Layering is the art of combining two complimentary sounds that produce a more interesting, unique, and dynamic sound as the end result. It is a more advanced technique in beat making, but one that can instantly elevate the quality of your tracks and make them sound instantly more professional. Also, if you ever want to achieve that "wall of sound" quality that many songs on the radio have, layering is the way to achieve.
Much like a chef layers different spices, herbs, and other flavors to come up with great sauces and great tasting food, a beat maker does the same exact thing with sound. Imagine a chicken dish that was only seasoned with salt versus a chicken dish that had a combination of flavors like salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, a little lemon, and so on. The dish with salt is probably a good start, but it will be too bland. In music, a kick drum sound may be a good start, but you can probably make it 10x more interesting by layering in a few sounds. However, layering is an art in itself and there should be some thought into how you layer sounds. For example, in our chef example, if a chef seasons with salt, soy sauce, and then fish sauce, that is a bad combination because each of those ingredients are filled with salt and the resulting dish will be too salty. Thus, layering is the art of mixing sounds that complement each other. Here is a couple of standard complements that will help you start layering effectively:
Layer Frequencies: Use sounds that occupy different frequencies. An example might be a low-frequency bass sound with a mid-range synth sound that plays that plays the exact part as the bass.
Layer Sounds w/ Different Sustains: Often times, some sounds have great attacks but they don't take up enough space in a mix because they have no sustain. Also, many sounds have great body (sustain), but a fairly weak or slow attack. However, combined, they produce a sound that has a good attack but still fills space in the mix due to the sustain of the instrument.
Layer The Same Sound: The advice on this one is almost counter the previous advice on combining complementary sounds, however, sometimes you have the right sound but it sounds "too thin" on its own. Sometimes, doubling up the same sound can give it the proper "thickness" to sit in a mix. Notice, there is a difference between volume and thickness. Volume is simply turning up decibels while thickness refers more to density and the concentration of a sounds.
These are some of the most common ways that one can layer, however, try experimenting with new ways to layer and you'll be surprised at the results. Layering is one of the advanced techniques that once mastered, will take your music to a higher level.
Much like a chef layers different spices, herbs, and other flavors to come up with great sauces and great tasting food, a beat maker does the same exact thing with sound. Imagine a chicken dish that was only seasoned with salt versus a chicken dish that had a combination of flavors like salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, a little lemon, and so on. The dish with salt is probably a good start, but it will be too bland. In music, a kick drum sound may be a good start, but you can probably make it 10x more interesting by layering in a few sounds. However, layering is an art in itself and there should be some thought into how you layer sounds. For example, in our chef example, if a chef seasons with salt, soy sauce, and then fish sauce, that is a bad combination because each of those ingredients are filled with salt and the resulting dish will be too salty. Thus, layering is the art of mixing sounds that complement each other. Here is a couple of standard complements that will help you start layering effectively:
Layer Frequencies: Use sounds that occupy different frequencies. An example might be a low-frequency bass sound with a mid-range synth sound that plays that plays the exact part as the bass.
Layer Sounds w/ Different Sustains: Often times, some sounds have great attacks but they don't take up enough space in a mix because they have no sustain. Also, many sounds have great body (sustain), but a fairly weak or slow attack. However, combined, they produce a sound that has a good attack but still fills space in the mix due to the sustain of the instrument.
Layer The Same Sound: The advice on this one is almost counter the previous advice on combining complementary sounds, however, sometimes you have the right sound but it sounds "too thin" on its own. Sometimes, doubling up the same sound can give it the proper "thickness" to sit in a mix. Notice, there is a difference between volume and thickness. Volume is simply turning up decibels while thickness refers more to density and the concentration of a sounds.
These are some of the most common ways that one can layer, however, try experimenting with new ways to layer and you'll be surprised at the results. Layering is one of the advanced techniques that once mastered, will take your music to a higher level.
About the Author:
Find out more about hip-hop beats for sale by visiting Frank Lubsey's site. Frank Lubsey is a part of the Jam Sonic music production team and you can find out how to purchase beats by checking out his site.
