Ableton Forum

what's the best use of effects to create a rising crescendo, building to a mash-up before dropping back down again?. I need it for a chord pattern, and am not getting required result. Do i need an external plug-in to get it reeeel good?

There are literally thousands of different ways to achieve this kind of effect mate, but in general, I think you'll find it's usually more about how you layer and/or program your source material than it is about combining chains of effects on an existing sound.

Arranging a buildup is not really any different to arranging any other part of a track. If the basic idea is to go from soft to loud, empty to busy, deep to high, then look at structuring the different parts accordingly. A lot of the stuff you hear at the end of classic buildups is a matter programming relevant sounds to repeat faster and faster, layering more and more sounds into the mix and having at least some of the sounds climb in pitch over the duration.

Adding new layers specifically for the buildup is not uncommon either. Try layering in some white noise (or similar) over the length of the buildup that starts softly, but gradually increases in both volume and pitch until the tune drops. Apply some filter and/or modulation effects to give it a bit of flavour, and you've got the basis of a buildup to work with.

Hope this helps!

Perhaps try the looper with too much feedback and effects inserted in the feedback loop. You could set the loop length to match your chord progression.