B RECORDS

What are popular chord progressions?

Popular chord progressions are simply combinations of chords that have been used in the same order, many times, in a vast range of music across different genres.

One can only speculate why these particular chord progressions are so commonly used. Perhaps it is because they resonate emotionally with listeners, or perhaps it is simply that in the context of Western tonality and keys, certain notes tend towards each other naturally.

Regardless of the reason, understanding these progressions and being able to incorporate them into your music is a great way to evoke particular moods.

You can think of popular chord progressions as a part of the “grammar” of music. Just like how sentences follow grammatical rules to make sense, chord progressions follow certain patterns that listeners recognize as musically satisfying.

Check out this guide to learn more about the basics of music theory.

Remember that no one has any ownership over chord progressions. You can, and should, use the same chord progressions as any of your favorite songs.

What are chords?

Before we start looking into actual chord progressions, we should understand what chords themselves are. A chord is simply a combination of two or more notes played simultaneously. More often though, chords are made up of three notes, forming what we call a “triad.” Triads typically include a root note, a third, and a fifth note.

The numbers we are referring to here are degrees of a scale. So when we say something like a “third” we are referring to the third note in a scale. Check out this article if you’d like to wrap your head around the degrees of the scale and how they form different chords.

Triads can be categorized into a few basic types. A few of those types are:

1. Major triads – these have a bright sound which some people describe as “happy.”

What makes a horror soundtrack?

A horror soundtrack doesn’t just need music – it should also be packed with spooky sound effects that heighten the action on screen. Whether it’s the creepy ambience of an abandoned mineshaft, a twisted monster voice, or a shocking “jumpscare” moment, these effects will make your soundtrack complete. Read on to learn about the tools and techniques you’ll need to create them.

How can I make my music scarier?

To make your horror movie music more scary, try adding ghostly effects such as reversed reverb, deep ominous drones, or “jumpscare” impacts. You should also make sure to write chords and melodies in a minor key – or depart from the key entirely by creating piercing dissonant clusters. There are numerous tried and tested techniques for giving music an extra shock factor. We’ll explore some of them in detail below.

How to make 5 scary sound effects for scoring horror films

Ghostly voice

Is your dialogue not sounding spooky enough? Or maybe you want to add ethereal whispers to the background of a scene? You can use this simple sound design trick to turn a spoken vocal into a creepy transmission from another plane. All you need to do is add reverb – in reverse.

Here’s how it works. This is our dry vocal.

What’s Traktor Z1 all about?

Whether you’re just getting going as a DJ or switching to the Traktor platform for the powerful creative tools, Z1 has all you need to hit the ground running.

Fundamental controls

One of the key advantages of Z1 is that it has all the DJ basics you need in one versatile unit. Tweak your sound with 3-band EQ and adjust individual stem volume for drums, bass, instruments, and vocals. Listen to tracks before you mix them and adjust the cue/master balance. Mix with channel faders and a crossfader with easy-to-read level meters for visual feedback. Then transform your sets with effects, including filter, reverb, delay, gater, and more.

Flexible and portable

Z1’s small form factor and on-board audio interface (sound card) means that you can take it with you wherever you go, without the need for lots of extra gear. It’s ideal for travel, spontaneous club sets, house parties, mixing practice, beaches, parks, boats, and beyond.

A modular system

Traktor’s modular design gives DJs of all levels a lot more control over their setup. Established users can use Z1 to build a setup that suits their specific needs. And for newer DJs, dipping their toes in the water, there’s way less commitment to buy a large set up outright. When it’s time to grow you can simply add more controllers alongside Z1, like X1 or F1, for full control of loops, cue points, effects, and Remix Decks.

How are sound effects created?

Sound effects are created using a range of techniques including sound recording, synthesis, and sound processing. Sound designers work closely with filmmakers to identify what sound effects are required for a film. They then capture or create the audio needed to make the effects, shape the effects using music software, and add the completed effects to the film.

All kinds of sound effects might be required for a film, from the smallest detail (a creaking door or swishing curtain) to the most dramatic explosion. Some of these sound effects relate to action happening on screen, while others – such as impacts and risers – exist outside the “world” of the film alongside the musical soundtrack.

How do people make sound effects?

Sound designers make sound effects using a combination of synthesizers, recorded sounds or samples, and sound shaping with audio effects and other tools. Some sound designers may record audio on the set of the film or in their own studios, while many get sounds from professional sample libraries or create sound effects from scratch using synthesizers. However a sound designer gets their audio, they’ll then need to shape it into the final effect using editing, arranging, and audio effects such as EQ and distortion.

How to generate sound effects

You can generate sound effects using tools that are easy to get hold of – you don’t need to be a professional sound designer to make great sound effects.

