Start by turning your tempo down.

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quote:

Originally posted by tehlord Do I just hit record and start playing chords on an Absynth preset?

Sure, why not. See where it takes you after you turn the tempo down , or make the spaces twice as big so you're effectively doing 70bpm :P

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quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

Actually, here are a few articles I found a while ago that may or may not be helpful (I never actually read them):

http://www.soundstosample.com/Serving_it_chilled

http://www.soundstosample.com/Produ..._chillout_beats

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Yes

turn the tempo down


I hadn't thought of that


I shall peruse those links Mr Phonik. Thankyou

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The thing with chillout music is that you're really not limited by much more than tempo and, to a lesser extent, sound selection because you obviously don't want to load up your track with a bunch of abrasive sounds. But, aside from that, you're free to do pretty much whatever you want. Downtempo music encompasses everything from minimal ambient stuff to melodic songs with vocals, synths, drums (including 4/floor if you wish), guitars, ethnic sounds, etc. That's probably not much help to someone staring at a computer screen wondering where to start, but you can pretty much start anywhere. I usually start with a melodic idea, since I am an unapologetic melody lover, but I've started other downtempo tracks with a drum loop or just a chord progression, or an arp pattern, etc.

It might help to find a couple of downtempo tracks that you like and model your song on the ideas that you like in those songs.

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I need to start working on a chillout/downtempo track, I'm not sure I can do ambient though lol!

Here are some good examples of some chillout/downtempo tracks.

Chicane - Low Sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw3ghsvFCZI

Magdelayna - Tabatha's Wish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1ku_NTUB44

Oceanlab - Satellite (Bren F Orchestral Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjerVljxB4c

Good Charlotte - We Believe (Adam's Sadness Mix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0L0uLC_FU

Sorry I can't be more descriptive, but imagine that 2-3min breakdown in epic trance, and try to extend that, with a slower tempo, and a better groove.

Hopefully that will give you a hint to what goes into a chillout song.

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This is lesson #1 for me to, I'm all over those track, Thanks B.

Cheers

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I normally make it between 75-110. It just depends!

Here is another nice article:
http://audio.tutsplus.com/tutorials...-for-composing/

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Last edited by Terrence Parker on Feb-02-2010 at 00:22

its all about layering and phasing bpm wise it doesn't really matter as you can skip beats alltogther if you want to

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Sorry to hijack, but I actually need a TON of good chillout for a spa I'm invloved with (extremely long story).

Can anyone recommend good compilations or artist almbums that stand out?

Thanks!

...and save the deep forest and enya recommendations wiseguys