How to Make Music Like Diplo's New House Tracks: A Guide

How to Make Music Like Diplo's New House Tracks: A Guide

Diplo has always been known for his ability to seamlessly blend genres, and his recent focus on house music is no exception. His new house tracks are minimal, infectious, and perfect for the dancefloor. If you want to capture some of that same energy in your own productions, this guide will walk you through the key elements of Diplo’s house sound and how to achieve it.

1. Start with the Groove: Simple and Tight

Diplo’s house tracks are all about the groove. They’re built on tight, straightforward drum patterns that make you want to move without feeling overcomplicated. The secret to a good house track is to keep things simple but make each element count.

How to do it:

• Start with a Solid 4/4 Kick: A punchy, consistent kick is the foundation of any house track. Place it on every beat and make sure it’s strong enough to drive the track but not overpowering.
• Add Crisp Hi-Hats and Claps: Keep your hats sharp and place them on the off-beats for that classic house feel. Layer in claps or snaps on the 2 and 4 counts to give the beat a little more punch and groove.
• Use Subtle Percussion for Swing: Diplo often uses light percussive elements—think shakers or bongos—to add swing and variation without cluttering the rhythm. This helps keep the groove dynamic and interesting.

2. The Bassline: The Heartbeat of the Track

In house music, the bassline is crucial, and Diplo knows how to craft basslines that are both simple and powerful. His basslines are repetitive but catchy, designed to get stuck in your head and keep the dancefloor moving.

How to do it:

• Focus on Simplicity: A good house bassline doesn’t need to be overly complex. Stick to a few notes and let them repeat. The key is to lock in with the kick drum and create a hypnotic groove.
• Use a Warm, Punchy Bass Sound: You want the bass to be deep and warm, but with enough punch to cut through the mix. Try experimenting with different synth bass sounds or tweak an 808 for that low-end thump. If you need extra drive, using a bit of subtle saturation or distortion can give your bassline the energy it needs.
• Sidechain for Bounce: Sidechain compression is essential in house music. It creates that signature pumping effect that makes the bass and kick feel like they’re breathing together. This helps the track feel more alive and adds a sense of movement to the low end.

3. Melodies: Keep Them Catchy but Minimal

Diplo’s house tracks often feature simple, repetitive melodies that are easy to remember but never overpower the groove. He lets the melodies complement the rhythm rather than dominate it, creating a balance that works perfectly for the club.

How to do it:

• Simple Is Key: When it comes to house melodies, less is often more. Use a few notes in a repeating pattern that fits with the bassline. Think about catchy hooks rather than complex, long melodies.
• Use Classic House Sounds: Diplo often leans on classic house elements like pianos or synth stabs. A bright, rhythmic piano chord progression can instantly give your track that uplifting house vibe. Diplo also likes to use plucky synths to create playful, rhythmic melodies that add a bit of bounce.
• Play with Filters: To keep things interesting, automate filters on your melodic elements. For example, start with a low-pass filter and gradually open it up as the track progresses. This helps build anticipation and adds energy without adding more layers.

4. Vocal Chops: The Secret Sauce

One of Diplo’s signature moves in his house tracks is the use of vocal chops. These chopped-up vocal snippets often act as rhythmic elements or hooks that catch the listener’s ear and keep them engaged.

How to do it:

• Find a Simple Vocal Hook: The vocal doesn’t need to be complex. In fact, short phrases or even one-word samples work best. Look for something catchy and rhythmic that can be looped without becoming repetitive.
• Chop and Rearrange: Once you have a vocal sample, slice it up and rearrange the pieces to fit the rhythm of your track. You can pitch them up or down to match the vibe, and adding effects like reverb or delay can help make the vocals feel more integrated into the track.
• Add Some Texture: Diplo often processes his vocals to give them a bit of character. You can add saturation, light distortion, or even a bit of filtering to give the vocal chops a unique texture. It helps make the vocal sound less clean and more like a natural part of the groove.

5. Create Atmosphere: Subtle but Effective

Diplo’s house tracks might sound minimal, but there’s often a lot going on in the background to create a full, atmospheric sound. These elements are usually subtle but help give the track depth and make it more immersive.

How to do it:

• Layer Ambient Pads: Soft, atmospheric pads can fill out the mix without taking up too much space. Use long, evolving pads that sit quietly in the background to give the track a sense of space. Don’t go too heavy with it—just enough to add some depth.
• Reverb and Delay: Diplo uses effects like reverb and delay to create a sense of space and movement in his tracks. Use reverb sparingly on drums and vocals to make them sound more expansive, and apply delay to melodic elements to create interesting rhythmic echoes.
• Noise and FX for Transitions: Adding white noise sweeps, risers, or subtle FX sounds can help transitions between sections feel smooth and exciting. These effects don’t need to be loud—just enough to signal that a change is coming or to add some extra energy before a drop.

6. Mixing: Clean, Punchy, and Club-Ready

Mixing is where Diplo’s house tracks really shine. His mixes are clean and punchy, with each element sitting perfectly in its own space.

How to do it:

• EQ for Clarity: Use EQ to make sure every element in your track has its own space. Cut the low-end on everything except your kick and bass to avoid a muddy mix. Boost the high end on your hi hats and percussion to give the track that crisp, sharp feel.
• Compression for Punch: Compression is key to getting that tight, punchy sound. Use compression on your drums to keep them controlled and dynamic, and don’t forget to sidechain your bass to the kick drum for that signature house bounce.
• Use Stereo Width: While the main groove should stay centered, use stereo width for your pads, effects, and background elements to create a wider, more immersive sound. It helps your track feel bigger without overcrowding the mix.

7. Mastering: Bring It All Together

Finally, mastering is what takes your track from good to great. Diplo’s house tracks are always mastered to be loud and punchy, perfect for the club or streaming.

How to do it:

• Use Limiting Sparingly: Bring your track up to commercial loudness with a limiter, but be careful not to squash the dynamics. You want the track to hit hard, but still retain its energy and movement.
• Check the Low-End: Make sure your bass and kick are working together and not competing for space. A clean low-end is essential in house music.
• Final Polish: Add a bit of final EQ or saturation to give your track that professional polish. You want it to sound smooth, warm, and loud enough to stand out.

Final Thoughts

Diplo’s recent house tracks are a perfect example of how less can be more. By focusing on tight grooves, simple yet effective melodies, and punchy basslines, you can create tracks that are just as energetic and infectious. The key is to keep things minimal but impactful, letting the groove and the rhythm drive the track.

With the right approach, you can bring that same energy into your own productions. So, get creative, keep it simple, and let your tracks shine on the dancefloor!