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Author Topic: How should I add atmosphere into this track?  (Read 6932 times)

ErikF

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How should I add atmosphere into this track?
« on: January 13, 2016, 11:35:59 pm »
So I've got an intro to a song; it's not even close to complete. I'm stuck on something, though, and its bugging me.

It lacks "atmosphere"; it just seems empty.

How should I fix this?
Thanks!

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Maxwellywell

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Re: How should I add atmosphere into this track?
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2016, 12:17:50 am »
Add some reverb to the chord synth.
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Joseph

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Re: How should I add atmosphere into this track?
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2016, 12:19:50 am »
Quote from: Maxwellywell on January 14, 2016, 12:17:50 am
Add some reverb to the chord synth.

Definitely needs reverb, layer your sounds, and maybe throw in some sort of noise to fill up the high end.
Also try distorting the bass to make it a bit fatter.
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ErikF

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Re: How should I add atmosphere into this track?
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2016, 12:26:14 am »
Do you think maybe some other synths would help? Like a lead.
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lyteside

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Re: How should I add atmosphere into this track?
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2016, 12:35:32 am »
I'm nervous about you just adding more reverb on channels, or pads, etc. I think I like the stabby in your face mix here.

What I would try next is some sort of stab sound with long reverb tails and sidechained, etc. that comes in every once in a while. This can add some more character and layering in there, without the whole song getting a wash of reverb, tone, noise, etc.

Try taking your second bass "fart" sound to complete mono, to contrast it with the first one in stereo (or do the opposite). I think you'll get some more texture and character that way too.
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Flowstate

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Re: How should I add atmosphere into this track?
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2016, 03:07:42 am »
Hey man! try panning some of the timbre opposite of each other. Another way to add space is to take a simple delay, turn up the dry/wet to 100%, feedback 0%, put the L to 0.00ms and the R to 0.12ms. This creates the illusion of space because your ears pick up the sound .12ms faster on the L side than the R side. Also what the above commenter said. Don't just put a reverb on it, you'll kill the impact of the song.

Two better solutions would be
1) throw the reverb (or delay) onto a return track and send whatever you want to that channel
2) put a compressor on your clip, group it, then put the reverb (or delay) right next to it on the chain list so the sound splits into two separate outputs. (I work with Ableton, so I don't know if this makes sense for other DAWs) Both essentially are to preserve the normal sound while adding the effect onto it.

Think of it like icing on a cake. Don't replace the entire cake with icing.

Hope that helps!
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ErikF

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Re: How should I add atmosphere into this track?
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2016, 03:19:29 am »
Quote from: Flowstate on January 14, 2016, 03:07:42 am
Hey man! try panning some of the timbre opposite of each other. Another way to add space is to take a simple delay, turn up the dry/wet to 100%, feedback 0%, put the L to 0.00ms and the R to 0.12ms. This creates the illusion of space because your ears pick up the sound .12ms faster on the L side than the R side. Also what the above commenter said. Don't just put a reverb on it, you'll kill the impact of the song.

Two better solutions would be
1) throw the reverb (or delay) onto a return track and send whatever you want to that channel
2) put a compressor on your clip, group it, then put the reverb (or delay) right next to it on the chain list so the sound splits into two separate outputs. (I work with Ableton, so I don't know if this makes sense for other DAWs) Both essentially are to preserve the normal sound while adding the effect onto it.

Think of it like icing on a cake. Don't replace the entire cake with icing.

Hope that helps!

I use FL Studio, so what you're saying is a little obscure, but I definitely get the idea. Thanks a lot!
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