On 22nd September 2025 : Ansata Pro Audio and Crypto Cipher Academy joined forces to host an exclusive Live Sound Engineering workshop at our Delhi studio. The session was centered around the Waves eMotion LV1 Classic live mixing console, a benchmark in the world of live sound mixing.Led by Mark Abraham (Ansata Pro Audio) and Aitoreya Mukherjee (Crypto Cipher), this workshop gave students and alumni a chance to experience professional live mixing workflows firsthand. Participants explored the console cutting-edge features such as:

• 64 stereo channels and 44 buses for complex live setups
• Waves Signature Preamps for unmatched clarity and warmth
• Plugin integration for mixing flexibility
• Intuitive multi-touch control with motorized faders
• Scalability and portability for touring and hybrid productions

This hands-on Live Sound Engineering workshop in Delhi brought practical exposure to students, preparing them for real-world gigs, studio sessions, and live concerts.

Training Video Series : Learn Waves eMotion LV1 Step by Step

For those who could't attend the live event, Crypto Cipher Academy is proud to launch a dedicated Live Sound Engineering training video series. This video series revisits and expands on everything covered during the workshop, making it a must-watch resource for aspiring sound engineers across India.

Video Index: Waves eMotion LV1 Training

1. Setup : System Inventory, Mixer Settings, UI Settings

2. I/O Patching : Inputs, Outputs, Internal Routing, Device-to-Device, Delay Groups

3. Show Management : Session, Recall Safe, Scenes

4. Mixer Functions (Part 1 & 2) : Faders, Channel Strip, Modes, Layers, Custom Layers, Spill, Fader Flip, Links

5. Channel Processing : Input Section, Plugin Rack, Plugin Insert, Output Section

6. Wrap Up : Cue Buss, Talkback, On-Screen Keyboard, Alt & Ctrl, Help Functions

This structured approach ensures learners understand the complete workflow of the LV1 Classic console, from setup to advanced processing.

Why This Series Matters for Live Sound Engineers

The Waves eMotion LV1 Classic is fast becoming the industry standard for live mixing consoles, used in concerts, houses of worship, broadcast, and touring setups worldwide. By following this video series, you will gain:

• Practical workflows for both studio and live sound mixing
• Knowledge of plugin ecosystems and integration best practices
• Experience with scalable digital mixing systems
• Confidence to manage professional-grade live sound environments

Who Should Watch This Series?

• Students of Audio Engineering & Music Production
• Alumni of Crypto Cipher Academy
• Freelance Sound Engineers looking to upskill
• Event Sound Professionals handling concerts, corporate shows, or festivals
• Recording Engineers expanding into hybrid and live sound setups

Learn Live Sound Engineering in Delhi at Crypto Cipher Academy

Based in Delhi, India, Crypto Cipher Academy is recognized for advanced sound engineering education. Our collaborations with Ansata Pro Audio and global brands ensure students stay ahead in industry practices.

If you are searching for:

• Live Sound Engineering training in Delhi

• Best live sound mixing courses India

this video series and future workshops are designed for you.

The Live Sound Engineering Video Training Series is now available exclusively through Crypto Cipher Academy. Stay tuned as we release each episode and help shape your journey into professional live sound mixing.

Visit www.cryptocipheracademy.com to access training updates, course details, and upcoming live workshops.

FAQ : Live Sound Engineering Training Series (Waves eMotion LV1)

1. What is Live Sound Engineering?

Live Sound Engineering is the art and science of managing sound during live events such as concerts, theatre, festivals, or corporate shows. It involves mixing vocals, instruments, and effects in real-time using professional mixing consoles like the Waves eMotion LV1.

2. What is the Waves eMotion LV1 Classic console?

The Waves eMotion LV1 Classic is a cutting-edge live mixing console featuring 64 stereo channels, 44 buses, Waves Signature Preamps, plugin integration, and touch-screen control. It is widely used in touring, broadcast, and hybrid studio/live setups.

3. Who can benefit from this training series?

• Students of audio engineering and music production
• Alumni of Crypto Cipher Academy
• Freelance sound engineers and live technicians
• Recording engineers expanding into live sound
• Event professionals managing concerts or festivals

4. What topics are covered in the video series?

• Setup (system inventory, mixer & UI settings)
• I/O patching (inputs, outputs, routing, delay groups)
• Session management (scenes, recall safe)
• Mixer functions (faders, layers, custom layers)
• Channel processing (input, plugins, output section)
• Wrap up (cue buss, talkback, shortcuts, help)

5. Where is this training available?

The live workshop was hosted in Delhi, India by Crypto Cipher Academy and Ansata Pro Audio. The training series is now available online through Crypto Cipher Academy official website: www.cryptocipheracademy.com

6. Why is Waves LV1 important for sound engineers?

Waves LV1 is becoming an industry standard because it offers scalability, portability, plugin integration, and powerful DSP processing, making it ideal for both touring professionals and studio engineers.

Delhi - India,Crypto Cipher, in collaboration with Ansata Pro Audio is hosting an exclusive Live Sound Engineering Workshop on the Waves eMotion LV1 Classic Console. This event is only for Crypto Cipher alumni, offering hands-on training with one of the most powerful live sound consoles in the world.

 Workshop Details

• Date: 22nd September 2025 (Tentative)
• Time: 11:00 A.M sharp till Evening
• Venue: Crypto Cipher Academy, Delhi
• Eligibility: For Crypto Cipher pass-out students only
• Seats: Only 15 registrations available (first-come, first-serve)
• Application: Apply via Academy Internal Management Number
• Fee: Completely Free (Academy Alumni Support Program)

Important Policy:

• If you register and cannot attend, you must inform the Academy in advance so another willing student can take the seat.
• Students who register but remain absent without notice will be blacklisted from future free support workshops.

Trainers

Aitoreya Mukherjee ( Crypto Cipher ) & Mark Abraham ( Ansata Pro Audio )

About the Workshop

The Waves eMotion LV1 Classic is the world first fully integrated live mixing console by Waves. With 64 stereo channels, 44 buses, ultra-low 0.8 ms latency, and seamless integration of Waves plugins, it's designed for both Front of House (FOH) and monitor engineers.

This Live Sound Engineering Workshop in Delhi introduces participants to:

• Console setup and SoundGrid audio networking
• FOH and monitor mixing workflows
• Plugin-based processing for live shows
• Multi-tracking and rehearsal playback techniques

Why Waves eMotion LV1?

• The Waves eMotion LV1 Classic is a powerhouse live console, offering:
• 64 stereo input channels & 44 stereo buses
• Double-precision 32-bit float mix engine (44.1- 196 kHz)
• multi-touch display + 17 motorized faders
• 16 Waves Signature Preamps
• Onboard Waves processing with 16 premium plugins included
• Latency as low as 0.8 ms
• Scalability with SoundGrid devices & servers
• Multi-track recording (128 tracks to remote computers / 16 to USB)

This makes it the ideal bridge between studio-quality processing and live performance power.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1: Is this a free workshop?

A1: Yes, this Live Sound Engineering Workshop is free for Crypto Cipher alumni, as part of the Academy support system for students even after passing the course.

Q2: Who can attend this Waves eMotion LV1 workshop?

A2: Only Crypto Cipher pass-out students can attend. New students must apply for the November 2025 Sound Engineering Batch

Q3: How many seats are available?

A3: Only 15 seats are available. Registration is first-come, first-serve.

Q4: What if I register but cannot attend?

A4: You must inform the Academy in advance. No-shows without notice will be blacklisted from future free support events.

Q5: Where is the workshop happening?

A5: At Crypto Cipher Academy, Delhi, in collaboration with Ansata Computer Systems.

Q6: What will I learn in this live sound engineering workshop?

A6: Hands-on experience with Waves eMotion LV1, SoundGrid networking, FOH & monitor workflows, multi-tracking, and plugin-based mixing. 

