Learn how to make Afro & Melodic House inspired by HotLap in this step-by-step Ableton Live production tutorial.
In this tutorial, I break down a complete deep, groovy and hypnotic Afro & Melodic House track. You will see how the drums, layered bass, leads, plucks, pads, atmospheres, vocals and FX work together.
What you will learn
Build a groove that moves
Start with a punchy kick, then create movement with toms, shakers, hats, cowbells and fills. Every percussion part has a role in the groove.
Layer a clean, powerful low end
The track uses three bass layers. Learn how to shape and sidechain them so they work together without fighting for space around the kick.
Create depth in the melodic section
We build the musical world with leads, layered strings, plucks, pads and atmospheric textures, then bring it together with a vocal kit for extra emotion and identity.
Get the sounds and full project
Every sound, loop, vocal and Serum 2 preset used in this tutorial comes from MAGNIFIED 2 – Afro & Melodic House Sample Pack.
This exact track is also included as a full project file and construction kit. Open it in Ableton Live, FL Studio or Logic Pro to study the arrangement, processing, automation, MIDI and sound design.
Explore MAGNIFIED 2:
Inside MAGNIFIED 2
• 4 full project files for Ableton Live, FL Studio and Logic Pro
• 4 construction kits with stems, MIDI and Serum 2 presets
• 36 Serum 2 presets
• Bass, synth, ambience, drum and percussion loops
• One-shots, fills and transition FX
• 4 professionally recorded vocal kits with dry and wet versions
Which part of the track would you like to see broken down next: drums, bass or melodies? Leave a comment below.