Preset tutorials

How to create
a preset.

Step-by-step recipes that rebuild 18 MaxVRS factory presets from scratch, using the same settings as the originals. Open a tutorial, follow the steps, and compare your result with the factory version.

Knob gestures

Drag: Sets a knob's base value, the value saved with the preset.
Arm a source: Click ASSIGN on a Motion source, or the small circle beside a macro or the MOD wheel. Compatible knobs highlight. Click again to disarm.
Right-drag: With a source armed, right-click a knob and drag up for a positive route or down for a negative one. The inner coloured ring shows the amount; the base value stays put. On a Mac you can also hold Control and drag.
Right-click: Right-click a knob without dragging to clear the armed source's route on it.
Routes: Opens the Influence List to check exact amounts, then invert, mute, or remove individual routes.

Keep your monitoring volume low while you build, especially when you experiment with resonance, feedback, and effects.

Every tutorial starts from INIT. Many factory presets also bend their envelope segments slightly with the round handles on the envelope graphs; the tutorials give the exact times and levels, and the bends change the sound only subtly.

Presets

Bass 2 tutorials

Bass · Acid

Acid Underpass

A resonant acid bass: a bent triangle-saw an octave down over a sine sub, a squelchy envelope on a resonant low-pass, legato glide, asymmetric drive and a short echo.

11 steps · Factory preset: Bass › Acid Underpass

01
Source
Shape the main oscillator
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Set OCT to −1 and turn MORPH down to 38%, just past Triangle on the way to Saw. A little SKEW and HARMONY give the wave the edge an acid line needs.
OCT
−1
Morph
38%
Skew
18%
Harmony
14%
Level
0.68
02
Source
Add a sine sub
Click + in the group strip and choose Wave Factory. Turn its MORPH to 0% for a pure Sine, set OCT to −2 and FINE to 0 ct, and keep it low in the mix.
Morph
0% · Sine
OCT
−2
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.24
A new second oscillator starts 7 cents sharp. Set FINE back to 0 so the sub stays locked to the main oscillator.
03
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV for a near-instant attack, a short decay to a medium sustain and a short release, and choose SMOOTH so the fast attack starts without a click. Pull the group level down, and set MASTER at the top right of the window.
Attack
0.003 s
Decay
0.24 s
Sustain
0.58
Release
0.14 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
−3.5 dB
04
Source
Add a resonant filter
Click + again and choose Filter. Keep it low-pass with a low cutoff and strong resonance: this is where the squelch comes from.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
520 Hz
Resonance
58%
Scroll up over the filter graph to switch to 24 dB/oct.
05
Source
Slide between notes
In the group header, switch on GLIDE, set its TIME and choose LEGATO. Overlapping notes now slide into each other; detached notes start on their own pitch.
Glide
On
Time
92 ms
Mode
LEGATO
06
Motion
Create the filter envelope
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 an instant attack and a quick fall to almost nothing.
Attack
0.001 s
Decay
0.27 s
Sustain
0.02
Release
0.2 s
07
Motion
Route the envelope to Cutoff
Click ASSIGN on MOD ENV 1, right-drag the filter Cutoff up to +58%, then click ASSIGN again.
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+58%
Cutoff routes are scaled in pitch. At +58% each note opens the filter about four and a half octaves, then it falls back to just above 520 Hz within a quarter of a second. Against 58% resonance, that fall is the acid squelch.
08
Lanes
Drive it
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Drive to Lane 1, open Advanced, choose the Asymmetric character and set Bias.
Drive
38%
Tone
64%
Level
−1.2 dB
Mix
74%
Character
Asymmetric
Bias
18%
09
Lanes
Add a short echo
Add a Delay after the Drive, sync it to a quarter note, and keep the feedback and mix low so the echo trails the line without crowding it.
Mode
DIGITAL
Sync
On
Division
1/4
Feedback
18%
Tone
46%
Mix
9%
10
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, click the small circle beside each macro to arm it, then right-drag its destination as you did with MOD ENV 1. Arm the MOD wheel the same way. With every macro at zero, the sound stays exactly as you built it.
Macro 1 · Cutoff → Cutoff
+42%
Macro 2 · Resonance → Resonance
+26%
Macro 3 · Drive → Osc 1 Fold
+30%
Macro 4 · Echo → Delay Mix
+24%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+34%
Macro 3 drives the oscillator itself: FOLD reflects the peaks of the wave back on themselves, adding bright, gritty harmonics before the filter.
11
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Bass › Acid Underpass and switch between the two.

Bass · Reese

Midnight Reese

A wide Reese bass: two triangle waves 26 cents apart and panned apart over a steady sine sub, a slowly drifting pitch, firm compression and a dark Dimension chorus.

10 steps · Factory preset: Bass › Midnight Reese

01
Source
Detune the first oscillator
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Turn MORPH to 34%, just past Triangle, set OCT to −1, tune it flat with FINE and pan it a little left. A touch of SMOOTH softens its corners.
Morph
34%
OCT
−1
FINE
−13 ct
PAN
−18%
Smooth
12%
Level
0.46
02
Source
Mirror it on the other side
Select oscillator 1's header and press Cmd/Ctrl+D to duplicate it. On the copy, flip FINE and PAN to the other side, set SMOOTH back to 0% and give it a little CURVE instead.
Morph
34%
OCT
−1
FINE
+13 ct
PAN
+18%
Smooth
0%
Curve
9%
Level
0.46
The two oscillators sit 26 cents apart. Their slow beating is the Reese sound, and panning them apart turns the beating into stereo movement.
03
Source
Add a steady sub
Click + in the group strip and choose Wave Factory. Make it a pure Sine two octaves down, centred and in tune.
Morph
0% · Sine
OCT
−2
FINE
0 ct
PAN
0%
Level
0.28
The sub stays centred and in tune, so the low end holds steady in mono while the detuned pair moves above it.
04
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV for a quick attack, a long decay to a high sustain and a medium release, and choose SMOOTH. Set the group level, and MASTER at the top right of the window.
Attack
0.012 s
Decay
0.48 s
Sustain
0.82
Release
0.42 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−6.3 dB
MASTER
+1.6 dB
05
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter. A low-pass around 1.2 kHz keeps the Reese dark and heavy.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
1180 Hz
Resonance
20%
06
Motion
Let the pitch drift
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add LFO. Make LFO 1 a slow sine, then click ASSIGN and right-drag oscillator 1's FINE up to just +2.5%.
Shape
SINE
Mode
RETRIGGER
Timing
HZ
Rate
0.23 Hz
LFO 1 → Osc 1 Fine
+2.5%
The route moves oscillator 1 about 2.5 cents either way, so the speed of the beating slowly breathes. Small amounts are enough.
07
Lanes
Hold it together
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Compressor to Lane 1, raise the ratio a little and open Advanced.
Threshold
−12 dB
Ratio
4.1:1
Attack
10 ms
Release
150 ms
Mix
100%
Makeup
+3.5 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
DET HPF keeps the lowest frequencies out of the compressor’s detector, so the sub does not make the whole bass pump.
08
Lanes
Add a dark chorus
Add a Chorus after the Compressor and choose DIMENSION. Keep it slow and dark, and mix it in lightly.
Mode
Dimension
Rate
0.24 Hz
Depth
32%
Width
74%
Voices
3
Tone
38%
Feedback
0%
Mix
28%
09
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destinations. For Macro 1, right-drag oscillator 1's PAN downward and oscillator 2's upward, so both move outward together.
Macro 1 · Spread → Osc 1 Pan
−22%
Macro 1 · Spread → Osc 2 Pan
+22%
Macro 2 · Motion → LFO 1 Rate
+18%
Macro 3 · Bite → Cutoff
+34%
Macro 4 · Sub → Osc 3 Level
+28%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+25%
10
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Bass › Midnight Reese and switch between the two.

Lead 2 tutorials

Lead · Trance

Detuned Trance

A wide, detuned dual-oscillator trance lead with a sharp filter contour, stereo echoes, and a spacious reverb tail.

