10 Chord Layering Techniques (that add energy to boring chords)

MY GEAR:
DAW (Music making software): Logic Pro and Ableton Live
Studio monitors (speakers): Yamaha HS8's
Headphones: Audeze LCD X (open back)
Camera: Canon 80d
Computer: Mac Studio with M2 Ultra chip and 2 TB hardrive
Midi controller (keyboard): Komplete Kontrol 61
Interface: Scarlett Clarett 2 pre
Desk: a cheap one from ikea
Chair: also a cheap one from ikea

My favorite plugins that I use the most:
XFER Serum
Sylenth 1
Nexus 3
Kontakt
RC 20
Valhalla Shimmer
Valhalla Vintage Verb
Shaperbox 3
XFER OTT
Fab Filter Saturn 2
Fab Filter Pro C 2
Arturia Pigments
Baby Audio Comeback Kid
Output Thermal and Portal
LABS Soft Piano

Hardware that I use behind the scenes but not in videos:
Elektron Octatrack (my fav)
Elektron Digitakt
Korg Minilogue XD

[poohchasm]

"No wrong answers, just better choices!" Wish i heard this 15yrs ago! Great Vids!

[YOUrDEAlerwiThHell]

1) Granular(8bars until they getting dry) 0:37
2)skinny into wide chords 1:52
3)enhance chords during arrangement 3:20
4)pick the best layering technique for your Song 4:34
5)vocoder to add harmony to vocals 5:48
6)re-arcitulate the chords 7:35
7) adding lfo to high reverb chord layers 8:50
8)layering chords using alternative dynamics 10:20
9)using harmony layers instead full stacks of chords 11:25
10)virtual analog synth, saq wave, unison, filter it. Add reverb + ott (glue reverband sound a bit ) 13:55
->adds space and heaven

[TheMasterOfTheFrets]

I'm not even making EDM, yet this has given me a lot of perspective and usable knowledge in my productions

[Sisanf]

You have such a strong sense of melody and ear worms, all of your examples in your videos are so good

[TheDanko]

9:50 just lifted me up, accelerated me to light speed and took me to another dimension.. Bravo!

[PudPo]

Honestly dude your videos have really helped massively improve the quality of my production and sound design, and I was struggling with this very topic on a song I'm working on. Can't wait to implement some of these into it. Thanks for all the helpful tips and tricks <3

[toxichater]

I love how you use a bunch of different DAWs in your videos. Honestly, that convinced me you 100% know what you're doing lol. I can't imagine learning all those different workflows

[TerofiedBeats]

That skinny-wide trick is awesome! The contrast really makes you feel the width of it.

[ArianLaas]

You're taking us a step further. So great Alex

[ilyandilymusic]

All of your videos make me want to jump in the DAW and get it done. You have a great teaching style and your examples are incredible. Keep it up!

[ianchmp]

I wasn’t really listening until 4:05 snapped me to attention. I started it over and wow, this video was a master class.

[ZeekBurse]

THIS CHANGED MY LIFE!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank you!!!
I’ve been needing these approaches to production!!

[danic.]

An idea I wanna try after this video, mixing the vocoder trick wih the LFO trick, making the vocal sound crazy. Thanks for your work 😊

[josuev.rrj]

wow this was 4 sure for me a complete free music production masterclass

[baluchito]

I love you man. I was depressed of not coming up with new ideas to my songs. Now I am way more expired. Shout out my man keep staying on the grind :3

[CarlJames]

This makes me want to keep pushing harder to learn music theory! You’re a legend brotha

[ShammyDeep]

Super informative video Alex! keep up the great work

[QWLMusic]

Absolutely love your videos and always walk away with something new and valuable learned! Thanks for always posting great content.

[dver]

GRrat vid, I always try to over complicate things with too many layers, but you show that it only takes 2 or 3 layers to make great chord sounds!

[daveaum]

I learned a lot from this clip.. that LFO trick made me think of the effects BT sometimes uses.. that's as big a compliment as I could ever pay! 🙌 Thanks for the inspiration