How's it going guys.

  I was wondering what you think about build ups in most electronic music.

  Is there a better and more subtle way to create/increase tension towards the climax/drop without using the standardized build up snares?

  If so then what are some examples and tips?
 
  Thanks for reading and keep on producing!

Most DAWs have an FM synth of some sort. Set your output operator a few octaves (I usually go 3). Make an X bar long midi note for your buildup. Turn on another operator and route it into the first one. Set two automations: One for the amplitude of the modulating operator, the other for the ratio or frequency of the modulating operator (I've seen this work best with ones that have a single numbered ratio/Hz option like Sytrus and FM8, it's possible but takes some extra work with Operator) in one of the finer increments (hundredths, thousands, ten thousandths). Then increase both over the length of the bar. Mess with the curves and times and you've got yourself a pretty trippy riser!

I use ableton, but the concept works the same across all DAWs. You can see how it works with Sytrus in FL Studio at in the opening minutes of this video by SeamlessR.

Lazers, Pew, pew pew, pew pew pew while increasing the pitch

Beyond risers/sweeps/noises, percussion is extremely effective in creating in energy in a build up. Look at https://soundcloud.com/latium-entertainment/magic-rude-zedd-remix. In the intro, he's using 2 risers but a lot of the energy and movement is coming from the percussion. Even before the risers come in, there's forward motion in the track. Snares are commonly used but hats, adding kicks, and toms can be equally important. I like to mess with percussion velocity which is another great way to create energy in the build up.

I usually suck at build ups so i won't be much of a help except for: Lots of fx automations, and automating your presets, but then that might just be my way of compensating for my lack of other ideas :-) I'm not a huge fan of sirens and cheesy uplifters so I always try a way around it.

I usually suck at build ups so i won't be much of a help except for: Lots of fx automations, and automating your presets, but then that might just be my way of compensating for my lack of other ideas :-) I'm not a huge fan of sirens and cheesy uplifters so I always try a way around it.

Automation of sounds, filters, reverb, etc are all excellent ways to make build ups. Just a word of caution this can really be overdone, then the build up seems overly forced.


Also since we're on the topic of build ups, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEDXYa9qk9w&t=2m52s has to be the most ridiculous build up of all time.

Silence can be a really effective tool for tension. 

Second this. Silence before the drop makes the drop more impactful.