"Artcore is a niche subgenre of electronic music, primarily developed in Japan. It blends elements of drum and bass with classical music, traditional European styles, and various EDM genres—creating a sound that feels both beautiful and upbeating at the same time."

You can listen to it from the playlist below:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQObG2Fzk-tqd-EEuHFXIKc3kg9RgUVTj&si=eSnLSN80XnV9h7I3

In this post, I’ll show you how to make Artcore music.

Let’s get started! :3

「1」Preparing / Planning

Instruments / Resources

In this tutorial, I used Caustic as the main DAW, but I aimed to keep it neutral so it's applicable across multiple devices.

I’ve mentioned many instruments in the Composing section—click this URL to see the extended resources I used:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IMWvklCww06f5bUY7U2X_WdjTC0IDTYticvWJI-z6Po/edit?usp=drivesdk

Setup

Set the tempo around 170–200 BPM, and choose any minor scale you like.

In this tutorial, I used E minor.

Structure

Intro – Verse 1 – Chorus 1 – Bridge – Verse 2 – Chorus 2 (Climax) – Outro

Intro : make some motif with atmosphere effect

Verse 1 : fill the melody and buildup drums

Chorus 1 : add the intense melody like first duel!

Bridge : breakcore section with melody from chorus 1

Verse 2 : do like verse 1 but different melody

Chorus 2 (Climax) : add the intense melody but now we have violin as main actor!

Outro : repeat like intro section 

「2」Composing

Chords

Use for: Cello, Piano, Choir (in PCMSynth), and Supersaw (in Sawsynth)

Recommended chord progressions:

- IV – V – iii – vi (Royal Road progression)

- i – VI – VII – V(maj)

- etc.

*The red bar is out of the key when you use the specific scale

Rhythm

Use for: Piano (in PCMSynth)

• Mix and blend freely depending on the mood you want to convey—try Tresillo, Four-on-the-floor, 8th note rhythms, and more.

• Add arpeggios (optional)

Melody

• Piano: Use consistently throughout the track

• Violin: Use especially in the climax section

• Piano + Strings: Stack layers for richness in piano and/or violin

• 8-bit Lead: Optional for a nostalgic or digital touch

Drums*

• Use a drum and bass kick-snare pattern

• Add closed hi-hats, open hi-hats, and rides

• Include an Amen break (optional)

*Feel free to explore many variations—customize the rhythm to match your own style!

FX / Misc

Use in: Beatbox

• Add sweeps, uplifters, downlifters, and crashes

• Use glitch sounds, guitar samples, and other sound effects to add texture

Result from this tutorial!

Conclusion

Making Artcore music doesn't depend strictly on your device, software, or sample packs.

You can always find alternative resources or customize the sound in your own unique way—just let your imagination guide you.

Artcore can also blend with other genres like Hard Renaissance, J-Core, Botanica, or Breakcore.

While the genre may not be extremely common on sites like Newgrounds, it's far from unknown—so I encourage you to give this beautiful and expressive style a try!