11 steps · Factory preset: Lead › Detuned Trance

01
Source
Start with a saw stack
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Turn Morph to 66.7% so the wave sits exactly on Saw, then enable Unison and build a seven-voice stack.
Morph
66.7% · Saw
Level
0.80
Unison voices
7
Detune
54.5 ct
Spread
70%
Phase
Varied · 100%
02
Source
Add a second, wider stack
Click + in the group strip and choose Wave Factory, or select oscillator 1's header and press Cmd/Ctrl+D to duplicate it. Keep it on Saw, sit it lower in the mix, and detune it further than the first.
Morph
66.7% · Saw
Level
0.55
Fine
+12 ct
Unison voices
7
Detune
67.3 ct
Spread
70%
Different Detune amounts and the small Fine offset stop the two stacks from lining up. That mismatch is what makes the lead sound thick and alive.
03
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV for an instant attack, a quick dip to the sustain level for punch, and nearly a second of release so notes overlap into the effects. Pull the group level down slightly to leave headroom for the two stacks.
Attack
0 s
Decay
0.123 s
Sustain
0.75
Release
0.913 s
Group level
−3 dB
04
Source
Add the group filter
Click + in the group strip again and choose Filter. Set it to low-pass and keep the cutoff low; the envelope in the next steps opens it on every note.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
712 Hz
Resonance
0
Scroll up over the filter graph to switch to 24 dB/oct.
05
Motion
Create the filter envelope
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 a fast, snappy shape that falls to a low sustain.
Attack
0 s
Decay
0.223 s
Sustain
0.13
Release
0.975 s
06
Motion
Route the envelope to Cutoff with right-drag
Click ASSIGN on MOD ENV 1 to arm it. Right-click the filter Cutoff knob and drag upward until the route reaches +61.6%. A normal drag still sets the 712 Hz base; right-drag only changes how far the envelope moves it. Open ROUTES on MOD ENV 1 to check the exact amount.
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+61.6%
Cutoff routes are scaled in pitch. At +61.6% the filter opens almost five octaves at the start of each note, then settles just above its base while the note is held.
07
Motion
Add the pitch zap
With MOD ENV 1 still armed, right-drag Fine on oscillator 1 and on oscillator 2 all the way up. Each note starts about a semitone sharp and drops back over the envelope's decay, giving the lead its bright zap. Click ASSIGN again when you are done.
MOD ENV 1 → Osc 1 Fine
+100%
MOD ENV 1 → Osc 2 Fine
+100%
08
Lanes
Add stereo echoes
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Stereo Delay to Lane 1, sync both sides to tempo, and give them different divisions so the echoes bounce between left and right.
Sync
On · both sides
Left
1/4
Right
1/8
Feedback
35% · 35%
Mix
30% · 30%
Tone
100%
Link
Off
09
Lanes
Finish with a large hall
Add a Reverb after the Stereo Delay. Choose Hall, open it all the way, then expand Advanced for a smooth, moving tail.
Type
Hall
Size
100%
Decay
100%
Damping
0%
Mix
39%
Pre-delay
0
Diffusion
100%
Modulation
100%
Low Cut
38 Hz
Width
100%
10
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, click the small circle beside each macro to arm it, then right-drag its destinations exactly as you did with MOD ENV 1. Arm the MOD wheel the same way. With every macro at zero, the sound stays exactly as you built it.
Macro 1 · Brightness → Cutoff
+22%
Macro 2 · Detune → Osc 1 Detune
+36%
Macro 2 · Detune → Osc 2 Detune
+28%
Macro 3 · Width → Osc 1 & 2 Spread
+50% each
Macro 4 · Space → Reverb Mix
+32%
Macro 4 · Space → Stereo Delay Mix
+36% · both sides
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+32%
The factory preset leaves Macro 3 at 40% for a little extra width.
11
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Lead › Detuned Trance and switch between the two.

Lead · Digital FM

Vector Arc

A polished digital lead: a crystal wavetable phase-modulated by a silent sine, a soft triangle beneath, a slow wavetable sweep, a hint of bit grit, diffused ping-pong echoes and a large hall.

13 steps · Factory preset: Lead › Vector Arc

01
Source
Make a silent modulator
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Turn MORPH to 0% for a Sine, set OCT to +1 and its LEVEL to 0. Open PHASE, choose FIXED and set START to 90°.
Morph
0% · Sine
OCT
+1
Level
0
Phase
Fixed · 90°
A modulator does not have to be heard. At Level 0 oscillator 1 is silent, yet it still shapes the next oscillator.
02
Source
Add the crystal wavetable
Click + in the group strip and choose Wavetable. Click its graph to open the Wavetable Library, pick GLASS CRYSTAL and click USE. Then set its position and warp, tune it to 0 ct, and fix its phase too.
Table
GLASS CRYSTAL
Position
46%
Warp
11%
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.60
Phase
Fixed · 0°
03
Source
Phase-modulate the wavetable
On oscillator 1, open MODULATION, switch it on, choose PHASE MOD and set the destination to OSC 2. Switch on LOCK and keep DEPTH at its default.
Type
PHASE MOD
Destination
OSC 2
Lock
On
Depth
0.1 cy
Phase Mod moves where oscillator 2 reads its wave, pushed back and forth by a sine an octave above. The result has FM-style overtones while the pitch stays put; LOCK keeps the pair in tune.
04
Source
Add a soft triangle
Click + and choose Wave Factory. Set it to Triangle an octave down, add a little HARMONY, and keep it quiet underneath.
Morph
33% · Triangle
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Harmony
8%
Level
0.19
05
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV for a fast attack, a medium decay to a high sustain and a short release, and choose SMOOTH. Set the group level and MASTER.
Attack
0.006 s
Decay
0.4 s
Sustain
0.73
Release
0.3 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
+1.1 dB
06
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter. A gentle low-pass at 3.4 kHz takes the glassy edge off the top.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
3400 Hz
Resonance
11%
07
Motion
Sweep the wavetable
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add LFO. Make LFO 1 a slow sine with a short DELAY and FADE, then click ASSIGN and right-drag the wavetable's POSITION up to +16%.
Shape
SINE
Mode
RETRIGGER
Timing
HZ
Rate
0.24 Hz
Delay
0.18 s
Fade
0.6 s
LFO 1 → Osc 2 Position
+16%
Each note starts still; the sweep fades in over the next 0.6 seconds, so short notes stay clean and held notes begin to move.
08
Lanes
Add a hint of grit
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Bitcrusher to Lane 1 and mix only a little of it in.
Bits
13
Downsample
2
Tone
6900 Hz
Mix
12%
At 12% the crusher adds a faint digital sheen. Macro 4 brings more of it in.
09
Lanes
Add long ping-pong echoes
Add a Delay after the Bitcrusher, choose PING-PONG and sync it to a dotted quarter. Open Advanced and add DIFFUSION.
Mode
PING-PONG
Sync
On
Division
1/4D
Feedback
65%
Tone
45%
Mix
28%
Diffusion
35%
Diffusion smears each echo slightly, so the long tail blurs towards reverb instead of piling up.
10
Lanes
Even it out
Add a Compressor after the Delay and open Advanced. A gentle ratio with a partly dry mix keeps the lead steady without flattening it.
Threshold
−18 dB
Ratio
2.7:1
Attack
12 ms
Release
145 ms
Mix
70%
Makeup
+0.5 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
11
Lanes
Finish with a large hall
Add a Reverb after the Compressor, choose HALL and open Advanced.
Type
Hall
Size
85%
Damping
50%
Decay
90%
Mix
30%
Pre-delay
0 ms
Diffusion
60%
Width
100%
Low Cut
200 Hz
Modulation
20%
12
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. Macro 1 goes on the DEPTH knob in oscillator 1's MODULATION panel. Arm the MOD wheel the same way.
Macro 1 · Index → Osc 1 Phase Mod Depth
+32%
Macro 2 · Position → Osc 2 Position
+34%
Macro 3 · Motion → LFO 1 Rate
+20%
Macro 4 · Texture → Bitcrusher Mix
+34%
MOD wheel → Osc 2 Position
+28%
13
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Lead › Vector Arc and switch between the two.

