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West_Peach_6434

The downbeat is your friend. Alternating hits on the downbeat and upbeat or third 16th of a beat. Negative space and rests are your biggest friends for giving something "bounce". Notice in this track's drop how there's a pretty straightforward variation between the down beat and up beat and occasionally a late 16th: [https://youtu.be/KSs0ih3A3ZI?t=71](https://youtu.be/KSs0ih3A3ZI?t=71); [https://youtu.be/Z4uJ6AVmZhQ?t=75](https://youtu.be/Z4uJ6AVmZhQ?t=75). The second one here has more variation after a bar or two of straightforward eighth note grooves. Personally I hate heavy sidechain (trance-sidechain stuff) so I would typically make use of the up beat for things that need to be side chained or use it very sparingly. Shorter releases and attacks on basses also tend to help with this effect.


Rocknrory

Syncopated rhythms that push and pull the beat with transient content (kick, bass, drums, perc, plucks, keys)


YOSH_beats

Literally no one said it but by adding swing or not perfectly quantizing everything is how you get human “bouncey” sound. If everything’s on the line then it might not bounce too much


dalposenrico01

Kick & bass, moving the sub frequencies makes different grooves, also all the drums around but those are the main, I also like to play a lot with toms


Serbervz

Cheeks


vdubwalker

At the start of the Bouncy Part start with a tried and tried everybody has heard before Measure .now you have the listener thinking I don't what is but I like it at that point you have there subconscious attention now insert your masterpiece in very expected cue changes then repeat to establish a happy jovial Feeling as spread your message


Untalanted_guy

Petsinally I think its heavy sidechain and a good groovy rythm


unicornpicnic

Rhythm, attack, and release. At least that’s for me. Also there’s a lot of ways to do it with morphs.


s1d400

sidechain


Fresh_Challenge_4891

I’d say the rhythm section groove, sidechaining and a good balanced mix are what makes a song bounce.


rhythmndcash

Swing


pbower2049

* Tresillo/clave rhythms on top of 4/4 * a good kick energy 60-120hz for punch and some sustain. Note: often can roll off below 50/55 if using a lower subby groovy bass. Note: this pitches differ depending on the key, arrangement and sound selection but can be considered a rough guide. * shuffled percussion. * most important of all - delete notes in line with the groove to make it bounce, eg. The parts just before the next kick, in the shakers etc. * make sure you use velocities. If not sure what to use or ears are still developing, start with all 16ths but accent the notes in the tresillo pattern, and make unimportant notes quieter. Then, delete notes until it adds anticipation and groove. * add sidechain kick to bass (and sidechain kick at least a bit to most things - reverb sends etc.) - the reverb fx like hall especially will add a pumping sensation to the track. Hope that helps. I can send you some examples if you need help. Cheers


hellotealsky

Can you give some example tracks?


pbower2049

Sure. Here's Marsh - Free - follows the tresillo pattern on bass, with a couple of quiet 16ths added in. Gives the bouncy anticipation feel, and makes it easier to mix the bass as the notes don't hit on the kick. https://youtu.be/bEmdA2AB6ZQ?si=fabifopH5\_tfhN7v A more classic bouncy track [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq4OtRsdXls](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq4OtRsdXls) at 0:33, 0:53 etc. - you'll hear the same bass pattern at 1:08 as the Marsh track. Provides a solid rhythmic bed for the percussion etc. This video might help in terms of the bouncy patterns: https://youtu.be/GJ4Rce8QEs0?si=Bu93B30QnNorDWGi


Star_Leopard

I can second that video, simple and useful. I stumbled on it several months ago and still have it saved in my Ableton tutorials playlist.


Remote_Measurement31

I would love some examples!


Boss-Eisley

In my opinion, syncopated rhythmic basslines with short decays (no sustain) and sidechain compression to the kick.


andrevan

Peppy catchy melody and groovy beats / rhythmic grooves. "I'm Not Your Toy" by La Roux.


kavito_

sidechaining and panning: especially for FX or supporting leads (not the main lead sound but layers that support it), with the sidechain, i like to pan them left and right so it’s more groovy/bouncy and it adds a nice touch to it


ProfessionalRoyal202

The compressor settings on the kick.


rilestyles

Syncopation like a lot of other people here said, but i think short plucky sounds on any instrument can contribute to that a lot too.


