Following last month’s masterclass on the ‘drop’, we focus on how to build the tension leading to that magic moment
Sara Simms is an acclaimed DJ and producer from Toronto who’s played some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals alongside artists like Carl Craig, Victor Ruiz and more. She owns her own record label, Simmetry Sounds which releases cuttingedge techno and house tracks crafted by the next generation of electronic music producers.
In dance music, the breakdown and buildup are the parts of a song that come just before the drop. The main purpose of these two sections is to build tension, and prepare listeners for the drop. An effective breakdown and buildup creates a high level of anticipation and makes listeners aware that something exciting (the drop) is about to happen.
In the breakdown, elements of the track are stripped away to provide a sparser musical landscape, and during the buildup, tension is added through the use of risers, snare rolls, and long crashes.
Before beginning to structure your buildup and breakdown, it’s a good idea to have a solid idea for your drop written. Listen to references in the same style to hear how other producers created their breakdowns and buildups. If there are any types of effects or elements that you like, make a note of them so you can include similar sounds in your track. The key to a good breakdown is developing contrast between the drop and the break.
> Step by step
1 Add a chord progression in the key of your track. Add movement to the chords by automating an EQ or filter, and using a high-pass filter to cut off the high frequencies. At the start of the breakdown, begin with the filter at 200 Hz and open up the frequency of the filter to 20 kHz over the duration of the breakdown.
2 Try adding a stereo-widening plugin like StereoSavage to the chords, and automate the width so that the chords get wider over time. Use an automation plugin, such as Endless Smile, to automate both reverb and delay at the same time. Start with the intensity at a low setting and dial it up so the chords become more washed out during the breakdown. Turn the intensity down to zero when the drop hits.
3 Make your bass sound a little lower in the breakdown by using EQ to reduce the low end. You don’t want to have a really strong bass in the breakdown. Add a filter or EQ and open the filter cutoff of the bass sound throughout the break, starting by having only the lower frequencies audible, and gradually opening up over time.
4 Add atmosphere to the break by choosing a synth sound and creating a simple pattern. We’ve made some wonky effects using Cableguys’ Shaperbox and Output’s Thermal to creative effects. If the sound needs reverb, try adding a reverb with a large hall setting or use Ableton’s
