Learn how to produce euphoric, emotional, and progressive Melodic Techno in the style of Korolova (Captive Soul / Tomorrowland) in this complete Serum 2 and Ableton Live tutorial.
Using custom Serum 2 presets and stems from VELORYN – Melodic Techno Sample Pack, we break down how to pair a tight LFO-shaped kick and rolling bassline with soaring three-layer unison leads, filter-automated arpeggios, and dual atmospheric pads.
What you will learn
1. Punchy Kick, Vocoder 16th Hat & Shimmering Ride Groove
Korolova’s drums balance club-ready low-end punch with bright, progressive top-end energy:
• Kick, Snare & Open Hat: We start with a punchy kick shaped with Drum Buss and LFO Tool, then add a crisp low-cut snare on the backbeats and an airy low-cut open hat on the off-beats.
• 16th Closed Hat & Rides Loop: The rolling 16th closed hat is processed with reverb, kick sidechain, an Ableton Vocoder (white noise carrier) for crispness, and Auto Pan for width, topped off with a shimmering rides loop in the climax.
2. Deep Rolling Bassline (Preset: BS – Tempest)
To anchor the emotional chord progressions, we load the Serum 2 preset BS – Tempest from VELORYN.
• LFO Tool + 100% Mono: We sidechain BS – Tempest with LFO Tool so every kick transient punches cleanly through the mix, and keep the sub foundation 100% Mono so the low end stays warm, focused, and phase-coherent.
3. Three-Layer Euphoric Leads & Filter-Automated Arp (LD – Solstice, LD – Ember, LD – Luminous & PL – Aura)
The soaring melodic hook is built by stacking three complementary Serum 2 lead presets over a progressive arpeggio:
• Dual Unison Leads (LD – Solstice & LD – Ember): Both play the exact same main melody with low-cut EQ and kick sidechain—LD – Solstice delivers the warm analog body while LD – Ember adds bright upper-mid bite.
• Third Lead Layer (LD – Luminous): Reinforces the hook with lush reverb, low-cut EQ, and sidechain for massive festival width.
• Progressive Arp (PL – Aura): Runs continuously underneath with low-cut EQ, reverb, sidechain, and smooth Auto Filter cutoff automation that opens up into the drop.
4. Rhythmic & Sustained Dual Pads + Pre-Drop Clap FX
To give the breakdown and drop that signature Captive Soul emotional depth, we contrast two distinct pad layers:
• Rhythmic Pad + Sustained Single-Note Pad: The first pad adds pulsing harmonic warmth, while the second pad holds a single sustained tension note across the chord changes.
• Pre-Drop Clap FX: A reverberant clap FX punctuates the final bar of the build-up, clearing the air right before the kick and 3-layer lead stack slam back in.
Get the sounds and complete project
Every drum sample, ride loop, pad layer, and Serum 2 preset (BS – Tempest, LD – Solstice, LD – Ember, LD – Luminous, PL – Aura) comes directly 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 – Tempest, LD – Solstice, LD – Ember, LD – Luminous, PL – Aura
• Punchy Kicks, Vocoder Hi-Hats, Shimmering Ride Loops, Snares & Open Hats
• Rhythmic & Sustained Pads, Atmospheres, Clap FX, Risers & Uplifters
• 100% Royalty-Free Stems, Loops & MIDI for Ableton Live, FL Studio & Logic Pro
Build euphoric Melodic Techno faster with VELORYN, or unlock every pack in our catalog with The Everything Bundle (All 11 Products for €119).