How to Recreate Avicii's "Levels" in Ableton Live: Complete Production Guide
Master the production techniques behind one of progressive house's most iconic tracks. This comprehensive tutorial breaks down every element of Avicii's "Levels" with step-by-step Ableton techniques.
Published: October 21, 2025 | Reading time: 15 minutes
Why "Levels" Changed Progressive House Forever
Released in 2011, Avicii's "Levels" didn't just become a hit—it defined an entire era of electronic music. The track's infectious energy, masterful use of sidechain compression, and that iconic Etta James vocal sample made it a blueprint for progressive house production.
In this tutorial, you'll learn the exact production techniques Avicii used, from the supersaw lead synth to the arrangement structure that keeps listeners hooked. Whether you're using Ableton Live Suite or the Standard edition, these techniques will work with stock plugins and free alternatives.
Start by creating a new Ableton project and setting the tempo to 126 BPM—this is the sweet spot for progressive house. The track is in E minor (Em), so all your MIDI programming should follow the E minor scale (E, F#, G, A, B, C, D).
Pro tip: Enable Ableton's Scale mode (found in the MIDI Effects) and set it to E Natural Minor. This will prevent you from hitting wrong notes while programming.
Step 2: Creating the Iconic Supersaw Lead
The Levels lead synth is a classic supersaw—multiple detuned saw wave oscillators layered together to create that thick, wide sound. Here's how to build it:
Using Serum or Vital:
Initialize a new patch and select Saw wave on Oscillator A
Set Unison to 6-8 voices with 15-25 cents of detune
Copy Oscillator A to Oscillator B and detune it slightly (5-10 cents)
Apply a low-pass filter with cutoff around 2-3kHz
Set Filter Envelope: Medium attack (50-100ms), full decay, sustain at 50%, medium release
Add Chorus effect (rate: 0.3Hz, depth: 30-40%)
Using Ableton Wavetable:
Load Wavetable and select the wavetable
Basic Shapes - Saw
Enable Unison and set voices to 6-8 with 20-30 cents detune
Use Filter 1 with low-pass mode, cutoff at 2-3kHz
Set envelope: Attack 50ms, Decay 500ms, Sustain 50%, Release 500ms
Add Chorus-Ensemble from Audio Effects for width
Sound design secret: The key to the Levels sound is the slight detuning between oscillators. Too much detuning sounds messy; too little sounds thin. Aim for that sweet spot where it sounds wide but still focused.
Step 3: Programming the Chord Progression
The chord progression in Levels is beautifully simple: Em - C - G - D (i - VI - III - VII in E minor). This progression creates tension and release, which is why it feels so uplifting.
Each chord should last 2 bars (8 beats) for the classic progressive house feel. In the drop, these chords are played with a straight rhythm on every 8th note, creating that driving energy.
Step 4: Building the Kick and Bass Foundation
Progressive house lives and dies by its kick-bass relationship. The kick provides the punch, while the bass fills in the low-end and drives the groove forward.
Kick Drum:
Use a punchy progressive house kick (60-80Hz fundamental)
Place kicks on every quarter note (4/4 time: beats 1, 2, 3, 4)
EQ: High-pass at 30Hz, boost at 60Hz for punch, cut at 200-400Hz to remove boxiness
Light compression (3:1 ratio, 3-5dB gain reduction) for consistency
Rolling Bassline:
The Levels bassline is a rolling 8th note pattern that follows the chord roots:
Create a new MIDI track with a saw or sine wave synth
Program 8th notes following the chord roots (E, C, G, D)
Add Saturator for warmth and harmonics
Apply EQ: High-pass at 40Hz, boost at 80-100Hz
Mixing tip: The bass should "breathe" with the kick through sidechain compression (covered in Step 5). This creates the iconic pumping effect.
Step 5: Mastering Sidechain Compression
The sidechain pump is what makes Levels (and all progressive house) feel so energetic. Here's how to set it up in Ableton:
Sidechain Setup:
On your bass track, add Ableton's Compressor
Enable Sidechain and set it to Audio From: Kick Track
Set Attack: 0.01ms (instant)
Set Release: 100-150ms (fast but not too fast)
Set Ratio: 4:1 to 8:1
Adjust Threshold until you get 6-10dB of gain reduction on each kick hit
Repeat this process on your lead synth track for the full pumping effect. The key is consistency—every element should duck slightly when the kick hits.
