In order to put its versatility to the test, we challenged ourselves to try making a full track using nothing but Xfer Record’s Serum.
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In this installment of In the Loop, we walk through how to recreate the grooves in The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” SZA’s “Good Days,” and Cardi B’s “Up.”
Velocity doesn’t have to be exclusively married to volume—in this article, we explore five alternate ways you can use the parameter to add interest to your music.
We highlight four particularly impactful MIDI controllers that have made their mark across bedroom and studio setups alike.
Learn about how to create original drum patterns in genres spanning lo-fi hip hop to metal, and download our free MIDI files to dive even deeper.
Get a firsthand look into the basics of creating synthwave melodies, chord progressions, and drum grooves in Ableton.
Explore five lesser-known facts about MIDI, a protocol that most of us can’t live without when producing and performing music.
From the basics to more advanced options, we go over seven chord progressions that are absolutely worth familiarizing yourself with.
From manipulating velocity to adding ghost notes, learn about three key techniques that will help you humanize your MIDI drums.
From varying note length to applying syncopation, we highlight four versatile strategies for improving the rhythmic qualities of your melodies.
We give you a crash course in music theory, exploring some scales and techniques that’ll help you create original melodies.
We take the age-old phrase “less is more” to new heights by demonstrating how you can create an entire beat using nothing but one sample.