ARTCORE OffSonar VA Vol.2 (Part 2)

Part 2 of a special Track by Track examines the production techniques behind ARTCORE OffSonar VA Vol.2.

I started working on the percussive patterns using the Elektron Analog Rytm and Octatrack. Then, I recorded all the patterns into Ableton Live, where I added compression, sidechain, saturation, reverbs, and parallel compression, especially on the mid frequencies. Some of the plugin brands I used include Native Instruments, Plugin Alliance, FabFilter, SoundToys, and iZotope.

Another recognizable element is the bass, created with the Moog Mother 32. I composed the main sequence using its internal sequencer, then recorded it into Ableton to add effects like reverb, saturation, a touch of chorus, and finally EQ and stereo enhancement to achieve that warm, surrounding bass sound.

The last element was the vocal. I wrote some quotes about our typical clubbing experiences and used ChatGPT to refine them. Then, I asked my good friend Liz McFarland to record the vocals using a Blue Microphone. I layered the vocals with the Manipulator plugin, adding some tape effects, compression, reverb, delay, and reverse effects created from the same vocal track.

To finalize the track, I normalized the volume of all channels using an SSL channel strip to amalgamate all the sounds. If you're interested here's a list of plugins I use

Native Instruments - Reaktor, Native Instruments - Replika XT, Native Instruments - Choral, Native Instruments - Guitar Rig, Fab Filter - Pro Q3, Fab Filter - Pro C2, Fab Filter - Saturn, Plugin Alliance - Kirchhoff EQ, Plugin Alliance - Cassetem, Plugin Alliance - SSL4000 E, Sound Toys - Echoboy, Sound Toys - Decapitator, Output - Thermal, Infected Mushroom - Manipulator, Cable Guys - Shaperbox, Audio Damage - Kombinat Tri, Plugin Boutique - Stereo Savage.

Find Flug on Instagram.

'Queen' is a track I produced inspired by Indira Paganotto. First, I was inspired by some psy trance samples, such as a typical psy trance bass line.

Sometimes I start with my machines, sometimes I start with some samples. This depends on my mood. In this case, I started with the kick I made with the Vermona Kick Lancet followed by some samples because it's the first time I produced something with this kind of psy trance touch. For my bass lines, subs I mostly use the Moog Sub 37. 

The vocal I did by myself. I recorded it and used several UAD plugins, FabFilter, the Decimort and a reverb from D16 group. The drums are mostly made with the Elektron Analog Rytm Mk 2, the Ace from u-He, and I added some top loops. For the tops, I worked with by the Dave Smith Pro 2, I created a synth also with the Analog Rytm and added some FX samples. 

I always try to work only with my machines, but using samples sometimes gives me a better workflow and more inspiration. But even if I use some samples, I always make them sound like my signature sounds using UAD plugins. 

Find AD7USTMENT on Instagram.

222 was designed in three fundamental parts A-B-C.

A: The initial part is composed of a kick, a typical psy bass with a short decay created with Ableton's Wavetable, a sub bass (simple sine wave) created with Operator, and a bass layer to add some stereo width. For dynamic and engaging percussion, we used Ableton's BlueThunderKit, filtering, saturating, and processing it with reverb to mesh with the main groove. The FX are hardstyle one-shots that have been pitched, stretched, and processed with a long reverb. The track continues with flashes of melodic lines to create suspense and the beginning of the first tension step, all in a progressively increasing manner.

B: All the tension from part 'A' will continue to evolve slowly, intertwining with melodies and harmonies to create a captivating and melancholic ancestral dance, driven by movements from an arpeggiator (Ableton stock arp) with automation on the "steps" and "distance" parameters, creating tension and release. A bouncing and penetrating lead (created with a free vintage VST called T-Force Alpha Plus) is added, acting like a voice that further increases the track’s tension, building more energy and dynamism within the scenario, and then releases it in part C.

C: Upon reaching the peak of tension, the scenario begins to shift, where the characteristic screams of IN6N enter, starting from a low point and rising, creating a moshpit atmosphere! Simultaneously, Tom's processed stabs come in, sounding like distorted guitars until the final drop arrives. Here, all the tension explodes, the melancholic emotions fade away, and the rhythmic interplay of Tom and kick takes over. Shortly after, various melodic stabs return to revisit theme B, but in a more engaging way, ending with several drops and finally emptying everything out.

Find Lørenzø Cøluccia on Instagram.

I used various layers of techno hardcore kicks, equalized with FabFilter Pro-Q3 and saturated with Softube's Saturn knob. To these layers, I added a reversed techno schranz kick sample, saturated and distorted with iZotope Trash, and created a sidechain with a 4/4 envelope to add texture.

The track's standout elements are the offbeat bass and the main lead line, which are reminiscent of '90s rave sounds. The bass was crafted using Serum and amplified with a native Ableton amplifier. 

The lead was created with the Pioneer Toraiz AS-1 synth, utilizing a single-note pattern and an effects chain that includes OTT, Native Instruments' Replika delay in Diffusion mode, and Devious Machines' Infiltrator distortion to create suspense and depth. Two other fundamental elements are the screeches and the vocal that add movement to the track. 

The screeches were made with Rob Papen Raw, and the pattern was written with an Arturia Keystep37 in sequencer mode, then saturated with Ableton's Waveshape mode device, Valhalla reverb, and the Glitch2 audio effect. The vocal features an effects chain comprising an amplifier, OTT, and reverb.

The drums were entirely designed using the Pioneer SP-16 sampler and then reworked in Ableton, saturated with Heatwave, Xfer's OTT, and Slate Digital's Fresh Air to create headroom. The various FX and breaks in the track are samples from libraries, with EQ, FX, reverb, delay, and distortion.

Find Akoriz on Instagram.

The kick was created using Splice's PSY Kicks collection, then refined with Pro-Q3 for EQ and saturated with TAIP from Baby Audio. The standout elements of the track include the bass, which is quantized differently as you listen, using Rhythmizer Ultra for a more detailed groove.

The bass was designed with the Serum synthesizer and amplified with a native Ableton amplifier and Kick START for a good sidechain. The lead vocal and guitar were produced using the NI Kontakt library, featuring a single-note pattern and effects chain to achieve their signature sound.

The percussions were initially created in REAKTOR on FL Studio, then exported to Ableton, where I added saturation to the upper midrange with Soundtoys' Decapitator and finally used a UAD Dbx 160 for final glue and compression.

Find Mindstripes on Instagram.

Find Part 1 of this mini-series on Attack.

ARTCORE OffSonar VA Vol.2 is out now. Listen on Spotify.

ARTCORE OffSonar VA Vol.1 is also available on Spotify.

Find ARTCORE on Instagram.

[product-collection]