The Final 10% is about taking a track that feels finished and pushing it that little bit further. I show you how I use atmosphere, FX, automation, subtle frequency changes and groove variations to add movement, energy and polish without overcomplicating the production.
Course Details
In this chapter, I explain what I mean by “the final 10%” and why this stage of production can make such a big difference. I introduce the mindset I use once a track feels finished, taking a step back and identifying the subtle changes that can help elevate it before sending it out to labels or releasing it.
In this chapter, I show you how I add atmosphere, texture and extra FX to give a finished track more depth and movement. I demonstrate techniques using background recordings, vinyl noise, synth hits, delayed claps, pads, risers and impacts, while showing how to use these elements sparingly to emphasise transitions and important moments without overcrowding the mix.
In this chapter, I focus on using automation to bring existing sounds to life rather than continually adding new elements. I demonstrate automating delays, filters and effects across synths and vocals to create movement, tension and variation, as well as using processing such as Skew to turn simple sounds into more interesting pieces of ear candy.
In this chapter, I show you how small kick variations can add movement and dynamics to a drum-led track. I experiment with additional offbeat and double kicks, velocity changes, removing selected kicks and creating subtle variations between phrases, helping the groove evolve while still keeping the overall production simple and effective.