How to Make Blasting Dub Techno Chord (Free Preset) [Ableton Tutorial]

The instructor demonstrates the final dub techno chord sound that will be recreated during the tutorial.

• Use a rich oscillator such as sawtooth with detuning and unison • Apply a low pass filter modulated by an envelope for a plucky sound • Use dub delay (filter delay) combined with heavy reverb

The preset comes from the Wave Table Techno Bank 3, with free preset and MIDI file available in the video description.

The tutorial shows a different method from the classic recipe, offering alternative techniques while maintaining the core dub techno aesthetic.

Start with sawtooth oscillator as the classic choice, though triangle and other waveforms can work as the foundation.

• Apply FM synthesis with the amount at 100 percent for harmonic content • Set the FM amount around 60 percent to create richer harmonics • FM adds warmth and complexity to the base waveform

The tone parameter controls oscillator position and can be modulated throughout the track to create different tonal characters and variations.

Experiment with warp and fold functions to add complexity and richness to harmonics, making the waveform more intricate.

Use a band pass filter instead of low pass filter, which creates a very filtered sound that works excellently when combined with reverb.

• Set to 12 dB with OSR one filter type to add grits • Increase resonance to accentuate the filtered effect • This changes the tone dramatically when reverb is applied

Shape the volume envelope with attack around 50 milliseconds, sustain at 50 percent, and a smooth decay curve for a plucky but controlled sound.

Modulate the filter with an envelope in the matrix to make it open quickly and return slowly, creating the characteristic plucky effect of dub techno chords.

• Set filter envelope attack around 60 milliseconds with steep attack slope • Set decay around 2 seconds with round decay slope • Release also around 2 seconds for smooth return to original position

Reduce the filter modulation strength to around 70 percent by adjusting the peak in the matrix to avoid over-modulation.

• Modulate pitch with the same envelope by 2 semitones to create dramatic pitch effect • This adds movement and interest to the chord progression

Enable unison with 3 voices at 30 percent amount using classic shimmer mode to create richer, fatter stereo sound.

• Modulate the FM amount with envelope 3 at around 80 percent • Set attack around 1 second with no sustain • Set decay around 1.6 seconds and release at 600 milliseconds

The FM amount modulation changes the shape of the waveform, adding variation and movement to the tone throughout the note.

• Use amp distortion with output set to dual for stereo sound • Apply blue amp type to add noisy, gritty texture • Adjust dry/wet blend, gain, middle, and treble to taste

Increase presence parameter to add more high-frequency character and definition to the blasting effect.

After saturation, use auto filter devices to shape the signal and prevent it from being too loud when combined with delay and reverb.

• First auto filter: band pass filter at 12 dB with clean mode and resonance • Second auto filter: low pass filter to further shape the frequency content • Both filters can be modulated for variation along the track

Add resonance to both filters to contribute character and definition to the sound.

Use utility device to reduce output by 3 dB to prevent excessive volume when opening filters.

• Set ping pong mode to dry red • Set feedback around 30 percent • Both left and right channels in 16th mode can be offset for stereo enhancement

Add around 3 dB of drive to the input for gritty texture if desired.

• Apply high pass filter and low pass filter in combination to filter the delay signal • Set resonance to maximum on both filters • Adjust frequencies to cut low frequencies while maintaining the character

Feedback is kept around 30 percent to create the classic dub delay effect without excessive repetition.

• Use Ableton's internal reverb device • Set decay time to at least 5-6 seconds for a big space • Increase wet signal amount for more reverb effect

Play with the dry/wet ratio to control how much of the original signal blends with the reverb effect.

When the low pass filter is fully open, the sound features a very noisy, dubby effect characteristic of dub techno.

The combination of dub delay and heavy reverb creates the signature blasting dub techno chord with rich spatial depth.

Group everything into an instrument rack and assign important macro controls to enable easy manipulation of parameters during performance.

• Automate the low pass filter frequency for each chord step to create different tones • Different filter positions on the same chord add variety without changing the harmony

• Modulate the tone parameter (waveform) throughout the track • Tone ranges from sine at 0 percent to square at 100 percent with sawtooth around 60-70 percent

Use internal LFO to slowly modulate the filter, adding subtle variation and movement to the delay effect without changing the core sound.