The Combined Learning Path - Sound Engineering Diploma & Live Sound Engineering Certificate

For students aiming to build long-term careers in the audio industry, we recommend pursuing the Sound Engineering Diploma and Live Sound Engineering Certificate Course together.

This 1.5-year comprehensive program blends music production, studio engineering, and live sound expertise into one seamless learning journey - making graduates industry-ready for studios, concerts, broadcasting, and independent projects.

Program Structure

• Music Production Course (Foundation) - Core skills in composition, arrangement, and digital production tools.
• Music Production Diploma Course - Advanced production techniques, sound design, synthesis, and project workflows.
• Sound Engineering Diploma Course - In-depth training in recording, mixing, mastering, signal flow, and acoustics.
• Live Sound Engineering Certificate Course - Hands-on learning in FOH mixing, concert setups, and real event sound management.

Benefits of This Dual Program

• Full Spectrum Audio Mastery - Learn both studio and live sound at a professional level.
• Advanced Technical Knowledge - Master mixing, mastering, signal processing, and acoustics.
• Real-World Practice - Work on professional-grade equipment used in film studios and live events.
• Career Flexibility - Open doors to work in music production, film, concerts, festivals, or independent ventures.

Crypto Cipher Academy is committed to transforming students from India into globally competitive audio professionals. Whether your goal is to run your own studio, tour as a live sound engineer, or work on high-profile projects, our holistic training approach and strong industry network will guide you every step of the way.

Music Production and Sound Engineering Courses for Dehradun Students - Join Crypto Cipher ( Delhi, India )

 

If you are from Dehradun and passionate about a career in music production or sound engineering, Crypto Cipher Academy in Delhi is your gateway to the industry. Our programs are trusted by students across India, including Uttarakhand, offering professional studio training, industry-standard tools, and real-world projects. Whether you are a beginner or already experimenting with music softwares, we will take you from idea to industry-ready.

 Why Students from Dehradun Choose Crypto Cipher Academy

 

Proven Training Method - Crypto Cipher offers the most advanced and unique Music Production and Sound Engineering training, delivered through a structured, holistic, step-by-step approach focused on guaranteed student growth.

Successful Student Track Record - Many students from Uttarakhand have completed our courses and are now successful music producers, studio engineers, and label owners, setting an inspiring example for new learners.

Module-Based Course Structure - Each course is thoughtfully designed in a module-by-module format, ensuring students learn concepts in the right sequence for maximum retention and application.

Expert Trainers for Each Module - Our faculty includes hand-selected top industry professionals who specialize in their respective modules, bringing real-world experience directly into the classroom.

Proven Results Across Borders  - Our training methodology has produced countless successful producers across India, Nepal, and even a few students from abroad.

Professional Studio Environment -Training takes place in our industry-standard Audio Lab, fully equipped for professional film and music projects, giving students hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

Mindfully Selected Equipment - Every piece of studio gear is chosen with a clear vision for training, ensuring students learn on tools used by top professionals worldwide.

Strong Industry Network - Crypto Cipher maintains a powerful network of professional musicians, sound engineers, and producers in India and across the globe, helping students connect with the right opportunities.

Global Recognition - As software developers, we create our own professional music tools, endorsed by Oscar, BAFTA, and Grammy-winning or nominated producers.

Diverse Career Outcomes - Our alumni work in multiple fields: some are film sound engineers, some have worked on Hollywood projects, others run their own studios, take private commissions, or develop independent music projects.

The Combined Learning Path - Sound Engineering Diploma & Live Sound Engineering Certificate

For students aiming to build long-term careers in the audio industry, we recommend pursuing the Sound Engineering Diploma and Live Sound Engineering Certificate Course together.

This 1.5-year comprehensive program blends music production, studio engineering, and live sound expertise into one seamless learning journey - making graduates industry-ready for studios, concerts, broadcasting, and independent projects.

Program Structure

• Music Production Course (Foundation) - Core skills in composition, arrangement, and digital production tools.
• Music Production Diploma Course - Advanced production techniques, sound design, synthesis, and project workflows.
• Sound Engineering Diploma Course - In-depth training in recording, mixing, mastering, signal flow, and acoustics.
• Live Sound Engineering Certificate Course - Hands-on learning in FOH mixing, concert setups, and real event sound management.

Benefits of This Dual Program

• Full Spectrum Audio Mastery - Learn both studio and live sound at a professional level.
• Advanced Technical Knowledge - Master mixing, mastering, signal processing, and acoustics.
• Real-World Practice - Work on professional-grade equipment used in film studios and live events.
• Career Flexibility - Open doors to work in music production, film, concerts, festivals, or independent ventures.

Crypto Cipher Academy is committed to transforming students from Dehradun and Uttarakhand into globally competitive audio professionals. Whether your goal is to run your own studio, tour as a live sound engineer, or work on high-profile projects, our holistic training approach and strong industry network will guide you every step of the way.

TERRY & BELLS | Authentic Elephant Bells and Guitar Sounds | Free Download for Film Scoring, Ambient Music & Sound Design

TERRY AND BELLS is a beautifully crafted free Kontakt instrument created by Crypto Cipher from India featuring unique tonal textures from Elephant Bells and Guitar performances along with a wide range of sound design patches for composers producers and sound designers.

Whether you are scoring films producing ambient textures or looking for expressive bellbased sounds TERRY AND BELLS offers a curated sonic palette ready to inspire.

The Soul of Sound: Elephant Bells and Guitar

Elephant Bells - A Sonic Reflection of Incredible India

In the heart of Indian tradition and temple rituals, Elephant Bells have long symbolized majesty, spirituality, and celebration. These handcrafted metallic bells, often hung around the necks of sacred elephants, create a delicate, resonant sound that echoes through forests, temple courtyards, and festivals. Their rhythmic sway and shimmering tone are not just musical, they are spiritual, ceremonial, and deeply rooted in Indian heritage.

The Elephant has been a revered figure in Indian mythology and culture, often associated with wisdom and power especially embodied in Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of beginnings and knowledge. The bells capture the essence of this legacy, evoking both reverence and mystery.

In TERRY AND BELLS, each bell has been carefully recorded to preserve this cultural richness ranging from gentle rolls and bows to cluster hits and textured noise patches. It's a sonic tribute to Incredible India, offering composers and sound designers an authentic taste of Indian ceremonial life and folk instrumentation.

The Guitar - "A Universal Voice of Emotion "

Paired with the bells is the timeless beauty of the guitar, captured in plucks, taps, FX, and harmonic textures. The guitar is a globally beloved instrument, but when played with sensitivity and soul, it becomes much more than a sound source, it becomes a storyteller.

The warm, resonant tones in TERRY AND BELLS reflect not just technique, but emotion. You ll hear the intimacy of finger-picked notes, the percussive energy of hand taps, and the haunting qualities of subtle FX, all designed to complement the spiritual character of the bells.

Together, the Elephant Bells and Guitar create a cross-cultural fusion, a soundscape where ancient Indian tradition meets global musicality. It's an invitation to explore, compose, and connect with deeper narratives through sound.

3 GB LIBRARY | 45 FREE  KONTAKT INSTRUMENTS

Category: Elephant Bells (10)
Patch Names: Master Patch, Mallets Patches, Rolls, Bows, Clusters and Noise Patches
Category: Guitar Patches (5)
Patch Names: Master Patch, Pluck, Tap, Percussion, FX Patches

Category: Sound Design (30)
Patch Names: ArpSticks, Bell Rain, BellMond, Bells of Lal, Christmas Bells, Crazy Arps, Emotional Releases, Gamelanesq, Glass Pluck, HarpsiPluck, In Your Face Pluck, In Your Face Tap, Legato Colors ModWheel, Lush Ambient Pads, Narnia Bells, One Pluck, Pitch Distortion, Pitched Rhythmic Bell Movement, Rain Pad, Random Reverse Pluck, Retro Grunge, Reverse Bells, Rhythmic Pad, Rhythmic Pads Variation, Rhythmic Pads, Sample and Hold Pluck, Shiny Bells, SoloLegato, Sprinkle Bell, Wobble Synth

Bonus Content : A Cubase project file is included created by Alessandro Ponti from Italy demonstrating how to use the TERRY AND BELLS instruments in a musical context

Important note : 
Works with Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher (full version required)
Free Kontakt Player will run in demo mode for 30 minutes only

Want a Career in Music Production or Sound Engineering?

