Behind the Scenes: My Music Production Process
I’m Mashter. Take a peek into my studio workflow, where I design sounds from scratch and turn raw ideas into dancefloor-ready tracks.
I believe in sharing knowledge, so here's a look at my process. This is a tutorial where I break down how to create a deep house bass sound using FM synthesis in Ableton Live, covering everything from oscillator choice and filters to sidechain compression.
Here's a peek into my creative process for a track called "Out There." I combined influences from progressive psytrance, techno, and house, even using a vocal sample from the movie The Matrix to create a unique acid drop.
A glimpse into the Ableton project for a new track I'm working on. You can see the layering of basslines and synth patterns that form the foundation of this dark, progressive techno piece.
Here is a glimpse of the project files for two new Mashter IDs. This is where the ideas start to take shape, with different layers of drums, bass, and synths coming together.
Another look at the production session for two new tracks. I spend a lot of time on sound design and arrangement to make sure every element has its place in the mix.
A preview of my upcoming techno track "I See You," set to release in 2025. This one is a dark, driving tune built for the underground.
An exclusive first listen to my track "Deeper Love." This is part of a showcase of 11 brand new techno tracks I have lined up for release in 2025.
Here's a preview of another new track, "Angry Volcano." It's a high-energy techno piece with a raw bassline and relentless groove.
A demo of my new track "Day After Molly." This is another one of the 11 new techno productions I'm excited to release next year.
Previewing my new track, "Toxic." This piece features hypnotic synths and a driving rhythm, characteristic of the dark techno sound I love to produce.
About The Production Process
My production process starts with a blank project and a specific sound in mind. I don’t rely on presets; whether I’m crafting a dark techno bass or a melodic psytrance lead, I build everything from scratch using FM synthesis in Ableton. This gives every track a distinct texture and sonic identity that you simply cannot get from stock loops or off-the-shelf samples.
My Studio Approach
I treat my studio at Sector 14, Gurugram as a laboratory. It is fully acoustically treated, allowing me to trust what I hear on my Pioneer VM-80 monitors without guessing how a kick drum will translate in a club environment. My workflow is methodical, balancing creative freedom with the technical discipline needed for a professional release.
Sound Design from Scratch
When I produce for myself or for a client, I start with basic waveforms and build complexity from there. I rely heavily on Ableton’s Operator for FM synthesis because of its precision. By modulating oscillators, I can create metallic, plucky, or warm analog-style textures that form the foundation of a track. Every element is designed to serve the groove.
Mixing and Arrangement
Once the sound design is locked in, the arrangement focuses on dancefloor impact. This means managing space effectively. I use sidechain compression—not just to pump the bassline, but to give the kick drum its own room to breathe. Everything is verified against commercial standards, targeting -6 to -9 LUFS for loudness to ensure the track hits just as hard on Spotify as it does on a club system.
Common Questions
- Do you work with beginners? Yes, I run the Pro DJ Studio and enjoy helping new artists translate their ideas into professional-grade tracks.
- What if I have a rough sketch? I can take your basic MIDI ideas or vocal hooks and arrange, mix, and master them into a finished release.
- Do you use hardware? While I love the sound of analog gear, my primary workflow is digital-in-the-box, allowing for 100% recall and efficiency, which is crucial when we are working on a deadline.
Mashter
I’m Mashter, and for me, the production studio is where the real connection happens. Whether I'm designing a dark, driving bassline or teaching a student how to use FM synthesis, I’m obsessed with the craft. I’m here to help you get your sound out of your head and onto the speakers.
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