There’s hardly anything more heavy-hitting and iconic in the world of progressive house and melodic music than Anjunabeats. All of their records have made such an impact on dance music, and from a personal standpoint, they’ve really shaped my own studio skills and my taste for the more melodic side of electronic dance music. On the production side, all the artists releasing on the label are some of the most technically proficient in the game. Anjunabeats’ sound is so surgically precise in its mixdowns, creating that massive, larger-than-life sound that’s become the label’s signature.

The producers they work with are absolute wizards, full stop.

One of their latest releases, a track called “My Way Home,” a collaboration between Avenue One and Jaren, is a perfect example of this. It’s a masterclass in the level of production that Anjunabeats always champions. So, we’ve invited them on for another iteration of ‘How It Was Made’ to dive into the plugins they use and share a few quick tips they consider essential for making music that gets signed to top labels like Anjunabeats. Listen to the track below to get a feel for the magic they’re about to share before diving into the latest episode of ‘How It Was Made.’ “My Way Home” by Avenue One and Jaren.

‘My Way Home’ is already out but you can pre-save (Buy/Stream) ‘My Way Home EP’ Here

Diva by u-He 

Diva by u-He is one of our go-to synths because it really nails the warmth and character of classic analog hardware. What we love about Diva is how it authentically recreates the sound of vintage synths like the Minimoog, Jupiter, and Juno, all within a single plugin. The flexibility to mix and match different oscillator, filter, and envelope models allows us to shape the sound exactly how we want. Whether we’re working on a deep bassline or lush pads, Diva always delivers that rich, analog vibe. 

For this track, Diva was responsible for the main plucky chord sounds that really drive the song’s energy. We started with the ‘Spacey Chords’ preset from the ‘Organica’ pack by Production Music Live, but we tweaked it to fit the vibe we were going for. We love using automation to keep the track evolving, so we automated Diva’s filter to open up during high-energy sections and close down for deeper, darker moments. We also added automation on the attack and decay to give the chords more variation throughout the track. In terms of processing, we used a combination of Ableton’s built-in reverb and delay, along with Volume Shaper 4 for sidechaining, and the Creative Filter by Sonalksis to push the sound back or cut the highs when we needed more space, like when the vocals came in. 

For producers working in Progressive House, Diva is a fantastic tool because it can create sounds that feel unique and organic, which is perfect for this genre. One of the things we’ve learned is that Diva’s tones often stand out from other plugins, giving our tracks a distinctive edge. We recommend experimenting with automation on less commonly used knobs to uncover some unexpected and unique sounds. Also, Diva’s extensive preset library is a huge advantage; browsing through and tweaking presets can be a great way to find inspiration and develop new ideas for your tracks. 

Fresh Air by Slate Digtial 

Fresh Air by Slate Digital is a straightforward yet powerful plugin designed to add clarity and brightness to your mix. It works by enhancing the high frequencies, which can make your tracks sound more open and polished. The plugin features two main controls: one for adding high-frequency air and another for adjusting the mid-range presence. It’s incredibly user-friendly and can make a big difference in bringing out detail and brightness without adding unwanted distortion. The most amazing part? It’s completely free—though you do need to register on Slate Digital’s site and activate it via iLok. 

We use Fresh Air on almost every track we produce to add that extra touch of clarity and brightness. For this particular song, we applied it on the master channel to enhance the overall mix. We dialed in subtle adjustments to add a bit of sparkle and openness to the track as a whole. What we love about Fresh Air is how even small tweaks can make a noticeable difference, making it a go-to tool for giving our mixes that final polish. 

A key tip for producers in Progressive House is to make subtle changes with Fresh Air—just a little bit of high-frequency air can make a big impact. It’s fantastic for giving your tracks a final polish and ensuring they have that professional, open sound that stands out. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as too much can make the sound harsh or unpleasant. Use it carefully to enhance clarity without compromising the overall balance of your mix. 

Sonalksis Creative Filter 

The Sonalksis Creative Filter is a versatile plugin that stands out for its high-quality filters and creative modulation options. It offers a range of filter types and allows for unique sound shaping through its modulation features. Its intuitive design makes it easy to experiment and get the most out of your sound. 

We use the Sonalksis Creative Filter on nearly every channel where we need filter automation, making it a staple in our production process. For this track, we applied it to various elements to shape their sound dynamically. We used it to create smooth filter sweeps and add movement, which helped to keep the track engaging. Its intuitive controls make it easy to set up and tweak, so it’s become our go-to plugin for filtering sounds and achieving the exact effect we want. 

For producers in the same genre, we’d recommend giving the Sonalksis Creative Filter a try – you might just find some magic in it, even if it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why it stands out. While there are many similar plugins out there, the unique combination of its features has become an essential part of our workflow. Sometimes the best way to understand its value is to experiment with it yourself and see how it complements your sound. It’s been a reliable tool for us, and you might discover something special about it in your own productions. 

Vocal Processing

For the vocals, we used lyrics that Jaren wrote five years ago for a project that never came to fruition. We recorded the vocals in Matt’s home studio in Montreal, using a Neuman TLM-103 mic in a custom-built booth. Since the instrumental was at 105 BPM, we decided to speed up the vocals to fit, and it really clicked with the new track. For processing, we used Ableton’s EQ Eight and Pro-Q3 by FabFilter for equalization, and combined Ableton’s delay and reverb with Neoverb by iZotope and Crystalline by Baby Audio for additional depth.

Neoverb was particularly useful because of its advanced reverb algorithms and intelligent features, which helped us achieve a rich and immersive reverb effect that blends seamlessly with the vocals. We chose Crystalline for its transparent and lush reverbs, which added a polished, spacious quality to the vocals without muddiness. We also applied Glue Compressor by Ableton to give the vocals more presence and handled sidechaining with Volume Shaper 4 by Cableguys.  

Quick Fire Tips For Making Progressive House On Anjunabeats:

Tip #1: Be unique – don’t just mimic existing tracks. While it’s great for learning, to truly stand out, create something different and original. 

Tip #2: Visualize your track being played by your favorite DJ or at a festival. This mindset helps you craft parts of the song to fit those high-impact moments and makes your vision more achievable. 

Tip #3: Stay curious and explore new music software. Don’t stick to just a few favorite VSTs – discover new instruments, presets, and sounds. Fresh sounds can spark unique ideas and inspire your next production 

Tip #4: Embrace VSTs and samples from other genres – they can breathe new life into your tracks and set you apart. Just make sure they fit your sound and enhance your production, rather than using them for novelty’s sake. 

The post How It Was Made: Avenue One & Jaren – My Way Home (Anjunabeats)  appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.