What makes a good pad sound?

Here, we’ll discuss how to listen for the right raw material in a pad sound. We’ll also cover how to make simple adjustments to make pad sound function just right.

Creating layers in your keyboard

If your keyboard has the ability, it is worth the time to set up a piano + pad layer. Be willing to dig into your keyboard’s user manual (usually available online). This video will give you some technical terms to search for in your manual.

Creating layers in your computer

Connecting your keyboard to a computer can open a new world of sound possibilities. For fantastic sounds, I love using Apple Mainstage. Access a free Mainstage course here: Get Started with Mainstage

For current Mainstage users, click to download my favorite Mainstage pad sound. Download, unzip the file, and import into your favorite Mainstage concert.

Using a submixer

When you are combining two sound sources (e.g. two keyboards, or keyboard plus a computer), combining the sounds in a simple submixer has two important benefits.

Layering with a 2nd keyboard

If you have no other way to layer a pad sound, an extra, unused keyboard could be your simple solution.

Layering with a mobile device

A powerful pad sound layer could be in your pocket! With an inexpensive bluetooth connection device and free software, your phone or tablet can add a pad sound for your background playing.

Playing with a pre-recorded drone

This solution is very easy to configure and use. Just play your main keyboard sound along with one of these pre-recorded drone pads to add depth and emotion to your background playing.

Summary of Sounds instruction

Click to download this summary video

Course Summary PDF