Reworck’s latest compilation brings together a wide range of producers within the progressive house spectrum, and Tangie Haze by Nicolas Rada stands out for its fluid groove and melodic depth. The Buenos Aires artist has long been known for his emotive approach to rhythm and texture, and this track captures that balance with precision. It builds patiently, using evolving synth lines and layered pads to pull the listener into motion without losing clarity or warmth.
Over the years, Rada’s productions have earned consistent support from names like Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, and Guy J. His sound has become a reliable anchor within the modern progressive scene, carrying the same mix of musicality and restraint that shaped his early work on labels such as Sound Avenue, Balkan Connection, and Particles. Tangie Haze continues that lineage, offering a polished take on his melodic style while staying grounded in dancefloor energy.
In this feature, Rada breaks down the process behind Tangie Haze—from the evolving call-and-response between melody and pad, to the hypnotic arpeggiated bassline that drives the track forward. His focus on subtle motion and tonal dialogue shows how progressive music continues to thrive on patience, atmosphere, and a clear emotional pulse.
Main Melody
For the melody, I used the CZ from the Arturia collection, a plugin I find very inspiring. In this case, I started with the ARP Lovely Aurora preset and built a short melody that repeats every eight bars.
I processed this melody with a Soundtoys EffectRack containing space and delay effects. This allowed me to create a longer call-and-response effect, where the melody acts as the “question” and other pads provide the “answers.”
I believe that the section where the melody comes in makes the track recognizable. It contributes to a progressive and melodic sound that fits perfectly within the genre. I always recommend adding a distinctive element to each production, as it makes the track more personal.
Bass Instrument / Wavetable + Arp
One of the key features of this track is the 1/16 arpeggiated bass. For this, I used a Wavetable with a QuadSaw Basic oscillator.
I set up a 1/16 arpeggiator on a sustained C minor note, then added a Wavetable with QuadSaw Basic and a Sub one octave down (-1). In the Matrix section, I shaped the filter envelope at 75 percent to later automate the frequency, drawing a unique automation curve for each section to gradually open the low-pass filter. To complete the chain, I added a compressor with sidechain from the kick.
This is a particular way of designing a bassline. Even though it doesn’t move across many notes, it plays with the filter envelope, giving the track a hypnotic and distinctive feel. In my style, I often focus more on melodies and pads to bring dynamics, but the steady bassline builds tension effectively.
Pad / Atmosphere
Continuing with Arturia’s plugins, I used the Polyrythm Pad. This instrument creates an atmosphere that provides a solid foundation for the track.
It works as part of the response to the main melody, but in a more extended way. It plays with certain notes of the scale to reinforce that dialogue. From this texture, I wrote melodies that sometimes remain continuous, helping to build tension throughout the track. I also added an Echoboy reverb and sidechain. During the breakdown, I automated the compressor’s threshold slightly open to lift the sound leading into the drop.
Pads and atmospheres are highly characteristic of this style. I believe that developing them deeply is a great way to shape a personal sound.
Synth Arp
Sometimes I like to use older plugins that, on certain occasions, reveal a unique character I really enjoy. In this case, I worked with Dune2, a classic plugin that has always remained among my favorites.
It’s a very short arpeggiated sound, somewhat similar to a saw bass, which supports the continuous bass by adding dynamics. It highlights specific notes in a repetitive way, answering the bass and creating a call-and-response effect. With just a simple delay and sidechain, it strongly shapes the groove. It’s one of those sounds you don’t fully notice until you mute it, then the track suddenly loses both dynamics and something essential.
One of the hallmarks of my music, and the style I enjoy, is keeping a constant groove without making it tiresome. This technique enhances the continuous bass and brings in motion without actually moving the bassline itself. Most of the time, I use fifths or thirds to add that dynamic touch and strengthen the foundation.
Quick Fire Hot Takes on the Scene + Production
Hot Take #1: We hope for improvements, with higher-quality events and better customer service. To elevate the quality of everything while maintaining that unparalleled scale.
Hot Take #2: I always thought it would be better to learn to play an instrument, but that’s not necessarily the case. In reality, more than playing, it’s often about learning music theory, such as scales, notes, and chords, that will help you solve a musical situation or give you the creativity to do so.
Hot Take #3: I’ve always paid attention to Sasha and lately to Guy J. But Jamie Stevens recently surprised me with his new album.
Hot Take #4: To keep creativity flowing, I think it is essential to focus on yourself and never forget to actually be yourself. After all, it’s a job we love, but like everything, you always have to deal with the not-so-good things which can make you lose focus and therefore the creativity.
Hot Take #5: Today, marketing and trends prevail, but talent always wins in the long run. Follow your heart and patience.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
