How to Produce a Song in The Weeknd's Style - Music Production Tutorial

Learn to produce contemporary R&B music in this 49-minute tutorial that breaks down the production techniques behind spacey, retro-inspired synth programming, hard-hitting drum patterns, and lush vocal arrangements. Master essential production elements including synth arpeggiation, automation techniques, bass patch creation, atmospheric pad layering, brass arrangements, and drum programming. Explore advanced concepts like transition effects, rising motifs, background textures, and ear candy placement while diving into vocal production with Auto-Tune automation, spacey vocal chains, and ad-lib arrangements. Follow along with detailed demonstrations of song structure experimentation, cinematic elements, chord progression development, and synth solo creation. Conclude with a comprehensive listen-through showcasing how all elements come together in a cohesive production.

Syllabus

Intro 0:00
Giveaway 0:48
Starting With A Synth Arp 1:10
Automation Is The Secret Sauce 1:55
Making A Giant Bass Patch 3:18
Adding Pads and Atmospheres 5:08
Pad Ramp Up Effect 7:35
Adding Analog Style Layers 8:40
Digital Vocal Pad 9:53
Brass Arp 10:45
Mike Dean Synth Lead 11:40
Adding Drums 13:00
Transition Synths 13:40
Rising Synth Motif 15:00
Punchy Drums 16:00
Funky Bassline 17:30
Subtle Background Pads 19:26
Layering The Bass Melody With A Synth 19:50
Extra Synths and Pads 20:05
Opening Up The Synths 21:30
Adding Risers, Hits, and Ear Candy 22:50
Experimenting With The Song Structure 23:30
Cinematic Drums 24:08
Layering Unique Arps 25:40
Changing The Chord Progression 26:55
Adding A Wild Synth Solo 28:00
Wind Down Outro Effect 29:45
Ambient Intro Vocal Effect 30:30
Automating Between Keys In Autotune 31:05
Spacey Vocal Chain 31:45
Fading A Vocal Out Into The Background 34:00
Lead Vocal Chain 34:20
Drier Verse Vocal 37:50
Call and Response Ad Libs 39:40"
Explaining The Asymmetrical Song Structure 40:39
Outro Vocal Layer 42:48
Full Listen Through 44:55
Outro 47:42