>Counterpoint
Counterpoint is basically the art of making two or more different melodic lines fit together, so they weave and sound pleasing. The reason I asked is because your string synth later has a quite discernable pitch.
In your case you'd best use chords (string/pad), or at least chord-based arpeggios (keys) at least an octave apart to support your main melody. A second musical line fights with the first over the attention of the listener, especially if they are equally loud and in the same frequency range.
To learn counterpoint you need at least a bit understanding of music theory, but if you can pull it off the results are amazing. Check out the /comp/ thread here, the Wikipedia article for counterpoint, or for an example this Youtube video:
> youtube.com/watch?v=4O6lc_ym12U
>Drums
Creating a drum pattern/groove is an art in itself. Its almost as complex as creating a complex synth sound. Nobody was born a pro, so don't be discouraged. A few hints for beginners:
> pick a kick and a snare/clap
> don't go digging for more than a minute for the samples: in the end you can change them if you really feel like it, or better: process them - they don't matter
> the drum samples work for you, not the other way around: process them (eq, compression, saturation, frequency shifter, gate etc.)
> the snare/clap goes on the 2/4, or in 16ths
> OOOO XOOO OOOO XOOO
> in 4 to the floor (house, trance etc) the kick goes on 1/2/3/4
> XOOO XOOO XOOO XOOO
> in hip-hop/dnb the kick is in 1+3, the second kick moves a bit back
> XOOO OOOO OOXO OOOO
> add ride elements (hihat, cymbal, crash, etc), start with a closed hihat on the inbetweens:
> OOXO OOXO OOXO OOXO
You now have a basic pattern and can add to it, shuffle things around and add variation. But always watch that not that many transients stack together. For more information/inspiration read here:
> attackmagazine.com/technique/beat-dissected/