How to add atmosphere to a track?

[jaydot]

I know I've probably said it before but I'm digging that choral pad sound, Delayed/chorused/reverbed/low-passed sine waves with attack to taste, maybe a little LFO for movement/and glide slightly detuned to taste too.

(Check Zephyr in my sig/on my sc for one's I made)

Something I've always done... heavy delay feedback on the last snare before the breakdown-let it ring out over the silence <3 and at the end of the track too.

[Duffman]

Is there any reason why you guys reverse samples, or is it basically just because it sounds better?

[-[2]DAY_-]

its not better or worse, per se, it's just very simply, reversed.
Picture the wave form of a sample that's got decaying amplitude following an initial peak transient. Not that hard to swallow, since a lot of sounds look like that. i.e. plunk a piano key. Reverse it, and it's got this lovely, long swelling attack phase (which used to be the decay), welling up into the transient and cutting off to silence rather abruptly. Apply reverb, and this is often a really desirable effect.

Also, vocals, guitars, pianos, and other melodic stuff played backwards can often be an unexpected source of inspiration for harmony and melody because it gives you a new perspective on the sound, and if there are lyrics, well.. it makes them unintelligible.

It's just fun, useful, and been done by almost everyone, so its kind of a conventional technique. Obviously, samples don't just sound better backwards in general. Its only if you want a particular sound to be reversed . usually stuff that has that decay/sustain to it, so that there's something there to fuck with. reversing a hi hat, might not be that interesting. Reverse reverb tails, claps, cymbals, snares is a common way to lead into a hit for extra impact. i kinda think that technique is ehhh.... not always effective and definitely overdone. but in many cases works well

[Duffman]

its not better or worse, per se, it's just very simply, reversed.
Picture the wave form of a sample that's got decaying amplitude following an initial peak transient. Not that hard to swallow, since a lot of sounds look like that. i.e. plunk a piano key. Reverse it, and it's got this lovely, long swelling attack phase (which used to be the decay), welling up into the transient and cutting off to silence rather abruptly. Apply reverb, and this is often a really desirable effect.

Also, vocals, guitars, pianos, and other melodic stuff played backwards can often be an unexpected source of inspiration for harmony and melody because it gives you a new perspective on the sound, and if there are lyrics, well.. it makes them unintelligible.

It's just fun, useful, and been done by almost everyone, so its kind of a conventional technique. Obviously, samples don't just sound better backwards in general. Its only if you want a particular sound to be reversed . usually stuff that has that decay/sustain to it, so that there's something there to fuck with. reversing a hi hat, might not be that interesting. Reverse reverb tails, claps, cymbals, snares is a common way to lead into a hit for extra impact. i kinda think that technique is ehhh.... not always effective and definitely overdone. but in many cases works well

That's what I thought but I couldn't think of a way of explaining it.

[hasezwei]

Also, vocals, guitars, pianos, and other melodic stuff played backwards can often be an unexpected source of inspiration for harmony and melody because it gives you a new perspective on the sound, and if there are lyrics, well.. it makes them unintelligible.

in fact skrillex wrote his most popular song that way:

skip to 3:20 and you'll hear what could have been the actual intro he initially wrote, just with reverse drumsounds.

[kaiori breathe]

Is there any reason why you guys reverse samples, or is it basically just because it sounds better?

really old track i made when i first started, like literally one month into production, so forgive the rough sounds, but yea, skip to 1:44, for a backwards breakdown, one of many reasons to reverse things

[-[2]DAY_-]

like literally one month into production

you've got some nerve, u know that

[Weskr]

Atmosphere aren't ALL about pads and reverse samples as some might say (imho). Atmosphere can be added by creating headroom in the mix along with detailed rums and some good reverbing and delays. Obviously, pads are the most popular and easiest ways to go.

[Skrew]

I like to add some ambiance pads and some of my old R&B sounding patches I made in Massive. And also a normal rap style bassline with some slow rhythmic trance bass/pluck and I cut the lows off of my wobbles. I don't like them sub bass sounding wobbles. Puts me to sleep. I tend towards real drum kits with club/techno percussion. Although sometimes I get my drums from Vengeance sound kit, I mainly use ones from a studio kit I got. I just get my samples off of YouTube or Soundboard.

I'm still learning myself but I've had some experience with other genres. I'm not so good on layering my drops and still learning how to make some cool sounding wobbles. Maybe when I get these few things down, I'll start on a remix project and share with you guys.

I really want to remix No Hands like Jayreck did but add some of my own style to it. Make it more club feel with some upbeat sounding wobbles.

[-[2]DAY_-]

Atmosphere aren't ALL about pads and reverse samples as some might say

@skrew

I'll start on a remix project and share with you guys.

why not start on your own ting?

[Skrew]

I mean I want to remix a mainstream song. It's the only kind of dubstep songs I like.

[Basic A]

I mean I want to remix a mainstream song. It's the only kind of dubstep songs I like.

[monkfish]

I mean I want to remix a mainstream song. It's the easiest way to become popular and make money.

Fixed for you, bro.