Pluck 2 tutorials

Pluck · Progressive House

Coastal Steps

A warm progressive-house pluck: a softened triangle with gentle unison over a rounded layer an octave down, a quick filter envelope, then chorus, lo-fi grit, triplet ping-pong echoes and a plate.

11 steps · Factory preset: Pluck › Coastal Steps

01
Source
Shape a soft triangle
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Set MORPH to 41%, between Triangle and Saw, then round it with negative CURVE and some SMOOTH. Tune it slightly flat, pan it a little left, and enable a small UNISON. In PHASE, choose FIXED.
Morph
41%
Curve
−12%
Smooth
15%
FINE
−4 ct
PAN
−7%
Level
0.49
Unison voices
3
Detune
5 ct
Spread
54%
Phase
Fixed · 0°
Fixed phase starts every note on the same point of the wave, so each pluck hits the same way.
02
Source
Add a rounded layer below
Click + in the group strip and choose Wave Factory. Set it between Sine and Triangle, an octave down, slightly sharp and a little right, and fix its phase at 120°.
Morph
16%
Smooth
19%
OCT
−1
FINE
+5 ct
PAN
+7%
Level
0.34
Phase
Fixed · 120°
03
Source
Shape the pluck
Open AMP ENV for a fast attack, a half-second decay to a low sustain and a very short release. Leave the transient on RAW so the attack stays crisp. Set the group level, and MASTER to 0 dB.
Attack
0.006 s
Decay
0.54 s
Sustain
0.13
Release
0.064 s
Transient
RAW
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
0 dB
04
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass at 1.3 kHz with a little resonance.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
1320 Hz
Resonance
12%
05
Motion
Open the filter on every note
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 a fast rise and a half-second fall, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +44%.
Attack
0.003 s
Decay
0.48 s
Sustain
0.08
Release
0.5 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+44%
Each note starts about three and a half octaves brighter and falls back to around 1.6 kHz as it decays: the rounded pluck.
06
Lanes
Add a slow chorus
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Chorus to Lane 1, choose DIMENSION, and keep it slow and light.
Mode
Dimension
Rate
0.18 Hz
Depth
18%
Width
66%
Voices
3
Tone
56%
Feedback
0%
Mix
13%
07
Lanes
Crush it
Add a Bitcrusher after the Chorus and set BITS to 6. The other controls stay at their defaults.
Bits
6
Downsample
4
Tone
12000 Hz
Mix
100%
Six bits is a strong crush: it gives the pluck its gritty, lo-fi edge. Raise BITS for a cleaner pluck.
08
Lanes
Add triplet echoes
Add a Delay after the Bitcrusher, choose PING-PONG and sync it to a quarter-note triplet.
Mode
PING-PONG
Sync
On
Division
1/4T
Feedback
22%
Tone
56%
Mix
13%
Triplet echoes fall between the straight notes of a chord pattern, so the line rolls instead of doubling itself.
09
Lanes
Finish with a plate
Add a Reverb after the Delay, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
52%
Damping
63%
Decay
57%
Mix
13%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
70%
Width
100%
Low Cut
280 Hz
Modulation
6%
10
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. Arm the MOD wheel the same way.
Macro 1 · Brightness → Cutoff
+36%
Macro 2 · Body → Osc 2 Level
+24%
Macro 3 · Motion → Chorus Mix
+26%
Macro 4 · Space → Reverb Mix
+30%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+28%
11
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Pluck › Coastal Steps and switch between the two.

Pluck · Psytrance FM

Psy Crystal

A tight psytrance pluck: a strongly phase-modulated wave with a bright, fast-closing filter, a whisper of vowel wavetable, hard drive, ping-pong echoes and compression.

12 steps · Factory preset: Pluck › Psy Crystal

01
Source
Make a silent modulator
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Turn MORPH to 0% for a Sine, set OCT to +1 and LEVEL to 0, and in PHASE choose FIXED at 0°.
Morph
0% · Sine
OCT
+1
Level
0
Phase
Fixed · 0°
02
Source
Add the carrier
Click + in the group strip and choose Wave Factory. Set it between Sine and Triangle with a little WARP and SMOOTH, tune it to 0 ct, and fix its phase at 180°.
Morph
24%
Warp
8%
Smooth
6%
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.57
Phase
Fixed · 180°
03
Source
Phase-modulate it hard
On oscillator 1, open MODULATION, switch it on, choose PHASE MOD with destination OSC 2, switch on LOCK and raise DEPTH.
Type
PHASE MOD
Destination
OSC 2
Lock
On
Depth
0.453 cy
Depth is measured in cycles: at 0.45 the modulator pushes oscillator 2 almost half a cycle each way, for a strong, glassy FM tone.
04
Source
Add a vowel whisper
Click + and choose Wavetable. Click its graph, pick VOWEL TALK in the library and click USE. Keep it an octave down and very quiet.
Table
VOWEL TALK
Position
52%
Warp
−9%
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.16
05
Source
Shape a tight pluck
Open AMP ENV for an instant attack, a quarter-second decay to almost nothing and a short release, with SMOOTH. Set the group level and MASTER.
Attack
0.001 s
Decay
0.24 s
Sustain
0.04
Release
0.2 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
+2.5 dB
06
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass at 2.65 kHz with some resonance.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
2650 Hz
Resonance
20%
07
Motion
Snap the filter shut
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Make MOD ENV 1 fast and short, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +42%.
Attack
0.001 s
Decay
0.19 s
Sustain
0
Release
0.18 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+42%
At +42% the filter starts fully open and closes back to 2.65 kHz in under a fifth of a second.
08
Lanes
Drive it hard
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Drive to Lane 1, open Advanced and choose the Hard character. Mix it half in.
Drive
23%
Tone
69%
Level
−0.7 dB
Mix
50%
Character
Hard
09
Lanes
Add ping-pong echoes
Add a Delay after the Drive, choose PING-PONG and sync it to a quarter note. Keep it low so the pluck stays tight.
Mode
PING-PONG
Sync
On
Division
1/4
Feedback
18%
Tone
63%
Mix
10%
10
Lanes
Compress the hits
Add a Compressor after the Delay and open Advanced.
Threshold
−18 dB
Ratio
3:1
Attack
5 ms
Release
95 ms
Mix
72%
Makeup
+0.7 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
11
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 3, right-drag MOD ENV 1's DECAY downward: a negative route makes the filter snap shut sooner.
Macro 1 · Index → Osc 1 Phase Mod Depth
+32%
Macro 2 · Tone → Cutoff
+36%
Macro 3 · Snap → MOD ENV 1 Decay
−22%
Macro 4 · Echo → Delay Mix
+28%
MOD wheel → Osc 1 Phase Mod Depth
+25%
12
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Pluck › Psy Crystal and switch between the two.

Keys 2 tutorials

Keys · House Organ

Deep House Organ

A bright, airy deep-house organ: a nine-voice Harmonic Cloud over a soft body an octave down, a percussive filter blip, then chorus, hall, gentle compression and a dotted stereo delay.

