Do you layer things??

[Purpleb]

I know it probably depends on the song, part, sound, etc.
But do you layer parts to make them fatter, thicker, wider, etc.?
If so do you do it often? And what do you like to layer: leads, pads, drums, bass?

Thanks

[motuscott]

I shoot for sparse arrangements with bold sounds.

[vocoderboy]

depends on the situation

[selig]

I layer my tracks like I layer my clothing - on a "as needed" basis. For example, yesterday I needed five layers to stay warm:
 

Layers: Use 'em when you need 'em.

[PSoames]

The parts I'm most likely to layer are samples to create a sound-scape or because my playing is so ropey, adding some keyboard bass to an electric bass. Oh and drums.

But as others have said, the situation drives the requirement and mode of implementation.

[X1Lo]

The only songs I don't layer sounds in is when I'm making psytrance.  I synthesize the drums/cymbals and try and keep as few synths playing at one time as possible, while doing as much absurd modulation with them as I can.  If I'm working on an uplifting trance song, I probably go a bit overboard with the layering to be honest.

[JoshuaPhilgarlic]

Sure, I layer when I feel that something needs to be layered . Mostly on bass sounds: sometimes I add a sub, sometimes I add another synth for the attack...

Pads are also good for layering - when necessary. The same for leads.

Drums? I never layer drums! I'm totally happy with Kings-of-Kong (which I use 90% for standard drums).

Generally I don't layer to just "fatter, thicker, wider" (except for bass perhaps) but to add a certain aspect to a sound. An analog bass might be cool, but with a little FM attack it might work better ?!?!?

[gullum]

Ogars are like onions layer upon layers and I don't like Ogars. I layer if I feel it's needed.

[Ecopro]

Ogars are like onions layer upon layers and I don't like Ogars. I layer if I feel it's needed.

Did you mean: Ogres

[Last Alternative]

I layer guitars. Sometimes snare. Rarely bass. Vocals every so often.

[Ecopro]

Ogars are like onions layer upon layers and I don't like Ogars. I layer if I feel it's needed.

Did you mean:

 

Ogres

Come on Ed, he meant orgies!

So then you would need an extra layer of protection.

[Ecopro]

I layer my tracks like I layer my clothing - on a "as needed" basis. For example, yesterday I needed five layers to stay warm:
 

Layers: Use 'em when you need 'em.

Make sure you take care out there Giles! We don't want to lose another good developer to Xtreme Sports. We still need some more intelligent and unique Res.

[forensickbeats]

If there are not conflicting frq - layering can add betterness, but it depends, I picked SOMETIMES.

[Raveshaper]

I guess it depends on what layering means, but I voted "always."

I'm always filtering out a specific frequency range or two from the original sound on an instrument and adding it back in with some sort of subtle changes applied as a way of getting more depth in the final sound.

[gullum]

Ogars are like onions layer upon layers and I don't like Ogars. I layer if I feel it's needed.

Did you mean:

 

Ogres

Come on Ed, he meant orgies!

No No then I would def not say I don't like yes I think Ogres is the right name. but in Shrek it sounded like Ogar to me.

[Rook]

I know people talk all the time about layering stuff, but (for me) it seems to cause more problems in the mix than it's worth. Especially with kick drums...it's easier for me to find ONE good sample that I like and EQ it to fit the track, than to pick one for the bottom end, one for the top end click, one for the punchy mids...even with filtering, that's just asking for mix problems, imo.

Having said that, I usually do layer a sub bass with a more aggressive, top-end kinda bass, when the song calls for it. When I do that, I always high-pass the top end bass so it doesn't get in the way of the sub or the kick drum.

Of course, there's some layering that goes into sound design itself. I might have a piano type patch that's layered with a plucky synth or something like that. But that's more to change the actual timbre than it is to make something sound "fatter".

"Fat" sounds usually sound good on their own, but are not as useful in a mix, I've found.

[ClassickHitz]

Always!! For me layering is a must when it comes to Hip/Hop RnB tracks.

[NMRosta]

Layer layer layer layer! Thats how i work to get the perfect flow of textures that i need.

So... i most ofen use paralell chanels that i route to one chanel that i later bounce,.

then i work with the bounced material in 1 or 2 - 3 layers baserd on WET/far away   CLEAN/close  and one or two that i just have to fill the emty room with about 1 or 2% volume..

And all this is just with one instrument...

All this is also what i love with Reason.. the easy (clean and fast) bounce system just make it possible to put tons of angry agressive fx/dynamic/filter on it without killing the comphuter..

[Marketblandings]

I layer if experimentation produces a great sound.
I have had very interesting results with layered elect. Pianos. Vibes backed up with a quieter synth sound. Multiple trumpets playing in unison but detuned a bit etc. etc.

[gak]

Cripes, I don't even know HOW to do this in reason currently  :s0225:

[C//AZM]

I layer as if my life depends on it.Sometimes it's traditional stull like piano with a touch of string or bells, and other times it's me creating a big pad out of several subtractors and malstroms. A lot of times, the trick is to combine something with a hard attack with something that fades in. Lots of playing with the envelops and also tuning helps.