How To Make Melodic Techno Like Anyma (2025)

Anyma, a project by Matteo Milleri of Tale of Us, is a groundbreaking force in the melodic techno scene. Known for pushing boundaries with his immersive audio-visual experiences and iconic releases on Afterlife, Anyma has taken the electronic music world by storm. His solo shows, including the acclaimed Genesis series, and groundbreaking performance at The Sphere, highlight his innovative approach to music and live performance.

In this blog, we’ll explore the essential elements of Anyma’s sound and how you can replicate his style in your own productions. We’ll also examine how his sound has evolved over the last year, incorporating influences from his recent album releases.

Understanding Anyma's Sound: A Fusion of Melodic and Techno Elements

Anyma’s sound is characterized by a perfect blend of rolling basslines, ethereal leads, gated melodies, and meticulously crafted rhythms. His tracks create an emotional yet hard-hitting atmosphere, making them a staple in melodic techno playlists.

1. Foundation: Kick and Bass

The driving force in Anyma’s tracks comes from his expertly layered low end.

• Sub Bass: Start with a clean, rolling 1/16th sub bass. Shape the sound with a low-pass filter to keep it focused in the sub-region.
• Top Bass: Add a second bass layer pitched an octave higher for more texture. Use slight unison and stereo width to make it fuller. This top bass functions as rhythmic driver and can play a different rhythm than your 1/16th sub. 

2. Punchy Kick Drum

Anyma’s kicks are deep, punchy, and full-bodied. Look for a kick sample with a clicky attack and a rich, deep tail. The kick should complement the bass layers, providing a solid groove.

Remember: selecting a good sounding sample is key here.

3. Gated Leads

One of Anyma’s signature sounds is the gated lead.

• Sound Design: Use a simple saw wave with unison to create width. Apply an LFO to the volume and cutoff filter to achieve the gating effect.
• Pitch Modulation: Add subtle pitch modulation for a detuned, evolving texture.
• Post-Processing: Enhance the sound with OTT compression, EQ boosts in the high-mids, and subtle saturation for warmth.

4. FM Bass Shots

Anyma frequently uses metallic, FM-style bass shots to add energy and texture.

• Sound Design: Use FM modulation with a saw wave as the carrier and a basic wave table as the modulator. Adjust the FM amount for a metallic edge.
• Layering: Combine with a noisy percussive hit to add transient attack.
• Effects: Add distortion and compression to make the sound punchy and impactful.

5. Emotional Progressions

Anyma’s tracks often feature cinematic and emotional chord progressions.

• Pads: Use soft pads with a touch of noise to create a lush background.
• Piano Layers: Add a piano melody that complements the progression for emotional depth.
• Arpeggios: Create simple yet effective arpeggiating melodies to add movement and energy.

6. Percussion and Drums

Keep the drums straightforward yet impactful.

• Hi-Hats: Use driving hat loops to emphasize the groove.
• Snares and Claps: Add sharp, short snares for rhythmic interest.
• Textures: Layer in atmospheric noises and sweeps for transitions