11 steps · Factory preset: Keys › Deep House Organ

01
Source
Start with a Harmonic Cloud
Click + in the group strip and choose Harmonic Cloud, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with: open its actions menu (…) and choose Remove. The cloud becomes oscillator 1.
Style
CLASSIC
Voices
9
Detune
37.7 ct
Spread
73%
Focus
60%
Drift
41%
Tone
55%
Level
0.70
Harmonic Cloud builds its own voice stack, so it needs no Unison. Drift gives each internal voice its own slow pitch path, which is where the organ’s gentle swirl comes from.
02
Source
Add a soft body
Click + and choose Wave Factory. Set it between Sine and Triangle, an octave down and in tune.
Morph
16%
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.50
03
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV for a quick attack, a long decay to a medium sustain and a longer release, with SMOOTH. Set the group level, and MASTER to 0 dB.
Attack
0.012 s
Decay
0.68 s
Sustain
0.58
Release
0.72 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−1.5 dB
MASTER
0 dB
04
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass at 4.5 kHz keeps the organ bright but not harsh.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
4500 Hz
Resonance
15%
05
Motion
Add the percussion blip
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 a fast rise and a half-second fall, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +28%.
Attack
0.002 s
Decay
0.483 s
Sustain
0.14
Release
0.35 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+28%
Every chord starts with a brighter blip that settles within half a second, like the percussion tab on an organ.
06
Lanes
Add a slow chorus
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Chorus to Lane 1 and choose DIMENSION.
Mode
Dimension
Rate
0.22 Hz
Depth
18%
Width
62%
Voices
3
Tone
58%
Feedback
0%
Mix
18%
07
Lanes
Add a hall
Add a Reverb after the Chorus, choose HALL and open Advanced.
Type
Hall
Size
75%
Damping
40%
Decay
58%
Mix
25%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
240 Hz
Modulation
7%
08
Lanes
Glue it gently
Add a Compressor after the Reverb and open Advanced.
Threshold
−20 dB
Ratio
2.5:1
Attack
12 ms
Release
135 ms
Mix
68%
Makeup
0 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
09
Lanes
Add dotted stereo echoes
Add a Stereo Delay after the Compressor, sync both sides, and set a dotted eighth on the left against a quarter on the right.
Sync
On · both sides
Left
1/8D
Right
1/4
Feedback
35% · 35%
Mix
20% · 20%
Tone
70%
Link
Off
10
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 2, right-drag MOD ENV 1's DECAY downward to make the blip shorter.
Macro 1 · Tone → Cutoff
+34%
Macro 2 · Percussion → MOD ENV 1 Decay
−20%
Macro 3 · Cloud Layer → Osc 1 Level
+26%
Macro 4 · Space → Reverb Mix
+28%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+26%
11
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Keys › Deep House Organ and switch between the two.

Keys · Electric

FM Moon Keys

Mellow electric keys: a vowel wavetable with gentle unison over a sine an octave down, a soft filter bloom on every note, chorus, a plate and light compression.

10 steps · Factory preset: Keys › FM Moon Keys

01
Source
Start with a vowel wavetable
Click + in the group strip and choose Wavetable, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with (its actions menu …, Remove). Click the wavetable's graph, pick VOWEL TALK and click USE. Enable a small UNISON.
Table
VOWEL TALK
Position
42%
Warp
2%
Level
0.50
Unison voices
3
Detune
5 ct
Spread
64%
02
Source
Add a sine body
Click + and choose Wave Factory. Make it a pure Sine an octave down, in tune and quiet.
Morph
0% · Sine
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.23
03
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV for a quick attack, a long decay to a medium sustain and a longer release, with SMOOTH. Set the group level, and MASTER to 0 dB.
Attack
0.012 s
Decay
0.68 s
Sustain
0.58
Release
0.72 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
0 dB
04
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass at 2.4 kHz for a dark, mellow tone.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
2410 Hz
Resonance
14%
05
Motion
Add a soft bloom
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 a fast rise and a slower fall to a low sustain, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +28%.
Attack
0.002 s
Decay
0.44 s
Sustain
0.22
Release
0.35 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+28%
The bloom gives each note a soft bell edge at the start, then the keys settle into their darker body.
06
Lanes
Add a light chorus
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Chorus to Lane 1, choose DIMENSION, and mix in only a little.
Mode
Dimension
Rate
0.22 Hz
Depth
18%
Width
62%
Voices
3
Tone
58%
Feedback
0%
Mix
9%
07
Lanes
Add a plate
Add a Reverb after the Chorus, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
58%
Damping
62%
Decay
58%
Mix
16%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
240 Hz
Modulation
7%
08
Lanes
Glue it gently
Add a Compressor after the Reverb and open Advanced.
Threshold
−20 dB
Ratio
2.5:1
Attack
12 ms
Release
135 ms
Mix
68%
Makeup
0 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
09
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 2, right-drag MOD ENV 1's DECAY downward. Macro 3 is left free for your own route.
Macro 1 · Index → Cutoff
+34%
Macro 2 · Tone → MOD ENV 1 Decay
−20%
Macro 4 · Space → Reverb Mix
+28%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+26%
10
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Keys › FM Moon Keys and switch between the two.

Pad 2 tutorials

Pad · Melodic House

Afterglow Chords

A warm chord pad: a Vintage Harmonic Cloud over a soft body an octave down, a dark filter that slowly breathes in cutoff and resonance, a wide Dimension chorus and a room.

9 steps · Factory preset: Pad › Afterglow Chords

01
Source
Start with a Vintage cloud
Click + in the group strip and choose Harmonic Cloud, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with (its actions menu …, Remove). Choose the VINTAGE style and keep the cloud quiet.
Style
VINTAGE
Voices
7
Detune
16 ct
Spread
72%
Focus
60%
Drift
20%
Tone
55%
Level
0.27
02
Source
Add a soft body
Click + and choose Wave Factory. Set it between Sine and Triangle, an octave down and in tune.
Morph
16%
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.22
03
Source
Shape a slow swell
Open AMP ENV for a gentle attack, a long decay to a high sustain and a very long release, so chords overlap. Choose SMOOTH, then set the group level and MASTER.
Attack
0.42 s
Decay
0.9 s
Sustain
0.88
Release
2.7 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
−1 dB
04
Source
Add a dark filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass under 500 Hz with some resonance.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
485 Hz
Resonance
21.4%
05
Motion
Let the filter breathe
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add LFO. Make LFO 1 a very slow sine that fades in, then click ASSIGN and right-drag both Cutoff and Resonance.
Shape
SINE
Mode
RETRIGGER
Timing
HZ
Rate
0.08 Hz
Delay
0.25 s
Fade
1.2 s
LFO 1 → Cutoff
+18%
LFO 1 → Resonance
+32%
One cycle takes 12.5 seconds. The cutoff swings almost an octave and a half either side of 485 Hz, and the resonance rises as the filter opens.
06
Lanes
Widen it with chorus
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Chorus to Lane 1, choose DIMENSION, and make it wide and slow.
Mode
Dimension
Rate
0.13 Hz
Depth
20%
Width
82%
Voices
3
Tone
58%
Feedback
0%
Mix
40%
07
Lanes
Finish with a room
Add a Reverb after the Chorus, keep it on ROOM and open Advanced.
Type
Room
Size
76%
Damping
15%
Decay
76%
Mix
37%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
320 Hz
Modulation
7%
08
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. Macro 3 goes on the cloud's SPREAD.
Macro 1 · Tone → Cutoff
+36%
Macro 2 · Motion → LFO 1 Rate
+20%
Macro 3 · Width → Osc 1 Spread
+28%
Macro 4 · Space → Reverb Mix
+30%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+28%
09
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Pad › Afterglow Chords and switch between the two.

Pad · Lush Ensemble

Rainbow

A slow-swelling saw pad with a breath of white noise, a filter that opens as it blooms, and a deep, wide ensemble chorus into echo and room.

