Today we'll discuss "auxiliary" sounds (for lack of a better term) and how they can be used to give your track a professional polish. Auxiliary sounds are called "auxiliary" because they are not core to a track, and if removed from a beat, the beat could still sound fine without them. However, when these aux sounds are added, they add nice little touches to the track that take it to the next level. In general, I like to break down these aux sounds into 3 different categories:
Accents: Accents emphasize important beats in a measure and make them "hit harder". Crash cymbals, timpani hits, marcato strings are some staple sounds for accents, but almost anything within your imagination can be used. For good examples of accents in hip-hop, check out "The Setup" by Obie Trice and listen to how the dark strings at the beginning of the song really help the song hit hard. Another example is "Work Hard, Play Hard" by Wiz Khalifa. Notice how during the chorus, there is a timpani hit that comes in to accent different beats. These little touches really help the track to have impact.
Transition Sounds: These are sounds or sound fx that help a song transition between it's different parts within the arrangement (from verse to chorus etc.). Traditionally, the drum fill has been an effective way to transition between parts. However, in addition to drum fills, sweeping sounds (like in techno), swoops, synthesizer tones that rise in pitch, or even pauses can serve as transition sounds. As an example of a transition sound, listen to the sweeping noise sound that appears in most trance songs during the build up.
Ear Candy: These are interesting little sounds that serve to make a track more interesting or unique. These can be atmospheric sounds, the sound of a breaking bottle, or almost any sound that a composer can think of. The best example of effective use of ear candy is probably Timbaland. Check out "Are You That Somebody" by Aaliyah and pay attention to the infamous baby crying sound in the background that occurs throughout the whole song.
While not core to a song as other roles in music; do not neglect to incorporate transition sounds into your tracks. After you have gotten down the basics of laying down the core roles of a track (drums, bass, pads, the groove, etc.) start adding and experimenting with the above categories. You'll soon notice your tracks will have that extra touch that make them more polished and professional.
Accents: Accents emphasize important beats in a measure and make them "hit harder". Crash cymbals, timpani hits, marcato strings are some staple sounds for accents, but almost anything within your imagination can be used. For good examples of accents in hip-hop, check out "The Setup" by Obie Trice and listen to how the dark strings at the beginning of the song really help the song hit hard. Another example is "Work Hard, Play Hard" by Wiz Khalifa. Notice how during the chorus, there is a timpani hit that comes in to accent different beats. These little touches really help the track to have impact.
Transition Sounds: These are sounds or sound fx that help a song transition between it's different parts within the arrangement (from verse to chorus etc.). Traditionally, the drum fill has been an effective way to transition between parts. However, in addition to drum fills, sweeping sounds (like in techno), swoops, synthesizer tones that rise in pitch, or even pauses can serve as transition sounds. As an example of a transition sound, listen to the sweeping noise sound that appears in most trance songs during the build up.
Ear Candy: These are interesting little sounds that serve to make a track more interesting or unique. These can be atmospheric sounds, the sound of a breaking bottle, or almost any sound that a composer can think of. The best example of effective use of ear candy is probably Timbaland. Check out "Are You That Somebody" by Aaliyah and pay attention to the infamous baby crying sound in the background that occurs throughout the whole song.
While not core to a song as other roles in music; do not neglect to incorporate transition sounds into your tracks. After you have gotten down the basics of laying down the core roles of a track (drums, bass, pads, the groove, etc.) start adding and experimenting with the above categories. You'll soon notice your tracks will have that extra touch that make them more polished and professional.
About the Author:
Frank Lubsey is a founding member of the Jam Sonic music production squad. Visit his site for hip-hop beats for sale and beatmaking articles and videos.
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