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: Mix low-frequency sounds with mid or high frequency sounds. This is a great technique for drums (especially the kick). Use a kick sound that has a great mid-frequency timbre but no sub frequencies. Layer this kick with a purely sub-frequency kick and notice how the resulting sound is more interesting than either of the sounds alone. You can use this on more than drums.
Layer Sounds w/ Different Sustains: Some sounds have great attack portions but do not take up enough space in a mix. Combine these type of sounds with sounds that have dull attacks but a great body quality or reverb sound to it. A good example is a dry (no reverb) snare sound with a clap sound drenched in reverb.
Layer The Same Sound: It might seem odd to layer the same sound, but sometimes a sound is just right for a bit, but it is too "thin" in a mix. By layering, you make the song thicker and able to sit in a mix better. Please note that volume and thickness are different. Volume means adjusting decibels but thickness refers to the concentration of a sound.
The examples above are a few thought starters to help you get started on your path to layering. However, you should always be experimenting with your own ideas. Once mastered, layering will instantly elevate your tracks to a higher level of quality and make them sound more professional.
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: Mix low-frequency sounds with mid or high frequency sounds. This is a great technique for drums (especially the kick). Use a kick sound that has a great mid-frequency timbre but no sub frequencies. Layer this kick with a purely sub-frequency kick and notice how the resulting sound is more interesting than either of the sounds alone. You can use this on more than drums.
Layer Sounds w/ Different Sustains: Some sounds have great attack portions but do not take up enough space in a mix. Combine these type of sounds with sounds that have dull attacks but a great body quality or reverb sound to it. A good example is a dry (no reverb) snare sound with a clap sound drenched in reverb.
Layer The Same Sound: It might seem odd to layer the same sound, but sometimes a sound is just right for a bit, but it is too "thin" in a mix. By layering, you make the song thicker and able to sit in a mix better. Please note that volume and thickness are different. Volume means adjusting decibels but thickness refers to the concentration of a sound.
The examples above are a few thought starters to help you get started on your path to layering. However, you should always be experimenting with your own ideas. Once mastered, layering will instantly elevate your tracks to a higher level of quality and make them sound more professional.
About the Author:
Find out more about hip-hop beats for sale by checking out Frank Lubsey's site. Frank Lubsey is a part of the Jam Sonic music production squad and you can learn how to purchase beats by checking out his site.