Crypto Cipher Academy (Delhi) is one of India's best-rated institutes for:

• Music Production Diploma - https://www.cryptocipheracademy.com/music-production-diploma-course
• Sound Engineering Diploma - https://www.cryptocipheracademy.com/sound-engineering-course
• Live Sound Engineering Course - https://www.cryptocipheracademy.com/live-sound-engineering-course

Whether you're from Delhi, Punjab, Ladakh, Mumbai, or anywhere in India,our Music Production & Sound Engineering programs prepare you for a real-world music career with hands-on training and studio sessions.

Best Music Production & Sound Engineering Course for Chandigarh-Mohali Punjab Students - Join Crypto Cipher in Delhi

Why Punjab Students Choose Crypto Cipher for Their Music Careers

Many talented students from Punjab, including cities like Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala, have taken the leap and joined Crypto Cipher Academy in Delhi to launch their careers in Music Production, Sound Engineering, and Live Sound Engineering.

The reason is simple - Crypto Cipher offers real-world, industry-standard training from professionals who build world-class sound libraries and work on live and studio projects daily.

From creating hit tracks to mixing at live concerts, our students become job-ready, versatile audio professionals who thrive in any sound environment.

Punjab-Based Student Success Stories

We're proud to have mentored several successful students from Punjab, who are now actively working in the music industry:

• Gurpreet BMP - Punjabi Film Composer | Music Arranger | Mixing Engineer | Working as Successful Music Producer ( Mohali, Punjab)
  Gurpreet BMP enrolled in the Music Production course at Crypto Cipher Academy in 2016 and has since built a thriving career in the Indian music industry. He is the founder of BMP RECORDS, a full-fledged music studio and record label. 
  As a successful YouTube artist with millions of views and followers, Gurpreet is known for his distinctive sound and high-quality music productions. His notable work includes composing for the Punjabi feature film Jatta Doli Na.

  Daler Mehndi, Nachhatar Gill, Feroz Khan, Roshan Prince, Shipra Goyal and many others.

  Gurpreet BMP continues to leave a strong mark on the Punjabi music scene with original releases and star collaborations.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Piyush ( LazerX Music ) - Hollywood & Bollywood Music Projects | Music Producer | Music Composer

  Lazer X, the stage name of Punjabi rapper-producer Piyush Trehan enrolled in Crypto Cipher Sound Engineering Diploma 2018, is a dynamic force in India's contemporary music landscape. His innovative fusion of experimental hip-hop, Punjabi folk, and global sounds has earned him recognition across both Bollywood and Hollywood.

  
  

  Hollywood Breakthrough: Monkey Man

  Lazer X's international acclaim surged with the inclusion of his track Naam Mera in Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man (2024). This gritty, high-energy song, produced in collaboration with Sneha Khanwalkar, complements the film's intense narrative. The opportunity arose from a remix challenge hosted by Khanwalkar's company, SoundCake, where Lazer X's submission caught her attention, leading to their collaboration on the film's soundtrack

  
  

  Bollywood & OTT Contributions

  Beyond Hollywood, Lazer X has made significant strides in Indian cinema and streaming platforms. His notable works include:

  • 
    
    • Darr Nu Daraa - featuring the Nooran Sisters, produced by Sneha Khanwalkar.
    • Uncle Ji - from the film Mister Mummy.
    • Ye Luthrey for Sharmaji Namkeen.
    • Jorr featured in Undekhi Season 3 on Sony LIV

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Lovely : Music Producer | Music Composer

  Lovely enrolled in Sound Engineering Diploma in 2018 and now working as a  Music Producer | Music Composer |

  Lovely is also known as Spade.

  Lovely is currently working for a music company called Openmic studios in Punjab.

  
  

If you're from Punjab and dreaming of making music professionally - this course is designed just for you

At Crypto Cipher Academy, we highly recommend that students who are serious about building a long-term career in the audio industry consider pursuing the Sound Engineering Diploma and Live Sound Engineering Certificate Course as a combined learning path.

1. Music Production Course ( Foundation )

2. Music Production Diploma Course

3. Sound Engineering Diploma Course

4. Live Sound Engineering Certificate Course

• This 1.5-year comprehensive program offers a deep and structured exploration into the ever-evolving field of audio technology. By enrolling in both courses, students gain: This dual course combination is designed to equip students with the full spectrum of professional skills required in today music and sound industry whether you're aiming to work in studios, live events, broadcast, or independent production.
  • A complete understanding of studio production workflows
  • In-depth knowledge of mixing, mastering, acoustics, and signal flow
  • Real-world experience with live sound setups, FOH mixing, and concert audio engineering

Q. Is there a music production course in Punjab?
There are only a few basic options for advanced music production training in Punjab. For complete professional training with full studio facilities, live sound practice, and industry-standard equipment, students from Chandigarh, Mohali (SAS Nagar), Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, and Pathankot prefer joining Crypto Cipher Academy in Delhi.

Q. Can I do this course while living in Punjab?
Music production and sound engineering demand structured, step-by-step learning under expert trainers. While theory can be studied online, true skill development needs practical studio sessions and live sound practice. We recommend relocating to our Delhi campus to build a strong foundation for a lifelong professional career.

Q. Is accommodation available for Punjab students?
Yes. We assist students from across Punjab in finding safe, comfortable PGs or hostels near our Delhi campus, making the move easy and convenient.

Q. Which software and equipment will I learn?
Training covers industry-standard music production and sound engineering tools: Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Kontakt libraries, analog/digital mixers, microphones, audio interfaces, outboard processors, monitoring chains, and live sound rigs”aligned with global industry standards.

Q. What are the career options after the course?
Career paths include music producer, sound engineer, live sound technician, mixing/mastering engineer, audio post-production specialist, and sound designer. Explore our detailed course pages and speak with our counsellors to choose the best roadmap for your goals.

Download Free Shehnai Kontakt Instrument - Shehnai Legato Speed Chunks by Crypto Cipher

Looking for a high quality free Shehnai Kontakt instrument ? Crypto Cipher offers an exclusive free download - Shehnai Legato Speed Chunks.nki, A powerful one shot Indian instrument patch from the acclaimed Voices of Ancient India library.

• What is Shehnai Legato Speed Chunks.nki?
  Shehnai Legato Speed Chunks.nki is a free Kontakt instrument patch based on traditional Indian Shehnai performances. This patch features:
  
  
  • Speed control via pitch wheel
  • Mono mode for expressive performance
  • One shot playable samples

This patch gives you a taste of the Voices of Ancient India Kontakt library, showcasing the emotional depth and unique phrasing style of this rare Indian oboe like instrument.

Why Use a Shehnai Kontakt Instrument?

The Shehnai is a powerful, expressive instrument used in Indian classical, folk, and ceremonial music. Its evocative sound blends beautifully in film scores, world music, ambient textures, and fusion tracks. Whether you are scoring a Bollywood soundtrack or producing global cinematic music, Shehnai can instantly elevate your composition.

About the Full Library - Voices of Ancient India

Bansuri (Indian Bamboo Flute)

Dilruba (Bowed Indian string instrument)

Raga Violin (Expressive Indian style violin)

Female Classical Vocals

Shehnai (Indian Oboe)

Library Highlights 

 Over 1900 phrases across 18 Indian ragas

 Speed control and tempo sync patches

 Hybrid patches with timeless and rhythmic phrases

 Custom user interface for pitch, tempo, and articulation control

 WAV files included (no Kontakt required to access raw samples)

Want more? Explore the full library here.

