Learn how to create aggressive, pitch-bent Melodic Techno leads and rolling basslines in the style of Massano (Simulate / Afterlife) in this step-by-step production tutorial.
Built entirely with sounds and Serum 2 presets from VELORYN – Melodic Techno Sample Pack, this breakdown shows you how to process Vocoder hi-hats, saturate a mono-locked rolling bassline, automate pitch-bend envelopes across layered leads and stabs, and build 303 call-and-response motifs.
What you will learn
1. LFO-Shaped Kick, Vocoder Hats & Crisp Snare
Massano’s drum grooves are dark, industrial, and relentlessly driving:
• Kick (Drum Buss + LFO Tool): We saturate a punchy kick with Drum Buss and sculpt its decay with LFO Tool so the low end stays surgical.
• 16th Hat (Vocoder + Auto Pan): Processed with a steep low-cut EQ, dark reverb, Auto Pan for stereo width, an Ableton Vocoder set to white noise for metallic crispness, and kick sidechain.
• Snare & Closed Hat: A punchy backbeat snare (reverb + low-cut EQ) paired with a secondary closed hat enhanced with Vocoder white-noise sheen.
2. Saturated Rolling Bassline (Preset: BS – Voltage)
For the relentless low-end drive, we load the Serum 2 preset BS – Voltage from VELORYN.
• Saturator + LFO Tool + 100% Mono: We drive BS – Voltage into an Ableton Saturator to bring out gritty upper-harmonics that cut through dense synth stacks, apply LFO Tool for sample-accurate sidechain ducking against the kick, and lock the bass channel to 100% Mono.
3. Pitch-Bent Main Lead, Dual Stabs, Pluck & 303 Call-and-Response
The signature Massano hook comes from combining automated pitch bends with aggressive call-and-response synth layers:
• Main Lead (LD – Zenith) + Layered Stab (LD – Echo): Both play the main hook with automated Pitch Bend envelopes for that unmistakable gliding tension, processed with low-cut EQ, reverb, delay, and kick sidechain.
• Second Stab (LD – Mirage), Pluck (PL – Pilot) & Filter Arp (PL – Aura): LD – Mirage and PL – Pilot add depth and stereo bounce, while PL – Aura runs a hypnotic arpeggio with automated filter sweeps.
• Lead Response Loop + 303 Response Loop: A dedicated lead response loop and an acid 303 response lead loop answer the main synth every 4 bars over a rhythmic atmosphere loop.
4. High-Impact Transition FX & Pre-Drop Tension
To make the drop hit like a warehouse weapon, we choreograph six transition FX layers around the breakdown and drop:
• Riser & Snare Roll: Build rhythmic and pitch tension across the final 8 bars of the breakdown.
• Uplifter, Drum Fill, Impact & Downlifter: A sweeping uplifter and tight drum fill launch into the drop, where a massive impact and downlifter lock the first beat into the BS – Voltage bassline.
Get the sounds and complete project
Every drum hit, 303 response loop, rhythmic atmosphere, and Serum 2 preset (BS – Voltage, LD – Zenith, LD – Echo, LD – Mirage, PL – Pilot, PL – Aura) comes from VELORYN – Melodic Techno Sample Pack.
Explore VELORYN:
Explore VELORYN – Melodic Techno Sample Pack & Serum 2 Presets →Get the Complete Melodic Techno Bundle (VELORYN + LUNIX + ECLIPSE) →
Inside VELORYN
• 5 Full Melodic Techno Construction Kits with Stems, MIDI & Serum 2 Presets
• Presets Included: BS – Voltage, LD – Zenith, LD – Echo, LD – Mirage, PL – Pilot, PL – Aura
• 303 Acid Response Loops, Lead Response Loops & Rhythmic Atmosphere Loops
• Punchy Kicks, Vocoder-Ready Hi-Hats, Snares, Claps & Drum Fills
• Risers, Snare Rolls, Downlifters, Uplifters & Sub Impacts
Get VELORYN individually or save big with the Melodic Techno 3-Pack Bundle—or unlock all 11 Tuniwave products in The Everything Bundle (€119).