10 Chord Layering Techniques (that add energy to boring chords)

Summary

The video teaches eight effective chord layering techniques to add energy and uniqueness to songs, particularly for genres like EDM, pop, and hip-hop. It provides specific examples of using granular synthesis, combining skinny and wide chords, adding rhythmic layers, choosing appropriate sounds, using vocoders for vocal harmony, re-articulating chords in different rhythms, manipulating reverb with LFOs, contrasting dynamics, and layering single harmony notes. The instructor aims to help producers arrange better chord progressions and offers additional music production resources for more in-depth learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Granular synthesis can add interest to boring chord progressions
• 💡 Layer skinny chords with wide chords for big, full sounds
• 🎹 Use arpeggiators on chord layers to add rhythmic energy
• 🎵 Pick chord layers that complement the existing parts
• 🎤 Add harmony to vocals with vocoders sidechained to the main vocal
• 🎹 Re-articulate chord progressions by playing them differently over time
• 🌀 Add movement with high-passed reverbed layers modulated by LFOs
• ♾️ Contrast sustained layers with rhythmic pluck layers
• 👥 Use single note harmony layers instead of full chord stacks
• 🚀 A filtered, decaying saw wave adds energy and space to any chord layer

Q & A

What chord layering techniques are covered in the video?

The video covers 8 chord layering techniques: granular layering, skinny wide layering, rhythmic chord layers, picking the right chord layers, using a vocoder for vocal harmony, re-articulating chords, using LFOs on reverb chords, using alternative chord dynamics, using harmony layers, and layering with a saw wave pad.

What instruments and effects are used for chord layering in the video?

Instruments and effects used include: pianos, granular synthesizers like Arturia Pigments, reverb, arpeggiators, vocoders like VocalSynth 2, pluck synths from the Orbital sound pack, saw wave pads from Serum, and effects like OTT and Valhalla Shimmer.

What is the skinny wide chord layering technique?

The skinny wide technique layers a set of thin, centered chords with a set of wide, spacious chords to create big, full chords with width and depth.

How can you use chord layers rhythmically?

You can copy the main chords to a new track, add an arpeggiator with 8th notes to create rhythm, and use this rhythmic chord layer during transitional parts of the arrangement.

How do you pick the right chord layers?

Listen to the other elements like bassline carefully and consider what textures and rhythms would complement them best. Avoid layers that clash or get too muddy.

Why use a vocoder for vocal harmony?

Downloaded acapella vocals often lack built-in harmony layers. Using a vocoder with the chords as input is an easy way to generate vocal harmonies automatically.

What is re-articulating the chords?

Re-articulating the chords means playing the same chord progression on a new sound with a different rhythm. This adds rhythmic variety and energy over the course of the arrangement.

What does using alternative chord dynamics mean?

It means layering contrasting chord textures - like a wide, sustained pad with a narrow, rhythmic pluck sound. The contrasts make each layer stand out more.

Why use harmony layers instead of full chords?

In a dense mix, it's often hard to fit full chord stacks. Using lighter harmony layers with fewer notes avoids clutter while still enhancing the chords.

What is the go-to saw wave chord pad layer?

Duplicating the chords with a Serum saw wave pad, filtered and with lots of reverb, is an easy way to hugely expand the sound for bigimpact transitions.