THE HEAD NODDER

Breakdowns don’t always need a massive build-up to the drop. It’s important to give the listener a break, but it can be just as important to keep the momentum flowing throughout the entire track – Richie Hawtin uses this to great effect in his classic record Minus Orange ( bit.ly/RHminusorange). This type of build is the subtlest of them all, but can be extremely effective when used correctly. Start by thinking about where the intensity in the track is coming from – what’s pushing it forward? Typically, the real driving forces are the kick, bass and hi-hats. If you want to indicate a change without disrupting flow, process these with filters, keeping their rhythmic pulse but pulling back the power. Sometimes a very gradual roll-back from the percussion during a breakdown will make a drop spring to life in a subtle way.