I've put together a couple house pieces but none of them seemed to have any edge or serious groove. I want to make something beyond just melodic, as melody comes a bit easier for me. Please help!

Here's my last track
http://soundcloud.com/sauron-1/dont-forget


Examples of artists who's sounds I would like to emulate would be Zedd, Porter Robinson, and Deadmau5 (all for different qualities they have.) Song examples:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsy1URDYK88

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2J6AZuf37M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK1mLIeXwsQ
(I realize this last one isn't electro, but it's closest to what I feel I'd make in a perfect world, with a bit more edge)

...

What do you want now?

In the Deadmau5, listen to the drum programming. Really listen to it.

Next we have the synth lead pad, which is just a filtered pad with a trance gate on it. Nexus would be good for this kind of thing, although I'm sure Deadmau5 uses Massive as his signature sound.

Overall, listen to the simplicity. There is no audio-porn going on here much-loved by they "dubstep" types (hows crap is dubstep, btw!!?)

The mix sits nice on the ears - no serious overly-compressed hard-knee kick drums, just a good solid sound.

It's the synths that are driving the track so try to think about that - Drums can take up so much space in the mix, so you have to just let them sit in the mix.

thanks! I've noticed more progressive and traditional house tracks are really simple. How can I add more grit though, and keep a track interesting without sacrificing the simplicity necessary to make it danceable?

Modulation and automation everywhere. The mix should always be having some kind of moving element that keeps the track moving forward.

Probably stating the obvious, but experimenting with swing on the drums and synths can help a lot to create a groove.

For me the track you posted sounds a little to ambient and washed out. It lacks the bite on the synths. Lots of the progressive tracks have a strong melodic feel to the synths so less room needs to be taken by the drums. Also as said before lots and lots of automation. Make your synths open and close the filter cut off to create tension in the track. Give the listener the anticipation of something coming up like a drop or a break don't just coast from section to section.

Thats just my 2 cents

yeah it definitely was a bit washed out. What kind of automation can you use outside of opening and closing the filter to create and sustain movement? Besides that if you wanted to create a progressive house track with punch would filling the drums in do the trick or is there no healthy balance? The track I would like to emulate most is language by Porter I think that's ultimately the style I'm shooting for. I don't know how he brings out so much energy while keeping those really melodic leads. Anyone with a solution to this your input would be greatly appreciated.