From Inspiration to Execution: Stefanno b2b Julianno on Their Track ‘Eclipse’
For Romanian duo Stefanno b2b Julianno, their refined Progressive House sound and dedication to exploring new sonic territories have continued to drive their journey on the Electronic Music scene, motivating their creativity and pursuit of innovation. With their latest track, ‘Eclipse,’ the duo presented listeners with a soundscape punctuated by immersive, atmospheric details, offering an engaging sonic journey highlighting their signature sound and refined approach.
In this behind-the-scenes interview, we dive into the making of ‘Eclipse,’ exploring their inspiration, production techniques, and collaborative process that brought the track to life.
Hi Stefanno and Julianno, how are you?
Hey! We’re doing great, thanks for asking!
Can you tell us what was the initial inspiration behind ‘Eclipse’, and how did you envision its progression during the production process?
Ah, ‘Eclipse’ was such a journey for us! The initial spark came from a long night in the studio, just vibing to some Melodic Techno tracks for inspiration. We wanted to capture that feeling of anticipation and intensity you experience right before the sun sets or rises
The progression was all about balancing light and dark. We started with a deep bassline as the foundation, and then layered it with brighter, ethereal synths to create contrast. As the track developed, we focused on crafting a build-up that feels like it’s pulling you into a moment of climax, followed by a drop that’s both powerful and atmospheric.
With this record, it was important for us to keep the transitions smooth but impactful, so the journey feels seamless while keeping the energy alive.
The track features sci-fi-inspired synth elements and dark textures, can you tell us how these themes came about and what mood or story you wanted to convey?
The sci-fi-inspired synths and dark textures were intentional, and a lot of that vibe came from experimenting with Spectrasonics Omnisphere. It’s such a versatile synth, and we love how its library has those cinematic, spacey sounds that instantly set a futuristic tone.
When we started working on ‘Eclipse’, we wanted it to feel like traveling through a cosmic landscape, mysterious and beautiful. Omnisphere gave us the tools to layer pulsating synths with these atmospheric textures that really brought that vision to life.
The mood is about duality: darkness and light, chaos and calm. Those sounds from Omnisphere represented the vastness and mystery of space, while the darker layers grounded the track, like the shadow of an eclipse crossing over. It’s a vibe that we hope pulls listeners into their own interpretation.
Layering plays a key role in the track’s sound, can you walk us through how you approached building the track’s intricate soundscape, from the low-end to the melodic leads?
Absolutely! Layering was critical to getting ‘Eclipse’ to feel as rich and full. We started with the low-end because that’s the foundation for the entire track. The bassline was designed to be deep and resonant, with just enough movement to create a hypnotic flow. We actually used sub-bass from Serum and some gritty textures from Omnisphere to give it both weight and character.
For the mid-range, we focused on adding atmospheric pads and arpeggiated elements that fill the space without overwhelming it. This is where Omnisphere really shined again, it’s perfect for those evolving, sci-fi-inspired layers that give a sense of depth and motion.
The leads came next, and that’s where we let the melodic story unfold. We used a clean, plucky synth with a touch of reverb and delay to make it feel ethereal and then layered it with a slightly detuned lead to create a sense of tension and release.
Finally, we tied everything together with intricate percussive layers, subtle risers, and automated effects to keep the transitions smooth and engaging. We think that the goal of a track is to make every element feel like it’s part of a larger journey.
Were there any specific techniques, plugins, or tools that were crucial to achieving the cohesive sound of this release?
Of course! Achieving the cohesive sound of ‘Eclipse’ was all about combining the right tools and techniques to create depth and flow. The plugins from Soundtoys played a huge role, especially their delay plugins like EchoBoy. We used it on the leads and arps to add that rhythmic, evolving echo that keeps the track alive and gives a sense of space. The Crystallizer plugin also helped us add some subtle, shimmering textures to the pads, making them feel from the space.
For reverb, Valhalla was the star. The Valhalla VintageVerb plugin gave us the lush, expansive spaces we needed, especially for the melodic leads and atmospheric elements. They helped everything sit in its own pocket while still feeling part of the same world.
Filtering was another key technique. We used both dynamic EQs and creative filters to sculpt each layer and ensure they complemented each other. Automating high and low-pass filters allowed us to build tension and smooth transitions, particularly in the breakdowns and drops.
How did you go about designing the breakdown section to keep the listener engaged and maintain momentum?
The breakdown in ‘Eclipse’ was one of our favorite parts to craft, it’s like the heartbeat of the track, where everything slows down, but the tension still builds. The goal was to create a moment that feels introspective that keeps the listener locked in and anticipating the drop.
We started by stripping back the low-end, letting the pads and atmospheric textures take center stage. Using Omnisphere, we layered evolving soundscapes with subtle modulation to keep the sound alive and dynamic. To maintain momentum, we introduced a soft, rhythmic pluck, according to the chord progressions.