Full Library Link  - https://cryptocipher.in/product/voices-of-ancient-india/

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Do I need the full version of Kontakt to use this patch?

A - Yes, you need Kontakt 5.5.2 or higher. 

Q - Can I use this patch in commercial music?

A - Yes, all Crypto Cipher samples and instruments are royalty free for commercial use once your purchase the license to use.

Q -  Is this the full library?

A - This is a free patch from the full Voices of Ancient India library. You can upgrade anytime to access 5 instruments and 1900+ phrases.

Would you like to refer our Music Production & Sound Engineering courses in Delhi to a friend or brother?

Explore Detailed Courses here and apply for registration   https://www.cryptocipheracademy.com/our-courses

Take your music global - start with this free download.

Free Dholak Loops Patch : From the Library: Dholak Loops by Crypto Cipher.

We are excited to share a Free Dholak Patch,  sample of our expressive Dholak Loops Library, now available for free download. Experience the essence of Indian folk rhythms, refined and optimized for modern music production.

About the Dholak

The Dholak is one of the most iconic folk percussion instruments in India. With a bass-producing larger side and a treble-pitched smaller side, it resembles the Punjabi Dhol but is played with hands instead of sticks. Made from high-quality Sheesham wood, this instrument is commonly used in:Qawwali ,Bhajans, Kirtans, Lavani, Bhangra, Bollywood film music

Our featured dholak is a custom-built, studio-grade instrument weighing approximately 12 to13 kg. This finely tuned drum avoids the typical boominess found in many dholaks, ensuring clarity and balance right from the recording stage.

About the Artist

Prasenjit Mitra is an award-winning solo tabla artist and master multi-percussionist from India. Originally trained under the Farukhabad Gharana, he has integrated styles from various gharanas into a distinct playing technique. His dedication to innovation has led to a never-heard-before style of Dholak playing, developed through years of research and practice.

About the Full Dholak Loops Library

The Full Dholak Loops Library is a comprehensive collection of over 500 professionally recorded loops, available in three formats: Kontakt, WAV, and REX.

Key features of the full library: Available on Crypto Cipher Website ( https://cryptocipher.in/product/dholak-loops/ )

• Loops recorded at 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140 BPM
• Studio-quality recordings using premium microphones and preamps
• Expert editing and quantization by Megh Sundar Mukherjee, preserving the traditional rhythmic language
• Available in open WAV and REX formats, plus scripted Kontakt instruments
• Kontakt patches include advanced scripting with real-time controls:Transient Shaper, Heat, Doubler, Global and loop-level tuning, EQ, Compressor, Reverb, Phaser
• Includes 7 custom impulse responses
• Microtuning available for each loop
• Sample resolution: 44.1 kHz / 24-bit

What's Included in the Free Dholak Loops Kontakt Patch

• This free patch contains a curated selection of loops from the full Dholak Loops Library. Included formats: Kontakt instrument patch
• All loops are: Professionally recorded and tempo-synced

Important Note for Kontakt Users

The free Kontakt Player works in demo mode for 30 minutes. To use the Kontakt instrument without limitations, the full version of Kontakt 6 or later is required.

Get the Full Library

• If you enjoy the free patch and want access to the complete set of over 500 loops, custom effects, advanced scripting, and multi-format support:
• Visit the full library here: https://cryptocipher.in/product/dholak-loops/

Download the Free Patch

Discover the future of music production and sound engineering in India with Crypto Cipher Academy. Our 2025 programs are designed for aspiring producers and audio engineers looking for hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and industry-relevant skills.

Are you planning to build a career in music production or sound engineering in India? 2025 is the year to invest in your passion with Crypto Cipher Academy, based in Delhi,India's creative capital. Our academy provides top-tier training for music enthusiasts, offering everything from sound recording to live mixing in a real-world studio environment.

At Crypto Cipher, students gain practical experience through immersive learning. You will work on industry-standard software, analog hardware, and digital mixing consoles. With expert trainers, studio-grade gear, and small class sizes, our programs ensure personalized mentorship and skill development.

Whether you want to become a music producer, recording engineer, or live sound technician, Crypto Cipher Academy provides both short-term and diploma-level courses to match your goals.

India's music industry is witnessing exponential growth, creating an increasing demand for skilled professionals in music production and sound engineering. For those seeking music production courses in India or sound engineering courses in India, Delhi emerges as a preferred destination, offering a rich cultural blend and access to world-class training.

Among the numerous academies, Crypto Cipher Academy in Delhi, India has set a benchmark with its holistic approach, advanced curriculum, and industry-relevant training. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right academy and understand why Crypto Cipher stands out.

Here is a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision

1.   Define Your Goals

2.   Evaluate the Curriculum

3.   Check the Academy's Reputation

4.   Faculty Expertise

5.   Infrastructure and Facilities

6.   Internship and Placement Opportunities

7.   Course Duration and Flexibility

8.   Fee Structure and Value for Money

9.   Networking Opportunities

10. Location and Accessibility

1.   Define Your Goals

Before diving into the search for the right course, take time to identify your personal and professional aspirations.

Do you want to produce your own music? Focus on courses emphasizing composition, arrangement, and DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) mastery.
 
Are you passionate about live sound engineering or Studio Sound Engineering ? Look for academies offering specialized sound engineering in Delhi which covers a good balance of both worlds.
 
Planning to work in India's growing film industry? Opt for courses that include post-production training along with full audio training modules.
 
Want to work in the gaming industry? Choose courses that are focus on sound design, synthesis and sampling and you also need deep understanding of music production techniques.
 
 Do you want become a singer or a rapper? Look for courses that teach advanced audio recording, micing, vocal editing and vocal mixing & overall music productions skills.
 
Want to work as a DJ? Opt for courses that offers performance-based curriculum.

In the music industry, regardless of your specific career aspirations - becoming an arranger, music producer, sound engineer, EDM artist, Post Production or contributing to the gaming or film music industry - two essential skills remain constant:

1. A strong foundation in audio technology.

2. Clarity in music theory, combined with the creativity to generate innovative ideas.

Crypto Cipher Academy has developed a meticulously crafted course that integrates these critical elements, ensuring you are well-equipped for any career in music.

2. Evaluate the Curriculum

The curriculum is the backbone of any course. Look for a syllabus that balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice.

Here is what an ideal music production course in India should cover:

- Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) Software like Ableton & Logic Pro X
- Composition & Arrangement which is essential for creating professional tracks
- Mixing & Mastering for polishing your sound for commercial output
- Sound Design to create unique soundscapes and effects

Similarly, a sound engineering course should include:

- Acoustics & Studio Design for optimizing sound in different environments
- Microphone Techniques which is essential for live and studio recordings
- Live Sound Engineering to manage sound for concerts and events ( Learning Analogue, Digital & Hybrid Mixer Consoles & all theory/ practical applications )
- Audio Post-Production which includes syncing and editing sound for visuals

3. Check the Academy's Reputation

Delhi is home to several academies, but not all offer the same quality of education. Consider these factors before you pick a course:

Experience: Does the academy have a strong track record in teaching music production or sound engineering?
Success Stories: Research alumni achievements. Have past students worked on notable projects?
Reviews and Testimonials: Check online reviews and testimonials for honest insights.

Check the academy website if they have this information, otherwise you can reach out to the help desk for more information.

4. Faculty Expertise

A course is only as good as its instructors. Ensure that the academy employs experienced professionals who bring real-world knowledge into the classroom. Meet them personally in Academy premises and talk to them personally and get your queries solved directly from faculty members instead of help desk manager or any other person.

Key Points to Assess:

 Industry experience of the faculty.
Their ability to teach complex topics in a digestible manner.
Faculty members contributions to successful music projects.

5. Infrastructure and Facilities

The best music production and sound engineering courses in Delhi provide access to industry-standard equipment and software.