Common mistakes:
Too slow release: Sounds like the track is lagging
Too fast release: Sounds jittery and unnatural
Too much compression: The track sounds like it's gasping for air
Step 6: The Vocal Sample and Chops
The Etta James "Something's Got a Hold on Me" vocal sample is what makes Levels instantly recognizable. While you can't use the exact sample commercially, you can learn the technique:
Vocal Chopping Technique:
Find a similar vocal sample (acapella or royalty-free vocal)
Drag it into Ableton Simpler or Sampler
Pitch shift to match E minor (use Transpose knob)
Use Warp Markers to create rhythmic chops
Place chops on off-beats and downbeats for impact
Apply light reverb and delay for space
In the Levels arrangement, the vocal appears in the build-up and breakdown sections but is mostly absent in the main drops (where the synth takes over).
Step 7: Arrangement Structure
Progressive house follows a predictable but effective arrangement formula. Here's the exact structure of Levels:
Track Structure (16-bar sections):
Intro (0:00-0:30): Minimal elements, kick + bass, building tension
Build-up 1 (0:30-1:00): Vocal chops, risers, increasing energy
Drop 1 (1:00-2:00): Full energy, lead synth, kick, bass, percussion
Breakdown (2:00-2:30): Remove kick, focus on vocal and pads
Remove the kick 4-8 bars before each drop to create anticipation
Use white noise risers and snare rolls in build-ups
The breakdown should be 50% quieter than the drop for dynamic range
Layer crash cymbals on the first beat of each drop
Step 8: Mixing for the Radio-Ready Sound
The final step is mixing and mastering to achieve that polished, professional sound that made Levels a radio hit.
EQ Guidelines:
Kick: High-pass at 30Hz, boost at 60Hz, cut at 200-400Hz
Bass: High-pass at 40Hz, boost at 80-100Hz
Lead synth: High-pass at 200Hz, boost at 1-2kHz for presence
Vocals: High-pass at 100Hz, boost at 3-5kHz for clarity
Master Chain:
EQ: High-pass at 30Hz to remove sub-bass rumble
Multiband Compressor: Gentle compression on each band (2:1 ratio)
Glue Compressor: 3:1 ratio, slow attack (30-50ms), medium release
Limiter: Set ceiling to -0.3dB, push gain to reach -6 to -8 LUFS
Target levels:
LUFS: -6 to -8 LUFS (Spotify loudness standard)
True Peak: -1dB max (prevents clipping)
Dynamic Range: 6-8 DR (loud but not brick-walled)
Frequently Asked Questions
What synth VST did Avicii use for the Levels lead sound?
The iconic Levels lead was created using a detuned saw wave supersaw sound, likely from Sylenth1 or Nexus. You can recreate it using Serum, Vital (free), or even Ableton's Wavetable synth by layering multiple detuned saw oscillators with a low-pass filter.
How do you recreate the Avicii Levels synth in Ableton?
Start with Ableton Wavetable, Serum, Vital, or Sylenth1, then use a saw wave with 6-8 unison voices, light detune, a low-pass filter, chorus, reverb, and sidechain compression from the kick. The Avicii Levels synth works because the supersaw is wide but the MIDI is simple: E minor chords, clear voicings, and strong rhythmic pumping.
What BPM is Avicii Levels?
Levels is at 126 BPM, which is the standard tempo for progressive house. This tempo creates the energetic but not-too-fast feel that defined the 2011-2013 progressive house era.
How do you get the sidechain pump effect in Levels in Ableton?
The sidechain compression in Levels is achieved by routing the kick drum to the sidechain input of a Compressor on the bass and synth tracks. Set a fast attack (0.01ms), medium release (100-200ms), and push the ratio to 4:1 or higher for that signature pumping effect.
What chords are used in Avicii Levels?
Levels uses a simple but effective chord progression in E minor: Em - C - G - D. This I - VI - III - VII progression is common in progressive house and creates the euphoric, uplifting feeling. The chords are played with specific voicings that spread across 2-3 octaves.
Can I remake Levels with free plugins?
Yes! You can recreate Levels entirely with free plugins. Use Vital for the synth sounds, free samples for drums (Splice free packs or samples from mars), and Ableton's stock effects for sidechain compression, EQ, and reverb. The key is understanding the techniques, not expensive gear.
Download: Free "Levels" Ableton Template
Want to skip the tutorial and start learning from a completed project? Download our professional "Levels" Ableton remake template:
Avicii Levels Ableton Template
Includes: Fully arranged project, all MIDI, mixdown settings, and notes explaining each technique.
Recreating "Levels" is more than just copying a hit song—it's about understanding the production techniques that make progressive house work. The sidechain compression, the supersaw lead, the arrangement structure—these are techniques you'll use in every future production.
Don't expect to nail it on the first try. Avicii spent years honing his craft before creating this masterpiece. Use this tutorial as a starting point, experiment with the techniques, and make them your own.
Next steps:
Try recreating other progressive house classics (Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, Hardwell)
Experiment with different chord progressions and melodies using the same techniques
Share your remake on SoundCloud or YouTube and get feedback from the community