How to Make Music Like KEINEMUSIK

How to Make Music Like KEINEMUSIK

KEINEMUSIK has mastered a distinctive sound that blends Afro house rhythms with rich, organic textures, giving their tracks a unique, soulful vibe. They’ve carved out a niche that’s rooted in Afro-inspired beats, subtle melodies, and an immersive, atmospheric production style. If you’re aiming to create music like KEINEMUSIK, here’s how to channel that energy into your own productions.

1. Get the Groove Right: Afro Beats with a Minimalist Touch

At the heart of every KEINEMUSIK track is a deep, infectious groove. Afro House is all about creating rhythms that make people move, and KEINEMUSIK nails this by balancing minimalism with complex percussion patterns.

• Percussion: Start with hand drums like bongos, djembes, or congas. Layer these with electronic elements, but keep things sparse and intentional. Less is often more in Afro House.

• Rhythm & Swing: Give your drums a touch of swing, but don’t overdo it. The groove should feel laid-back yet have enough movement to keep listeners engaged. Experiment with polyrhythms or subtle offbeat hi-hats for that Afro-inspired complexity.

• Bassline: Afro House basslines aren’t flashy—they’re deep, steady, and work closely with the kick. Go for a warm, subby sound that sits comfortably in the low end and drives the track forward without drawing too much attention.

2. Create Atmosphere with Evolving Pads and Textures

One of KEINEMUSIK’s strengths is their ability to create spacious, immersive atmospheres that feel alive. These tracks aren’t just about beats—they’re about telling a story through sound.

• Lush Pads: Start with long, evolving pad sounds that gently shift over time. This could be anything from an airy synth pad to a field recording of nature sounds—think birds, wind, or distant voices. The key is to keep these elements subtle, so they blend into the background while adding emotional depth.

• Reverb & Delay: Don’t be shy with your reverb and delay effects. These are your tools for creating that spacious, almost hypnotic vibe. Use long, drawn-out delays and reverb tails to make sounds drift and evolve throughout the track. That's the trick of the day really! 

• World Instruments: Incorporating traditional African instruments like kalimbas, or flutes can give your music that authentic KEINEMUSIK feel. Layer these with the pads to create a rich, textured backdrop that feels organic.

3. Keep the Melody Subtle but Memorable

Melodies in KEINEMUSIK tracks are usually understated, but they stick with you. They rarely overpower the groove.

• Plucky Synths: For melodies, opt for simple, plucky sounds. These can be created using soft synths or even sampled marimbas or other traditional instruments. Keep the melody repetitive, yet evolving, with small variations to maintain interest. We have created a Serum preset pack that fit's perfect for this kind of sound.

• Chord Progressions: Simple chord progressions work best. Afro House doesn’t need complex harmonic structures—what it needs is emotional weight. Minor chords tend to work well for creating a deep, introspective feel.

• Layering: Layer your melodic elements subtly. For example, a plucky synth line could sit just above a lush pad, with both evolving over time to create an emotional push-and-pull effect.

4. Use Vocals as an Instrument

Vocals in KEINEMUSIK tracks are often treated more like textures than traditional vocals. They’re there to add atmosphere, not to dominate the track.

• Vocal Samples: Look for short, chant-like vocal samples that can be looped and manipulated. Think distant, reverb-heavy phrases or hums that blend into the instrumental, rather than sharp or defined lyrics. Afro House thrives on call-and-response patterns, so experiment with vocals that feel ritualistic or tribal.

• Processing: Add reverb, delay, and maybe even pitch-shifting to give vocals an otherworldly, distant feel. You want them to float above the beat, adding depth and mystery to the track.

5. Layer in Sound Effects and Field Recordings

KEINEMUSIK’s sound feels alive, and that’s because of their attention to subtle details in the background. Adding ambient sounds and field recordings can give your track a sense of space and environment.

• Field Recordings: Incorporate natural sounds like rain, birds, or distant city noise. These can be tucked low in the mix, just enough to add texture without being obvious.

• FX Sounds: Try using soft whooshes, subtle risers, or small glitches for transitions. These add movement and evolution to your track without breaking the flow.

6. Minimalism is Key

KEINEMUSIK’s Afro House tracks often feel stripped back, but they’re far from boring. The magic is in the way they allow each sound to breathe, without overcrowding the mix.

• Arrangement: Focus on building your track slowly. Start with just drums and a bassline, then gradually introduce new elements like pads, synths, and vocals. Avoid dumping everything in at once; let the track evolve naturally over time.

• Breakdowns: Use breakdowns to strip things back to just a few elements, like a vocal and a drum loop. This helps reset the energy of the track and gives your audience a moment to breathe before bringing the beat back in.

7. Master for the Dancefloor

KEINEMUSIK’s music is meant to be felt on a sound system. Make sure your track is mixed and mastered with the club in mind.

• Sub-bass: Ensure your sub-bass is clean and powerful, but not overwhelming. Use sidechain compression to give your kick drum enough space, and make sure the low end is tight and controlled.

• Mid-range: Keep your mid-range elements clear and focused. This is where a lot of your percussion and melodic elements will sit, so use EQ to carve out space for each sound.

• Top-end: Add some air to the top end with shakers, hi-hats, or even the subtle white noise to keep things crisp and exciting without overwhelming the mix.

How to Make Music Like KEINEMUSIK
Incorporating these elements into your music will help you create the hypnotic, soulful vibe that KEINEMUSIK is known for. It’s all about keeping things minimal yet evolving, with enough space for every sound to breathe. Afro House is a genre built on groove and feeling, so trust your ears and let the rhythm guide you.

Happy producing!