Must-Have Facilities Include:

Well-equipped studios with professional DAWs and plugins.
High-quality microphones, mixing consoles, and monitors.
Dedicated soundproof rooms for recording.
Hands-on practice with gear used in music production and sound engineering.

Visiting the academy in person, if possible, will give you a better sense of their facilities. Also meeting the faculty members beforehand can also give you an idea about how they approach their classes.

6. Internship and Placement Opportunities

Practical exposure is invaluable in this field. Look for courses that offer internships or tie-ups with studios, production houses, or event companies.

Internships: These provide real-world experience in areas like mixing, mastering, or live sound setup.

Placements: Academies offering placements can help you land jobs right after completing the course but make sure education organization do not blindly give false promises.

Please note : Academies often exaggerate their internship and placement opportunities to attract students. So do not get fooled by any academy that over-promises on opportunities after completing the course. Do your research to verify their claims from the alumni.

7. Course Duration and Flexibility

Different academies offer varying course lengths. Some might have short-term workshops, while others may offer diploma or degree programs. Choose a course based on your availability and learning goals.

Short-term Courses: Ideal for hobbyists or those looking for an introduction to the field.
Long-term Programs: Best for aspiring professionals seeking in-depth knowledge of music production and sound engineering..

8. Fee Structure and Value for Money

Cost is an essential factor, but it should not be the only deciding criterion. Compare the course fees with the quality of education, facilities, and opportunities provided.

Please note : Some academies in Delhi offer financial aid or installment plans, making education accessible to more students.

9. Networking Opportunities

The music industry thrives on connections. Enrolling in a reputed course can introduce you to:

Peers and Collaborators: Build relationships with like-minded individuals.
Guest Lectures: Learn from industry veterans sharing their experiences.
Events and Competitions: Showcase your talent and gain recognition.

10. Location and Accessibility

Studying in Delhi offers a distinct advantage. The city is a melting pot of cultures and musical influences, providing inspiration and opportunities.

When choosing an academy:

1. Consider its proximity to your home or accommodation.
2. Check for easy connectivity via public transportation.
3. If you are from a different state, check for PGs and renting options beforehand (perhaps contact the academy, they often help students coming from other states with this)
4. Check for tiffin services or healthy food options if you are coming from a different state

Having these problems sorted out beforehand can ensure a seamless experience through the duration of your course. It will be hard for you to concentrate on the music if you cannot ensure proper food and shelter.

11. Online vs. Offline Classes

Many academies now offer online courses, especially after the pandemic. Evaluate which format works better for you:

 Advantages of Online Classes

1. Learn from anywhere
2. Flexible schedules
3. Often more affordable

Advantages of Offline Classes

1. Hands-on experience with professional gear
2. Face-to-face interaction with faculty
3. Networking opportunities with peers
4. One to one attention and deep understanding of any audio related topic.

Why Delhi is a Great Choice for Music Production and Sound Engineering

Delhi, as the cultural and creative capital of India, offers unmatched opportunities:

Diverse Music Scene: From Bollywood to independent music, Delhi has it all.
Growing Industry Demand: The demand for skilled professionals in music production in India is on the rise.
Vibrant Community: The city hosts numerous events, workshops, and meetups for budding producers and sound engineers.

Final Thoughts

Crypto Cipher Academy: Building Your Future in Professional Music

Crypto Cipher Academy is more than just a training institute for music production and sound engineering - it’s a launchpad for successful careers. Key highlights of their approach include:

• Personalized Attention: Small batch sizes allow for focused

• End-to-End Guidance: The academy supports students at every stage, from mastering the basics to preparing for industry challenges.

• Innovative Training Modules: Crypto Cipher's training program follows a holistic, step-by-step approach, ensuring students grasp each concept thoroughly and build a strong foundation.

With the demand for skilled professionals in the music industry at an all-time high, finding the right music production course in India or sound engineering course in India is crucial. Crypto Cipher Academy in Delhi offers everything aspiring musicians and engineers need to succeed.

Ready to turn your passion into a thriving career? Visit Crypto Cipher Academy today and take the first step toward your dream in music production and sound engineering.

General FAQ's

1. What makes Crypto Cipher Academy different from other audio schools in India?

Crypto Cipher offers hands-on studio training, real-world projects, and direct mentorship from industry professionals in Delhi.

2. Is a diploma in music production or sound engineering valuable in 2025? 

Yes. With the growing demand for high-quality audio in media, certified training opens doors in music, film, and broadcasting.

3.  What equipment will I learn to use at Crypto Cipher?

Students train with analog gear, Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, MIDI controllers, Digital, Analogue & Hybrid Mixers along with professional software & legendary hardware equipments.

4. Can international students enroll in these courses? Yes, international students are welcome and can apply through our online admission process.

Please connect support for more details.

5. Are these courses suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. Our beginner-friendly modules ensure a strong foundation even if you have no prior experience.

In this article we will focus on the Chords, Leads and Basses used in the drop section, take a look at the music theory and explore a few tips that can make the process of coming up with melodies or chord progressions easier.

In case you have missed Part 1 of this series, we recommend that you read that first and then come back to this article.

Chord Progression

We will be making our drop in G Major Scale so go ahead and turn on the scale function within your DAW. You may also want to fold the piano roll of your DAW to the selected scale (shown in the image below).

Major 7th and minor 7th chords are used frequently in Future Bass. Extended chords like Add 9th chords are also quite common. For our track we will be using the Chord Progression:

|| G Major 7th | G add 9 | B minor 7th | D add 9 || 

As you can see in the image above we have altered the standard voicing of the chords to make them sound better. As long as we stay in the selected scale, we can experiment with these voicings till we get the right feel for our chord progression. 

Once we are happy with how the chord progression sounds, we can alter the rhythm of certain chords to add more energy to the composition and compose a B section for the drop. Along with altering the rhythm we can also add some extra notes in the higher or lower registers to add more movement to our music. It is important not to add to many notes at this stage. We need to maintain space for other elements and keep things interesting. As you can see in the image below, we have largely kept things similar to our initial progression, only adding some variations in the 2nd and 4th bars.

At the moment we are using a default saw wave from Wavetable (check image below) to map out chords, we will be covering sound design in the next part where this basic sound will be altered into something much more complex.

Main Melody or Lead

Now that our chord progression is ready, we can start experimenting with different melodies that will be in scale with our chords and also fill in the empty spaces in between. For our composition, we want our lead to be slightly offset from the rhythm of drum pattern. To achieve this, we will use the concept of syncopation where certain notes in our melody will land on the upbeat to create rhythmic variations. We also want the melody to sound uplifting, so we are using the G Major Pentatonic scale (G, A, B, D, E) instead of the regular G Major. As you can see in the image below the melody is kept very simple and with the chord progression they almost act like a call and response but it is not very obvious.

Another important trick that has been used here, is to always rest on one of the chord degrees (notes played in the chord), this makes the lead resonate better with our chord progression. We have also varied the velocity of the notes according to taste to add a bit of humanization.

We will also create a variation for this melody so that the drop does not sound repetitive. We are using a few notes out of the G Major Pentatonic scale for this section, other than that we are keeping the feel similar to our first melody (as shown in the image below). 

For both the melodies we are using the default triangle wave from Wavetable. We will alter the tone in part 3 of this series, when we explore sound design.

Bass

The bassline for our track will be extremely simple. We will be placing the bass notes on beat to accent the downbeats. The main role for the bass is to thicken the sound of the chord progression. Hence we have used the root notes of our chords as the main bassline with some minute additions (shown in the image below).

We will also create a variation for our bass part like we had done for our chord progression and lead. In this version we are going to keep things similar to the first pattern but we will add some more syncopated notes to create contrast (check image below).

We have made the bassline using the default sine wave from Wavetable as shown in the image below.

