PAWSA has made waves with his Beatport chart-topper Too Cool to Be Careless, a track that showcases his signature groovy basslines, punchy drums, and minimalist magic. Known for creating energetic yet simple tracks, PAWSA has mastered the art of getting listeners to move without overwhelming complexity. In this tutorial, we’ll break down how to capture that same essence in your own productions by focusing on key elements like bass, drums, and subtle processing. Let’s dive in!
Setting the Scene: BPM & Minimal Vibes
Start by setting your project to 128 BPM—a typical tempo for minimal house that PAWSA often uses. This moderate speed sets the groove, ensuring that the track stays grounded and engaging. From here, we can start building the foundational elements that create the unmistakable PAWSA vibe.
Funky Bass Guitar for the Groove
The bass guitar is central to the PAWSA sound. To create a funky bassline:
Start with a simple MIDI pattern—add quick jumps in notes and octaves to inject groove. Use FL Studio’s Boo Bass (or another bass guitar VST) for a raw, vintage feel. For even better bass tones, consider using third-party plugins like those from Kontakt, which provide high-quality, realistic bass guitar sounds. Add a touch of decapitator at a drive of around 3 to enhance the grit. Then apply a low-pass filter to focus on the low and low-mid frequencies. Finish it off with a multiband compressor to give it extra body and a sidechain for better kick-bass separation.
Snappy Top Pluck Melody
To create a complementary top melody or chord, use a short, snappy pluck sound-square waves with PWM modulation work great. Keep the detuning subtle for an analog feel, and add some Juno 106 noise and soft clipping to give it texture. Adding a vintage chorus warms up the sound, while keeping it dry and snappy without delay or reverb helps achieve PAWSA’s minimalist sound.
Drums: Punchy and Simple
Drums are key to PAWSA’s style, blending punch and simplicity. Start with a punchy kick from a pack like Dimension, adding decapitator for a warm, thumpy tone. For clap and snare, layer a garage-style snare with a high clap layer for extra punch. A closed hi-hat in a steady 1/8 rhythm will groove things up. A transient processor on the shaker tightens the release, creating a precise, crisp sound, essential for PAWSA’s tight aesthetic.
Vinyl Noise for Vintage Texture
Add subtle vinyl noise as a background layer to create warmth and fill out the high end. This adds a vintage touch that subtly enhances the track without being overwhelming, complementing the raw, warm character of the drums.
Housey Vocal Loop
A simple vocal loop can elevate the vibe. Apply delay in ping-pong mode for width, add a hint of reverb, and use a low-cut EQ to keep it clear. Look for a vocal with a housey feel, either female or male, to add that extra touch of groove.
Arrangement: Simple Contrast
PAWSA’s arrangements rely on contrast without overloading. Begin with an intro that includes most elements (bass, drums, and plucks) but leaves out the vocal. For a breakdown, remove the kick and filter the bass to create anticipation, then bring everything back for a punchy drop. Use small fills or ad-libs to bridge sections and keep things moving.
Final Touches: Guitar and Pads
To finish the track, add touches like a slap guitar lead with effects for a vintage feel and some ambient pads following the key of your track to add fullness. This blend of elements will help you nail PAWSA’s groove-driven, minimalist sound without cluttering your mix.
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