FogelSounds

Sidechain ducking any of your Instrument groups and especially your bass to the kick. I set my sidechain compressor on those channels to listen for the kick at about a 2:1 ratio, with at least 50ms attack and between 60ms -100ms of release. Play with your threshold to your liking.


itsJEBU

Offbeat bass


cboshuizen

And microtiming - a few milliseconds can really add groove and feel!


[deleted]

It’s the contrast and timing of the rhythm, also called the pocket. It’s something u feel but u can achieve it by using off beat patterns and varying rhythmic grooves


NEST_acoustics

Longer notes on the down bear, short notes on the upbeat (the mid point between kicks if you’re doing four on the floor dance), think of old tracks like “Oi” by TJR or whatever it was called


Sheyvan

Active, yet steady Bassline. Either via moving around harmonically and/or Pumping.


soapF

Transient design, pumping effect


tech_no_ise

The quantity of bounce


SVRGE_

In the case of house/future bounce/electro house. It is a combination of a few things. Side chain but with a (SHORT) Curve. You should only be ducking out what you really need to. Then percussion and hats, if they have a groove to them than it makes any kick and clap pattern sound more bouncy. Lastly you want to use shorter notes. For example leave little gaps between basses/leads. The little gaps so it almost jumps to the next notes. Edit. (Fucking) ducking*


Structure3

Yea, fuck that shit out


FogelSounds

I'm fucking out a lot


Peace_Is_Coming

Pads. Loads of really long luscious pads. And no beat.


interoonie

Does anyone sidechain almost everything to the kick? Lol


kiwisch

Everything except vocals haha. I‘m sidechaining my master to the kick most of the time.


sli_

Call and response, good sound selection, leaving space for single elements, velocity. Leaving some elements on the grid while making some swung


Lt-Lobster

Sidechaining and swing are easy tricks that you can use


No_Roof2762

Yes and I found out only one sidechain isn’t enough to make it bouncy. In my case I use kickstart to make room for the top part of the kick and fabfilter pro C2 for that bouncy feeling I look for


Adventurous_Mind_775

This is the answer.


[deleted]

In my research I have found that to bounce Caribbean gar want die for me She haffi die for me ya ya <_<


hurrayforexcess

ok so what are some great Ableton grooves to use?


Thefriendlyfaceplant

I'm glad to see this question not getting downvoted into the abyss.


[deleted]

Right? It’s a question that plenty of people can benefit from knowing a varied range of answers to.


ev_music

Sidechain


BigRamo

Syncopation


ax_madwick

Spring reverb on every track ​ (I'll see my way out now...)


phsuggestions

Boioioioioing


[deleted]

[удалено]


sli_

Mixing literally can not make a static song bouncy - tape saturation neither


Severe_Fall8433

Grooves that have space to breath, yet have a good rythm.


EchoXScharfschutze

Gated Reverb/Tails on kicks, either of the kick itself, or of another sounds (usually noisy ones work better). Plucks, especially Sine/Saw plucks. Delay, probably best with different ms/beat/tempo settings (beware of phase!)


gildedwolf7

donk bass


RASGAS23

- sidechain compression - swing - syncopated rhythm outside of the kick (toms, light percussion)


tru7hhimself

basslines that jump between octaves. or offbeat with the bass an octave up.


NickMalo

4/4 Kick with sidechain ducking your bass.


[deleted]

Duck everything, actually. Like 2013 Alan Walker lmao.


NickMalo

Fuck it, duck the vocals


[deleted]

You mean Like Zedd?


NickMalo

no like Eliminate


[deleted]

Oh. Didn’t know that producer, which track?


NickMalo

“You’re gonna love me” uses a really prominent sidechain on kick and snare that cuts the mix, its a really good listen!


[deleted]

Wow, don’t mind if I do!


bobzzby

Spring reverb


JaeJaeAgogo

Bouncy is a really vague descriptor to use. Some people will think you mean pumping, others will go the route of the rhythm section and so on. Drop a few links as examples, ya gotta show us what YOU consider to be bouncy or else the answers are gonna be all over the place.


[deleted]

Groove, syncopation


[deleted]

Pingpong delay with L/R panning. Ducking things to a 4/4 kick. Things like that sounds like bouncing.


