How to Make EDM Music

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) has taken the world by storm, captivating audiences with its pulsating beats and euphoric melodies. EDM artists play a crucial role in shaping the electronic music scene, influencing the genre with their innovative productions and performances. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own EDM tracks but weren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to make EDM music using Sesh, the free, all-in-one digital audio workstation (DAW) designed for seamless collaboration.

Understanding EDM Music: The Building Blocks of Electronic Beats

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of production, it’s crucial to understand what makes EDM music unique. EDM is an umbrella term that encompasses various subgenres, each with its own distinct sound. However, most EDM tracks share common elements that define the genre:

• Driving Beats: Strong, consistent rhythms that get people moving on the dance floor.

• Synthesizers and Basslines: Rich, layered sounds that create depth and energy in the track.

• Build-ups and Drops: Dynamic changes in the music that create excitement and tension, often leading to euphoric moments.

Electronic instruments play a crucial role in producing the diverse sounds and styles that define EDM, making them essential in both music production and live performances.

Understanding these elements is key to creating authentic and compelling EDM music. As you progress in your production journey, you’ll learn how to manipulate these components to craft your unique sound. For a detailed breakdown, check out this beginner’s guide on producing EDM.

Getting Started with Sesh: Your EDM Production Powerhouse

Sesh is a powerful tool designed for both beginners and seasoned producers. As an EDM producer, utilizing digital tools and platforms like Sesh is crucial for music creation and sharing. Here’s how to get started on your EDM production journey:

• Sign Up and Set Up: Head over to Sesh.fm and create your account. Once you’re in, take a moment to set up your workspace.

• Explore the Interface: Familiarize yourself with Sesh’s user-friendly interface. You’ll find all the essential tools you need for music production right at your fingertips.

• Collaborate in Real-Time: One of Sesh’s standout features is its ability to allow multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously. This makes it ideal for remote collaborations, enabling you to work with talented producers from around the world.

Creating Your First EDM Track: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’re set up, let’s dive into the process of creating your first EDM track using Sesh.

Understanding the structure of EDM songs is crucial, particularly how to arrange various sections such as build-ups and drops.

1. Building the Beat: The Foundation of Your EDM Track

The foundation of any great EDM track is a solid beat. Here’s how to create one using Sesh:

• Start with a Drum Pattern: Use Sesh’s built-in drum machine to create a driving beat. Focus on a strong kick drum to anchor your track - this is crucial in EDM music. Electronic music producers play a vital role in creating and arranging these beats, and persistence and skill development are key to mastering this craft.

• Add Percussion: Enhance your beat with hi-hats, claps, and other percussive elements. These additional layers will add complexity and interest to your rhythm section.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different drum samples and patterns. The key to a great EDM beat is finding the perfect balance between consistency and variation. For more tips, check out this YouTube tutorial.

2. Crafting Synths and Basslines: The Heart of EDM

Synthesizers and basslines are what give EDM its distinctive sound. As an electronic music producer, your role involves crafting these elements to perfection. Here’s how to craft them in Sesh:

• Choose Your Synths: Sesh offers a variety of virtual instruments. Explore different synth sounds to find ones that fit your style and the subgenre of EDM you’re creating.

• Create Basslines: Design a bassline that complements your beat. Use Sesh’s MIDI editor to draw in notes and experiment with different patterns. In EDM, the bassline often plays a crucial role in driving the energy of the track.

• Layer Your Sounds: Combine multiple synths to create a rich, textured sound. This layering technique is common in EDM and can help your track sound fuller and more professional.

Remember: In EDM music, less can often be more. Don’t overcrowd your track with too many competing synth lines. For a detailed guide on crafting EDM sounds, visit this MasterClass article.

3. Designing Melodies and Chords: Adding Emotion to Your EDM

Melodies and chords add emotion and character to your EDM track. Here’s how to design them in Sesh:

• Sketch Your Melody: Start with a simple instrument like a piano to sketch out your melody. Focus on creating a catchy and memorable tune that will stick in listeners’ heads.

• Add Chords: Build chords that support your melody. In EDM, simple chord progressions often work best, allowing other elements of the track to shine. Understanding music theory can help you create effective melodies and chord progressions.

• Layer with Synths: Once you have your melody and chords, layer them with synths for a fuller sound. Experiment with different synth patches to find the perfect combination.

Pro Tip: Many EDM tracks use short, repeating melodic phrases called “hooks.” Try creating a catchy hook that repeats throughout your track. For inspiration, check out this video on creating EDM melodies.

4. Arranging and Structuring Your EDM Track

Arrangement is key in EDM, as it guides the listener through the track’s journey. A music producer plays a crucial role in arranging and structuring an EDM track, ensuring that each element is perfectly placed to create a cohesive and engaging experience. Here’s a typical structure for an EDM track:

• Intro (0:00 - 0:30): Start with a simple introduction to set the mood. Gradually introduce elements of your beat.

• Build-Up (0:30 - 1:00): Slowly introduce more elements to build excitement. This is where you start to layer in your synths and increase tension.

• Drop (1:00 - 1:30): The climax of your track, where the beat and bass hit hardest. This is the moment dancers have been waiting for!

• Breakdown (1:30 - 2:00): A calmer section to create contrast. Strip back elements of your track to give listeners a breather.

• Second Build-Up and Drop (2:00 - 2:30): Similar to the first, but you can introduce variations to keep it interesting.

• Outro (2:30 - 3:00): Wind down the track and bring it to a close.

Remember, this is just a basic structure. As you become more comfortable with EDM production, feel free to experiment with different arrangements. For more on arranging EDM tracks, read this LANDR blog post.

Mixing and Mastering: Polishing Your EDM Track

Once you have your track arranged, it’s time to mix and master it. This is where your EDM track really comes to life:

• Balance Levels: Ensure all your elements are balanced and sit well together in the mix. Pay special attention to your kick drum and bassline - these should be prominent in most EDM tracks.

• EQ and Compression: Use EQ to clean up frequencies and create space for each element in the mix. Apply compression to control dynamics and give your track a more polished, professional sound. Understanding the fundamentals of electronic music production is crucial to achieving this polished final product.

• Add Effects: Use effects like reverb and delay sparingly to add depth and space to your track. Be careful not to overdo it - in EDM, a clean, punchy mix is often preferred.

• Mastering: Apply final touches to make your track sound polished and ready for release. This might include subtle EQ adjustments, stereo widening, and limiting to achieve a competitive loudness level.

Remember: A well-mixed EDM track should sound great on all types of speakers, from high-end sound systems to smartphone speakers. For a comprehensive guide, check out this article on mixing and mastering EDM.

Leveraging Sesh's Collaborative Features for EDM Production

One of Sesh’s standout features is its ability to facilitate real-time collaboration. Here’s how to make the most of it for EDM production:

• Communicate Clearly: Use the chat feature to discuss ideas and provide feedback in real-time. Clear communication is key to a successful collaboration.

• Collaborate with Other Electronic Music Producers: Working with other electronic music producers allows you to share insights and techniques, enhancing the overall quality of your production.

• Assign Roles: Designate specific tasks to each collaborator to streamline the workflow. For example, one person might focus on beats while another works on synth design.

• Share References: Share links to EDM tracks or artists that inspire your project to keep