10 steps · Factory preset: Pad › Rainbow (MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer)

01
Source
Start with a soft saw
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory on Saw. Lower its level and tune it a few cents sharp with FINE. It needs no Unison: the chorus does the widening later.
Morph
66.7% · Saw
Level
0.55
FINE
+7 ct
02
Source
Add a breath of noise
Click + in the group strip and choose Noise. Click its preview to choose White, keep it quiet, and set COLOR and DENSITY.
Type
White
Level
0.30
COLOR
59.7%
DENSITY
83.1%
Positive COLOR tilts the noise towards the highs, so it sits above the saw as air. DENSITY sets how often the noise picks a new value.
03
Source
Shape a slow swell
Open AMP ENV for a slow attack, a short decay to a lower sustain, and a long release so chords melt into each other.
Attack
1.564 s
Decay
0.278 s
Sustain
0.40
Release
1.389 s
04
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter. Keep it low-pass with a low cutoff and a little resonance; the envelope in the next step opens it as each chord blooms.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
721 Hz
Resonance
20.5%
05
Motion
Let the filter bloom
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 a slow rise and a long fall, then click ASSIGN and right-drag the filter Cutoff up to +24%.
Attack
0.837 s
Decay
2.221 s
Sustain
0.25
Release
1.165 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+24%
Cutoff routes are scaled in pitch. At +24% the envelope lifts the filter almost two octaves at its peak, then lets it settle about half an octave above 721 Hz while you hold the chord.
06
Lanes
Add the ensemble chorus
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Chorus to Lane 1, choose Ensemble, and push Depth, Width and Feedback high. Then expand Advanced for a smooth, drifting motion.
Mode
Ensemble
Rate
1.05 Hz
Depth
79%
Width
93%
Voices
3
Tone
73%
Feedback
91%
Mix
61%
Delay
0 ms
Low Cut
20 Hz
Shape
Smooth
Drift
73%
The high Feedback is what makes this chorus shimmer. Lower it for a plainer, wider pad.
07
Lanes
Add stereo echoes
Add a Stereo Delay after the Chorus, sync both sides to tempo, and give the right side a long 1/2 echo.
Sync
On · both sides
Left
1/4
Right
1/2
Feedback
35% · 35%
Mix
30% · 30%
Tone
100%
Link
Off
08
Lanes
Finish with a room
Add a Reverb after the Stereo Delay. Its default settings are exactly what Rainbow uses.
Type
Room
Size
55%
Damping
35%
Decay
85%
Mix
30%
09
Perform
Map the macros
In Perform, click the small circle beside each macro to arm it, then right-drag its destination as you did with MOD ENV 1. With every macro at zero, the sound stays exactly as you built it.
Macro 1 · Brightness → Cutoff
+25%
Macro 2 · Air → Osc 2 Level
+30%
Macro 3 · Chorus → Chorus Mix
+30%
Macro 4 · Space → Reverb Mix
+35%
10
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Pad › Rainbow and switch between the two.

Arp 2 tutorials

Arp · Major Trance

Arp Dream Major

An uplifting trance arpeggio: an 11-voice Harmonic Cloud over a soft body, a plucky filter envelope and a slow free-running sweep, rolling 1-2-3-4 through the major scale with accents, into drive, dotted echoes and a plate.

12 steps · Factory preset: Arp › Arp Dream Major

01
Source
Start with a wide cloud
Click + in the group strip and choose Harmonic Cloud, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with (its actions menu …, Remove). Give the cloud eleven voices and a wide spread.
Style
CLASSIC
Voices
11
Detune
24.2 ct
Spread
88%
Focus
60%
Drift
8%
Tone
55%
Level
0.27
02
Source
Add a soft body
Click + and choose Wave Factory. Set it between Sine and Triangle, an octave down and in tune.
Morph
16%
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.22
03
Source
Shape short notes
Open AMP ENV for a fast attack, a short decay to a low sustain and a short release, with SMOOTH. Set the group level and MASTER.
Attack
0.003 s
Decay
0.31 s
Sustain
0.10
Release
0.28 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
−1.5 dB
04
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass around 840 Hz.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
842 Hz
Resonance
12%
05
Motion
Pluck the filter
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Make MOD ENV 1 fast and short, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +34%.
Attack
0.002 s
Decay
0.28 s
Sustain
0
Release
0.24 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+34%
06
Motion
Add a slow sweep
Click + ADD MODULATOR again and choose Add LFO. Make LFO 1 a slow sine in FREE RUN. Arm it, right-drag Cutoff downward to −48%, and right-drag the cloud's DETUNE up to +63.2%.
Shape
SINE
Mode
FREE RUN
Timing
HZ
Rate
0.18 Hz
LFO 1 → Cutoff
−48%
LFO 1 → Osc 1 Detune
+63.2%
Free Run keeps the LFO moving across notes. Over each 5.5-second cycle the arpeggio darkens as the cloud detunes wider, then brightens as it pulls together.
07
Perform
Program the arpeggiator
In Perform, switch on the ARPEGGIATOR, keep MAJOR and set the gate. Click CLEAR, then click one cell per step so the line runs 1-2-3-4-3-2 and repeats. Right-drag the steps to accent each beat: 100%, 72%, 84%, 72%.
Steps
16
Rate
1/16
Sync
HOST
Scale
MAJOR
Rows
4
Gate
76%
Row 1
Steps 1 · 7 · 13
Row 2
Steps 2 · 6 · 8 · 12 · 14
Row 3
Steps 3 · 5 · 9 · 11 · 15
Row 4
Steps 4 · 10 · 16
Velocity
100 · 72 · 84 · 72% each beat
The six-note line runs against the four-step beat, so the accents land on a different note each time: that is the rolling trance feel.
08
Lanes
Warm it with drive
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Drive to Lane 1 and mix in about a third.
Drive
14%
Tone
62%
Level
−0.5 dB
Mix
34%
09
Lanes
Add dotted echoes
Add a Delay after the Drive, choose PING-PONG and sync it to a dotted eighth.
Mode
PING-PONG
Sync
On
Division
1/8D
Feedback
24%
Tone
62%
Mix
14%
10
Lanes
Finish with a plate
Add a Reverb after the Delay, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
52%
Damping
62%
Decay
52%
Mix
13%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
240 Hz
Modulation
7%
11
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
Arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 2, right-drag MOD ENV 1's DECAY downward.
Macro 1 · Tone → Cutoff
+34%
Macro 2 · Gate → MOD ENV 1 Decay
−24%
Macro 3 · Width → Osc 1 Level
+12.7%
Macro 4 · Echo → Delay Mix
+28%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+28%
12
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Arp › Arp Dream Major and switch between the two.

Arp · Natural Minor

Arp Midnight Minor

A dark melodic-house arpeggio: an 8-bit wavetable with gentle unison over a sine an octave down, through a very low band-pass each note briefly opens; an offbeat minor pattern into soft drive, dotted echoes and a plate.

11 steps · Factory preset: Arp › Arp Midnight Minor

01
Source
Start with an 8-bit wavetable
Click + in the group strip and choose Wavetable, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with (its actions menu …, Remove). Click the wavetable's graph, pick DIGITAL 8-BIT and click USE. Enable a small UNISON.
Table
DIGITAL 8-BIT
Position
24%
Warp
−5%
Level
0.50
Unison voices
3
Detune
5 ct
Spread
64%
02
Source
Add a sine body
Click + and choose Wave Factory. Make it a pure Sine an octave down, in tune and quiet.
Morph
0% · Sine
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.23
03
Source
Shape short notes
Open AMP ENV for a fast attack, a short decay to a low sustain and a short release, with SMOOTH. Set the group level and MASTER.
Attack
0.003 s
Decay
0.35 s
Sustain
0.10
Release
0.28 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
−1.5 dB
04
Source
Add a low band-pass
Click + and choose Filter. Click the response graph, choose Band-pass, and pull the cutoff all the way down.
Type
Band-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
38 Hz
Resonance
28.1%
A band-pass this low lets through only the body of each note. The envelope in the next step lifts it to about 250 Hz on every hit, and Macro 1 and the MOD wheel open it further.
05
Motion
Open it on every note
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Make MOD ENV 1 fast and short, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +34%.
Attack
0.002 s
Decay
0.28 s
Sustain
0
Release
0.24 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+34%
06
Perform
Program the arpeggiator
In Perform, switch on the ARPEGGIATOR, choose NATURAL MINOR and set the gate. Click CLEAR, then click the cells: the root row (1) on steps 4, 8, 12 and 16, and the b3 row on steps 2, 6, 10 and 14. Right-drag each played step down to 72% velocity.
Steps
16
Rate
1/16
Sync
HOST
Scale
NATURAL MINOR
Rows
4
Gate
76%
Row 1
Steps 4 · 8 · 12 · 16
Row b3
Steps 2 · 6 · 10 · 14
Velocity
72% on every played step
The lowest note you hold is the root. Every note falls on an offbeat 16th, which leaves the downbeats to your drums.
07
Lanes
Warm it with drive
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Drive to Lane 1 and mix in about a third.
Drive
17%
Tone
62%
Level
−0.5 dB
Mix
34%
08
Lanes
Add dotted echoes
Add a Delay after the Drive, choose PING-PONG and sync it to a dotted eighth.
Mode
PING-PONG
Sync
On
Division
1/8D
Feedback
24%
Tone
62%
Mix
14%
09
Lanes
Finish with a plate
Add a Reverb after the Delay, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
52%
Damping
62%
Decay
52%
Mix
13%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
240 Hz
Modulation
7%
10
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
Arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 2, right-drag MOD ENV 1's DECAY downward to shorten each note's filter blip.
Macro 1 · Tone → Cutoff
+34%
Macro 2 · Gate → MOD ENV 1 Decay
−24%
Macro 4 · Space → Delay Mix
+28%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+28%
11
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Arp › Arp Midnight Minor and switch between the two.

