Music Hacks: Melodics Thundercat Melodic Techno Hack

Over the past few months, the nerds in the Mind Flux studio have been hacking away at Melodics, taking a much-loved tune (them changes by thundercat) and turning it into a melodic techno track. 

Below we have provided some extra tips that we learnt by doing this experiment. Our top tips to turn Thundercat's "Them Changes" (or anytrack) into a melodic techno track, you can follow these steps:

  1. Isolate the main melody: Listen to the original track and identify the main melody. The melody is the most memorable and recognizable part of the song. In "Them Changes," the main melody is played on a bass guitar. You can try to recreate this melody using a synthesizer or a sampler.

  2. Determine the tempo: Melodic techno usually has a tempo of around 120-130 bpm. The original track has a tempo of around 80 bpm, so you will need to increase the tempo to match the melodic techno style.

  3. Create a kick and a bassline: Melodic techno usually has a prominent kick drum and a rolling bassline that moves in sync with the kick. You can create a new kick drum using a synthesizer or a drum machine. For the bassline, you can use the main melody you isolated in step 1 and play it on a deep synthesizer or a bass guitar.

  4. Add percussion: Melodic techno usually has a variety of percussion elements, such as hi-hats, shakers, and claps. You can add these elements to your track to create a more dynamic rhythm.

  5. Create a chord progression: Melodic techno often has a simple chord progression that provides a harmonic backdrop for the melody and bassline. You can create a chord progression using a synthesizer or a piano.

  6. Add effects: Melodic techno often uses reverb, delay, and other effects to create a sense of space and depth. You can experiment with different effects to see what works best for your track.

  7. Arrange the track: Once you have all the elements of the track, you can arrange them into a song structure. Melodic techno tracks usually have an intro, a main section, a breakdown, and an outro.

By following these steps, you can turn "Them Changes" into a melodic techno track. Remember to experiment and have fun with the process, and don't be afraid to try new things until you find the sound you're looking for.