In Episode 016 of Producer Notes with Francois PML, we asking "How to Ben Böhmer in Ableton" and we are analysing the Melodic House style of Ben Böhmer's remix for Monolink "Father Ocean".
Watch and see what we can learn from this style sitting somewhere between Deep House, Progressive House and Melodic House.
The key lessons from this episode are:
- Main elements of this sound:
- Round kick (warm round kicks)
- Low toms
- Sustained pitched moog bass (Glides in leads ’n arps, bass - add lots of “feeling” to sounds)
- “Horn-style” pads
- Fast Mono plucks
- Long dreamy, pitched glide lead synth (serum here, Ben often uses diva)
- CHORDS Often 2 chord tracks (more freedom, sometimes 3 chords)
- Main arp for melody (noisy parts in plucks) / (ben likes DIVA) Organic feels through velocities.
- Often: short vocal “Shots”
- Drums: rather organic, natural feel
- Shakers, Hats (stereo in hats (ran-pan))
- Rides & organic white noise
- Snappy clap (or long layered clap with reverb tail (in his live sets))
- FX “groovy, zappy, glitchy” elements
- For ear candy: Resampling own projects
Referenced in this video:
🗳 Ableton Project File from this video (Part of Ben Böhmer Pack)
🎹 Full Melodic House Bundle (including Ben Böhmer Packs)
🎓 Ben Böhmer Masterclass
📦 Everything Bundle
🎛️ Serum Presets "Feelings" - including main sounds from Father Ocean remake
In General, how to learn to produce a sound similar to Ben Böhmer:
To learn how to produce like Ben Böhmer using Ableton Live and Serum, focus on the following key areas:
1. Master Ableton's Session View:
- Ben Böhmer heavily utilizes Session View for live performances and for idea generation. Learn how to set up clips, scenes, and use midi controllers like the Xone K2 for live manipulation.
2. Sound Design in Serum (or Diva):
- Practice creating Ben Böhmer's signature sounds in Serum, including warm basses, pads, plucks, and swells. Focus on using sawtooth and sine waves, subtle modulation, and filters to achieve his melodic deep house sound.
3. Drum Programming:
- Use loops and layered samples to create organic, human-feeling rhythms. Pay attention to shaker loops, ride loops, and layered claps with reverb.
4. Chord Progressions and Melodies:
- Study Ben Böhmer's harmonic choices and practice creating emotional, melodic progressions.
5. Effects Processing:
- Experiment with reverb, delay, and saturation to create depth and warmth in your tracks.
6. Arrangement Techniques:
- Learn how to build tension and release in your tracks, focusing on gradual builds and subtle variations.
7. Study Ben Böhmer's Project Files:
- If possible, analyze his Ableton projects to understand his workflow and production techniques. Ableton Project Files in his style are part of the Ben Böhmer Pack.
8. Practice Live Performance:
- Set up your Ableton Live session for smooth transitions and live manipulation of elements.
To accelerate your learning, consider investing in Ben Böhmer's Masterclass or sound packs, which provide in-depth insights into his production methods and sound design techniques.
Enjoy your production journey!