Who is MRAK?
MRAK is the solo project of Carmine Conte, one-half of the iconic Italian duo Tale of Us. Known for his dark, cinematic, and deeply atmospheric approach to melodic techno, MRAK creates tracks that captivate listeners through emotive soundscapes and intricate live performances. If you’ve been inspired by his work and want to create your own melodic techno track in a similar style, this guide will walk you through the process.
1. Kick and Bassline
Setting the Foundation
Start by setting your tempo to 124 BPM, a sweet spot for melodic techno. Choose a deep kick with a punchy presence—something that anchors the track without overpowering it. Our Voyage pack offers several options; for this tutorial, we’ve picked a punchy yet warm kick to set the tone.
Crafting the Bassline
The bassline in MRAK’s style often relies on a rolling sixteenth-note pattern. Using a simple saw bass preset, set your root note to A and create a minimalist yet driving sequence. To make the bassline cohesive:
- Add multiband compression with OTT at about 20% depth for a polished sound.
- Use sidechaining to ensure the bass complements the kick.
- Layer your bassline with a top bass preset to add texture and accentuate the rhythm. Use EQ to cut low-end frequencies from the top bass layer to avoid clashes.
2. Lead Synths
Main Lead
A big, wide supersaw lead is a staple in MRAK’s tracks. Create a melody with a blend of triplets and longer notes for a dynamic feel. Use velocity modulation within Serum to control the cutoff and gradually open it for a natural buildup.
Processing:
- Apply EQ to remove low-end mud and boost the highs slightly.
- Add reverb (e.g., Valhalla VintageVerb) with a long decay time and automate the wet level for transitions.
- Use stereo separation in your DAW to widen the sound and enhance its presence.
Counter Melody
For contrast, create a secondary lead with a unique texture. Use automation to vary the rate of the LFO for evolving textures.
3. Drums and Percussion
MRAK’s tracks rely on subtle, hypnotic percussion to drive energy.
- Percussion Loops: Layer simple loops to add rhythm. Ensure the groove matches the bassline’s syncopation.
- Hi-Hats: Introduce offbeat open hats and more complex loops in the second half of the drop for variation.
- Snare and Claps: Use sparingly, typically as fills or in transitions.
4. Atmospheric Elements
MRAK’s cinematic sound is defined by rich atmospheres and carefully chosen effects:
- Arpeggios: Use evolving arpeggios to add motion, automating decay times for variation.
- Pads: Introduce a high-pass filtered pad that complements the lead. Automate the cutoff for a smoother transition into the drop.
- Effects: Add impacts, risers, white noise uplifters, and sweeps to build tension and create seamless transitions.
5. Vocals
MRAK often uses spoken-word samples to create a narrative within his tracks. For this tutorial, we’ve sampled dialogue from The Matrix and processed it with tools like Adobe Podcast for clarity. Enhance the vocal with:
- EQ to shape the tone.
- Delay and reverb to add depth.
- Compression to maintain consistent volume.
6. Arrangement Tips
To replicate MRAK’s emotive and cinematic structure:
- Start with an ambient intro, gradually introducing key elements like the bassline and arpeggios.
- Use automation to create tension in the buildup, especially with filters and reverb.
- For the drop, focus on interplay between the leads, bassline, and percussion.
- Keep the outro atmospheric, using arpeggios and ambient sounds to fade out.
Final Thoughts
By combining cinematic sound design, emotive melodies, and hypnotic grooves, you can create tracks reminiscent of MRAK’s unique style. With the tools and techniques outlined here, and the sounds from the Voyage pack, you’ll have everything you need to get started.
Want to see the full breakdown? Watch the video tutorial here here.
Let us know in the comments which artist we should cover next, and happy producing!