Close Counters have been on a real run lately, and their new single BUTTER BREAD feels like one of their most dialed-in tracks yet. Out now on The Remedy Project, it pairs the duo’s off-kilter groove sensibility with a vocal that actually adds something, thanks to shiv’s clean, understated delivery. It’s that kind of track that feels like it’s already mid-set—no intro, no ramp-up, just straight into it with tight drums, warm chords, and vocal layers that don’t overstay their welcome.
The arrangement feels like it was built for live playback but mixed for DJs—everything’s sitting right where it should be. You can hear how much intention went into the transients, the filtering, the space around the vocals—but it never turns into a tech demo. It just moves. Even the little stuff, like the delay throws and reverb tails, are doing something without being all up in your face about it.
If you’ve seen them live recently, this one will probably click right away. If not, this is a good place to start. It’s confident without doing too much, and shiv’s vocal sits in that perfect pocket that leaves room for the rest of the production to breathe. The duo’s been steadily leveling up their releases, and BUTTER BREAD lands right in the middle of that upward curve.
NINA – MELBOURNE INSTRUMENTS
The Melbourne Instruments NINA is a powerful analog synthesizer with motorized knobs that move automatically, so you can instantly recall your saved sounds. It has 12-voice polyphony, meaning you can play rich, layered chords, and a flexible filter for shaping your sound. With a deep modulation system, you can create everything from warm, classic tones to futuristic textures.
We used the Melbourne Instruments NINA to craft noise sweeps, evolving textures, and deep, atmospheric pads throughout the track. The state-variable filter was perfect for shaping the sweeps— we recorded the cutoff automation to create a smooth, rising effect. For the pads, we started with a warm poly patch, tweaked the envelopes for a soft attack, and added subtle filter modulation to keep things moving.
If you’re making music in this style, NINA is great for adding movement and depth to your sounds. The motorized knobs also make it easy to test different settings and quickly switch between sounds – Plus, with 12-voices allow you can play big, rich chords without notes cutting off, perfect for creating full, layered arrangements!
DS10
The DS-10 Drum Shaper by XLN Audio is a simple yet powerful plugin designed to shape the transients of your drums. It comes with a limited set of parameters, making it super user-friendly – but it’s highly effective. You can manipulate the attack, sustain, and overall impact of your sounds with just a few tweaks. Perfect for adding punch or smoothing things out, it gives you control over the nuances of your drum sounds without being overwhelming.
For BUTTER BREAD, we used the DS-10 Drum Shaper not just for the drums but also for shaping the transients of the bass. A cool trick we used was automating the sustain of the bass to give it more presence in certain sections of the track, while keeping it tight during the rest. The simplicity of the plugin makes it really easy to dial in the right sound quickly, and we didn’t need to add much extra processing after.
If you’re working on a track in a similar genre, the DS-10 is an awesome tool for sculpting your drum and bass sounds. It’s especially handy when you’re looking for a quick way to add punch or smooth out a mix without adding too many layers of processing. For any producer, less is sometimes more with a plugin interface.
VULF COMP
The Vulf Compressor is a simple, analog-style compressor that adds warmth and punch to your sound. It’s designed to give your audio huge amounts of grit and character, especially with its ‘Vulf’ mode that brings out a dirty saturated textures. With just a few controls, you can make a big impact, whether you’re working on vocals, drums, or any sound that needs some extra presence and texture. It’s easy to use but gives you a lot of control over the mix.
For this track, we used the Vulf Compressor in parallel to give the vocals a bit of an extra pop. We dialed up the attack and used the crunch setting to get that satisfying, gritty sound, which added a nice layer of character to the vocal performance. By blending the compressed signal with the dry one, we were able to maintain the clarity of the vocals while getting that punchy, compressed feel. The result was a vocal with a lot more presence and energy, really helping it stand out in the mix.
If you’re working in genres where vocals need to really stand out, the Vulf Compressor is a great tool to have in your arsenal. It’s perfect for adding that punchy, in-your-face energy without overcomplicating things. A little goes a long way, and by using the parallel compression technique, you can preserve the natural sound of your vocals while still giving them that powerful impact. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the settings – sometimes the best results come from pushing the compressor as far as it can go and dialling it back.
VALHALLA SUPER MASSIVE
Valhalla Supermassive is a powerful reverb and delay plugin that creates huge, spacious sounds. It’s known for its ability to produce lush, wide effects, and the best part is that it’s free, making it an amazing option for producers on a budget!
With a range of lush reverbs, delays, and spacey effects, it’s perfect for adding depth and dimension to your mix. The interface is simple to use, with a few key controls to shape your sound, but it can create some seriously awesome results.
For this track, we used Valhalla Supermassive to add some subtle dubs on the vocal tails, letting them linger and sail out across the beat. The wide, atmospheric effect helped create more space around the vocals, giving them a dreamy, ethereal quality. We also automated the plugin during moments of tension in the track, increasing the reverb size and delay feedback to build up the intensity before a chorus. The plugin’s smooth sound and automation made it perfect for these moments, helping to enhance the track’s flow without overwhelming the mix throughout.
Supermassive is effective at adding subtle, evolving textures without taking up too much room in the mix—perfect for creating tension or adding depth. For genres that rely on creating mood or drama, playing around with the size and feedback settings can really make a difference. Plus, since it’s free, there’s no reason not to experiment with it and see how it goes.
Quick Fire Tips For Making Tunes
Tip #1:
Don’t be afraid to set up a template of all your favourite delays and reverbs, so in the moment when you’re producing you can instantly dial them up.
Tip #2:
Use track stacking if your DAW allows it for bus processing and to clean up your main timeline interface. (
Tip #3:
Allow plenty of time for mixing without rushing as it’s really central for house music to have an important focus on low end and clarity on any melodies.
The post How It Was Made: Close Counters x Shiv – BUTTER BREAD (Remedy Project) appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.