Where to Start If You Want to Make Music Like Flume or Skrillex

So, you’ve been inspired by the insane soundscapes of Flume or the raw energy of Skrillex, and now you’re itching to create something that gives off the same vibe. But where do you start? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Let’s break it down step by step so you can dive into the world of experimental electronic music like a pro (or at least like a passionate beginner).

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Why Flume and Skrillex Are Modern Icons

Both Flume and Skrillex have redefined what electronic music can sound like. They’re not just producers—they’re sound explorers. Flume plays with textures and glitches like a painter throwing colors on canvas. Skrillex, on the other hand, turned dubstep into a cultural phenomenon.

What Sets Their Sound Apart

• Flume: Known for ambient textures, off-beat rhythms, and unconventional arrangements.

• Skrillex: Heavy bass, aggressive drops, vocal chops, and a blend of genres from dubstep to trap.

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Step 1: Find Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

This is your playground. Your canvas. The software where everything happens.

Best DAWs for Beginners

• FL Studio – Great for beat-driven electronic music.

• Ableton Live – A favorite of both Flume and Skrillex.

• Logic Pro – Mac-exclusive but super powerful.

Free vs Paid DAWs

• Cakewalk (Windows only) – A full-featured DAW for free.

• Tracktion T7 – Also free, works on all major platforms.

Pick one and stick with it—you don’t need the fanciest tools to make killer music.

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Step 2: Learn Basic Music Production Skills

Okay, gear’s set. Time to learn how to use it.

Sound Design

Start by experimenting with synths like:

• Serum – A powerhouse used by most modern producers.

• Vital – A free wavetable synth with pro features.

• Massive – Great for big, dirty basses and dubstep leads.

Arrangement and Structure

Even if your sounds are cool, they won’t hit right without structure. Study the intro, build-up, drop, breakdown, and outro.

Mixing and Mastering Basics

• Learn EQ (cut mud, boost highs)

• Understand compression

• Add reverb/delay for depth (Valhalla plugins)

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Step 3: Understand Their Influences

Let’s take a peek at what shaped them.

Flume’s Background

Flume (Harley Streten) started with a production app that came in a cereal box. Today, he’s the king of warped, emotive electronic music.

Skrillex’s Background

Skrillex (Sonny Moore) came from a post-hardcore background, then pioneered modern dubstep with tracks like “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.”

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Step 4: Master Sound Design

This is where you really get into their headspace.

Tools They Use (Like Serum, Massive, etc.)

• Flume: Uses Ableton Live and loves granular effects like Granulator II

• Skrillex: Obsessed with Serum, FM8, and resampling in audio.

What is a Synthesizer and Why It Matters

Think of a synth as your vocal cords—this is how you “speak” through sound. Learn synth basics here.

Creating Weird and Glitchy Sounds

Layering + modulation + random automation = magic. Consider glitch plugins like:

• Glitchmachines

• Kilohearts Toolbox

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Step 5: Sample Like a Pro

Samples are puzzle pieces. The art is in how you put them together.

How Flume and Skrillex Use Samples

• Flume: Field recordings, glitched percussion, vocal atmospheres

• Skrillex: Voice chops, film FX, YouTube sounds

Where to Find Royalty-Free Samples

• Splice – The go-to for high-quality sounds.

• Loopcloud – Extensive sample library with cloud integration.

• Freesound.org – For weird, organic stuff (just check the license!).

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Step 6: Start Creating Your First Tracks

Now it’s time to actually make music.

Embrace Imperfection

Your first 20 tracks will probably suck. That’s normal. Make them anyway.

Practice Publishing on SoundCloud

Upload to SoundCloud, share it, and get feedback. It’s where Flume started.

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Step 7: Reverse Engineer Their Songs

Want to really understand how they do it? Deconstruct their tracks.

Break Down Tracks by Layers

Listen to one of their songs and identify the drums, bass, melodies, FX, and transitions. Rebuild them in your DAW.

Recreate Their Drops and Transitions

Try to recreate a Skrillex drop from scratch. It forces you to understand every single element—from sound design to automation.

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Step 8: Develop Your Unique Voice

Copying is just the beginning. What comes next is what truly defines you.

Don’t Just Copy—Innovate

Flip it. Twist it. Mix genres. Add your weirdness. That’s what turns you into the next Flume, not the second Flume.

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Conclusion

Starting your journey to sound like Flume or Skrillex is exciting, chaotic, and yes—totally worth it. But remember, they didn’t become legends overnight. It took years of trial, error, passion, and creative madness.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel from day one. Just keep rolling forward, learning, experimenting, and having fun with it. One day, someone might want to make music like you.

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FAQs

1. What DAW do Flume and Skrillex use?
Both mainly use Ableton Live with a stack of plugins like Serum, OTT, and more.

2. Do I need expensive gear to start?
Nope. A laptop, free DAW, and headphones are enough.

3. How long does it take to make music like them?
With daily practice, you can make something listenable in 6–12 months.

4. Is it okay to copy their style at first?
Yes, copying is learning—but move toward your own sound as you grow.

5. What if my music sounds bad?
Good. That means you’re pushing yourself. Keep going!