Personalising white noise risers

We’ve all heard white noise sweeps with their cutoff frequencies steadily climbing. Through the following steps, we’ll look at a more original take

The principle behind a white noise riser is simple: create a sound with a white noise oscillator, run it through a low-pass filter, and gradually (or quickly) automate the filter cutoff so that it ‘opens up’ to create a increasing rush of drama. However, the fact that this basic technique can be described in just a few words suggests it’s in need of some updating. Over these three steps, we’ll start exploring some ways to take white noise risers slightly off their well-trodden path, looking at effects that can shape a white noise sweep in more interesting ways. But these are just the start: check out one of this month’s videos to see how you can take your risers even further; even the most enduring tricks can be modernised and enhanced.

We’re starting with a basic backing track of a synth pluck, a supporting bassline and a kick drum. To this, we’re adding a single oscillator white noise blast, which is shaped via Soundtoys’ FilterFreak. This uses a 24dB low-pass filter to create a...

The riser sounds undynamic and very dry, so we start by adding the reverb and delay treatments that we’re also using on other parts. Next we add a compressor on the white noise sound, side-chaining this from the kick drum. Now the riser feels more ‘in...

We add Logic Pro’s Tremolo effect to creates some nice stereo movement. Then we set up UAD’s OTO Biscuit 8-bit Effects for some bitcrushing, using the Bat Fuzz Waveshaper. We then automate the Clock parameter so that the sample Resolution falls and...