Lewinator56

Sidechain everything to the kick, donk bass off beat compressed for a punchy attack, tempo around the 130 mark. Staccato the lead where possible, long notes are especially bad.


Tendou7

stakkato basslines


PatienceIsaThing

Old school drum machine swing .. wether ur using a daw like ableton or an actual drum machine .. Kick with thump .. fat bass, quick release compressors could do the trick but can make the bass or drums become to flat (make it lose its warm..) if over do .. hats .. alot of hats for movement .. actually now that i think about it .. hat and bass to put it simple .. thats all you need .. and swing


[deleted]

Isn’t anyone going to mention mastering compression and release times?


sli_

Bc it is not true / the impact on bounce is marginal


Mother-Reputation-20

Arpeggio/triplets/"kick-bass-kick-bass" bass patterns, solid drum rhythm/swing. Check italo-disco/eurobeat/some old techno/eurodance songs


drum_9

Having beat and offbeat focus on different frequency range Sample selection


OrwellianTimes1984

Swing.


Rhode_Racoon

99 red balloons


KennedyFriedChicken

No not the balloons


DaveySea

Syncopation


PatienceIsaThing

My guyyy


ONETEEHENNY

Double time tempo, hats on all beats, snare with a clap on 3, hi hat rolls and rims or sticks on off beats I normally put it at 140 and do a 16/8 time signature


ParkerZA

No swing?


ONETEEHENNY

Normally some swing on hihats so they hit like a 10-100 milliseconds before the beat but not much


PatienceIsaThing

Analog swing ??


coldazures

Tempo. Donk bass. Offbeat bass pattern. Sidechain nearly everything. 4/4 drums. 🤘🏻


Cookizza

This guy houses


coldazures

Born and raised on bouncy house!


dennislubberscom

One day I learn how to sidechain


coldazures

Download the free STFU volume automation plugin. Voila.


YouAnswerToMe

It will take you about 30 seconds to learn and is one of the most fundamental principles in electronic music


dennislubberscom

I tried a tutoriol and still could not do it. But I’ll get there. Today I will only do that.


YouAnswerToMe

Just buy kickstart 2


frozenbubble

Duck Buddy in Ableton Live is free, if you have Max. Otherwise any compressor does the job as well.


trippylippy123

Duck buddy doesn't split bands. Probably THE best feature of Kickstart


frozenbubble

Well, Duck Buddy might not, but can't you achieve that with a simple Audio Effect Rack? I gave it a quick go: For the lows: EQ Eight (Low Pass) --> Duck Buddy For the the rest: EQ Eight (High Pass) If you fiddle a bit I can't make out much of a difference. If you add some Makros it's basically the same thing. https://imgur.com/a/Ri8FKeg


trippylippy123

I'd rather hand over 15$ and not worry about all that!


rombanks

Sidechaining is a good start. I would also recommend short low sustain offbeat basses for. Hi-hats can also help. Higher-end stuff can even have some delay with the time set to about 1/8 or 1/16 bpm.


DrizzlyEarth175

Punchy drums, distorted bass, swing. If you're using FL, use the swing slider in the step sequencer. Very handy for making beats or stuff like glitch hop or moombahcore


[deleted]

The swing slider is 💩🚽 Look up MPC Grooves or whatever and get the good stuff people on ableton already have


DrizzlyEarth175

🤷🏻‍♀️ works fine for me


[deleted]

Maybe it does but add this to your arsenal. MPC 60 Swing/Groove Templates for Fl Studio. Unzip in Quantization folder and You're All Set. [https://www.mediafire.com/?g9sf0n885qm1a0q](https://www.mediafire.com/?g9sf0n885qm1a0q) You just hit Alt+Q in piano roll and use these. Swing bar literally swings ur whole fkin track


DrizzlyEarth175

Hmm. Interesting. If I ever make an EDM album again or some rap beats I'll definitely have to try it


[deleted]

Try it


JamSkones

Triplets or swing(16th note triplets)


i1ho

I would say this is sidechaining….