Conclusion

Thus we have created a chord progression, lead and bass section with a variation for our Future Bass track while exploring some tips to help us be more expressive and efficient with our note selection. In the next article we will explore various sound design techniques to give our music the Future Bass sound. If have not read our previous article in this series, please click the link provided below.

Introduction

Dynamic EQs combine the best features of an EQ and a Compressor/Expander. Unlike a regular parametric EQ, a dynamic EQ boosts or attenuates a frequency band in reaction to the incoming signal. A regular EQ can remove, among other things, harshness from a signal provided that these unwanted frequencies are fixed, if they move around in the frequency spectrum then the harshness would not be suppressed in areas where the EQ is not active. This is especially true for a pitched signal where the problematic frequencies may move up down parallel to changes in pitch. A dynamic EQ would be a smarter choice in this scenario because it would attenuate a frequency band only when the incoming signal surpasses a user-defined threshold.

In Ableton, we have the option of turning any stock or third-party EQ to a Dynamic EQ by using stock plugins. In this article, we will explore some options on how to implement dynamic EQ with devices like EQ Eight, Channel EQ and EQ Three.

Ableton's Envelope Follower

The Envelope Follower is the main component for making any EQ react dynamically to the incoming audio signal. It is located in the Modulators folder in Audio Effects under Categories. This device can be mapped to any parameter within Ableton. The mapped parameter would then be increased or decreased in reaction to the levels of the input signal. Consequently the magnitude of the boost or cut adjusts itself in relation to the magnitude of the input signal.    

As you can see in the image above, the envelope follower has a simple interface. We can use the Map button on the top left corner (beneath the device header) to map this device to any device parameter within Ableton. Moving to the right from the Map button we find the range controls (minimum and maximum respectively). This can be used to set some limit within which the mapped parameter will operate. On the top right corner we have the multi-map button that gives us seven more mapping options with their dedicated range controls. At the bottom, starting from the left side we have the Gain button that sets the amount of gain (positive or negative) to be applied to the mapped device parameter in reaction to incoming signal's volume envelope. Moving to the right of Gain, we have the Rise and Fall parameters that set the attack and release of the mapped parameter respectively. Moving to the right from Fall we have the Delay knob which delays the envelope of the incoming signal. Now that we are familiar with Envelope Follower interface, let us see how it can be paired with other Ableton Stock Plugins.

Dynamic EQ8

To turn EQ Eight into a dynamic EQ, let us create a track and insert an Envelope Follower followed by an EQ Eight. We will map the the Gain parameter for Filter 3. Select Filter 3 first, then click on the Map button on the envelope follower. After clicking the Map button click on the Gain parameter for Filter 3 in EQ Eight. Now we have successfully turned this filter into a Dynamic EQ band.  

To make this work smoothly, we will also set both the maximum and minimum settings of the Range in the Envelope Follower to 50%. If we want our dynamic EQ to attenuate this frequency band when the amplitude of the incoming signal increases, then we will lower the maximum value for the range and vice-versa. If we increase or decrease the minimum value then the Dynamic EQ will work in reverse, which can be useful too. A good way to familiarise oneself with how the changes in the range controls affects the mapped parameter, use a four bar hi-hat pattern, where the hi-hats are paced 2 beats apart for four bars. Then activate the loop switch. Now you will be able to see exactly how the EQ reacts to the incoming signal in respect to the changes in the minimum and maximum value of the Range control. Now we can send any musical signal through this device chain and boost or attenuate different parts of the frequency spectrum according to the changes in amplitude. We can also adjust the Rise and Fall parameters of the Envelope Follower same as we use the attack and release controls of a dynamic EQ to make the response smoother.

We can also explore some more experimental mappings with our EQ Eight. One powerful addition we can make to our setup is to dynamically affect the resonance of the mapped EQ band. We can do this either with a second Envelope Follower (if we want more control) or by using the multi-map options on the existing device.

As you can see in the image above, the Envelope Follower is mapped both to Filter 3 Gain and Filter 3 Resonance (Q factor). This setting will now have a higher bandwidth at higher levels of attenuation and vice-versa. By inverting the range you can reverse the behaviour of the Resonance control.  

We can also map other parameters of the EQ with the Envelope Follower to create interesting and experimental sonic variations. Look at he image below, the Envelope Follower has been mapped to the Scale control of EQ eight. The frequency bands are flat when no sound is playing, but whenever there is any incoming signal the bands two and four will get boosted while bands 1 and 3 will be attenuated.

Other Stock Dynamic EQ Options in Ableton

We can use the Envelope Follower to dynamically affect other Ableton stock EQs like EQ Three, Channel EQ and Auto-filter. 

As you can see in the image above, the envelope follower is being used to control the High Gain knob for the Channel EQ. This chain is great for creating broad tonal changes in the spectrum but not suited for more surgical tasks.

Similar to the previous example a dynamic EQ Three can also be very useful for live performance scenarios where a broad frequency band might have to be removed from a track to make space for leads, vocals, drums etc.

In image above, these settings would remove the mid frequencies of the incoming signal when played at normal levels but when the level falls below -30dBFS the frequency band will gradually come back up to fill the spectrum.

Conclusion

Using a third party dedicated Dynamic EQ might be an easier fix rather than using the Envelope Follower every time. However, it cannot be overlooked that this method gives us a greater level of control on the EQ band and its movements. This is extremely useful for both surgical and experimental tasks like removing harshness, boosting desirable frequencies, frequency based side-chaining and even sound design.

In this article we will create a future bass drum pattern and discuss a few techniques you can use to make your patterns stand out. Let us start off with some ground rules. Future Bass tracks vary between 130 - 160BPM. For our project we will set the BPM at 150. Our time signature will remain 4/4 just like most tracks in the genre.

Sample Selection

Future Bass has very punchy drums. So it is always ideal to start off with a good sample. Starting with a bad sample will lead to endless processing that will probably not end up sounding on par with a good sample anyways. There are a lot free resources on the internet where you will find some good samples. Once you have your samples ready we will move on to programming our drum pattern.

Programming the kick

Select a punchy kick with a short decay. You can drag your audio sample directly into your track and arrange them on the grid, but we will use midi for our project. Insert an empty midi channel in Ableton (Shift+Ctrl+T for Windows and Shift+Cmd+T for Mac). Double click on your midi channel and then double click on your kick sample. Your kick should open up in a simpler, in the device view of your midi channel. Switch the simpler to 1-Shot mode from the default Classic Mode. In this mode the sample triggered plays till the end of the sample.

Now highlight the first 8 bars of your grid and insert midi clip (Shift+Ctrl+M in Windows and Shift+Cmd+M for Mac) and double click on it to open up you piano roll.

When using midi always remember the note C3 will play the kick sample in its original form. 

Trap basses generally consist of 808's. They have a long decay and are often distorted. 808 selection is extremely important for our final mix. You should always preview your bass sound with your kick in any genre of music, to see that they are not conflicting with each other. If our 808 is muffling the kick from the beginning, then processing will not be able to solve our problem.

1. Tuning 808's

808's need to be tuned correctly to the key of our beat. Once you have selected your 808, draw it into the device view of an empty midi track. Your 808 will open up in an instance of simpler. Insert a tuner after the simpler. Now we can monitor the pitch played by the 808.

We can adjust the transposition of our sample from the 'Controls' tab in the simpler. We will tune our 808 as such, that when we hit the C note on our midi keyboard, the sample is also triggered in the same pitch.

808's follow the kick drum. You can copy the kick pattern directly into your 808 and then make changes in the pitch.

As you can see in the image provided above, the 808 in being trigger along with the kick. Now we can vary its pitch so that we can follow the melody of our beat.

While varying the pitches you can experiment with the octave, fifth and fourth. You can also transpose your bassline up a few octaves to check if you bass melody is sounding good with the main melody, then transpose it back down.

