Automating a snare roll in the breakdown

The snare roll that builds up during the breakdown is created with a Roland TR-909 snare drum sample from Maschine, high-passed to prevent it from muddying up the mix. The volume is automated to increase the intensity of the sound before the drop.

Ben and Jon also source lots of episodic marker effects from Maschine, such as a siren sound. “We put that one bar before the drop or before anything’s going to happen,” says Jon.

“It’s a little signal to bring in percussion or take something out,” adds Ben.

Various crash samples – including a 909 and some more orchestral-sounding crashes – are layered in and used as markers to indicate the start of each new section. These are supplemented with an African-sounding percussion rattle that enhances

Solstice’s tribal feel.