How To Make an Unforgettable EDM Drop

The perfect EDM drop can set a dance floor on fire, so it’s no wonder that most producers add galvanizing and powerful drops to every song they make!

While every EDM drop is different, there are certain common characteristics you must be aware of if you want to create yours; regardless of the genre you work in, a song’s drop should be a mix of fresh sounds, have a powerful crescendo, and it has to hit hard.

Let’s take a look at how you can make your first EDM drop.

It’s All About the Buildup

Before we even get to the drop, we have to talk about the power of buildup.

A drop’s power is seamlessly connected to the contrast between tension and release you create throughout the song. In a way, the impact of your EDM is proportional to the emotional power your track features as it evolves.

At the right time, try to build a sense of anticipation by pulling everything back. Create a “negative space” that surprises the listener before the full track slams back in full force.

Animals by Martin Garrix is a blueprint for powerful drops:

Hear how the main chords disappear during the buildup to leave room for the snare roll and the distorted synth? This is what creates tension. Everything stops for a few seconds when the vocals come in, and then all hell breaks loose. This is EDM drop art at its finest.

Here’s what you can use to build a sense of anticipation.

Risers

Risers are sounds that gradually increase in pitch and volume. This keeps listeners on the edge and prepares them for what’s to come.

Snare drum

A snare drum that increases in speed and frequency is a sign that something is about to happen!

Snare rolls are an evergreen:

But also a change in rhythm, tempo, or time signature can also work magnificently:

Filtered frequencies

Removing or emphasizing certain frequencies can add variety to your track, and add the movement you need for the drop. For instance, filtering out low frequencies will make the sound become more airy, which you can bring back again when the drop hits.

This can help keep listeners’ attention and smoothen the transition into the more powerful elements of the track:

Vocals

Vocals can magnify the power of an EDM drop unlike anything else. Plus, they add a unique and human touch to your piece. These could be vocal chops, countdowns, or even full lyrics. Regardless of your choice, the best way to use vocals is to use them to attract the listeners’ attention and create the buildup through the instrumental section. Check out this John Summit’s remix to get an idea:

How to make an EDM Drop: Step-by-Step

The Rhythm Section

So you have a solid rhythm for your song, which you now need to change to introduce the drop.

Remember this: both the presence or absence of the rhythm section can be used as the main driving force of an EDM drop.

The drums can be there the whole time, at the same volume level, but a change in the rhythmic structure can create the sense of anticipation you need.

You can also remove the beat entirely and work on other layers of your track. This can leave the listeners suspended and waiting for the next section of your track.

Finally, remember that rhythm is not just about percussion and drums. Even a bassline, when carefully layered, can become a driving rhythmic element for your tune.

Enriching your Melodies

Some synth sounds are legendary and globally recognized, so you should use them if you want your audience to be fully immersed in your music!

The rising pitches, the filter sweeps, and white noise are all elements that define EDM drops, but how can you create your signature sound while using these popular sounds?

Use automation to enhance the song's crescendo. This makes the song more engaging without adding additional melodies that can distract the listener. Try slowly increasing pitch or distortion, and you’ll see that you’re creating a sense of motion and building excitement organically. Tape and tube saturators can add warmth and excitement to synths, drums, and even entire busses.

Use it sparingly, and always check how it affects your mix balance.

A great trick is also to add a short silence right before the drop, to create a space that makes the return of sound even more impactful.

When the drop happens, your melody and bass should come in full force, but be careful not to make the whole mix muddy!

Layering

There’s no better way to add richness to your tracks than layering, so try to blend different sounds using both analog and digital synthesizers to make the mix more interesting. For example, you can mix a clean supersaw sound with a detuned version of it, or stack sub-bass with midrange growls to make the low-end more galvanizing.

You can try to double the lead synth with a pitched vocal chop for extra detail. It's important that each layer has a clear purpose; if a layer is just making the sound louder, try using EQ instead.

If your bass still feels thin, try to add a third layer by copying the MIDI notes again. Use a high-pass filter at 2–3 kHz on this layer so it won't clash with the other two. Leads also need a layer or two to sound bigger, so give it a few tries until you find a sweet spot.

Many great EDM leads are actually a mix of two or three parts. If you have a smooth sine wave as your lead, layer it with a square wave to brighten it up. You can also experiment with processing to make layers sound different and pan them to create space in your mix.

Sidechain Compression

Sidechain compression is perhaps the most popular technique used to create powerful EDM music; it’s an effective way to enhance any drop in your music, regardless of the genre. It lowers the bass momentarily when the kick drum plays, creating that pumping effect you always hear in electronic music.

As low bass frequencies compete with the kick drum frequencies between 20–100 Hz, the overlap can cause frequency masking and make both instruments harder to hear. Sidechain avoids this muddy low-end in your mix and gives you a clear kick and bass.

You can also create space by EQing both elements. Check out our recent video on EQing bass and kick:

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide will help you refine your EDM drops and create your most successful tracks! If you're looking for the right ingredients to create the perfect drop, head over to the Sample Focus library, where you can find hundreds of lead, kick, and bass sounds for your EDM tracks, all carefully crafted and ready for use.

Have fun!