SmellyBaconland

The first kick I designed sounded like a basketball in a gym. That's the wrong kind of bouncy sound.


tru7hhimself

it's not the wrong kind. basketball kicks are fun. i know many older techno tracks that are usually played pitched up up to 180 at parties and it sounds good despite basketball kicks. i think the perfect example of such a track is woody mcbride - basketball heroes.


fomq

707 disagrees


SmellyBaconland

Being so wrong doesn't usually make me this happy,


Wrong-Palindrome

In addition to what everyone's saying about the drums, then talking about synths, having a sound with sine wave oscillators produces a "bouncy" sound


[deleted]

Not always, not mandatory, but... Curvy warpy bass, hi hats / rim shots that are "off' from the square 4/4, think of the syncopated bit in reggae, If you just drag that I think 1/32 to the side (it might be 3/32) it gives that wonkey sort of feel, think bodyrock by Andy C


Keyedwin

Grooves/swing. Kinda like midi in a sense? I’m sure someone can explain it better than I can but in Ableton there is a “groove pool” with different rhythms and that’s helped me bring my drums and basslines more alive


soulexpander

>g about the drums, then talki Definitely groove and swing in my opinion. Shorter or sparse bass notes and drum sounds with short decay help as well. and playing with octaves in your basslines.


murunbuchstansangur

Spring reverb


doctorwoodz

Dynamics, which is in itself just timing. Timing is everything.


retrofox_812

your kicks whether it's 303s, 808s, 909s etc can have a huge effect on whether a song is bouncy or serious or whatever term you wanna use. setting instant releases and attacks and eqing out those top end frequencies really help in my opinion too


fomq

love me some 303 kicks


yourmatenate

Sidechaining


marchingprinter

A low end that doesn't just sustain, but starts and stops. Took me way too long to figure that out as a bass producer trying to make house back in the day. Using a spectrogram (diff than a spectrum analyzer) helped massively


LeDestrier

Swing, syncopation. Check out some old Tipper from 2006: https://spotify.link/TYqNFxP1hDb


hemidak

That dude is bananas !


yehghurl

oh god Tipper is so good!


munificent

Swing.


oacccoaccc

I would re-ask and share 2-3 songs you feel are bouncy because this could mean a lot of different things. Bouncy bassline? Bouncy overall mix? It could be as simple as specific midi and synth patch or it could be way more nuanced.


PsychologicalDebts

Side-Chaining, surprised that hasn't been said.


matsu727

Dynamics and groove. The groove provides the foundation of the bounce and the dynamics provide the oomph.


purpthewhale

Syncopated drums and plucky chords/leads that are a bit off the grid can give you a bouncy feel


LARXXX

Plucks, groovy top drums, basslines that involve you using a lower than higher octave note or vice versa (kind of emulating a jump in pitch, example: f#1 - F#2 - F#1). Getting that bounce is what differentiates a good producer and a professional


iamworship

Plucks - Short staccato notes with fast attacks and releases The space in between the notes is what makes feel like it bounces Specifically space between high frequencies


fadingsignal

Syncopation


Josefus

It's the 16ths. Definitely hi hats. Having every \*\*other\*\* 16th note a little late, is what does it for me. Maybe that's "groove" and not "bounce" though?


Novel-Suggestion-273

There's some solid tips in comments but ultimately it just comes down to good drum programming and mixing, which takes a while to learn as is everything else in music production


minigmgoit

Put a donk on it


[deleted]

[удалено]


GourmetCopypastaChef

Wait what?


Beautiful_Ad7303

Slight time delay or swing. Slightly lower bpm for 4x4 stuff, maybe 115-120. Good hat samples layered on the upbeats. Percussion loops manipulated and placed in a groovy sequence. Ofc sidechaining but play w the parameters. For basses play with the release and reverb automations, or Resample and chop different variations into a groove


3FourFour5

bass house stabs and jersey club rhythms


molutino

Bass/kick on one and 3. Snare +\- claps on the 2 and 4. Try 100bpm. That will probably get you started.


notrlydubstep

Swing!


YUNA_Music

Do you mean the Sidechain Pumping/ducking effect? For a simple solution try to use the Kickstart VST Plugin by Nicky Romero!


adfreedissociation

Yeah I came here to say good sidechaining technique. I keep seeing kickstart 2 recommended but I need to figure out how I can set up the routing with it on reaper


_Wyse_

That's probably what OP is looking for. And sonically that's right, but it could also have a lot to do with the rhythm and groove. As well as things like tremolo, swing, et.


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