Download the Template for Logic Pro, Ableton, FL Studio, or the Sample Pack from this session here: https://www.wemakedancemusic.com/en/downtempo-template-for-logic-pro-ableton-fl-studio-lemt346
How to make Downtempo like Bicep and Autechre by watching our free live tutorial and studying the template for Logic Pro, Ableton, FL Studio, or the sample pack from the session to practice what you have learned. The Live Electronic Music Tutorials give everyone the opportunity to learn music production at their own pace, anytime, anywhere.
Unlock the secrets of electronic music now.
Welcome to episode 346 of our Live Electronic Music Tutorial! In this episode, we pay tribute to some of our favorite artists like Bicep, Autechre, Massive Attack, The Orb, and more. We'll create a downtempo track from scratch, including: Composing the bass keys Programming percussions Recording a cool piano lead in real-time Plus, we'll share some great tricks you can use in your own production.
Whether you're using Logic Pro, Ableton, or FL Studio, this tutorial has something for everyone. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest tutorials. Join our community of music producers and take your skills to the next level! Related Videos:
How to Make Ambient Tracks Like Brian Eno https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQcIJ59kp2A
Creating Chillwave Beats in Logic Pro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s2xJ1w9gfU
Unlock your creative potential and start making professional-quality music today!
How to Make Downtempo Like Bicep & Autechre in Logic Pro X
In episode 346 of the Live Electronic Music Tutorials series, M builds a downtempo track from scratch in Logic Pro X, drawing on the atmospheric, break-beat influence of Bicep, Autechre, The Orb and Massive Attack. The focus is on laying foundations the way a working producer does — beat, then bass, then keys and pads — while keeping every element separated so you stay in control of the mix later. Here’s the full walkthrough.
What you’ll learn
- Setting up a downtempo session: tempo, key and a simple foundation beat
- Building the low end with layered bass and a clear kick relationship
- Compressing the bass for punch using attack, release and ratio
- Filtering the bass to carve out space for the keys
- Writing a minor-key chord progression and repurposing it as a pad
- Recording a wet piano melody and editing velocity for a more natural feel
1. Set the tempo and key
The session starts in Logic Pro X at 112 BPM in A minor. M picks a slower tempo and a minor key deliberately, because they give the track room to breathe and an emotive, slightly melancholic character that suits downtempo. With the project tempo and key locked in, everything that follows is built on top of that grid.
2. Program a simple foundation beat
Before anything else, M lays down a simple drum beat just to get things moving. The idea isn’t to finish the percussion here — it’s to establish a groove and a reference point. In downtempo and break-beat styles, a straightforward beat gives the rest of the arrangement something to lock onto, and you can add intricacy later.
3. Build the bass foundation
With the beat running, M moves to the bass — described as one of the key drivers of the track. He layers two selected bass sounds, including a Moog-style lead bass, to get a fuller, more characterful low end. Getting the bass right early means the rest of the track sits on a solid foundation rather than being patched on afterwards.
4. Compress the bass for punch
To tighten the bass, M reaches for compression and sets it up with intention. He uses a fast attack so the transient stays punchy, a longer release to let the low end sustain and breathe, and dials in the ratio to control the dynamics. He also keys the compression off the kick so the two low-end elements work together rather than fighting for the same space.
5. Filter the bass to make room for keys
Rather than cutting the bass part down, M applies a quick filter to trim some of the top end off the bass. The goal is purely about arrangement: shaving the high frequencies out of the bass clears headroom and frequency space so the keys and melodies can come through cleanly without clashing.
6. Write a minor-key progression
Starting from the root in A minor, M builds a small chord progression on keys, letting it develop a life of its own. This is the harmonic heart of the track — a short, evolving sequence that carries the emotion. Keeping the audio and MIDI parts separated at this stage means each element can still be tweaked independently in the mix.
7. Repurpose the keys as a pad
Liking how the progression sounds, M drops those same keys into a pad patch he selected earlier — a very slow, smooth, gently opening pad with a sad but not overly heavy character. Reusing the chord pattern as a sustained pad thickens the atmosphere and ties the harmony together, a classic downtempo move for building that washed-out, ambient bed.
8. Record and edit a wet piano melody
Over the top, M hears room for a wet piano melody and records it in. After tracking, he opens up the velocity on some of the notes that were sitting too quietly to be heard, bringing them forward and making the performance feel more even and intentional. This top-line melody adds movement and a human touch above the pads and bass.
Get the project file: Want to go deeper into this sound? The full session — templates for Logic Pro, Ableton and FL Studio plus the sample pack — is available so you can pull it apart and build on it yourself. Download the template →
