Remix Creation Basics: Master Song Remixing Techniques

You can create your first remix this weekend, even if you’ve never touched music software before. I made my first remix with a free DAW and zero production experience. It sounded rough, but 50 people downloaded it from SoundCloud within a week.

Most beginner guides assume you already know production. They skip the basics and jump straight into advanced techniques. I’m starting from zero. If you don’t know what a DAW is or where to find stems, you’re in the right place.

What You Need Before Starting (The Real Basics)

I’m not going to lie and say you need $2,000 worth of gear. You need three things to remix a song, and two of them are completely free.

Your Computer (Any Computer Works)

I started on a 5-year-old laptop. Your computer doesn’t need to be powerful. Modern remix software runs on basic machines. Mac or PC both work fine.

A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

This is the software where you’ll create your remix. Think of it like Word for music. Here are beginner-friendly options:

DAW Name	Best For	Cost	Learning Curve
GarageBand	Mac users, absolute beginners	Free	Easy (2-3 days)
Soundtrap	Browser-based, no install needed	Free	Easy (1-2 days)
FL Studio	Windows users, visual workflow	$99	Medium (1 week)
Ableton Live	Electronic music, DJ remixes	$99-$749	Medium (1-2 weeks)

Start with the free options. I used GarageBand for my first 10 remixes before upgrading.

The Original Song (In Pieces Called Stems)

This is where beginners get confused. You need the song broken into separate parts – vocals only, drums only, bass only. These are called stems.

Think of it like baking. If someone gives you a finished cake, you can’t easily change the frosting. But if they give you the flour, sugar, eggs, and frosting separately, you can remix the recipe however you want.

Where To Find Stems (5 Real Sources)

This is the question I get asked most. Here’s where I actually find stems for my remixes:

Option 1: Remix Contests (Best for Beginners)

Remix contests give you legal permission AND high-quality stems for free. Labels and artists host these regularly.

Where to find contests:

• LabelRadar (electronic music contests)
• Splice Contests (all genres, monthly competitions)
• Indaba Music (rock, pop, indie contests)
• Artist social media (follow your favorite producers)

I won $500 in my third remix contest. The stems were professional quality, and entering gave me permission to upload my remix publicly.

Option 2: Splice and Sample Sites

Splice offers acapellas (vocal-only tracks) and instrumental stems you can legally remix. Their free tier gives you 100 downloads per month.

Other sources:

• Looperman (free, community-uploaded stems)
• Acapellas4U (free vocal stems)
• Loopmasters (paid, professional quality)

Option 3: AI Stem Separation Tools

Modern AI can split any song into stems automatically. The quality is 80-90% as good as official stems.

Free AI stem separators I use:

• LALAL.AI (3 free songs per month)
• Moises.ai (5 free songs per month)
• StemRoller (free, download required)

Upload any song, wait 2 minutes, download separated vocals, drums, bass, and melody. This changed everything for beginners. You can now remix any song for practice.

Option 4: Ask Artists Directly

Independent artists say yes more often than you’d think. I emailed 20 unsigned artists asking for stems. Eight replied, and three sent me stems for free.

My email template that worked:

“Hey [Artist Name], I’m a producer learning to remix. I love your track [Song Title] and would like to create a [Genre] remix for my portfolio. Would you be willing to share stems? I’ll send you the finished remix and credit you properly. Thanks for considering!”

Option 5: YouTube and Music Platforms

Y2mate helps you download high-quality audio from videos. Some producers share instrumentals or acapellas on YouTube. Only use this for practice remixes you won’t release publicly.

Picking Your First Song To Remix

Don’t remix your favorite song first. Start simple. Complex songs overwhelm beginners.

What Makes A Good First Remix

Choose a song with these characteristics:

• Clear, strong vocals: Vocals are forgiving and easy to work with
• Simple structure: Verse, chorus, verse, chorus (avoid complex arrangements)
• Recognizable hook: Something people will instantly know when they hear your remix
• 120-130 BPM: This tempo range works for most remix styles
• Similar to your favorite genre: Remix a pop song into house, or a ballad into trap

I recommend remixing pop songs into electronic genres for your first attempt. Pop has clear structure, memorable vocals, and simple chord progressions.

Songs To Avoid As A Beginner

These will frustrate you:

• Jazz or classical (too many instruments, complex timing)
• Metal (dense arrangements, difficult to separate)
• Hip-hop with multiple rappers (timing challenges)
• Songs under 90 BPM or over 150 BPM (harder to transform)

My 6-Step Beginner Remix Process

This is the exact process I teach in my workshops. Follow these steps in order. Don’t skip ahead.

Step 1: Set Up Your Project (15 Minutes)

Open your DAW and create a new project. Name it clearly: “ArtistName – SongTitle (Your Remix)”.

Set your project tempo. This is measured in BPM (beats per minute). House music is typically 125-130 BPM. Trap is 140-150 BPM. Drum and bass is 170-175 BPM.

Not sure what BPM to use? Start at 128 BPM. This works for most electronic remixes.

