Synthwave Production Explained®
Chapter 1 : Getting Started
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3:37 Introduction & Song Demo
In this video, Thomas introduces the course, what will be covered, and plays the song that you'll be making together.
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4:55 Characteristics of a Synthwave Track
Learn what makes a Synthwave track distinct from other electronic music genres and the common bpm's of the style. This video also discusses the various subgenera's of Synthwave music and the types of sounds that are used.
Chapter 2 : Drums & Drum Arrangement
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14:16 Kick & Snare
Thomas discusses what vintage drum machine samples are used for the drums in Synthwave tracks, and also explains how to create a driving drum patten that will be used as the foundation for the entire track.
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7:57 80's Synth Toms
This video shows how to take the tom drums from a DMX style drum machine and use them to create an 80's inspired fill for our drum pattern. This drum fill will be used to give variation to the drum part.
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9:08 Hi-Hats
Learn what types of hi-hat samples are used in Synthwave tracks and the types of patterns that are used. These simple hi-hat pattens will provide an Additional element to the drums that will help move the track along.
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11:26 Setting Up a Gated Reverb
Thomas now shows how to recreate the classic 80's gated reverb effect for drums, along with how to compress the reverb to make the sound even more punchy.
Chapter 3 : Synths & Melodic Arrangement
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14:28 Stab Bass
Discover the characteristics of a Synthwave stab bass and how it's used to give the song its driving feel, while being used as the melodic foundation for the track.
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10:55 Arp Layer
This video shows how to now create a synth arpeggio layer to accent the bass line, and help cary the melody of the track, as is commonly done in Synthwave music.
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14:54 Chords
See how chords are used in Synthwave music to fill out the track, and what suspended chords are and how they're used in Synthwave to create that nostalgic feeling.
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13:54 Lead Synth & Counter Melody
Learn how lead synths are used as a focal point for the musical progressions in Synthwave music, including how they provide a counter melody that will accent the chords.
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7:44 Vibrato Lead
This video shows how to create a lead sound inspired by classic 80's guitar solos, and help create an epic feel and further focal point for the song.
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14:50 Delayed Synth & Keys
Now watch how to add a "dreamy keys" element to the track that makes use of reverb and delay, and further plays up the nostalgic musical qualities commonly found in Synthwave tracks.
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6:55 Pad
Rich synth pads are commonly found in Synthwave tracks, providing an ambient background element for the song. See how!
Chapter 4 : Song Arrangement & Mixing
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14:01 Song Arrangement & Fills
This video covers creating the common song arrangement for Synthwave music. While the arrangement of Synthwave tracks are more simple, the chord progressions and leads are layered together in such a way to keep interest by utilizing evolving musical sequences. Thomas explains!
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13:47 Mixing
Discover how bus mixing and processing is used to blend the song together, including how to adjust the volumes of the different elements so that the track is nice and balanced.
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12:12 Mastering
Learn the basics of mastering Synthwave music, including brightening up the track for added clarity and dimension, and using limiters and compressors to avoid unwanted volume level differences, plus beefing up the track overall.
Product Overview
Studio production pro Thomas Cochran teleports you back to the '80s with in-depth Synthwave production video tutorials that show how to create the sounds and produce the tracks that make this popular genre so powerful. These videos are perfect for beginner Synthwave producers or anyone looking for more insight on how this genre is made.
Thomas starts with what will be covered, and then plays the song that you'll be making together for reference. He then explains what makes a Synthwave track distinct from other electronic music genres, the common BPMs found in the style, and then discusses the various subgeneras of Synthwave music and the types of sounds that are used.
To get started producing the Synthwave track, Thomas starts with the drums, showing you what vintage drum machine samples are commonly used, and demonstrates how to program a driving drum patten that works as the foundation for the entire track.
Throughout the video series, you'll learn all about what makes Synthwave so special, including the use of Gated Reverbs, the various synth elements found like Stab Bass, Arpeggios, Lead Synths, Pads and much more. You'll also see how to arrange and mix the complete Synthwave production giving it that nostalgic shine.
To see what these comprehensive Synthwave production tutorials show you, and how they'll enable you to produce your own authentic sounding Synthwave tracks from scratch, see the individual Synthwave production video tutorial descriptions on this page. Start making cool retro-future sounding songs and beats today... Watch "Synthwave Production Explained®" now.
