how do you make hardstyle?

[thesh3ll]

i thought of a few different possible methods of making a hardstyle track.. and i want to know what way you do it, so which of these ways do you approach making a track

1. Do you experiment with synths and sounds until you stumble on something good and think of new ideas from there?

2. Do you create a sequence out of sounds you found or already have lying around?

3. Do you have an idea in mind and create that prepared idea with synths and fx?

4. Do you make something basic and follow on from that thing you made, putting in next what "feels right"?

5. Do you make a pattern or something with bad sounds or presets originally (for speed purposes) and later on replace those sounds with better sounds?

6. Do you make a track bar by bar, so you are actually not thinking too much about the structure but just creating as you go along?

7. Do you start off with something very simple and then evolve your idea all the time?

8. Do you start with a melody and think of ideas which would fit the melody?

i'm interested to know what other people do.. personally i'm number 3 but I really dislike this way of producing as it's kind of forced and as the outcome may sound nice, it's not fun producing so I am thinking of changing my mindset for future projects

[The Void]

I always start with a melody so I do number 5. Then I just do whatever comes up in my head Not the best way to produce but it works for me

[thesh3ll]

I always start with a melody so I do number 5. Then I just do whatever comes up in my head Not the best way to produce but it works for me

actually I do that too, so basically i start with a melody and then i just try to think of an intro which be suitable, forgot to add that as an option

[TheRavestyler]

depends on the Ideas u have i would say.
For example : i experiment on synths than i get some cool sounds and ideas i make an intro with them and than the rest too.
or if i get an nice idea for a melody i first make the melody than break than qlimax , than outro and than intro
so i go with 1 and 8

[The Uninvited]

Well, most of the thime I start with a melody and let the inspiration flow. These are most of the time the steps:
01. Make a plucksound for the mainlead.
02. Make a melody for the mainlead.
03. Tweak the plucksound and add some layers, now I have the complete synthesizer based on a plucksound and layers for the mainlead.

Now you do the exact same thing for the mid-intro.

04. Add filters towards your leads.
05. Use the filters to make the body of the track.
06. Add percussion.

Now the only thing that is missing is a kick and FX.

07. Make a new kick that fits the sound of your track.
08. Add the kick to your track.
09. Tweak the kick and make it fit into the track (especially the synthesizers).
10. Pitch the kick.

Now the track sounds a little bit dry, like it's missing something. That would be the FX!

11. Make a whitenoise (and save it as sample so whenever you make a newtrack you already have one).
12. Make a uplifter (you can base it on one of your leadsounds).
13. Make a downlifter (this can be a sample or the exact same sound as the downlifter).
14. Make distorted noises out of your sample kicks (using a highpass filter and distortion for example).
15. Add the distorted noises. [/b]

Now it's time to add the vocals or mix the vocals. It's not necessary to add the vocals especially now, but at this moment nothing will be added to the track so you can mix it better because the hardest sounds are already there. When you add the vocals and mix it for example after you finished the leads and the filters, the kick or distorted noises always could be louder than a dry melody. So for a better mixdown in your vocals this is the moment to mix it! When you add the vocals is all up to you, just let the inspiration flow.

16. Mix the vocals.
17. Mix the rest of the track.

Now you completed your track! But maybe you are still missing some bass in the kick, but when you EQ your kick itselfs it's possible that it's overdriving. So when you add some bass to the master channel it could help. Or maybe your track is a little bit muggy (I hope I translate this right), then you can EQ the master channel and add some treble, pas or upper mid (5, 6, 7). Anyway, at the master channel you can EQ or distort the complete track and maybe give it some more warmth or make it more catchy. Do whatever you like!

18. Master the track.

Well, this is how I do it most of the time! I hope it can help you

[Emperact]

8! I try to create a great melody, and then make a track from that.

[thesh3ll]

@The Uninvited wow man.. nice contribution

btw this is not a topic asking for help per se , it is just to see how other people think about making hardstyle track

i really hope more people post here

[SCH]

Always different since you never know where the inspiration comes from... When making hardcore do I almost always start with the kicks and the pads since the industrial I make is 50% about the kick and the tricks around it. Hardstyle mainly starts around a percussion line or a screech sicne I hate the euphoric stuff..

[Deelay Pain]

Most of the time, I'm creating a melody and then build the track based on that. But there are times where I just finished a new kick and start off with that since you can directly see if the synth fits the kick

[D-Punk]

I begin with the 8, I prepare a melody they chill me, then I prepare the other things.