You could start by recording your own sounds using a microphone and audio recorder. If you don’t have this equipment, sound libraries offer a wealth of great sounds for creating sound effects. Professional sound libraries charge a subscription, but there are also free libraries such as Freesound and Free Sounds Library.

Native Instruments also offers thousands of pro-grade samples, from evocative atmospheres to cutting edge sound design and orchestral instruments. Explore cinematic sound libraries from Native instruments.

You might even want to create your own sounds from scratch using a synthesizer.

Once you have your sounds, they need to be shaped into sound effects. For this, you’ll need music software such as a DAW and audio effects like EQ, reverb, and distortion.

Komplete Start gives you seven audio effects perfect for creating sound effects, as well as samples, synthesizers, Kontakt instruments, and more – and it’s completely free. It’s a great place to start on your sound effects journey.

With a box of audio tools at your disposal, you’ll be able to start shaping your sounds into convincing effects. We’ll look at exactly how to do this in the examples below.

How to create 6 popular sound effects

1. Impact

In modern film, Impacts – or hits – are used like punctuation marks. These dramatic booms and clanks can emphasize shocks, climaxes, and transitions on screen. You’ll find them in action and horror movies, and they’re all over Hollywood trailers.

The trick to creating an impact effect is layering. One percussion sound on its own might be a pretty boring hit, but four or five complementary samples can make for a complex impact with weight, personality and drama. Here’s how to do it.

How to produce a song start to finish

There are many ways to create a complete piece of music. A common approach would be to begin by picking an idea, theme or mood, then compose chords, beats, melodies and lyrics.

Next the song needs to be arranged, after which you’ll likely want to make some tweaks to the mix. Finally the song can be mastered, using tools such as Ozone 11 Elements.

How to mix a song from start to finish

One common way to mix a song from start to finish is to first balance the levels of your tracks, so that nothing is too loud or too quiet. Next, effects such as EQ, dynamics processing, delay and reverb can be applied to ensure that each element sounds its best.

Some producers prefer to mix as they go rather than after the arrangement has been completed, and some like to reference against professional tracks to ensure that their mix sounds comparable.

How can I produce my own song?

Everything you need to produce your own song is included in Native Instruments 360 Essentials, including instruments, effects, and mixing and mastering tools. By following this tutorial you’ll be able to produce your first song, and this should give you the confidence and inspiration to make many more.

How to create a song from start to finish

1. Creating a concept

Many musicians start their projects by simply noodling with whatever instruments they have to hand, but let’s take a more organized approach.

Currently, crossover country tracks are popular, so let’s make a laid-back country/hip-hop hybrid. By making this decision we already know that our track’s tempo should probably be in the 80-100 BPM range, and that we’ll need a guitar instrument, a drum kit and a bass sound at the very least. Session Guitarist Strummed Acoustic, Empire Breaks and Massive X are all included in 360 Essentials, so we can use those to make the foundation of our track, then add other elements when we have a better idea of the track’s vibe.

Now, let’s begin making our track. Set the project tempo to 85 BPM.

What’s inside?

360 is one of the world’s largest collections of music production software packed with bestsellers from Native Instruments, iZotope, and Brainworx. From synth and sample instruments to mixing and mastering tools, each package has everything you need to get started, get creative, and finish your music. Plus you’ll get your hands on the latest instruments and effects as they are released. For a detailed product comparison list, head here.

Putting it all together: from idea to finished chorus

Creating a chorus is about blending melody and lyrics into a seamless whole. Start by brainstorming the main idea or emotion you want your chorus to convey. This idea will guide the melody and the lyrics. Once you have a clear concept in mind, experiment with different melodic ideas. Don’t be afraid to try out multiple versions until you find the one that feels right.

It’s important to allow yourself time to experiment during this process. Sometimes, the best ideas come from unexpected places. You might start with one idea for the chorus and end up somewhere completely different by the time you’re finished. This is a natural part of the creative process, so lean into it and be okay with making mistakes.

Arrange your instrumental to fit the chorus

Having a solid grasp of production and arrangement can help bridge the gap between vocals and instrumentation. By understanding the basics of arrangement, you’ll see that a powerful chorus isn’t just about the vocals — it’s about how all the elements of a track work together.

That is to say, you should use arrangement ideas to make your chorus stand out and convey the emotion you’re trying to evoke.

You can try things like adding extra instrumental layers or even stripping some away; writing soaring harmonies over the chorus section; or adding rhythmic pulses to the chorus to add interest. This part is really up to you and your creativity.

On the production side of things, make sure you have all the right tools to help you along the way and let you get your ideas down quickly and efficiently.

Get started writing catchy choruses

Writing a compelling chorus is all about finding the right balance between melody, lyrics, and emotion. By understanding the purpose of the chorus and crafting a catchy melody that complements memorable lyrics, you can create a chorus that people will remember.

