11 Synth Layering Techniques That Changed My Productions

In this synth layering tutorial, I break down the 4 core tenets of choosing the right layers. I then show you 11 different synth-layering techniques to make your music sound more interesting, more “expensive” sounding, and more professional.

So if you’ve been wondering how to layer synths, or you want to know how to make sounds big, or just create bigger synths - these layering synth tips will definitely help.

Shout out to my Accelerator student, Zoya, who recently played at Luminosity festival in the Netherlands. Listen to her music here and support if you dig:

💪 Want to make music that sounds THAT good within 8 weeks? Check out my Accelerator program here:

🎓…and don’t forget to check out our second Youtube channel for weekly feedback streams here:

What we cover in this tutorial:

00:00 - Why layering synths is important

01:10 - Characteristics to consider when choosing layers (layered synths should compliment eachother – not fight for space):

Frequency / Timbre
Voicing / Composition
ADSR Shape / Transients
Stereo Field
Depth (Reverb)

11 Synth Layering Techniques....

02:31 - Call and Response
05:01 - Sample Layer
06:52 - Looping Sample
09:43 - Formant Shifter
12:10 - Extreme Pitch Range
14:06 - Polyphonic Splitting
16:26 - Noise Patches
18:31 - Pitch Envelopes
20:40 - The Jiffy Bag (AKA, the Double-envelope)
23:42 - Grouping / Bussing
25:26 - Auxiliary Effects

Let me know in the comments which of there you’re going to try or whether you have any synth-layering ideas for me to try out!

Gear I use in this video…

🔈 My Audio Gear:

🎛 Discounted Plugin Deals:

💻 …And some of my Favourite Software…

🎤 Vocal Processing (I use all of these):

….AND SAY HI ON THE SOCIALS, BRUH:

Cheers, and happy producing!
Will

OTHER VIDEOS TO CHECK OUT:

LEARN HOW TO PRODUCE LIKE FAMOUS ARTISTS:

AND…

#sounddesign #layering #tutorial

[EDMTips]

Let me know which of these you're going to try! Or do you have any more layering techniques you can share in the comments?

[seadoo]

My favourite techniques you covered were sampling middle C of the original synth while messing with the loop points, and sampling the entire original synth line while playing with the formants in complex pro. I never thought of these two tricks and found immediate use for them in a track I'm working on right now. You're doing great things for the production community and I appreciate your work. Always excited to see a video notification from you!

[davidcarter]

This guy has to be one of the best teachers on the planet for this.

[cateador]

I SWEAR THIS VIDEO IS PURE GOLD. THX SO MUCH THERE'S ALMOST NOBODY SPEAKING SERIUSLY OF LAYERS WHEN IS THE MAIN KEY OF PROFESIONAL PRODUCTIONS! BLESSINGS! THX SO

[AKAtAGG]

Layering is so incredibly important in any genre. Great work as usual.

[michaelandersson]

THank you for the million time! You get me to love EDM music _ that i used to h a t e !!!! I love your lessons! have a great summer!!!!

[heartbeatbillionaire]

holy hell. These would all be awesome as separate videos, let only doing a full 11 techniques. I'll be rewatching like a madman learning these, thanks so much Will!! I really appreciate you taking the time to add some stellar content completely for free :-)

[RyanRhodes]

Phenomenal video this time. As a newer producer I've been struggling goin from a layer or two of vanilla synths to getting closer to what I hear in ym favorite songs. Thank you for making such a robust video!

[santiagodelafuente]

Man, you’re god sent. Thank you! Love your videos :)

[trav_sakredprofane]

Thanks for this video Will! Most of the things you shared I was familiar with but haven't really spent the (seemingly) tedious amount of time crafting my sound with all these tools so today I did. This and several other videos have been a big help. One point is that perhaps I can speak for others that have watched a million videos about music production when I say it's the "little things" you do that a keen watcher might notice that are one of your most valuable qualities. Great video production makes watching over your shoulder a joy. Keep up the amazing work! ~ Trav

[curtismech]

This was brilliant, thanks! A couple tricks I had never thought of!

[KordTaylor]

Another great video. Also some easy things along the lines of your rules mentioned at the beginning. Just find a couple of patches on a couple of synths and play the same on both. For example a spikey FM synth and fat analog is usually a winner.

[mageprometheus]

Excellent stuff. When I only had a 2012 4-core duo I was forced to have very few VSTs and tracks. Now I can have endless tracks I produce mudwave! This video is perfect. This week I've been doing a deep dive into Davinci Resolve Studio 18 and I'm loving the power. 😄 I went into Birmingham today and had a play with a Sony A7iv, expensive but fabulous. That's the road to never-ending expense. Lenses, gimbals, filters, lights, tripods. Heck.

[aarondyess]

Hell yeah Will!! One of you best and most useful tutorials you've shared. I plan to try 'em all!! 🙏

[aako-ddly]

I just want to thank you for these videos. I've made so much improvement this past year. A lot of which is directly due to your lessons. I'm almost ready to start releasing music. Just need a little more experience

[joshfidel]

The level of production and passion you put into your tutorials is inspiring. Keep up the good work!

[tonescapes]

Again, as per usual-big thanks.I use reason 12 &it's certainly transferable to any DAW.cheers squire

[fluctura]

I bought your Radio Ready Program just to support you, but tbh it is amazing! And together with your free YouTube videos... I mean, just wow!

[shanedemorais]

OMG! This explains sooo much! I was layering sounds while in LA, and now I'm in oakland at someone else's desk w/o my gear!!

I noticed that Will didn't include the "How to get back" section in this tutorial! Gawd! Hope he covers that tomorrow...Who's watching the cat!!

[DJTyeDupOfficial]

Super informative info - def learned a few things today!