Deconstructing Hit Songs: Transition FX

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The following mini course focuses on how to create the types of sounds that are typically used for transitioning from one section to another during a song arrangement. We'll look at “risers” (synth sounds or samples that rise or drop in pitch over a period of time), “sweeps” (these can range from basic white noise run through a low pass or high pass filter that is being slowly modulated, or applying a similar filter sweep to other elements in the song), “swells” (sounds that build to a crescendo right before the first beat of another section... typically reversed cymbals, reversed sweeps, reverb that has been resampled and reversed, and volume envelopes and volume automation are often utilized). We'll build these sounds from scratch.


Lesson topics include:

  • What are Transition Sounds?
  • Risers
  • Sweeps
  • Swells
  • Resampling the Transition Sounds


Your Instructor


Thavius Beck
Thavius Beck

Thavius Beck is an electronic musician, producer and performer that's worked with countless musicians including Nine Inch Nails, Skylar Grey, Saul Williams, The Mars Volta and many more. Thavius is an Ableton Live Certified Trainer and has instructed hundreds of Live students through teaching courses at several music institutes, giving one-on-one lessons and holding dozens of Ableton Live workshops throughout the country.


Frequently Asked Questions


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