Grab a free copy of Komplete Start, hop into your DAW, and start writing a catchy chorus today.

Get Komplete Start

Who is the greatest film composer of all time?

Our vote for the very best film composer of all time depends on who’s asking. If you care deeply about the history of cinema, we’d credit Max Steiner for his role in inventing film music as we know it. If you’re a lover of memorable themes, John Williams is perhaps the greatest film composer at writing iconic melodies. If you’re interested in bold new sounds, Vangelis or Mica Levi (Micachu) might be the best film composer for you.

Each of these movie composers has made a unique and essential contribution to the art of film scoring. Explore them all and see which you connect with.

Who is the most prolific film score composer?

The most prolific film score composer might be Ennio Morricone, who wrote over 400 scores in his lifetime. Aside from defining the sound of Westerns, Morricone composed for a dizzying range of genres, and his influence is still felt in film music today. But he faces stiff competition from composers like Max Steiner – who wrote over 300 scores – and Hans Zimmer, who has some 250 score credits to his name (and counting).

10 of the best film composers of all time

1. Max Steiner

Max Steiner helped invent film music as we know it. Or as critic Paul Cote wrote: “Steiner’s music had extraordinary influence on the techniques, approaches, and conventions that remain the foundation of film music in the Western world.”

Why was he so influential? Timing was a factor. Born in 1888, Steiner began working in Hollywood in the silent movie era and was well-placed to shape the transition to “talkies.” His colorful backstory also played a part. Steiner was born in Austria before fleeing to the US as an adult, and he used his European classical education to develop the language of movie music.

Steiner took inspiration from Richard Wagner’s “Leitmotif” technique to bring drama to films. He would write melodic themes for every character in a film, capturing and heightening their personality through his choice of tune. Steiner also pioneered the technique of closely matching film music to the action on screen. These ideas might seem obvious now, but that’s because Steiner (and his contemporaries like Erich Korngold) made them the foundations of film music.

Steiner wrote over 300 film scores, many of them classics that place him among the greatest film composers. His music for Gone With The Wind (1939) drew on traditional American melodies to conjure the atmosphere of the Civil War American South. In Casablanca (1942), he transformed the melody from a popular song, “As Time Goes By,” into a gorgeous theme that became one of the film’s most memorable features – and an all-time movie music highlight.

How many kinds of rap are there?

It’s impossible to say exactly how many kinds of rap there are, but we could list dozens of different rap genres, from feel-good Old School to spine-chilling Horrorcore, crossover Pop Rap, and beyond. Rap is one of the most popular music genres of all time, and it’s taken countless forms in its 50 year history. In this article, we’ll explore the 20 most important types of rap music.

What defines the rap genre?

Rap is a genre of music developed by Black musicians in the US, centered around a rhythmic, spoken vocal delivery. Beyond this basic definition, there have been countless different types of rap over the years. Rap can be propulsive or laid back, aggressive or mellow, jazzy and sample-based or futuristic and synth-heavy. We’ll take a look at the diversity of rap genres in this article.

What makes rap a genre?

Rap is a genre because its key elements make it distinctive: rhythmic, spoken vocals and hip-hop beats. These elements are so powerful original that they have become recognized worldwide, making rap one of the most successful music genres of all time.

What are the three main subgenres of hip hop?

Hip hop can be separated into countless subgenres, but the three most important relate to the three regions of the US that are most important in rap: the East Coast, the West Coast, and the South. Each of these three subgenres can be further subdivided into different rap styles. For example: the East Coast is famous for the raw sound of boom bap. The West Coast invented smooth, sleazy G-funk. And the South has brought us unmistakable rap genres like Bounce and Crunk.

Effects-based processing

Applying effects is an effective way to alter and enhance tone.

Reverb adds a sense of space and depth, making a recording sound as if it was made in a concert hall, cathedral, or small room.

Delay creates echoes, repeating the sound at specific intervals.

Distortion and saturation introduce harmonic overtones, adding warmth or grit.

Chorus and flanger are modulation effects that create a sense of movement and thickness by slightly detuning and delaying the sound.

If you want to dive deeper into these ideas, check out this article where we demonstrate how effects processing can yield different guitar tones.

Equalizers

An equalizer or EQ is a tool used to adjust the balance of different frequency components in a sound, allowing you to shape very specific parts of the tone.

By boosting or cutting frequencies in the bass range, you can affect the warmth and power of the tone. Adjusting the midrange frequencies can influence the character of certain instruments and vocals, making them more or less prominent in the mix. Enhancing or reducing treble frequencies impacts the clarity and brightness of the tone, allowing you to fine-tune the overall sound.