Craft Perfect Melodic Techno: Drum Machine, MIDIGRiD, and Hexcel Explained

In the fast-paced world of electronic music production, creating a track that resonates emotionally with listeners can be challenging. However, when it comes to melodic techno, the right tools can elevate your production from good to great. ADSR’s powerful suite of production tools—Drum Machine, MIDIGRiD, and Hexcel—provides a comprehensive, intuitive workflow that can help you craft intricate, emotionally charged tracks. The best part? All ADSR plugins come with full features and presets for 30 days absolutely free—giving you plenty of time to dive in and explore the tools before making any commitment.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned producer, this melodic techno tutorial will guide you through using ADSR’s tools to create captivating, high-quality music.

The Power of ADSR Drum Machine

The heartbeat of any melodic techno track is its rhythm section. While a strong, steady beat is foundational, the nuances and variations within it can make or break a track. ADSR’s Drum Machine isn’t just another drum plugin—it’s a complete production powerhouse designed to provide ultimate flexibility and creativity. Here’s why:

1. 16 Direct Outputs for Maximum Mixing Flexibility

One of the standout features of the ADSR Drum Machine is the ability to route each sound to its own output channel. This means you can mix and process each drum element (kick, snare, hi-hats, percussion) separately, offering unprecedented control over your track’s rhythm section. Whether you’re working with tight, punchy drums or spacious, atmospheric percussion, this flexibility ensures your mix sounds as polished and dynamic as possible.

2. Built-In Effects Including Drive and Compression

Melodic techno thrives on dynamic, evolving rhythms. ADSR’s Drum Machine comes with built-in effects like drive and compression to shape the sound of each drum hit. From adding warmth and grit to tightening up your low-end, these effects allow you to craft a rhythm section that enhances the track’s overall energy.

3. Custom Routing Capabilities

Beyond the built-in effects, the Drum Machine allows for custom routing of your sounds. This feature ensures that you can process and manipulate sounds in creative ways that other drum plugins simply can’t match. Whether you want to route the kick to a separate bus for heavy processing or send the hi-hats to a delay effect, the Drum Machine is highly versatile.

4. Advanced Sequencing Features

The sequencing capabilities within ADSR’s Drum Machine are equally impressive. It comes with step sequencing and advanced pattern modulation that allow for complex, evolving drum patterns. This flexibility is key when it comes to keeping the rhythm section fresh and interesting throughout the track, especially in melodic techno, where rhythmic variation is crucial.

Pro Tip: Recording Real Percussion

While the Drum Machine is incredibly powerful, don’t overlook the value of recording your own percussion. A simple egg shaker recorded through a decent microphone can add a layer of organic feel that’s impossible to replicate with samples alone. This tactile approach to rhythm gives your track a unique texture and vibe, which can elevate your overall production quality.

MIDIGRiD: Your Melodic Assistant

Once you’ve solidified your rhythm section, it’s time to focus on the melodic elements of your track. MIDIGRiD is an innovative tool designed to simplify melodic composition and create complex, evolving patterns with ease. Here’s what makes it indispensable for melodic techno:

1. 8×8 Grid System for Easy Melodic Creation

MIDIGRiD operates on a unique 8×8 grid system that allows you to create melodic patterns with a clear, visual interface. Each square on the grid represents a note, and you can place them in various rows to construct harmonies, chords, and melodies. This system helps you keep everything organized and makes the process of creating evolving patterns a breeze.

2. Stay in Key with Built-In Scales

One of the challenges of melodic techno is ensuring that your melodic elements stay in key, creating that hypnotic, emotional flow throughout the track. MIDIGRiD simplifies this by allowing you to work within specific scales. This feature ensures that your melodies always sound harmonious, even when you’re experimenting with complex progressions.

3. Generate Rhythmic Variations

Melodic techno is known for its rhythmic sophistication. MIDIGRiD gives you the tools to introduce subtle variations in rhythm, helping you keep the energy of your track dynamic. You can experiment with polyrhythms, syncopation, and triplets with ease, creating melodies that not only sound unique but also keep the listener engaged.

4. Export Patterns Directly to Your DAW

Once you’ve crafted your perfect melody, MIDIGRiD allows you to export patterns directly into your DAW. This integration streamlines your workflow and ensures that you spend more time creating and less time on tedious technical processes.

Hexcel: The Evolution of Pad Design

Melodic techno is not just about rhythm and melody—it’s also about creating atmospheric, evolving textures that captivate the listener. That’s where Hexcel comes into play. This powerful tool is perfect for creating those lush, ethereal pads that give melodic techno its emotional depth.

1. Intuitive Note Relationships with a Hexagonal Grid

Hexcel uses a hexagonal grid system, where each note is organized in perfect fifths, providing a natural and intuitive way to understand note relationships. This system encourages the creation of harmonically rich and evolving chord progressions, essential for the atmospheric qualities of melodic techno.

2. Multiple Emission Points for Complex Patterns

What sets Hexcel apart from traditional pad generators is its use of multiple emission points, which allows you to create intricate, dynamic patterns. You can layer different patterns in such a way that they evolve over time, adding movement to your pads and giving your track that signature hypnotic feeling.

3. Reverse Functionality for Added Movement

The ability to reverse notes within Hexcel opens up a new world of creative possibilities. Reverse functionality adds a flowing, dreamy quality to your pads and other melodic elements, enhancing the psychedelic atmosphere that defines melodic techno.

4. Ideal for Evolving Pad Sequences

Hexcel is perfect for crafting evolving pad sequences that form the atmospheric backbone of your track. Its unique approach to melody and harmony gives your track an organic, ever-changing feel—ideal for melodic techno’s deeply immersive nature.

Workflow Integration: The Key to Success

While each tool in the ADSR suite is powerful on its own, the real magic happens when you integrate them into a seamless workflow:

1. Start with Drum Machine for Your Core Rhythm Section
   Lay down your basic rhythm using ADSR’s Drum Machine. This is where you’ll set the foundation for your track, selecting your drums and adding in effects to shape the overall vibe.
2. Layer in Melodic Elements Using MIDIGRiD
   Once your rhythm section is locked in, switch to MIDIGRiD to build your melodic patterns. Work within your chosen scale, experiment with rhythms, and craft captivating melodic hooks.
3. Add Atmospheric Depth with Hexcel
   To complete the mood of your track, layer in evolving pads, leads, and background textures using Hexcel. Its rich harmonic capabilities will fill out the emotional spectrum of your track.
4. Use Multi-Channel Outputs for Processing
   Utilize the multi-channel outputs in Drum Machine to send different drum elements to separate channels for advanced mixing and processing.

Conclusion

By combining ADSR’s powerful plugins—Drum Machine, MIDIGRiD, and Hexcel—you can take your melodic techno productions to the next level. From crafting intricate rhythms to creating evolving melodic sequences and lush atmospheric pads, these tools provide everything you need to bring your musical ideas to life.

And remember, with ADSR’s 30-day free trial, you have the perfect opportunity to explore all of these features and experiment with different sounds before committing to any purchase. Happy producing!