Sequence & Motion 2 tutorials

Sequence & Motion · Trance Gate

Dark Forest

A dark, detuned saw pulse carved into a tight 32nd-note trance-gate rhythm, with a slowly breathing resonant band-pass, gritty drive and stereo echo.

10 steps · Factory preset: Sequence & Motion › Dark Forest (MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer)

01
Source
Start with a saw an octave down
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory that starts on Saw (Morph 66.7%). Set OCT to −1, then enable Unison with three voices and keep its default Detune and Spread.
Morph
66.7% · Saw
Level
0.80
OCT
−1
Unison voices
3
Detune
12 ct
Spread
70%
02
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV for an instant attack, a short dip to a high sustain, and a medium release. Set its transient menu to SMOOTH: it gives the zero attack a 20 ms minimum, so notes start without a click.
Attack
0 s
Decay
0.265 s
Sustain
0.88
Release
0.748 s
Transient
SMOOTH
03
Source
Add a resonant band-pass filter
Click + in the group strip and choose Filter. Switch it to band-pass with a low cutoff and plenty of resonance, so only a narrow, hollow band of the saw gets through.
Type
Band-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
318 Hz
Resonance
38.8%
Scroll up over the filter graph to switch to 24 dB/oct.
04
Source
Add the trance gate
Click + again and choose Trance Gate. Set 16 steps at 1/32, synced to the host, with a very fast attack. Starting from Init, every other step is on: drag across steps 1 to 3 to join them into one long gate, then click steps 5 and 15 to switch them off.
Length
16
Rate
1/32
Sync
HOST
Depth
100%
Attack
0.2 ms
Release
12 ms
Pattern
1–3 joined · 7 · 9 · 11 · 13
Sixteen 1/32 steps last half a bar, so the rhythm repeats twice in every bar. Shift-click a step to switch it between On and Tie.
05
Motion
Let the filter breathe
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add LFO. Make LFO 1 a slow triangle in FREE RUN mode, then click ASSIGN and right-drag the filter Cutoff up to +11.2%.
Shape
TRIANGLE
Mode
FREE RUN
Timing
HZ
Rate
0.09 Hz
LFO 1 → Cutoff
+11.2%
One cycle takes about 11 seconds. Free Run keeps the LFO moving between notes, so each phrase meets the filter at a different point, up to almost an octave either side of 318 Hz.
06
Lanes
Add a phaser
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Phaser to Lane 1 with a slow rate, and keep it fully wet with two stages.
Rate
34%
Depth
50%
Feedback
50%
Mix
100%
Stages
2
07
Lanes
Drive it hard
Add a Drive after the Phaser and push it most of the way. Open Advanced, choose the Asymmetric character and raise Bias. The drive adds a lot of level, so turn MASTER at the top right of the window down to −14.2 dB.
Drive
87%
Tone
100%
Level
0 dB
Mix
100%
Character
Asymmetric
Bias
63%
MASTER
−14.2 dB
Bias only shapes the Asymmetric character.
08
Lanes
Add stereo echoes
Add a Stereo Delay after the Drive, sync both sides to tempo, and give them different divisions so the gated hits bounce between left and right.
Sync
On · both sides
Left
1/4
Right
1/8
Feedback
35% · 35%
Mix
30% · 30%
Tone
100%
Link
Off
09
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, click the small circle beside each macro to arm it, then right-drag its destinations as you did with LFO 1. Arm the MOD wheel the same way. With every macro at zero, the sound stays exactly as you built it.
Macro 1 · Smooth → Trance Gate Depth
−50%
Macro 1 · Smooth → Trance Gate Release
+30%
Macro 2 · Cutoff → Cutoff
+25%
Macro 3 · Resonance → Resonance
+30%
Macro 4 · Echo → Stereo Delay Mix
+35% · both sides
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+44.8%
Macro 1 softens the chop: fully up, a quarter of the level stays between hits and each hit fades out more slowly. Routes on the Trance Gate knobs need MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer.
10
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Sequence & Motion › Dark Forest and switch between the two.

Sequence & Motion · Trance Gate

Trance Gate Engine

A wide held chord carved into an energetic 16th-note trance gate: an 11-voice Harmonic Cloud over a soft body, a filter that steps through a sine every beat, then drive, dotted echoes and a plate.

11 steps · Factory preset: Sequence & Motion › Trance Gate Engine (MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer)

01
Source
Start with a wide cloud
Click + in the group strip and choose Harmonic Cloud, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with (its actions menu …, Remove). Give the cloud eleven tightly detuned voices.
Style
CLASSIC
Voices
11
Detune
8 ct
Spread
88%
Focus
60%
Drift
8%
Tone
55%
Level
0.27
02
Source
Add a soft body
Click + and choose Wave Factory. Set it between Sine and Triangle, an octave down and in tune.
Morph
16%
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.22
03
Source
Shape the amp envelope
Open AMP ENV: keep the default attack, then a medium decay to a high sustain and a longer release, with SMOOTH. Set the group level and MASTER.
Attack
0.01 s
Decay
0.45 s
Sustain
0.76
Release
0.72 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
−1.5 dB
04
Source
Add the group filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass around 2.5 kHz.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
2490 Hz
Resonance
12%
05
Source
Add the trance gate
Click + and choose Trance Gate. Set SYNC to NOTE, lower DEPTH and lengthen RELEASE. Starting from Init, every odd step is on: click steps 6, 8 and 16 to switch them on and step 7 to switch it off. Then right-drag steps 3, 11 and 15 down to 76%.
Steps
16
Rate
1/16
Sync
NOTE
Depth
82%
Attack
3 ms
Release
34 ms
On
1 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 13 · 15 · 16
76% level
Steps 3 · 11 · 15
NOTE restarts the pattern with each new chord, so it lines up with what you play even with the DAW stopped. Depth 82% leaves a little of the chord between the hits.
06
Motion
Step the filter through a sine
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Step Mod. Keep 8 steps synced at 1/4, and drag the bars into one sine cycle: middle, up, top, up, middle, down, bottom, down. Then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +32%.
Steps
8
Timing
BPM SYNC
Div
1/4
Direction
FORWARD
Smooth
0%
Bars
0 · +71 · +100 · +71 · 0 · −71 · −100 · −71%
STEP MOD 1 → Cutoff
+32%
DIV sets the time for the whole row, so the filter climbs and dips through the sine once every beat, in eight small steps against the gate’s 16ths.
07
Lanes
Warm it with drive
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Drive to Lane 1 and mix in about a third.
Drive
28%
Tone
58%
Level
−0.5 dB
Mix
34%
08
Lanes
Add dotted echoes
Add a Delay after the Drive, choose PING-PONG and sync it to a dotted eighth.
Mode
PING-PONG
Sync
On
Division
1/8D
Feedback
21%
Tone
58%
Mix
12%
09
Lanes
Finish with a plate
Add a Reverb after the Delay, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
52%
Damping
64%
Decay
52%
Mix
12%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
240 Hz
Modulation
7%
10
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 1, right-drag the Trance Gate's DEPTH downward.
Macro 1 · Smooth → Trance Gate Depth
−50%
Macro 2 · Tone → Cutoff
+36%
Macro 3 · Width → Cutoff
+26%
Macro 4 · Space → Reverb Mix
+28%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+28%
Fully up, Macro 1 takes the gate’s Depth from 82% down to 57%, so almost half of the chord keeps sounding between the hits. Routes on the Trance Gate knobs need MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer.
11
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Sequence & Motion › Trance Gate Engine and switch between the two.