To keep the listener engaged, we added small details like reversed effects and risers with gradual pitch shifts. These elements may seem minor, but they create a sense of movement and keep the ear curious.
The final touch was a build of percussion and noise sweeps that seamlessly lead back into the drop, making the transition feel natural yet impactful, like a classic Progressive House tune.
As a duo, how do you approach co-producing a track? Do you divide tasks, or is it a more fluid process where you build on each other’s ideas?
Usually, one of us will start with an initial idea, a groove, melody, or even just a vibe, and the other jumps in to refine it or take it in a new direction.
For ‘Eclipse’, Julianno came up with the initial bassline and atmospheric pads, setting the mood for the track. From there, Stefanno layered in the melodic leads and worked on the overall arrangement. Once the foundation was set, it became a back-and-forth process: tweaking, adding effects, adjusting transitions, and making sure the energy flows seamlessly.
We also like to experiment together in the studio, throwing out ideas and seeing what sticks. Sometimes, we’ll each work separately on sections, like a breakdown or a drop, and then merge everything. It keeps the creative energy high and ensures we both leave our mark on the track.
Communication is key, too. We’re always open to feedback from each other, and that honesty helps us push the track to its best potential.
Were there any particular challenges you faced while producing ‘Eclipse’? How did you overcome them, and did they lead to any surprising outcomes?
Surprisingly, ‘Eclipse’ came together quite smoothly, there weren’t any major challenges. From the initial concept to the final mixdown, the track had a natural flow, and every element seemed to fall into place. It’s harder with other productions, but with this one, every element had its flow.
That said, we did spend extra time fine-tuning the balance between the atmospheric elements and the driving low-end. We wanted the track to feel spacious without losing its energy, so we paid close attention to EQ, reverb, and sidechaining.
Because the process was so fluid, it actually allowed us to experiment more freely with details, like the sci-fi-inspired textures and automated filters. Those little touches added a lot to the final vibe and were a direct result of having the space to play around without being stuck on bigger issues.
The track builds on your signature Progressive House sound, how do you balance staying true to your style while also pushing the boundaries of your creativity with each release?
While we definitely have a signature Progressive House sound, we don’t like to limit ourselves to only one genre. We love to experiment and explore different styles. The beauty of not sticking to a single genre is that it gives us the freedom to explore and push boundaries with every release.
We want to evolve, but we also want listeners to feel the emotional depth and energy that’s always been a part of our sound since our beginnings back in 2008.
How does this track differ from your previous releases? Did you experiment with any new techniques or ideas that helped shape this track?
‘Eclipse’ definitely stands out from our previous releases, mostly because of how much we pushed the boundaries with the atmospheric elements and textures. One of the key differences is that we really leaned into Omnisphere for this one, honestly, we might’ve overused it a bit, but in the best way possible! The vast range of sounds and layers it provides allowed us to experiment with different sonic landscapes and add a lot of depth to the track. From the eerie, spacey pads to the intricate sound design details, Omnisphere was a crucial part of the vibe we were going for.
Overall, this track feels a bit more experimental while still maintaining that signature groove and emotional pull. It’s a nice evolution for us, and we’re excited to see where this sound takes us in the future!
With ‘Eclipse’ being another bold addition to your discography, what’s next for you as a duo? Do you see this track as part of a larger vision for your sound, or are you exploring other creative directions for future releases?
We’re really excited about where ‘Eclipse’ is taking us! Being supported by Paul van Dyk on his Vonyc Sessions episode 943, exactly on the release day, was a huge milestone for us, definitely one of those “pinch me” moments. It felt like a validation of the hard work we put into the track, and it’s incredibly motivating to keep pushing forward with new ideas.
As for what’s next, we definitely see ‘Eclipse’ as part of a larger vision for our sound. It’s a bold step into more atmospheric and experimental territory, and we’re excited to continue exploring these sonic landscapes. But at the same time, we’re always looking ahead to new directions. We don’t want to box ourselves into any one style or sound. Every track we produce is an opportunity to try something different, whether it’s blending genres, playing with new textures, or diving deeper into cinematic soundscapes.
So, while we’re proud of ‘Eclipse’ and where it fits into our journey, we’re already thinking about how we can continue to evolve. Who knows, our next release could take us somewhere completely unexpected! We love keeping the creative process fresh and spontaneous.
As ‘Eclipse’ takes its place in Stefanno b2b Julianno’s growing discography, it is clear that the duo remains committed to their artistic evolution, eager to continue pushing their boundaries to offer listeners music that feels both fresh and authentic. Now, we end our interview thanking Stefanno b2b Julianno for their time and look forward to seeing where their journey leads them next. Keep up with Stefanno b2b Julianno by following them across social media to stay in the know about their upcoming releases and projects.
Listen and Buy ‘Eclipse’ Now:
Stefanno b2b Julianno Online
