Making synth riffs/lines

Synths hold a strong place in music regardless of genre.

From melody leads,
rhythmic chords and arpeggios, to spacious pads,
they can be used for a variety of performances.

Out of these uses, one of the most popular utilizations is
chord based 「synth riffs」.

By using this you create originality and memorability in your sound.

We will take a look at how to create synth riff/backgrounds.
You can do this even without knowing how to play an instrument, so you can have fun and create to your content.

Tutorial video

Sequencing accents

Add harmonized notes in places where you want to accent the rhythm.

The placement of these are crucial to the feel of a song.

• On the beat : Placement on the 1.2.3.4 allows for a stable rhythm.
  Using it too frequently can end up with the song feeling heavy.
  If you feel the on beat is getting stale, try displacing the notes slightly.
• 8th note offbeat : This adds tension to the rhythm. It works great for riffs/backing notes.
• 16th note offbeat : This adds a bit of groove to the rhythm.
  It will sound very “now,” but be careful not to overuse it.

If you find yourself stuck,
keep these things in mind to add some flair.

Adjusting note length

The note length is also an important factor.
Try out various lengths to find which fits your song best.

There is no specific note length you must use,
but if you’re unsure, try shortening from 4 note top → 8th offbeat → 16th offbeat
to find the right amount.

Lastly, adjust to your song accordingly.

Filling in open spaces

By adding in chord sounds and scale notes to open spaces, you can decorate your tracks.

Try utilizing both the note placement and length like mentioned previously.
In this example we will add to the 16th offbeat, and shorten the note.