3. 808 Slides

Slides add some interesting movement to your 808. To activate this function go back to the controls tab and select Glide and set the time according to your liking. Our glide time will be 107ms. This parameter determines, how much time it will take for one note to glide up/down to the next. Glide can only happen when our instrument is monophonic and we have overlapping notes.

Pitch bends can add even more expression to your 808. We can bend both up and down, depending on what sound we want to create. You can use the envelope editor to draw your pitch bend curves.

As you can see in the image above, we have bent the pitches of quite a few notes. All these changes add to the dynamics of our 808 and help its presence in the mix.

5. Pitch Envelope

Adding a pitch envelope on our 808 can further enhance its punch. A pitch envelope determines how many semitones up will the sample play when triggered and how long will it take for the sample to come down to its original pitch (determined by the Decay Time of the pitch env).

Trap 808's are distorted to make them more present in the beat. If our 808 does not have much mid and high-mid content, then it can get buried when played on bad speakers. Distortion can make up for this disadvantage by adding some crunch to our 808. We need to use this effect in moderation so that we don't lose any low frequencies from the bass.

As you can see in the image above, we are using multiple distortion types to colour our 808. The trick is to use them minimally. All three effects together will add some nice midrange to our 808's.

Now that our 808's have been processed we can start recording vocal ideas and compose additional sections to complete the song. 

If you want to follow along with our Ableton project file, then click on the link provided below to download the .alp file:

Crypto Cipher Academy_Melodic Trap Beat Tutorial (Ableton Project Download)

The melody and chord progression of our trap beat is extremely important for the vibe our beat is trying to create. Most trap beats are mostly based on minor scales. We will compose our melody in E minor.

In the image provide above you can see the notes of an E minor scale. Needless to say that our chord progression will also consist of a combination of these notes.

In Ableton, you can turn Scale Mode on so that the notes of your scale is highlighted on the piano roll. This will help us to adjust notes quickly.

We will start off with writing our chord progression. The chords that can be used in our scale are E minor, F#dim, G major, A minor, B minor, C major and D major. Our chord progression for this beat will be: E minor | G major | E minor | B minor (i - III - i - v)

As you can see in the image above, we have varied the velocities of our notes to create a realistic feel to the chords. We are using a chorus heavy Electric Piano to make our chords. We are also adding some mid-side processing to make our chords sound wide in the mix.

Once we have the basic progression programmed, we can try some 7th or add9th chords to make our sound more interesting. If you look at the image below, we have added an extra 7th to our chords also varies the length, start and end positions of the notes to add a more realistic feel to our sound.

Now that our chord progression is created, we can move onto our melody.

2. Melody

For our melody section, we need to be able to create tension and release with the notes of our scale. The 2nd, 4th and 6th notes of our scale will create tension while 1st, 3rd and 5th will create release or resolution. An easy pattern to follow is to use tension notes at the end of a bar, while starting the next bar with a note that will release that tension. Let us say we add an A note on the last 1/8th note of a bar, then we will begin the next bar with an E note which will release the tension created by the preceding note. In the image provided below, the highlighted notes are our tension notes. Trap melodies also follow a basic call and pattern, where the first part of the melody raises a musical question, resolved by the following part.

We are repeating the call part of our melody (comprised of 2 bars) thrice, before playing our answer (also comprised of 2 bars) only once, thus creating our 8 bar melody.

Another helpful tip would be to fold your piano roll according to our selected scale so that only the pertinent notes are displayed. This will help us to create melodies fast.

3. Sampling the Melody

This step is absolutely optional, but a lot of producers like to bounce their melody and chord progressions into a single audio track. This helps us is experimenting with different chops and pitch variations. You can also try reversing certain sections to make your sound stand out. To consolidate your chord and melody into a single audio track, add an empty audio track (named Sampled Melody) and route the output of the required tracks into the Sampled Melody track.

Now arm the newly added track and hit the global record button. Hit stop once your sample is completely recorded.

Now we can slice up the audio as we like and add interesting variations in different parts of the melody.

As you can see in the image above, we have reversed our sample and adding some creative warping effects to make it sound interesting.

4. The Melody Section

After programming all your melodies and harmonies, it is important to group them so we can apply bus processing on these sounds. Control the lows of your melody sound so that they don't clash with our 808's and kicks.

Make Melodic Trap Beats Part 1

Trap Drums are not complicated at all. There are a few basic elements that we need to make a bouncy trap beat. A trap drum kit consists of a kick, clap and hi-hat at its core. You can add other snares, vocal one-shots and percussion samples to fit your style. Our three core drum sounds need to be punchy and short. Trap beats have a tempo of 140-160BPM. We will make our beat in 140BPM.

1. The Kick

Trap kick drum selection is extremely important. The kick needs to sit perfectly with our bass/sub in the mix. A short kick drum with a very emphasised attack would cut through the mix much easier than a sub heavy low-kick. Drag your sample into an audio track and start laying them according to Ableton's grid. You can turn the metronome on for reference.

We are also adding a saturator on our kick to add some more girth and presence. Distorted kicks are staple in the trap genre.

Lofi Hip Hop Beat Steps:

Lo-Fi is a type of music where imperfections are introduced into the audio signal deliberately to achieve texture or character. Lo-Fi is an abbreviation for Low Fidelity, so music producers often employ plugins that artificially degrade the audio to give their sound a vinyl quality. In this article we will explore 6 easy steps to compose a lo-fi hip hop beat.

Step 1: Creating the right Chord Progression

Lofi chords are a huge part of their sonic quality. Most loft producers sample old jazz and soul records to create a nostalgic feeling. We will be creating our own progression from scratch and then we will sample ourselves. Lofi hiphop can be anywhere from from 70-100 BPM, sometimes even slower than that. The BPM for our project will be 75 BPM. For sound selection, try to remember what type of instruments old jazz and soul records would use. Using those sounds to create our sample will help us create a more old timey vibe.

Look at the chords that we have drawn in the image above. We are using a rhoads preset to create these chords. You can use an acoustic guitar or any other instrument but the way you create your chords will change according to that instrument. Here we are using the chords Em7 - Am7 - CM7 - GM7 for the first four bars, in the second four bar cycle, we are substituting Em7 with Emadd9. You can experiment with the added notes on these chords, also use vinyl or modulation fx on the channel to make things sound more aged.

We are using the phaser-flanger device of ableton, as shown in the picture above, to modulate our Rhoads sound.

Step 2: Turning Your Chord Progression Into a Sample

Once you are happy with how your chords are sounding, freeze and flatten them to convert into audio. There are a few ways we can sample this. You can do manual edits in your Daw to create MPC like chops.

In the image above, you can see that we have made quite a few edits to our original sample after freezing and flattening. Have your metronome on for this section as it will help you to flesh out interesting patterns. We are also applying crossfades at clip edges to prevent any clicks and pops. Alternatively, you can add your freeze and flattened sample into a simpler and use the slicing mode to create patterns using midi.

In the image above, we have added our sample into a slicer and then turned on Slicing Mode. You can play around with the sensitivity and slice by settings for different sets of chops. You can now program you sampled melody using midi.

These are the notes we drew in with our piano roll for the simpler. We are going to use this as a variation on the main melody.

Step 3: Drums that sound old

The tone of your drum samples play a huge role in lofi hiphop. The drum programming itself is fairly simple. Go for drum sounds with some audible background noise, You can use some processing to lessen the high frequency response of your drum sounds. We also like to add distortion to our drums to make them sound more crunchy. Once you have your drum sounds selected you can arrange them directly on the track according to our grid, but we will use a drum rack. We are using a kick, snare and hit for our beat.

This is the pattern we have created, shown in the image above. Do not forget to vary the velocities of your hits as required. You can also use some saturation on the drums to fatten them up and add some more character to the sound. You can also experiment with different grooves on your drums, which will offset our midi from the grid, giving the beat more human touch.