Step 2: Import Your Stems (10 Minutes)

Drag your stem files into your DAW. Create separate tracks for each stem:

• Track 1: Vocals
• Track 2: Drums
• Track 3: Bass
• Track 4: Melody/Synths
• Track 5: Effects

Line them up so they all start at the same time. Most DAWs have a snap-to-grid feature that makes this automatic.

Listen to each stem solo. Click the solo button on each track and listen to what you have. This helps you understand what pieces you’re working with.

Step 3: Find The Key and BPM (5 Minutes)

Every song has a key (like C major or A minor) and a tempo. You need to know both.

Finding the BPM: If the remix pack doesn’t tell you, use a free tool:

• TapBPM.com (tap your spacebar to the beat)
• Tunebat.com (search the song name)
• Your DAW’s built-in tempo detector

Finding the key: This matters if you want to add your own melodies or change the chords.

• Tunebat.com lists keys for most songs
• Mixed In Key software (costs $58, very accurate)
• Play notes on a piano in your DAW until you find what sounds right

Write these down. You’ll need them later.

Step 4: Build Your Beat (30-60 Minutes)

This is where remixing becomes fun. You’re creating a completely new rhythm under the original vocals.

Element	What It Does	Where To Find It
Kick Drum	The boom on every beat	Free sample packs, your DAW library
Snare/Clap	The snap on beats 2 and 4	Free sample packs, your DAW library
Hi-hats	The ticking sound between beats	Free sample packs, your DAW library
Bass	The low rumble following the kick	Synth plugin, or keep original bass

Simple house beat pattern (use this):

• Kick: Every beat (1, 2, 3, 4)
• Clap: Beats 2 and 4
• Hi-hat: Every half beat (closed) and every other beat (open)

Copy this pattern for 8 bars. That’s your foundation. Don’t overthink it.

Step 5: Arrange The Vocals (30 Minutes)

Now you’re placing the original vocals over your new beat. This is where your remix starts sounding like an actual song.

Time-stretching: If the original is 110 BPM and your remix is 128 BPM, you need to speed up the vocals. Your DAW can do this automatically without making them sound chipmunk-like.

In most DAWs: Right-click the vocal track, select “Warp” or “Time-stretch”, then match it to your project tempo.

Basic arrangement structure:

1. Intro (16 bars): Just your beat, no vocals yet
2. Verse 1 (16 bars): Bring in the vocals over your beat
3. Build-up (8 bars): Add energy, remove some drums
4. Drop (16 bars): Full energy, all elements playing
5. Breakdown (8 bars): Strip back to just vocals and minimal drums
6. Drop 2 (16 bars): Bring the energy back
7. Outro (8 bars): Fade out or end cleanly

That’s 88 bars total, about 3 minutes at 128 BPM. Perfect length for a first remix.

Step 6: Add Your Creative Touch (30 Minutes)

Now make it yours. These are the simplest creative techniques that sound professional:

Vocal Chops: Cut the vocal into small pieces (1-2 words) and repeat them rhythmically. This creates catchy hooks.

Filters: Use a low-pass filter during breakdowns. Twist the filter open during build-ups. This creates tension and release.

Reverb: Add space to vocals during emotional moments. Most DAWs have a reverb plugin built-in. Start with a preset called “Vocal Plate” or “Medium Hall”.

Delay/Echo: Make the last word of each phrase echo. Set the delay to 1/4 note (this means it echoes on the beat).

Pick ONE of these techniques for your first remix. Don’t try all four at once.

Common Beginner Mistakes (I Made All Of These)

Mistake 1: Adding Too Many Elements

More is not better. My first remix had 30 tracks playing at once. It sounded muddy and confusing.

Professional remixes use 8-12 elements total. Vocals, 3-4 drum sounds, bass, 2-3 melodic elements, and effects. That’s it.

Mistake 2: Making It Too Different

Your remix should still sound like the original song. If people can’t recognize it in the first 30 seconds, you’ve gone too far.

Keep the main vocal melody. Keep the recognizable hook. Change everything else.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Volume Levels

Beginners make everything the same volume. That sounds flat.

Volume hierarchy (from loudest to quietest):

1. Vocals (loudest)
2. Kick drum (second loudest)
3. Snare/clap
4. Bass
5. Everything else (background elements)

Adjust the volume slider on each track until this balance feels right.

Mistake 4: Not Saving Your Project

I lost 4 hours of work on my second remix because I didn’t save. Save every 15 minutes. Most DAWs have auto-save – turn it on immediately.

Mistake 5: Perfectionism

Your first remix won’t be perfect. Mine sounded amateur. I uploaded it anyway and learned from feedback.

Finish the remix in one weekend. Don’t spend 6 months tweaking tiny details. Complete it, upload it, start the next one.

Understanding Copyright and Legal Basics

Let me be straight with you: most remixes exist in a legal gray area.

