How to Make Hardcore Techno

Last Updated: February 14, 2022

This is it. You've heard a lot of tracks, seen a lot of DJ and you are interested in the process of making Hardcore Techno. Maybe you've been listening to Hardcore (not to be confused with Hardcore Punk or Hardcore metal) for some time, and you finally made your decision.

You're going to be a part of the family.

Steps

1
Make sure you want to do it.
- You wanted to make just one track ? Well, Hardcore is certainly one of the hardest music genre, and thus, finding people who truly enjoy it, finding tutorials or label interested (this will come much later after you start producing) WILL be hard. Are you sure you want to become a Hardcore producer ?
2
Choose your DAW.
- What is a DAW ? It's a music producing software; if you didn't know it then you will probably need a lot of time before actually producing tracks. Personally, I use FL Studio, but you can also try one of the various others, like Cubase, Ableton, Pro Tool, Reason, Logic... Keep in mind that some of them only work on PC, while some other only work on Mac. Some also work on both. Tip the name on a search engine, then go to the website and download a demo to get an idea of how it works. But keep in mind that if you illegally download the software, the music you'll make won't belong to you.
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3
Master your software.
- It may contain extremely useful tools that will make producing music easier and funnier, as well as giving more qualities to your tracks. Look for tutorials on YouTube and WikiHow.
4
Choose your VSTs.
- These will help you create your sound, may it be the drums, the melody... Don't buy expensive one at first : If you are a beginner, why would you need hundreds of virtual instruments if you can't even understand one?
5
Get some good speakers (monitors) for listening.
- You'll want them to sound as "neutral" as possible : what does it mean ? Well, if you used your mobile phone speaker to make your music, you would try to make it sound as good as possible... on your mobile phone. Your track could be heard anywhere : In a club, in a car, in your room... and what sound awesome on your mobile phone speaker will sound like %#?! on your computer speakers.
6
What is Hardcore ?
- This is a simple question, with a long list of answers. We'll go for the technical ones, which are the one that will interest us : Hardcore is a kind of powerful techno, with heavy kick and bass that usually resort to distortion. The tempo is usually between 150 and 200 BPM, although faster genre exist (Speedcore can be at 300 BPM and higher; Flashcore use ultra fast BPM and "kicks barrage"). Use the definition to make your tracks. What is the structure of a track ?
7
Practice make perfect.
- Try to make the perfect kick, the perfect melody... At first, don't try to make a track. I'm sure you won't follow this advice; but mastering the instruments before trying to play is a good idea.
8
Try to make a track. It doesn't have to be original, awesome or anything at first : You're just practicing, and this track might never get known by somebody other than you or the neighbors.
9
Create the kick for your track; it need to be loud and distorted.
10
Complete the track with other things : a lead, more instruments, maybe pads...
11
Listen to your track.
- Make it better. Proceed to next step.
12
Learn about mixing.
- Mixing isn't just what a DJ does at nightclub, this is was a sound designer does. If the guitarist of a band play too loud, you won't hear the voices, the other instruments, and the overall will sound like garbage. You will need to add effect, adjust volume to almost everything so the end result will sound good.
13
Listen to other people tracks (and listen to professional ones too) and understand how a basic track is made : Pre-intro, break, intro, break...
14
Google is your friend.
- While this tutorial cover some of the basis, you will need to do your own research on the web. Go on dedicated forums, ask your questions, see how the other do this and that.
15
Please note :
- All of these steps assume that you are a beginner in music production. Thus, some important things essential in studios aren't mentioned, like the need for reference speakers. If you seriously get in the music production, these will definitely helps. Having panels to avoid sound echoing and altering the sound you hear will help... If you already know how to make music.

Community Q&A

Question

What program should I use?

Community Answer

If you're looking to make techno, try Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic Pro, or FL Studios. They all do more or less the same thing, but they have very different workflows. Once you've tried them, pick the one that suits you best.
Question

How do I make lolicore/speedcore?

Community Answer

Speedcore, splittercore, hardstyle and extratone are few of my specialties in the "hardcore" genre of EDM. The softwares that I use are FL Studio, Reason and Audacity. Speedcore is essentially a form of Hardcore but with a high tempo and aggressive themes. The bpm (beats per minute) normally never go below 300. You need a drum machine (comes with the purchase in FL studio) and keyboard (best way is to look online). Once you are done with your speedcore track, add some Japanese anime samples and you have lolicore!

Warnings

Don't try to make music like somebody else is doing. You want to make tracks like Angerfist does ? Stop. He is already doing it perfectly. Instead, find your style. What kind of feel will your music bring to the scene ?

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 10 Not Helpful 0
Sticking to one music genre can be frustrating. Check out other genre for inspiration, and don't hesitate to try to make other kind of music. In the end, you will learn useful things that will enhance your practice.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
Your fist track won't be your best, or maybe won't even be good. It doesn't matter. What does matter is trying, trying, and trying. As long as you try to push the boundaries, as long as you progress, then you will eventually surprise yourself.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
While YouTube have a lot of video tutorials, don't just follow them blindly. Why did the guy on video does this, does that ? Try to understand how he created this, why he used that.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
It will take some time before you make quality music, and it will take even more for you to be noticed by a label. Considering how underground Hardcore is in some place, you will need to develop an online presence. Hate Facebook ? Well, it's the perfect way to get known. Create a YouTube account, a soundcloud account...

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Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

Things You'll Need

A good DAW, like FL studio, Ableton, Cubase, Reason, Pro Tools, Logic...
A good computer: It might not seem like it, but making music does require a good CPU (especially for complex virtual instruments), AND a good sound card.
Money. A lot of things needed to make music will cost you a lot.
A MIDI Keyboard for composing is a very good idea.
If you get serious about making music, you'll need to mix your track : this will require you to buy some reference speakers.