Bassline in this genre of music is very different from one song to another. Tonally the bass sounds mellow and has much rhythmic variation built into it. Select a preset that has a solid low end with some subtle harmonies in the mids. For the notes in your bassline, you can follow the root notes of the chord, and then develop it further from there. We like to use a lot of octaves and melodic runs to keep things interesting.

As you can see, we have added our bass notes along with some melodic and rhythmic variations. Do not forget to add some processing to your bass if it is too quiet in the mix even when the volume is unchanged. We are using a saturator on our bass channel with the settings shown in the image below.

Step 5: Adding Fx and Foley

Textures are a major part of Lofi sound. The signature vinyl crackle is present on every track to give the listener the perception, that the song is being played from a vinyl record player. We are using a little bit of vinyl distortion on our main sample to simulate the vinyl crackle (image below).

You can also layer your sounds with foley to create more texture along with the vinyl crackle.

As you can see in the image above, the drums that have been programmed with midi is being layered with different foley samples to add depth and character to our drums. Vocal chops and one-shots also spice up your beat in a major way, making it more memorable for the listener. You can sprinkle in some more details with risers and down lifters for transition sections.

As you can see in the image above we added an impact sample and a white noise riser sample for our project. The impacts are placed at the beginning of every 8 bars, while the risers are placed at the 7th bar and 15th bar with varied lengths.

Mixing a lofi beat is fairly easy. Make sure to balance your faders first and then you can experiment with the pan pot. As long as your sound is well balanced in terms of levels and stereo image, you are halfway there. Kicks and Snares need to be able to punch through the mix. Keep the drums as dynamic as possible. Your bass would also be mixed rather loud in the mix. Other instruments and synths can be balanced according to your taste. EQ out any undesirable low frequencies to make space for your bass sound. Getting rid of the lows in your hiatus, cymbals, fx and instruments, will also reduce muddiness of the overall mix. Sidechain compression is also used in this genre often as an aesthetic tool rather than a tool for mixing. You can sidechain various instruments to your kick and exaggerate the sidechain effect to emphasise on the lofi character of your track.

As you can see in the two images provided above, the side chain settings on my melody sidechain and bass sidechain are different. The melody sidechain has more exaggerated and audible sidechain compression happening to create movement in the sound, while the bass side chain is much more focused on attenuating our bass sound whenever the kick strikes without being necessarily heard. You can also experiment with some subtle saturation or soft clipping on you master buss to further drive in that lofi feel of your track.

If you want to follow along with our Ableton project file, then click on the link provided below to download the .alp file:

Crypto Cipher Academy_Lofi Beat Tutorial (Ableton Project Download)

All DAWs, no matter how basic, implement some form of automation. Automation means having a computer take control of a parameter within a DAW and change it's value over a period of time set by the user. Automation can refer to the turning of a knob, the sliding of a fader and the toggling of switches within our audio workstation. To carry out any form of Automation the user draws automation curves in the DAW timeline (commonly in an automation lane) which defines the movement of the selected parameter for a certain duration defined by the user. In this article we will explore some creative automation tricks and tips that will improve your mixes.

1. Creating Variations For Programmed Instruments

There are countless advantages of using MIDI, but one of the areas where this technology fails to deliver is in the realm of humanization. A programmed instrument most likely would have all notes playing in the same velocity, with the same articulation. A real instrument played by a person would naturally have a lot of variations in dynamics and articulations. The same can be done for MIDI instruments but the process often takes a lot of time and patience. Automations can be a great tool to create these variations quickly and efficiently. Automating the volume of a hi hat for example can help make it sound more natural, letting some hits be louder than others, similar to accents performed by a drummer. The pitch can also be automated to simulate articulations like vibrato and pitch bends. The pitch can also be automated in cents for instruments like drums to simulate the drum stick striking different regions of the drum skin. These techniques can add a lot of expression and dynamics to robotic MIDI sections.

4. Automating Reverb And Delay   

Reverb and delay are two of thew most common audio effects used while mixing. But, overusing them can lead to loss of clarity. A bit of automation can clean up these problems with ease. Using a separate bus for the Reverb, we can automate the send level of the channel where the reverb is required. This gives us the option to manually reduce the send level at the beginning of a signal, therefore bypassing any leftover reverb tail from the previous signal in the channel. This is very common in vocals where the sends can be raised at the end of phrase to fill silences or gaps in the performances, similarly we can also bring the reverb send level down for a busier section of the performance where more clarity is required. Similar techniques are used for delays as well known as "delay throws", where a delay in added to a bus with a quarter note or eighth note setting. The delay send can be raised for particular words and phrases which would ring out in the mix for a longer time. This is a great way to fill empty spaces in a performance, add some ear candy to the mix and also hold the audience attention during the quieter sections of a track. When using reverbs and delays in this way it is common to have the timing synced to the project tempo.

Any live performance will have lots of tempo variations. It is only natural for musicians to play quieter sections of a song at a slower tempo, in relation to the the louder parts of the song that tend to increase in tempo as the volume level increases. This change in tempo will be missing for songs composed within a DAW for obvious reasons. Most DAWs give their user the ability to automate project tempo. This feature is useful to make a studio recording feel more like a live performance. The tempo can be lowered during the intro and outro sections while during the choruses the tempo can be increased to give the feeling of a rise in intensity. It is recommended that the tempo automations are gradual and have a diminished range. Drastic tempo changes are only used if that is the intended effect. In case of a live performance the change in tempo is a natural consequence of the situation, hence it is not intentional. Keeping the tempo changes mild will emulate this phenomenon much better in the context of a mix.

Creative Drum And Percussion Sound Design

Ableton Live has a lot of tools for creative sound design. In this article we will explore an interesting technique to create your own unique percussion samples from scratch using any sample of your choice. This technique is extremely simple and effective for cooking up new perks quickly removing any need for incessant sample pack diving. We will be using Ableton's simpler for the main sound design aided with some audio effects.

Selecting the Sample

Theoretically you can use any sample you want but we will make the most out of this technique if we use loops or long samples that varies over time and has a lot of textures. Fx Loops are a great choice, so are vocal and bass loops. We have chosen the Acid Birds Ambience Fx loop from the Drive and Glow pack that comes with Ableton Live 11 Suite.

Processing the Sample with Ableton Simpler

Our percussion samples will really start taking shape from this point onwards. Add an Amp after you Simpler. I have selected the Lead setting on my Amp and adjusted my Gain and Dry/Wet controls. You can look at the image below for a reference. The Rock, Lead and Heavy setting work very well. The Amp provides a woody texture to our percussion.

We will process our sound further by adding some waveshaping. We will insert a Saturation effect in our Fx chain and select the Waveshaper setting from the drop down menu.

As you can see in the image above we have adjusted our Drive and Waveshaper controls according to our taste and then adjusted the Dry/Wet. If your sample is clipping a bit then turn on the Soft Clip option. The Saturator adds some character and harmonic richness to our sample.

Adding a Filter Envelope in the Simpler

Now is a good time to go back to the Simpler and add some filtration. You can go through the various filter modes and add some filter drive for some added texture. Also adjust the Filter Envelope according to preference. I like to set my filter cutoff Frequency at a lower value and the Filter Envelope amount at a moderately high value. I have also adjusted the Decay control which has an interesting effect on our percussion sound.

Adding Some Creative Fx Processing to Further Enhance Our Sample

The Erosion audio effect is an extremely handy addition for any percussion sound design. I am using the Noise setting to add some character and fill up the harmonic spectrum of the sound.

As a last step to our sound design, I like to group everything into an Instrument Rack. If you look at the image below then you will see that I have also mapped Simpler Decay and loop Start controls to Macro 1 and Macro 2 respectively. This technique really shines at this step because now we can adjust our loop Start macro (S Start in the image) and create huge variation of different percussion sounds. We had chosen the initial sample because it had a lot of variation over time. Playing around with the Start will play different parts of the whole sample, creating different sounds and textures. You can also adjust the decay to create different characteristics in your percussion.

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