

3. on the amplifier envelope use the following settings:

- set attack to a bit over 0
- set decay and sustain to their maximum values
- set release a little above 0 or more

Tip: keep experimenting with the enevelope to get different sounds!

4. use a low pass filter, add some resonance

5. add chorus to make your lead more phat


Here is a photo that shows one example that sounds great:


Keep experimenting for new sounds! Good luck!




Sunday, February 3, 2013

The Eurodance Samples Pack


DISCLAIMER: I'm not affiliated with the links below, all content belongs to their original owners


Kicks, Drums, Bass Loops and Effects
http://realmusicsounds.bandcamp.com/ 


Drums - TR 909
http://machines.hyperreal.org/manufacturers/Roland/TR-909/


TX81Z Lately Bass
http://patcharena.com/free-yamaha-tx81z-lately-bass-pack/


Korg M1 Piano
http://www.failedmuso.com/blog/?p=431


Leads/Pads/Strings

Synth1 VST
http://www.vst4you.com/pages/vst%20instruments/synth1.html
Many presets: http://veryrandomstreams.blogspot.com/2012/03/over-10000-free-patchessounds-for-free.html 


Effects (FX)

Roland U 220
http://martin78.com/free-samples/roland-u-220-drum-fx-samples/


Of course there are more samples available on the Internet but these ones should be enough to help you start ;)