Want to create professional-sounding Future House and EDM remixes that actually get played in clubs and on livestreams? This step-by-step guide breaks down the process from start to finish.
Pick a song with strong vocals or a memorable hook that would sound great with a modern Future House or EDM beat. A great place to find awesome House Remixes is on YouTube. You have to pick the right one. Take this one for example: DJPVMA x ROBIN S. - SHOW ME LOVE (CLUB MIX). Now listen to the original: Robin S. - Show Me Love. Huge difference, right?
The reason that you want to listen to current remixes is so that you can really get a feel for what Future House Music is supposed to sound like, or if you just need inspiration, then this is a great way to get started. Another reason is because, you want to make sure that if you're going to remix something, then it has to be the best one out there so DJs will actually spin it. If it's trash, no one is touching it. This is why you need to be the best one out there, so you gets that play.
Import the track into your DAW and match the BPM. Isolate or stem-separate the vocals, drums, and main elements. Many DAWs now have built-in stem separation tools. If you're using a Pioneer DDJ-FLX10, you can also work with stems directly on the hardware.
Start with a solid, dancefloor-friendly drum pattern. Use a consistent 4/4 kick (one kick per beat in the main sections). Add punchy claps/snare on the 2 and 4, and rolling hi-hats. Keep the rhythm tight and energetic — less is often more in the intro and breakdown.
Craft a catchy bassline that complements the drums. Sidechain compression on the bass and other elements against the kick will give your track that professional "pump" feel.
Vocals are usually the most important part of a remix. Keep the main hooks intact so people recognize the song. Chop and rearrange verses carefully. Use pitch correction/autotune sparingly if needed. Avoid putting vocals in the very beginning or end of the track — it makes it harder for DJs to mix.
Introduce synth leads, arpeggios, pads, and risers to create tension and release. Use effects like filters, delays, and reverbs creatively, but don’t overdo it — clarity is key for club play.
Balance all elements so nothing clashes. Use EQ to carve space for the kick, bass, and vocals. Apply light compression and limiting for loudness, but avoid squashing the dynamics completely. Always test your final mix in the car — it reveals problems that studio monitors sometimes hide.
The best remixes respect the original while adding your own flavor. Focus on making something that sounds great on a big sound system and gets people moving.