How to Sound Design in EDM

Understanding Subtractive Synthesis and ADSR: The Foundation of EDM Sound Design

What Is Sound Design in EDM?

In EDM, sound design is all about creating unique sounds that make your tracks stand out. From punchy basslines to soaring leads, your ability to design sounds or select the right sounds can make or break your track. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to stand out, understanding sound design is a must.

Learn how different elements work together in a track by checking out our Understanding the Core Components of an EDM Song article for tips on leads, basslines, and more.

The Basics of Sound Design

Before jumping into tools and techniques, let’s start with the basics. At its core, sound design is about shaping waveforms to create the tones you want. This means understanding waveforms, filters, and ADSR envelopes, which are the foundation for unique sounds, specifically for subtractive synthesis which most of you will be using and in my experience is the most type of sound synthesis.

Basic Waveforms

All sounds are made of waveforms, which are the building block of sound design. The four most common waveforms—sine, triangle, square, and sawtooth—are the main elements in subtractive synthesis, where you shape sounds by removing unwanted frequencies through filtering and ADSR envelopes.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main waveforms:

• Sine Wave: Smooth and simple. The most basic waveform of them all (and also the weightiest in my experience).
• Triangle Wave: Adds gentle harmonics for a slightly richer tone.
• Square Wave: Sharp and buzzy with more harmonics.
• Sawtooth Wave: Bright and aggressive with the most harmonics.

Having said that, sound design doesn’t stop with these shapes. Synths like Serum let you create or use custom wavetable waveforms to push your sounds even further. These wavetables can produce complex, growly textures perfect for the "heavier genres" such as Dubstep or Bass house.

In Serum’s built-in wavetable editor, you can draw your own waveforms or modify existing ones. It's a cool way to discover new, unique sounds for your tracks. But then there are other types of Synths which we won't get into here. These include Additive Synthesis, Frequency Modulation Synthesis, Granular Synthesis, ROMplers and more. 

Subtractive Synthesis: Shaping Your Sound

As mentioned, subtractive synthesis has been the go-to technique for EDM sound design. Once you select a waveform like a saw wave you can use filters to remove certain frequencies across time which let's you shape the sound the way you want it. You can also add and detune voices as well as adjust the pitches. This lets you create anything from sharp leads to warm pads.

Popular synths like Serum and Sylenth1 are great for this but everyone has their own favourites. You can meet other producers and explore their workflows and favourite synths in Toronto by checking out our article on How to Meet Other DJs and Producers in Toronto.

Understanding Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release Envelopes

ADSR stands for Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release. These settings control how a sound evolves over time.

• Attack: Time to reach peak volume.
• Decay: Time to drop to the sustain level.
• Sustain: The constant level while holding the note.
• Release: Time to fade after releasing the note.

Tweaking these parameters can turn a simple sound into a pluck, pad, or even a percussive hit. Side note -- if you have no sustain, then your decay becomes your release, since there is nothing to decay to. Of course there is also side chain compression which can affect your sound but this is a topic we will go deeper into another time.

How to Create Synths for EDM

Now that we know the basics, let’s see how a simple lead sound is created in a synth.

1. Choose Your Synth: Start with something like Serum or Sylenth1.
2. Select a Waveform: For example, a saw wave gives a bright, energetic tone.
3. Adjust the ADSR Envelope: Try a fast attack with a short release for a pluck, or a slower attack for a pad.
4. Apply Filters: A low-pass filter softens sounds, while a high-pass adds brightness.
5. Add Unison and Detune: Layer voices and detune them for a richer tone.

Doesn't sound too complicated, does it? You can join our Production Bootcamp for expert guidance right here based in Canada.

Essential Tools for Sound Design in EDM

A lot of new producers think they need thousands of dollars worth of software and hardware to become a  producer. The truth of the matter is, in my experience those are just toys and it's all about the chef and not the kitchen. You don’t need a massive arsenal to start. Having a better pressure-cooker might help your worklfop but at the end of the a pressure cooker is a pressure cooker. The same thing applies to synths and plugins.

Here are some synths that I had a good experience with.

• Serum: Known for versatility and ease of use (https://xferrecords.com/products/serum).
• Sylenth1: Great for analog-style sounds (https://www.lennardigital.com/sylenth1/).
• Spire: Perfect for genres like trance (https://reveal-sound.com/).
• Omnisphere: Ideal for atmospheric textures although be careful it's a CPU Hog (https://www.spectrasonics.net/products/omnisphere/).

If you're not sure which synth to start with, then read out How to Meet Other DJs and Producers in Toronto article and ask some like-minded producers.

Why Sound Design Matters in EDM

In EDM, unique sound design can set your tracks apart. Of course good songwriting, and other factors play a big role as well, but designing your own sounds instead of using presets can not only help you develop a signature sound, but also allow you to work faster as you can create exactly the sounds you want to place into your track or hear in your head. Plus, it gives you the freedom to shape every part of your music exactly how you want.

FAQs About Sound Design in EDM

What is subtractive synthesis in simple terms?

Subtractive synthesis starts with a rich sound (like a saw wave) and removes frequencies using filters to create new tones.

What does ADSR stand for?

ADSR stands for Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release, which shape the volume and dynamics of a sound over time.

Which synth is best for beginners?

Serum is an excellent choice for beginners due to its intuitive interface and wide range of presets and tutorials.

Do I need expensive synths to make professional sounds?

Not at all! Many free and affordable synths, like Vital, offer professional-quality capabilities.

How can I improve my sound design skills?

Practice is key. Start by recreating sounds from tracks you love and experimenting with different synths and techniques. You can also join our Production Bootcamp .

What are the basic waveforms in sound design?

The four main waveforms are sine, triangle, square, and sawtooth. Each has unique characteristics and uses in EDM.

Why is sound design important in EDM?

Sound design allows producers to craft exactly the unique sounds they want to place into their songs.

How do filters affect sound design?

Filters shape the tone of a sound by removing certain frequencies. For example, a low-pass filter removes high frequencies, creating a smoother tone.

Can I use free synths for sound design?

Absolutely! Free synths like Vital offer excellent tools for learning and creating professional-quality sounds.

Is sound design hard to learn?

It takes time and practice, but starting with the basics like waveforms, subtractive synthesis, and ADSR envelopes makes it approachable for beginners. Most importantly, in my experience it's imperative you have good speakers or headphones so you can actually hear what you're doing.

Take the Next Step in Your Sound Design Journey

Sound design is a major cornerstone of EDM production and understanding it will take your music to new heights and will serve your production efforts for years to come.

Join our Production Bootcamp for hands-on training in Canada. Here you will be able to to craft professional tracks and develop your sound right here in Toronto.