Studying other people’s music is a great way to improve your own productions. This way the process becomes internalized and you’re no longer guessing how to finish a track.

Today we’re taking a look at "7.2" by Architectural.   Have a listen, read my notes, and grab the file. 

Here are some high level notes and key takeaways.

This is an excellent track.  Super satiating low end that rumbles the subs, but it's also tight and groovy.  The arrangement is is very abstract as parts ebb and flow using pattern lengths that break away from the usual lengths of say 8 or 16 bars.  

What can producers learn from this?

Feel free to think out side the box and break the mold!  Get your effects primed and ready because this tracks seems rather simple in it's track count, but how those tracks mutate and evolve over time is where the magic happens.     

Bars 1 - 16 - Pretty standard opening intro with the kick and sub going full tilt, there's a very subtle high hat and also some subtle white noise.  The noise effect automated with a hi pass filter that lets some of the lows out and then pulls the back so only very high "hissy" parts come through.   

Bar 17- 28 -And the producer has tossed the typical club track arrangement out the window with some cymbals starting on bar 29.  What's more typical is for a new part to be introduced at bar 25.   At bar 29 the hi hat is pulled out or is barely audible.  

Bar 29-44 - The elements continue and at Bar 37 a synth pad or string sound starts.  It's 1 constant note that drones on for a while adding tension towards bar 45. 

Bar 45-52 - Some interesting glitchy noise patters start.  As I said get your effects ready.  The strings drone on while these 2 patterns have a bit of interplay for example pattern 1 then pattern 2.  

Bar 53 - 68 - The noise patterns keep grooving with the strings in the entire time. Around bar 60 the cymbal loop is back in the mix.  At bar 67 there's a bit of a shuffle with the low end notes for a little 2 bar fill.  On beat 4 of measure 68 there's a nice reverbed clap. 

Bar 69- 88, Here's a groovy section of mostly low end for an odd 20 bars - again 16 or 24 is more typical. 

Bar 89 -98 To shake things again and bring up the energy levels we hear the ride cymbal loop and the pad/string sound.  The pad starts on bar 91.  At bar 97 there's the low end 8 beat shuffle leading into a little drop at measure 99

Bar 99 - 108 The noises are back with variations between the 2 patterns.  The pad plays for added high end content.  We also here the reverbed claps along with a standard clap pattern where they hit on beats 2 and 4 of each bar. 

Bar 109 - 122 - The section continues driving towards the 2 bar low end shuffle and a drop at bar 123 where new stuff is introduced

Bar 123 - 130 A new drone sound is introduced with a nice hi pitched kinda riser sound that leads into bar 131

Bar 131-224  new low pitched glitchy noise sound is introduced the higher pitched riser gets tweaked a lot and we can hear more of the back ground his and noise.  The higher pitched sound kinda morphs and becomes a little bit choir like by bar 160. 

Bar 165-208 This is the conclusion of the tune the noises all start fading out and the energy is reduced.  

Key Take Aways

This is a really unique track.  What makes it work is the perfect, subby low end.  Study up on this it's a great way to break out of the typical "club track" structure for your music.  

Do support the artist you can buy this track on Band Camp.