Create Melodic Techno Like Innellea: A Step-by-Step Guide

This tutorial breaks down how to create a melodic techno track inspired by the signature sound of Innellea - a German DJ, producer, and live act known for his unique sound design and constantly evolving style. Niek walks through every layer of the production process, from rolling baselines and detuned leads to drums, effects, and arrangement, using sounds from the Voyage melodic techno producer pack. Whether you're just getting started with melodic techno or looking to sharpen your production approach, this step-by-step guide covers it all.

How to Set Up Your BPM and Kick for Melodic Techno

The first decision in any melodic techno track is the BPM. For this style, 124 BPM is an ideal starting point - it sits right in the range where the groove feels both hypnotic and energetic without rushing the listener. Once your tempo is locked, drag in a kick drum that is deep and punchy. The kick used here is Kick 12 from the Voyage pack, which provides a solid low-end foundation. From there, build a simple kick pattern - similar to what you might hear in a standard house groove - to establish the rhythmic backbone of the track before adding any melodic or harmonic elements on top.

How to Build a Rolling Baseline in Melodic Techno

A rolling 16th-note baseline is one of the most recognizable elements in melodic techno. To create one, open Serum and load a preset like "Base Arch" - a simple saw and square wave combination that works perfectly for rolling, driving lines. Work in the key of D and draw in a repeating 16th-note pattern, keeping the notes consistent and rhythmic. Once the baseline is playing alongside the kick, route it to a mixer channel and apply the following processing chain:

1. Add Kickstart at the end of the signal chain for sidechain compression tied to the kick
2. Lower the overall volume slightly to leave headroom
3. Apply an EQ to roll off some of the high end
4. Add a small amount of OTT for light multiband compression - be careful not to overdo it

The result is a tight, pumping baseline that locks in perfectly with the kick drum.

What Is a Top Bass and Why Does It Add Groove?

A top bass is a secondary bass layer played at a higher octave than the main rolling baseline. It adds rhythm, texture, and groove that a single bass sound cannot achieve on its own - and it is a technique you can hear in many Innellea tracks. For this layer, use a lead preset from a melodic techno pack and pitch it down so it functions more as a bass voice than a lead. The preset used here is built from two detuned saw wave tables with an envelope controlling the filter cutoff and a velocity modulation that lets you shape the cutoff with MIDI velocity - great for creating interesting pattern variations. Add light distortion, a chorus for width, delay, and reverb to finish the sound. Apply an EQ to remove low frequencies so the two bass layers do not clash, then add a Kickstart with a gentler sidechain shape than the main baseline.

How to Create an Acid Sound Layer in Melodic Techno

Acid sounds add movement, tension, and a modern edge to melodic techno - and Innellea uses them frequently. Rather than relying on extreme resonance and filter cutoffs like a classic 303, this approach uses a Serum preset called "Acid Evolution" which incorporates detuning and a wavetable oscillator to create a more contemporary take on the acid sound. The patch uses a wavetable to generate the acid timbre instead of a steeply resonant filter, giving it a modern character while still referencing the 303 tradition. Layer this preset over the same note pattern as the top bass and place it one octave higher. Processing includes:

• A low cut EQ to clean up the low end
• OTT for multiband compression
• A Fruity Delay (or similar) for rhythmic movement
• Kickstart sidechain with the same shape as the top bass

Automate the filter macro on this sound to gradually open the acid effect during the track for added energy and evolution.

How to Design Detuned Melodic Techno Leads

The lead sound is where a track like this really comes alive. For the main lead, use a Serum preset built from two saw wave tables - one heavily detuned, one pitched an octave lower with its own detuning. LFO 1 modulates the fine-tuning of both oscillators to create an analog-style instability in the sound, giving it warmth and character. The effects chain includes a filter to slightly muffle the high end, tape-style distortion, delay, reverb, and a chorus for width. Create a melody and a counter-melody using this lead. For the counter-melody, try a second preset built from a square wave with detuning, a sub oscillator, some noise, and an additional saw layer - this creates a more complex, layered character. To add the signature Innellea touch, shorten the notes in the piano roll and double the rhythm, creating glitchy, fast-moving notes that feel almost like retro game music and add distinctive character to the track.

What Drum Elements Does This Style Require?

Beyond the kick, the drum section in this style uses several layered elements to create a full and dynamic groove:

• A noisy snare for texture and impact
• A clap layered underneath the snare for extra punch
• A reversed clap at the end of the second bar to create a pre-shift effect
• An acoustic hi-hat loop - a texture commonly heard in Innellea productions
• A regular 16th-note hi-hat loop in the second part of the drop
• An open hi-hat in the second drop section for extra energy
• A simple percussion loop for additional rhythm

FX elements include a downlifter for drop impact, a short sweep for transitions, an uplifter, and a snare roll for transitions between drop sections. Atmospheric elements such as a tonal atmosphere on the root note of D and a vocal atmosphere are used to fill out the drop and add energy. A Gross Beat stutter effect - using the "Trans Gate 1" preset - is applied to a sample for rhythmic movement, with sidechain compression added for further groove.

How to Arrange a Melodic Techno Track

For the arrangement, the key idea is to create variation between different sections of the track. Toward the later part of the arrangement, make unique copies of both the main rolling baseline and the top bass pattern and transpose them - moving from D down to A gives the track a harmonic shift and a sense of resolution or change. Update the lead melody at the same time to match the new root note. For extra variation, duplicate the main lead and place it one octave higher. Finally, automate the acid sound's filter macro so it opens up gradually over the course of the track, adding a sense of evolution and building energy. This combination of harmonic shifts, octave variations, and automated filter movements creates a professionally arranged melodic techno drop.

All the sounds used in this tutorial - including over 100 Serum presets, a sample pack, project files, vocals, and more - come from the Voyage Melodic Techno Producer Pack. If you want to build tracks like this one faster and with professional-quality sounds already at hand, Voyage gives you everything you need to get started right away.

Tutorial by Niek, co-founder of The Producer School. For more production tutorials, subscribe to The Producer School on YouTube (280K+ subscribers).