Texture & FX 2 tutorials

Texture & FX · Shepard Riser

Endless Staircase

A Shepard-style riser: five soft near-sine layers an octave apart, slightly detuned, glide upward together while a slow envelope opens the filter, with a phaser, a plate and compression.

11 steps · Factory preset: Texture & FX › Endless Staircase (MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer)

01
Source
Make the lowest layer
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Set MORPH to 12%, a Sine with a touch of Triangle, put it two octaves down, tune it 4 cents sharp, and make it quiet.
Morph
12%
OCT
−2
FINE
+4 ct
Level
0.13
02
Source
Stack five octaves
Select the oscillator's header and press Cmd/Ctrl+D four times, selecting the newest copy each time. Then set each layer's OCT, FINE and LEVEL.
Osc 1
OCT −2 · +4 ct · 0.13
Osc 2
OCT −1 · −4 ct · 0.13
Osc 3
OCT 0 · +4 ct · 0.20
Osc 4
OCT +1 · −4 ct · 0.13
Osc 5
OCT +2 · +4 ct · 0.13
Alternating ±4 cents keeps the octaves from fusing into one tone, and the slightly louder middle layer anchors the pitch.
03
Source
Shape a long swell
Open AMP ENV for a long attack, full sustain and a long release, with SMOOTH. Five layers add up, so pull the group level well down. Set MASTER to 0 dB.
Attack
2.808 s
Decay
0.18 s
Sustain
1.00
Release
1.8 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−8.5 dB
MASTER
0 dB
04
Source
Add a dark filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass at 420 Hz.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
420 Hz
Resonance
12%
05
Motion
Open the filter as it rises
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 a long attack and full sustain, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +62%.
Attack
3.6 s
Decay
0.12 s
Sustain
1.00
Release
0.55 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+62%
06
Motion
Make the layers climb
With MOD ENV 1 still armed, right-drag OCT on oscillators 1, 2, 3 and 4 up to +96% each. Leave oscillator 5 without a route, and click ASSIGN again when you are done.
MOD ENV 1 → Osc 1–4 OCT
+96% each
A route of +96% on OCT lifts a layer almost two octaves at the envelope’s peak, gliding smoothly. OCT stops at +2, so oscillator 4 climbs one octave and oscillator 5 stays put.
07
Lanes
Add a slow phaser
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Phaser to Lane 1 with RATE all the way down and two stages, and mix it in lightly.
Rate
0%
Depth
34%
Feedback
42%
Mix
28%
Stages
2
At 0% the phaser sweeps at its slowest, one cycle in about 12 seconds.
08
Lanes
Add a plate
Add a Reverb after the Phaser, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
68%
Damping
62%
Decay
68%
Mix
18%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
440 Hz
Modulation
7%
09
Lanes
Hold the build together
Add a Compressor after the Reverb and open Advanced.
Threshold
−20 dB
Ratio
3.4:1
Attack
12 ms
Release
180 ms
Mix
72%
Makeup
0 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
10
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destinations. Macro 1 goes on both attacks: the ATTACK in AMP ENV and the one in MOD ENV 1.
Macro 1 · Rise Time → Amp Attack
+22%
Macro 1 · Rise Time → MOD ENV 1 Attack
+22%
Macro 2 · Spiral → Osc 3 OCT
+24%
Macro 3 · Brightness → Cutoff
+32%
Macro 4 · Width → Phaser Mix
+26%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+28%
Routes on the amp envelope need MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer.
11
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Texture & FX › Endless Staircase and switch between the two.

Texture & FX · Reverse Riser

Reverse Sky

A reverse-reverb riser: dark pink noise and a glassy wavetable swell in over seconds while the filter and the wavetable open, through reversed, diffused tape echoes, a long plate and compression.

10 steps · Factory preset: Texture & FX › Reverse Sky (MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer)

01
Source
Start with dark noise
Click + in the group strip and choose Noise, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with (its actions menu …, Remove). Click the noise preview to choose PINK, turn COLOR dark and lower DENSITY.
Type
Pink
COLOR
−46%
DENSITY
54%
Level
0.30
Density below 100% makes the noise slightly stepped and grainy, softer than plain hiss.
02
Source
Add a glassy wavetable
Click + and choose Wavetable. Click its graph, pick GLASS AURA and click USE. Set it an octave down, in tune and quiet.
Table
GLASS AURA
Position
18%
Warp
0%
OCT
−1
FINE
0 ct
Level
0.22
03
Source
Shape a long swell
Open AMP ENV for an attack of several seconds, full sustain and a long release, with SMOOTH. Set the group level, and MASTER to 0 dB.
Attack
3.588 s
Decay
0.18 s
Sustain
1.00
Release
1.8 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−4.5 dB
MASTER
0 dB
04
Source
Add a dark filter
Click + and choose Filter: a low-pass at 420 Hz.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
420 Hz
Resonance
12%
05
Motion
Open everything as it rises
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Give MOD ENV 1 an even longer attack and full sustain. Click ASSIGN, then right-drag Cutoff up to +74% and the wavetable's POSITION up to +52%.
Attack
4.6 s
Decay
0.12 s
Sustain
1.00
Release
0.55 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+74%
MOD ENV 1 → Osc 2 Position
+52%
Hold the note for the whole build: over four and a half seconds the filter climbs from 420 Hz to fully open while the wavetable moves through its frames.
06
Lanes
Reverse the echoes
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Delay to Lane 1 and choose TAPE. Leave sync off and set the time in milliseconds. Open Advanced, switch on REVERSE, and raise DIFFUSION and TAPS.
Mode
TAPE
Sync
Off
Time
680 ms
Feedback
42%
Tone
64%
Mix
44%
Reverse
On
Diffusion
72%
Taps
3
REVERSE plays each captured chunk backwards, so the echoes swell in instead of dying away: the reverse-reverb feel. Three taps and high diffusion blur them into a wash.
07
Lanes
Add a long plate
Add a Reverb after the Delay, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
86%
Damping
56%
Decay
76%
Mix
31%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
520 Hz
Modulation
7%
08
Lanes
Hold the build together
Add a Compressor after the Reverb and open Advanced.
Threshold
−20 dB
Ratio
3.4:1
Attack
12 ms
Release
180 ms
Mix
72%
Makeup
0 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
09
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destinations. Macro 1 goes on both attacks: the ATTACK in AMP ENV and the one in MOD ENV 1.
Macro 1 · Rise Time → Amp Attack
+22%
Macro 1 · Rise Time → MOD ENV 1 Attack
+22%
Macro 2 · Reverse → Delay Mix
+28%
Macro 3 · Brightness → Cutoff
+34%
Macro 4 · Tail → Reverb Mix
+32%
MOD wheel → Osc 2 Position
+26%
Macro 1 lengthens both envelopes together, by up to about half a second each, so the swell and the opening stay in step. Routes on the amp envelope need MaxVRS 0.9.5 or newer.
10
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Texture & FX › Reverse Sky and switch between the two.

Percussion 2 tutorials

Percussion · Synthetic Kick

Concrete Kick

A solid club kick from a single sine: a fast pitch drop from almost two octaves up, a one-shot amp envelope, a low-pass, light drive, a touch of plate and firm compression.

