Producers used Dummy Clips —clips containing only automation for effects like Wash-out (reverb/delay) or Pitch-bend—to create massive rises without touching the original MIDI or audio.
Producers would create a basic saw or square wave in Operator or NI Massive , then run it through a brutal chain of Overdrive , Erosion , and the Cabinet effect. Drum Bass 2012 In Ableton Live
A typical rack featured a "thump" kick (often synthesized in Operator) layered with a high-passed acoustic break (like the Amen or Think break) for texture. Drum Bass 2012 In Ableton Live
In 2012, the "loudness wars" were in full swing. To get that snappy, competitive sound, producers moved away from just using a single loop. Drum Bass 2012 In Ableton Live