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New underground genres often blend old sounds with modern ones to create something that has never been heard before. The subgenre Pluggnb is a prime example of this, where older R&B and Y2K-era sounds are presented in a modern and experimental framework.
Our newest sample pack “The Plugg” explores this style of production with fresh samples and loops that will catch your sample library up to speed with what’s cutting edge. Let’s dive into some more production tips and techniques.
Sound Pack Spotlight: Production Tips and Tricks
For Beginners:
Locking piano roll to scale.
One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re always in a certain key when writing melodies or chords within Ableton’s piano roll is by activating the “Scale” button within the clip section of the piano roll. Bitwig is another DAW with a similar feature called the “Key Filter” MIDI tool. This is a great way to experiment with writing notes and chords within the piano roll without worrying if you’ll be out of key with your track.
Try it with vintage hip hop 🎧
Next level: Intermediate
Rhythmic category presets in Shaperbox 3.
Shaperbox 3 by CableGuys is a useful all-in-one creative FX toolbox. The possibilities of this plugin are endless, as it can be used as a mixing toolbox to a full-blown rhythmic FX machine.
In the context of Pluggnb, many producers apply this effect on synth leads and melodies and then browse through the presets until a glitchy and “wavy” result is achieved. A good example of this would be the “Robot Glitch” preset as shown, or any of the rhythmic category presets that Shaperbox offers.
Experiment with Y2K synth presets 🤯
For Advanced
Activate earcandy.
“Earcandy” is something that is regularly used by producers to convey the Hyperpop and Pluggnb vibe. This technique gives synths that glossy, over-the-top Y2K-style sonic aesthetic that is a signature style within Hyperpop and Pluggnb.
One of the main ways to easily achieve this is by using Crystallizer by Soundtoys and Portal by Output. Crystallizer is a granular echo device that applies a granulation-type delay effect to a sound. The parameters shown in the screenshot above are a good starting point that will give your sounds a crystal-like earcandy effect. Play with the knobs on Crystallizer and customize to taste. Be sure to keep the mix knob to a lower value so the original sound is still able to come through. You can get very interesting sounds just by experimenting with the knobs of the plugin.
Portal is another granular FX plugin that offers many more possibilities and can get very deep in terms of customizability. Many of the presets that come with Portal can completely change the original sound source, so make sure to use the dry/wet slider to taste. In this example, we’ll use the “Pitch Artifacts” preset with the dry/wet slider at 40% to get a crazy pitch-echo effect. These two effects combined create a chaotic yet controlled earcandy effect. Try these presets or experiment with different presets on leads, pads, synths, and even vocals!
