Indie dance music is the genre that is probably the most loosely defined of all the club music genres. Because it’s so broad in terms of sound and tone, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint exactly what even constitutes an indie dance track. The bright side is that if you really follow the trends and producers of indie dance, there are so many great producers doing insanely cool stuff within the wide confines of what constitutes indie dance music that it can really be one of the most inspiring genres to study and talk about.

And if any label curates the best of the best, it’s Manual Music. And with the release of KAMADEV’s latest indie dance track “Left To Say,” I decided to quiz the producer and find out what studio tools he uses and what tricks he employs to get the most out of them. That’s the latest feature, “How It Was Made.” So listen to the track below to get your ears accustomed to the sauce he’s about to share with you, then dive into KAMADEV’s latest release – Left To Say, out now on Manual Music.

Omnisphere

Omnisphere is an insane VST plugin known for its huge range of sounds and cool synthesis features. It combines different synthesis types such as wavetable, granular and sample-based to give producers a versatile tool to create all kinds of sounds, from rich pads to complex leads. The plugin’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to tweak and play around with sounds, whether you’re into sound design or just want to try out the huge preset collection. Omnisphere is the top choice for producers who want lots of options and top-notch sound for their music production.

For this track, I used Omnisphere as the backbone of the bassline. I came up with a really cool arp bass that drives the mood. I started with the “Lawnmower” preset and shortened the arp sequence to make it tighter and more rhythmic. I added an accent to the arp sequence to give it more character. I split the bass into two tracks – one for the punchy bass and one for the mid-range. To liven up the mid-range, I widened the stereo image. I added some panning modulation to bring the bass to life with a sense of movement. Thanks to some filter and envelope adjustments, you’ll notice the mid-range bass evolves as the track progresses.

Producers can browse Omnisphere’s wide range of ARPs that are just right for the genre. Start with a preset you really like, then start tweaking the synth settings – play around with the arp sequence, envelopes and stereo effects. A cool trick is to layer two tracks on top of each other: keep the bottom section in the middle and move the middle section to the sides. This adds depth and movement, and makes your bass line the driving force of the track.

Calm down 2

Soothe 2 by OEK Sound is an incredible tool for taming harsh frequencies and smoothing out your mix. It automatically finds and reduces problem areas in real-time, making it perfect for fixing things like harsh vocals or muddy bass. The plugin is really easy to use, allowing you to adjust the controls without making things too complicated. Soothe 2 is like a fine-tuning tool that helps your tracks sound polished and balanced.

I used Soothe 2 to smooth out the vocals for this track, as I layered it with a vocoder plugin to give it that edgy, raw sound. The combination can sometimes result in harsh frequencies, so Soothe 2 was perfect for taming those without losing the character I wanted. I started with a preset that focused on vocal resonance, then tweaked it to target specific frequencies that needed taming. It’s a lifesaver for keeping vocals clear and balanced, even when pushing them into more aggressive territory.

Soothe 2 is an essential tool for producers – it can be used on everything from drums and synths to vocals. I’ve learned that it’s particularly good for dealing with those tricky frequencies that tend to clash with other elements in the mix. Whether you’re taming harshness in vocals or smoothing out resonances in your synths, Soothe 2 will help you keep your track clean and balanced. It’s important for getting everything to sit right in the mix.

GEM Dopamine

The Gem Dopamine Audio Enhancer is an incredible tool for adding warmth and clarity to your mix. Dopamine helps bring out the brightness and oomph, making everything sound more polished and lively. It’s a straightforward tool that can make your music shine.

I add Gem Dopamine to almost every track I make, especially on elements that need to stand out a little more. For this track, I used it on the mid-range synths and plucks to give them extra presence and warmth. It’s a straightforward plugin. No complex settings are required; it’s all about subtle adjustments to get the most out of your mix.

Any producer can use the Dopamine Gem to add the finishing touches to their tracks, whether you apply it to individual elements or to a bus. It’s a simple but powerful tool – trust your ear and use it to get the most out of your music. Whether you’re looking for a subtle enhancement or a more pronounced effect, this plugin has it all.

Black Box

The Brainworx Black Box is my go-to analog saturation plugin that adds warmth, richness and harmonic color to tracks. It emulates classic tube and transformer circuits so you can tweak it from adding a little warmth to completely distorting your sound depending on your preference. The controls are super easy to use so you can get just the right amount of saturation in no time and add extra depth and character to your mix.

I used Black Box on the drum and bass busses for this track to give them that extra punch. I set enough saturation to bring out the harmonics and add some punch without overwhelming the mix. You can hear the drums and bass cutting through and giving the track a more aggressive, textured feel. It’s a great way to add character and make those elements stand out.

The Brainworx Black Box adds extra sharpness and bite to solo tracks, a bus or synths. It helps bring out the character of your drums, bass and synths and make them stand out. Experiment with the saturation levels to see how much depth and texture you can add. .

Quick Tips for Creating Indie Dance

1. Get inspired: Pull references from songs you love and use them as a guide to your mood. Let them inspire the direction of your music.

2. The bass line is the heart: The bassline is the soul of your track – make sure it stands out and drives the groove.

3. Keep the drums compact and simple: Don’t make drumming too complicated. Simple, tight beats are key to maintaining the right energy.

4. Create tension and relax: Build tension and then release it. This dynamic will captivate your audience.

5. Tell a story: Make sure your track has an overarching theme and tells a story through its arrangement. Let each section build on the last, taking your listeners on a journey from start to finish.