How to Make Hyperpop Music with Pro Tools

Hyperpop hits different. It's what happens when you max out every slider on your DAW and it somehow works. Think crazy pitch shifts, distorted bass, and beats that challenge the boundaries of any sound system.

Best thing about hyperpop? You just need a laptop and wild ideas. No rules. Total freedom. Pure chaos.

Let's show you how to make these sounds and create Hyperpop music with Pro Tools.

What is Hyperpop?

Hyperpop is a genre that revolves around extremes – lively beats, unique vocals, and daring sounds. It mixes pop, hip-hop, EDM, and punk – using advanced tools to push limits.

Born on SoundCloud around 2018, artists like SOPHIE and 100 gecs turned pop music inside out by challenging traditional norms and experimenting with sound. Their innovative approach blended genres, incorporating elements of electronic, hyperpop, and avant-garde and created something fresh.

The genre went viral fast. Mainstream artists borrowed its style. Now it's everywhere - from gaming montages to chart-topping tracks.

This wave of innovation redefined pop and inspired a new generation.

Hyperpop Inspirations and Influences

One of the most influential names in the genre is Charli XCX. The evolution of XCX into a Hyperpop icon began with her EP “Vroom Vroom”, produced by precisely by SOPHIE. The EP introduced Charli’s fans to a high-energy and futuristic sound that has become synonymous with Hyperpop.

What defines the sound of Hyperpop music?

It’s chaotic, energetic, and endlessly creative. If you’re into music that pushes limits, this genre is your playground.

Here’s what makes Hyperpop stand out:

• Pitched Vocals: Think exaggerated, otherworldly tones.
• Distorted Synths and Bass: Glitchy, loud, and heavily processed.
• Dynamic Song Structures: Surprising transitions that keep you guessing.
• High BPMs: Usually between 120-160, fueling the genre’s wild energy.

Hyperpop thrives on its maximalist, no-rules approach—perfect for those who love breaking musical boundaries.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hyperpop in Pro Tools

Ready to make your Hyperpop track? Here’s how to get started:

1. Set Up Your Session

• Sample Rate: Use 48kHz or higher for crisp sound.
• Bit Depth: Go for 24-bit to capture all the dynamic details.
• Tempo: Set it between 120-160 BPM for that signature frenetic energy.
  Pro Tip: Save time by using Pro Tools’ Track Templates to preload essential tracks like drums, synths, and vocals.

2. Design Punchy Drums

Drums are the backbone of Hyperpop. Hyperpop drums are often punchy and fast, creating a frenetic, high-energy feel. Here’s how to build hyperpop drums:

• Kicks & Snares: Layer a heavy 808 kick with a distorted snare. Boost 50 Hz for kicks and 200 Hz for snares to make them pop.
• Hi-Hats: Create rapid hi-hat rolls with MIDI, adding glitchy percussion for unpredictability.
• Effects: Use plugins like Lo-Fi for crunchy textures and add reverb for depth.

3. Create Futuristic Synths

Hyperpop synths are vibrant and otherworldly. Here are some sound design tips:

• Bright Leads: Start with saw waves, slightly detuned, and compress them with OTT for extra brightness.
• Ambient Pads: Layer reverb and delay for lush background textures.
  Pro Tip: Use Track Freeze in Pro Tools to save CPU power when stacking multiple synth layers.
• Distorted Basslines: Combine saw and square waves with heavy distortion for gritty low-end - or distortion plugins like SansAmp.

4. Vocal Processing

Hyperpop vocals are all about experimentation. Vocal manipulation is crucial in hyperpop, where vocals often sound alien and exaggerated. Here’s how to get the right vocal sound:

• Pitch Correction: Use Auto-Tune aggressively for robotic precision and experiment with formant shifting for alien-like tones.
• Layering: Stack pitched-up and pitched-down versions for a surreal sound, and add harmonies for richness.
• Effects: Use spacious reverb like D-Verb for extra depth.

5. Add Glitch Effects

Glitches bring the chaos Hyperpop thrives on.

• Chop & Stutter: Slice audio clips and rearrange them rhythmically in Pro Tools.
• Plugins: Tools like Stutter Edit or Glitch 2 automate cool glitch effects.
• Reverse Audio: Flip samples for unexpected transitions.

6. Mix and Master

Hyperpop mixes are dense but clean—everything should have its place.

• Compression: Use parallel compression to keep drums and vocals punchy.
• EQ: Boost 5-10 kHz for vocal clarity and roll off sub-bass below 30 Hz for a cleaner mix.
• Loudness: Use a limiter like Maxim to achieve the genre’s signature loud, in-your-face sound.

Top Tools for Hyperpop in Pro Tools

• Synths: Serum, Massive X, Phase Plant.
• Effects: OTT, Decapitator, Little AlterBoy.
• Drum Machines: Battery, Superior Drummer for punchy samples.

Where to Find Hyperpop Music Online

Discover unique Hyperpop sounds and loops on Sample Focus. You'll find glitchy synths, energetic drums, experimental vocals, and futuristic effects. Browse Hyperpop collections on Sample Focus to find innovative sounds.

Final Words

Hyperpop music continues to push music production to extremes, characterized by pitched vocals, distorted synths, and chaotic beats. The production process in Pro Tools combines heavily processed elements: aggressive drum layering, stacked and frozen synth tracks, and heavily Auto-Tuned vocals with extreme pitch manipulation. And don't forget when mixing to focus on parallel compression and aggressive EQ for that chaotic sound.