1. Tempo & Key
Tempo: 120-125 BPM (classic 90s house tempo).
Key: D minor or A minor (adds a soulful, emotive feel).
2. Beat and Percussion
Kick Drum: A deep, punchy 909-style kick. Sidechained to the bass for a classic groove.
Hi-Hats: Crisp open hats layered with shakers for dynamic movement. Offbeat placement to enhance bounce.
Snare/Clap: Minimal, reverbed clap/snare layered subtly to maintain space.
Percussion: Add bongos or congas for a light tribal touch, common in 90s house.
3. Bassline
Use a warm, rolling bassline created with a classic synth like the Roland TB-303 or Juno-60.
The bass should syncopate with the kick, locking into a hypnotic groove.
4. Synths & Pads
Chords: Jazzy or soulful stabs (processed with reverb and delay for depth).
Lead: A dreamy arpeggiated synth that subtly rises and falls throughout the track.
Pads: Ethereal and minimal to create an atmospheric bed. Use sustained, airy tones.
5. Vocals
Your lyrics will work great as chopped or looped phrases.
Record the vocals clean and process with:
EQ: Remove low-end to focus on clarity.
Reverb: Add a spacious, hall-like effect.
Delay: Sync delays to the beat for rhythmic vocal echoes.
Use vocoder or pitch-shifting effects for a robotic/ethereal touch.
6. FX and Transitions
White noise sweeps, reverse cymbals, and subtle risers to transition between sections.
Low-pass filter automation on the entire track during breakdowns.
7. Arrangement
Intro: Begin with the kick, hats, and bassline building slowly.
Verse: Introduce the vocals with chord stabs and minimal percussion.
Chorus: Bring in full percussion, arpeggiated synths, and pad layers.
Breakdown: Strip back to just the pads and vocals, creating tension.
Drop: Reintroduce all elements for maximum energy.
Outro: Gradually remove layers, leaving just the bassline and kick to fade out.
8. Mix and Mastering
Use vintage-style EQ and compression for an authentic 90s feel.
Add a slight tape saturation effect for warmth.
Master the track for clarity, balancing dynamic range with club-ready loudness.
Tools to Use
DAW: Ableton Live, FL Studio, or Logic Pro.
Plugins:
Arturia Analog Lab (for retro synths).
Valhalla Reverb (for deep space effects).
FabFilter Pro-Q (for precise EQ adjustments).
Soundtoys Decapitator (for analog-style warmth).
