Download the Free Ableton Project File for This Video:
https://warpacademy.com/get-trash-2-ableton-project-template/
Buy iZotope Trash 2: https://www.izotope.com/en/products/trash.html
Take our Free xFer Serum Course: https://warpacademy.com/store/sound-design-secrets-in-serum/
Learn FM Synthesis with the FM Synthesis Masterclass by Dan Larsson: https://warpacademy.com/store/fm-synthesis-masterclass/
In this tutorial video, Dan Larsson shows off some of the power features of iZotope’s Trash 2 distortion plugin. You’ll hear 3 examples of how to use distortion in sound design for neuro-style drum & bass.
Multiband Distortion
In the first example, you’ll see how Trash 2 can apply distortion to multiple bands. Using some of the drive and saturate algorithms, Dan adds some nasty grit to the mids and highs of a bassline from FM8.
This is a useful technique when you only want to target specific frequencies with distortion, or if you want to use different distortion styles on each band. You get individual pre-amp, drive, mix, and output gain controls for each band, as well as a basic high and low shelving EQ for each stage of distortion. There’s an unreal amount of control you can flex with Trash 2.
The Filter 1 module is also being used, before the Trash distortion module, to push up specific frequencies using a low shelf and bell-shaped EQ nodes. This will add more distortion at those particular target frequencies, because they have a higher input gain into the Trash module.
Adding Space & Texture to a Growl Using the Convolve Module
Next up, you’ll see how to process a neuro bass growl from FM8 using the Trash 2 Filter and Convolve modules. This adds a professional-sounding touch to the synth, enhancing it with some presence and ambience.
Dan uses the Filter 1 module to dramatically boost up the upper mids and highs. Then the Convolve module is set up with the Intimate algorithm. The entire signal is run in parallel, by using the master Wet / Dry slider to adjust the amount of the effect to taste.
If you’re feeling experimental, you can add in your own sounds as .wav or .aiff files from the Convolve browser. This will use the imported audio file as a source that Trash will use to process the track it’s applied to and texturize the sound accordingly. This can be hit or miss, with mixed results, so have fun and give it a shot.
Creating a Modulated Bass Donk Using Filter 2 With an Envelope Follower
Finally, you’ll see how to create a Noisia-style bass donk using a lowpass filter and the Envelope Follower modulator in Trash 2. This setup is used on a harmonically rich bass from Serum that has a lot of top end.
Dan modulates the filter using the envelope follower so that the top end is only there on the transient of the bass, then is quickly lowpassed for the body of the bass. This creates a very punchy, clean and percussive bass stab.
Wrap Up
Thanks for tuning in! We hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to use distortion in neuro drum & bass sound design with iZotope’s Trash 2 distortion plugin. We hope you check out Trash 2 and start using it in your music today.
Download the Free Ableton Project File for This Video: https://warpacademy.com/get-trash-2-ableton-project-template/
Buy iZotope Trash 2: https://www.izotope.com/en/products/trash.html
Take our Free xFer Serum Course: https://warpacademy.com/store/sound-design-secrets-in-serum/
Learn FM Synthesis with the FM Synthesis Masterclass by Dan Larsson: https://warpacademy.com/store/fm-synthesis-masterclass/
