Synth FX

Short and Sweet

For subtler dub-style elements try shortening the attack or release times of the sweeps, as shown below:

Delay and reverb can also really make a difference here:

Try and use a delay that has low- and high-pass filters in the feedback loop if you want to achieve more authentic dub-style effects:

This can sound great with a simple ‘dub siren’ synth patch:

In The Mix

All these approaches to adding FX will work with most tracks and styles of music. In fact, you may find that a few well-placed FX are all that’s required to turn your latest piece into something ‘club ready’. FX serve to subliminally guide a listener through the track, giving subtle pointers as to when different sections are about to arrive – breakdowns, drops, and so on.

A word of caution, though. Using lots of FX early on in a track raises the expectation they’ll appear later. If they don’t, later parts of the track can sometimes be in danger of appearing sparse in comparison. The best approach is usually to start subtly and build from there. But, as always, rules can also be broken. This is one area where experimentation can pay dividends in creating unique results.