10 steps · Factory preset: Percussion › Concrete Kick

01
Source
Start with a low sine
Oscillator 1 is a Wave Factory. Turn MORPH to 0% for a Sine, add a trace of HARMONY, and set OCT to −2. In PHASE, choose FIXED at 0°.
Morph
0% · Sine
Harmony
3%
OCT
−2
Level
0.58
Phase
Fixed · 0°
Fixed phase starts every hit on the same point of the sine, so each kick has the same click and punch.
02
Source
Make it a one-shot
Open AMP ENV, switch on ONE SHOT and leave the transient on RAW. Set an instant attack and about half a second of decay. Set the group level, and MASTER to 0 dB.
One shot
On
Attack
0.001 s
Decay
0.46 s
Sustain
0
Release
0.24 s
Transient
RAW
Group level
−1.5 dB
MASTER
0 dB
ONE SHOT plays the attack and decay to the end, so even a very short MIDI note gives a full kick.
03
Source
Add the group filter
Click + in the group strip and choose Filter: a low-pass at 420 Hz with a little resonance.
Type
Low-pass
Slope
24 dB/oct
Cutoff
420 Hz
Resonance
18%
04
Motion
Create the pitch envelope
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Make MOD ENV 1 very short: an instant attack and a 55 ms decay to zero.
Attack
0.001 s
Decay
0.055 s
Sustain
0
Release
0.08 s
05
Motion
Drop the pitch
Click ASSIGN on MOD ENV 1, then right-drag oscillator 1's OCT up to +92% and its FINE up to +78%. Click ASSIGN again.
MOD ENV 1 → Osc 1 OCT
+92%
MOD ENV 1 → Osc 1 Fine
+78%
Each hit starts almost two octaves higher and falls to the root within about 55 milliseconds. That sweep is the punch; a slower decay sounds more like a tom or a zap.
06
Lanes
Add light drive
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Drive to Lane 1 and mix in a little under half.
Drive
28%
Tone
55%
Level
−0.7 dB
Mix
46%
07
Lanes
Add a touch of plate
Add a Reverb after the Drive, choose PLATE, open Advanced and keep the mix very low.
Type
Plate
Size
34%
Damping
70%
Decay
45%
Mix
4%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
240 Hz
Modulation
7%
Low Cut keeps the sub out of the reverb, so the plate adds a little room without blurring the low end.
08
Lanes
Compress the hit
Add a Compressor after the Reverb with a fast attack and release, and open Advanced.
Threshold
−22 dB
Ratio
3.8:1
Attack
3 ms
Release
80 ms
Mix
76%
Makeup
0 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
09
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 2, right-drag MOD ENV 1's DECAY downward: a shorter pitch drop gives a tighter, clickier hit.
Macro 1 · Weight → Osc 1 Level
+28%
Macro 2 · Click → MOD ENV 1 Decay
−24%
Macro 3 · Decay → Cutoff
+30%
Macro 4 · Drive → Drive amount
+26%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+22%
10
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Percussion › Concrete Kick and switch between the two.

Percussion · Electronic Hats

Neon Hats

A bright electronic hat from white noise: a resonant band-pass high up, a one-shot snap, a filter flick on every hit, light drive, a small plate and compression.

9 steps · Factory preset: Percussion › Neon Hats

01
Source
Start with bright noise
Click + in the group strip and choose Noise, then remove the Wave Factory that INIT starts with (its actions menu …, Remove). Keep it WHITE, turn COLOR bright and lower DENSITY.
Type
White
COLOR
+72%
DENSITY
46%
Level
0.38
Positive COLOR tilts the noise towards the highs. Density below 100% gives it a grainy, stepped edge.
02
Source
Make it a one-shot
Open AMP ENV, switch on ONE SHOT and choose SMOOTH. Set an instant attack and a short decay. Set the group level, and MASTER to 0 dB.
One shot
On
Attack
0.001 s
Decay
0.12 s
Sustain
0
Release
0.09 s
Transient
SMOOTH
Group level
−1.5 dB
MASTER
0 dB
03
Source
Add a high band-pass
Click + and choose Filter. Click the response graph, choose Band-pass, and keep the 12 dB/oct slope.
Type
Band-pass
Slope
12 dB/oct
Cutoff
6790 Hz
Resonance
26.6%
The band-pass keeps a band around 6.8 kHz: no lows and no harsh top. That resonant band is the hat’s metallic ring.
04
Motion
Flick the filter
In Motion, click + ADD MODULATOR and choose Add Envelope. Make MOD ENV 1 fast and short, then click ASSIGN and right-drag Cutoff up to +34%.
Attack
0.001 s
Decay
0.11 s
Sustain
0
Release
0.08 s
MOD ENV 1 → Cutoff
+34%
Each hit starts with the band pushed to the top of the range and slides back down to 6.8 kHz, for a bright, crisp tick.
05
Lanes
Add light drive
The group already outputs to Lane 1. Add a Drive to Lane 1 and mix in a little under half.
Drive
18%
Tone
55%
Level
−0.7 dB
Mix
46%
06
Lanes
Add a small plate
Add a Reverb after the Drive, choose PLATE and open Advanced.
Type
Plate
Size
34%
Damping
70%
Decay
45%
Mix
11%
Pre-delay
18 ms
Diffusion
72%
Width
92%
Low Cut
240 Hz
Modulation
7%
07
Lanes
Compress the hits
Add a Compressor after the Reverb with a fast attack and release, and open Advanced.
Threshold
−22 dB
Ratio
3.8:1
Attack
3 ms
Release
80 ms
Mix
76%
Makeup
0 dB
Knee
6 dB
Detector
RMS
Det HPF
75 Hz
Auto release
AUTO
08
Perform
Map macros and the MOD wheel
In Perform, arm each macro with the small circle beside it and right-drag its destination. For Macro 2, right-drag MOD ENV 1's DECAY downward for a shorter, tighter flick.
Macro 1 · Tone → Cutoff
+28%
Macro 2 · Metal → MOD ENV 1 Decay
−24%
Macro 3 · Decay → Cutoff
+30%
Macro 4 · Air → Drive amount
+26%
MOD wheel → Cutoff
+22%
09
Presets
Save your preset
Open the preset library and choose SAVE AS to keep your version in the User collection. To compare, load Factory › Percussion › Neon Hats and switch between the two.

More tutorials are on the way. Tell us which sound you would like to learn next.

How to createa preset.

Knob gestures

Presets

Bass 2 tutorials

Acid Underpass

Shape the main oscillator

Add a sine sub

Shape the amp envelope

Add a resonant filter

Slide between notes

Create the filter envelope

Route the envelope to Cutoff

Drive it

Add a short echo

Map macros and the MOD wheel

Save your preset

Midnight Reese

Detune the first oscillator

Mirror it on the other side

Add a steady sub

Shape the amp envelope

Add the group filter

Let the pitch drift

Hold it together

Add a dark chorus

Map macros and the MOD wheel

Save your preset

Lead 2 tutorials

Detuned Trance

Start with a saw stack

Add a second, wider stack

Shape the amp envelope

Add the group filter

Create the filter envelope

Route the envelope to Cutoff with right-drag

Add the pitch zap

Add stereo echoes

Finish with a large hall

Map macros and the MOD wheel

Save your preset

Vector Arc

Make a silent modulator

Add the crystal wavetable

Phase-modulate the wavetable

Add a soft triangle

Shape the amp envelope

Add the group filter

Sweep the wavetable

Add a hint of grit

Add long ping-pong echoes

Even it out

Finish with a large hall

Map macros and the MOD wheel

Save your preset

Pluck 2 tutorials

Coastal Steps

Shape a soft triangle

Add a rounded layer below

Shape the pluck

Add the group filter

Open the filter on every note

Add a slow chorus

Crush it

Add triplet echoes

Finish with a plate

Map macros and the MOD wheel

Save your preset

Psy Crystal

Make a silent modulator

Add the carrier

Phase-modulate it hard

Add a vowel whisper

Shape a tight pluck

Add the group filter

Snap the filter shut

Drive it hard

Add ping-pong echoes

Compress the hits

Map macros and the MOD wheel

Save your preset

How to create
a preset.