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Reviews
Submitted 3 days ago
An excellent production for synth players, especially those from the 80s
This was an excellent overview of the synthwave genre. Especially helpful for us original 1980s players who are not sure where their rather cheesy sounds and styles they know and love from the 80s fit with contemporary genres. It may be still a niche genre but it is still absolutely recognisable as a derivative of the original. The instructor has a solid understanding of how the sounds are constructed and also why they were done they way they were - the continual forward drive was a result of having very limited programming and polyphony as well as a stylistic choice in a lot of cases. I miss working with synthetic sounds (mostly doing video scoring now) so this is a nice way to be able to go back and play with some of the "New Romantic" and "New Wave" stuff which is now so old :-) It is awesome to see Groove3 covering a wider spectrum of genres with synthwave, ambient and chill starting to make more of an appearance.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Reaper, Studio One
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 weeks ago
Synthwave & more..GREAT!
Thoroughly impressed with the pace, information and the quality of the training and instruction. The Mastering chapter by itself was gold! If you are interested in Synthwave, you will get that, but you will also get immense information and wisdom on music production, arrangement and mixing. Thank you Thomas & Groove3.
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Reason
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 weeks ago
Excellent!
Highly recommend this course if your interested in Synthwave or just general electronic music production. Walks you through all the steps from start to finish with good explanations along the way.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 3 days ago
An excellent production for synth players, especially those from the 80s
This was an excellent overview of the synthwave genre. Especially helpful for us original 1980s players who are not sure where their rather cheesy sounds and styles they know and love from the 80s fit with contemporary genres. It may be still a niche genre but it is still absolutely recognisable as a derivative of the original. The instructor has a solid understanding of how the sounds are constructed and also why they were done they way they were - the continual forward drive was a result of having very limited programming and polyphony as well as a stylistic choice in a lot of cases. I miss working with synthetic sounds (mostly doing video scoring now) so this is a nice way to be able to go back and play with some of the "New Romantic" and "New Wave" stuff which is now so old :-) It is awesome to see Groove3 covering a wider spectrum of genres with synthwave, ambient and chill starting to make more of an appearance.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Reaper, Studio One
Submitted 3 weeks ago
Synthwave & more..GREAT!
Thoroughly impressed with the pace, information and the quality of the training and instruction. The Mastering chapter by itself was gold! If you are interested in Synthwave, you will get that, but you will also get immense information and wisdom on music production, arrangement and mixing. Thank you Thomas & Groove3.
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Reason
Submitted 3 weeks ago
Excellent!
Highly recommend this course if your interested in Synthwave or just general electronic music production. Walks you through all the steps from start to finish with good explanations along the way.
Thomas Cochran electronic musician and multi instrumentalist from Austin Texas, who now lives in Los Angeles. He focuses on creating electronic music that features both ambient and classical influences.
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I started playing music at a young age, starting with classical guitar. This started my love for music and eventually expanded into learning other instruments as well. To date, I have had over ten years of classical experience and training as well as additional instrumental experience.
2. What training have you had?
I grew up studying classical guitar and composition and eventually started applying my classical knowledge to learning other instruments as well, ranging from violin, cello, keys, and drums.
3. When did you get intro recording?
I got into recording out of necessity when me and some friends started a band back in high school and couldn't afford studio time. Through this, I learned about music production and recording and haven't looked back since.
4. Why are you so good at training people?
I love learning about the technical aspects of music production, this helps me understand the how music production works under the hood. I have also worked for several years creating music production tutorials online.
Products by Thomas
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tutorial videoAbleton Live: Beginner's Guide to Beat Making
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tutorial videoANA 2: Sound Design Vol. 1
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tutorial videoBeat Making with MASCHINE
Thomas Cochran brings you beat making videos using Native Instruments MASCHINE! Learn to make a cool beat from scratch using nothing but MASCHINE. These MASCHINE tutorials are for those just starting out with MASCHINE as well as intermediate MASCHINE beat makers. You also get the MASCHINE project file so you can follow along and experiment.
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tutorial videoDAW Terminology Explained
DAW Terminology Explained™ is your definition based resource for quickly finding the meaning of common digital audio workstation and pro audio terms, features and functions! This growing collection of terminology definitions are short and sweet, and are designed for the beginner, to make sure you understand the basics and foundations of modern recording technology.
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tutorial videoFuture Bass Sound Design Explained
Sound design pro Thomas Cochran delivers in-depth Future Bass sound design video tutorials that show you how to create the sounds that drive this popular genre, plus gives you the skills needed to create new sounds for your productions. These videos are designed for beginner Future Bass producers or anyone looking for an introduction to how these sounds are made.
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