What’s Actually Legal

You can legally remix a song if:

• You enter an official remix contest (the contest rules grant permission)
• You get written permission from the copyright owner
• You remix Creative Commons licensed music
• You’re hired by the artist or label to create an official remix

What’s Not Legal (But Everyone Does Anyway)

Bootleg remixes use copyrighted material without permission. Technically illegal. Practically, small artists rarely face consequences unless they try to sell the remix or claim it’s official.

My approach: I make bootleg remixes for practice and DJ sets. I don’t upload them to Spotify or claim they’re official releases. I only share them on SoundCloud marked as “unofficial remix” or “bootleg”.

For legal releases, I only remix contest entries or songs where I have written permission.

How To Get Permission (If You Want To Be Fully Legal)

Email the artist or their management. Be specific about your plans. My success rate is about 30% with independent artists, 5% with signed artists.

Template that works:

“Subject: Remix Permission Request for [Song Title]

Hi [Artist/Manager Name],

I’m [Your Name], a [genre] producer. I’d like to create a remix of [Song Title] for [specific purpose: DJ sets/SoundCloud/contest].

I’ll credit you fully and send you the finished remix before sharing. Would you be open to this? I can sign any paperwork you need.

Thanks for considering,
[Your Name]
[Your Links]”

Genre Transformation Examples

One of the easiest ways to make your remix interesting is changing the genre. Here’s how popular transformations work:

Original Genre	Remix Genre	Key Changes	BPM Shift
Pop Ballad	House	Add four-on-the-floor kick, synth bass	70 BPM to 128 BPM
Hip-Hop	Drum and Bass	Speed up, add breakbeats, heavy bass	90 BPM to 174 BPM
Rock	Dubstep	Keep guitars, add wobble bass, half-time drums	120 BPM to 140 BPM
Dance	Chill/Lo-fi	Slow down, add vinyl crackle, soften drums	128 BPM to 90 BPM

Genre transformation forces you to be creative and makes your remix instantly distinctive.

Tools and Resources I Actually Use

Free Sample Packs (Legal and High-Quality)

• 99Sounds (free, no signup required)
• Bedroom Producers Blog (weekly free packs)
• r/Drumkits on Reddit (community-shared samples)
• Splice free tier (100 credits monthly)

Learning Resources That Actually Helped Me

I wasted time on generic YouTube tutorials. These sources actually taught me practical skills:

• In The Mix (YouTube channel, clear beginner tutorials)
• SeamlessR (YouTube channel, sound design basics)
• Your DAW’s official tutorials (start here first)
• Sadowick Production (YouTube, DAW-specific walkthroughs)

Communities Where Beginners Get Real Help

• r/edmproduction (Reddit, active beginner section)
• r/makinghiphop (Reddit, feedback threads)
• Ableton Forum (helpful even for non-Ableton users)
• Discord production servers (search “[your genre] production discord”)

What To Do After Finishing Your First Remix

Export Settings That Actually Matter

WAV format, 44.1kHz, 16-bit. This is the standard. Don’t export as MP3 first – always export as WAV, then convert to MP3 later if needed.

Most DAWs have an “Export” or “Bounce” option. Use these settings:

• Format: WAV
• Sample Rate: 44100 Hz
• Bit Depth: 16-bit
• Normalize: Off (leave this alone)

Where To Share Your Remix

Start with these platforms:

• SoundCloud: Best for bootleg remixes, mark as “free download”
• YouTube: Add a simple visual, credit the original artist
• BandLab: Great community for feedback
• Your DAW’s community: FL Studio, Ableton forums have remix sections

Don’t upload bootlegs to Spotify, Apple Music, or other stores that pay royalties. That’s when legal issues happen.

Getting Feedback (The Right Way)

Don’t ask “what do you think?” That’s too vague. Ask specific questions:

• “Are the vocals too loud or too quiet?”
• “Does the drop at 1:30 hit hard enough?”
• “Is the bass muddy or clear?”

Post in feedback threads on Reddit. Follow the rules: give feedback to others first, then post yours. You’ll get better responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Action Plan For This Weekend

Here’s what to do right now:

Friday evening (1 hour):

• Download a free DAW (GarageBand or Soundtrap)
• Watch ONE beginner tutorial for your DAW (30 minutes max)
• Find a remix contest or download a royalty-free acapella from Splice

Saturday (4-5 hours total, take breaks):

• Set up your project and import stems
• Find the BPM and key
• Build a simple beat (just kick, snare, hi-hat)
• Arrange the vocals over your beat

Sunday (2-3 hours):

• Add one creative element (vocal chops, filter, or delay)
• Balance the volumes
• Export your remix as a WAV file
• Upload to SoundCloud with proper credits

By Sunday night, you’ll have a finished remix. It won’t be perfect, but it will be DONE. That’s what matters.

Most people watch tutorials for months and never start. You’re going to be different. Pick a song right now, find the stems, and open your DAW. Your first remix teaches you more than 100 hours of tutorial watching.

Start today. Finish this weekend. Upload it. Then start your second remix immediately. That’s how you actually get good at this.