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2. Ultra-rapid riser design using NI Massive’s macros

1 Here’s an easy trick for creating custom risers in no time. Load House.wav in a 127bpm project. Now load a synth with assignable macros – we’re using NI Massive – and draw a sustained MIDI note (C3) for the duration required ( 7.5 bars here). Automate Macro 1 to go from minimum to maximum during the build-up – add a ‘drop’ towards the end if needed. 2 Now simply assign parameters to Macro 1 to automate them all through the build. To make a basic evolving noise effect, disable the Oscillators (click the blue dot in their upper-left), make sure Noise’s Amp is turned up, then set Color to 40%. To hook it up, drag Macro Control 1’s modulation crosshair onto the lower-left box of Color, then drag the orange 1 to set the depth. 3 Carry on assigning parameters to create an elaborate riser. Oscillator pitch, filter cutoffs, effects parameters and LFO rates all make great targets. The beauty of this technique is that you can save the preset for reuse, adjusting the automation shape and length as required – a descending automation curve will create an instant downfaller effect instead.