Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Melodic House & Techno Track (Anyma, Miss Monique, ARTBAT, Stephan Bodzin)

Melodic House & Techno has emerged as one of the most emotionally resonant and sonically rich subgenres in electronic music. Rooted in the rhythmic precision of techno and the harmonic sophistication of house, it blends driving grooves with atmospheric pads, intricate arpeggios, and deep, evolving soundscapes. Popularized by artists like Anyma, Miss Monique, ARTBAT, and Stephan Bodzin, the genre has become a staple in clubs and festivals around the world, offering listeners a journey that is both physical and introspective. For producers, it's a playground of creativity—where texture meets tension and emotion moves the dance floor.

A major milestone for the genre came in January 2025, when Anyma—one half of the acclaimed duo Tale of Us—made his debut at The Sphere in Las Vegas. The performance was not only a technological spectacle, pairing cinematic visuals with immersive sound design, but also a landmark moment that brought Melodic House & Techno into the global spotlight on one of the world’s most futuristic stages.

Set your DAW BPM between 122–125. We’ll work in A minor, a popular key in melodic techno for its moody, melancholic tone.

Suggested Tools:

• DAW: Ableton Live, FL Studio, or Logic Pro X
• Sound Pack: Melodic Techno Rawness by HY2ROGEN (Loopcloud)
• Plugin Boutique Plugin Tip: Scaler 3 (for building pro-level chord progressions fast)

Kick Drum

Choose a warm, punchy kick with a subtle tail and drop it on every beat (four-on-the-floor).

Clap & Snare

Place a short, snappy clap on beats 2 and 4.

Hi-Hats & Percussion

Use a rolling closed hat pattern for momentum. Open hats every two bars to lift energy. Add shuffled percs and FX hits for groove.

Recommended Plugin:

• PunchBox (Plugin Boutique) — build and sculpt your perfect melodic techno kick.

Melodic techno thrives on emotional, cinematic chord work.

1. Open Scaler 3 and choose a "Melodic Techno" chord set.
2. Play with chords like Am - F - C - G or Am - Dm - Em - C for a haunting feel.
3. Use soft synths like:
   • Diva 
   • Arturia Pigments

Layer at least 2-3 pad sounds (one bright, one mid, one low), and use automation to evolve the filter cutoff over 16 bars.

Use a moog-style synth like SubBoomBass 2 or Monark.

• Stick to the root notes of your chords (e.g., A, F, C, G).
• Keep your rhythm minimal but pulsing: think 1/8 and 1/16 note rhythms.
• Apply sidechain compression to the kick for that pumping feel.

Tip: Use the Bassline Generator MIDI Pack on Loopcloud to drag-and-drop ideas instantly.

A hypnotic lead is the emotional signature of melodic techno. Create a simple arpeggio in the same key (A minor), and let delay & reverb do the work.

Recommended FX chain:

• FabFilter Timeless 3
• Baby Audio Crystalline 

Atmospheres bring tension and emotion.

• Add textures like vinyl crackle, distant noise, and reverb tails.
• Use “Afterlife Textures” or “Dark Melodic Ambience” from Loopcloud.
• Layer risers and impacts subtly - less is more.

FX Tools:

• Movement by Output – for rhythmic motion
• ShaperBox 3 – modulate filters, panning, and time
• RC-20 Retro Color – for warmth and noise layers

Here’s a basic arrangement (32-bar loop suggestion):

1. Intro (Bars 1–17): Kick, hats, atmosphere
2. Build (Bars 17–33): Add bass, FX, and pads
3. Drop (Bars 33–49): Full drums, lead, and bass
4. Breakdown (Bars 49–65): Strip down to pads and FX
5. Climax (Bars 65–81): Bring it all back with extra automation

Use filter automation, reverb swells, and delay throws to keep it evolving.

Mixing Tips:

• High-pass everything except the kick and bass (~120Hz).
• Use Neutron 5 for intelligent mixing suggestions.
• Pan percussion for width and depth.

Mastering:

Use Ozone 11's AI mastering tool and choose the EDM or Club preset.

Optional: Run through Perception AB to compare your mix against your favorite release.

Want to sound more like your favorite producers?

• Add subtle distortion using Soundtoys Decapitator
• Use Loopcloud Drum to experiment with layered techno grooves
• Automate filter cutoff, delay feedback, and reverb wet/dry mix for emotional transitions

Melodic House & Techno production is all about emotional storytelling, layered textures, and subtle movement. Don't overcomplicate—keep your sounds evolving and your groove hypnotic.