In this screech tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a classic hardstyle screech from scratch using Sylenth1 in FL Studio. We’ll break down the essential steps and techniques to build one of the most iconic sounds in hardstyle music.
Struggling to make the right sounds? Start with Synthesizer Explained, a speed course.
What is a hoover screech?
Hardstyle screeches come in many shapes, but one of the most recognizable types is the hoover screech. This sound has been a staple in countless hardstyle tracks and is an excellent starting point for anyone learning to design screeches.
A hoover screech typically features a rich, detuned sound with a pitch envelope. It often mimics the rising or falling pitch of a braking car. The tires scratching over the road’s surface create that aggressive, gritty, tearing noise.
Hardstyle screech tutorial: how to make a hoover sound
To create a hoover screech, you’ll need a synthesizer that supports multiple saw voices. In this tutorial, we use Sylenth1, a favorite among producers for its powerful and clean sound engine.
- Start with saw waves: Load Sylenth1 and set the oscillators to 6 to 8 saw voices per oscillator.
- Detune the oscillators: Use the detune knobs to push the voices out of tune. Don’t be afraid to go heavy here. This detuning is what gives the screech that wide, screaming texture.
Add pitch movement to your hardstyle screech
A key part of a hoover screech is the pitch slope. To achieve this, apply a pitch envelope inside Sylenth1. This envelope alters the pitch over time, giving the screech its signature rise or fall.
You can also introduce an LFO to modulate the pitch. A fast LFO rate can add interesting movement and energy to the sound. Try combining the pitch envelope with LFO modulation for more dynamic results.
Processing the hardstyle screech
Once the raw screech is designed, route it to a mixer track in FL Studio. This is where you’ll shape the final tone with effects.
- EQ: Use an equalizer like FabFilter Pro-Q to cut unwanted low frequencies and balance the overall sound.
- Distortion: Add aggression with distortion plugins like iZotope Trash or Fruity Fast Dist to overload the sound.
Effect processing is a creative process. Feel free to experiment with different combinations until your hardstyle screech feels right. Tweak the synth, revisit the pitch settings, and play with effect chains. This part is all about trial and error.
Plugins used in this hardstyle screech tutorial
In this screech tutorial, we have used the following plugins:
- Sylenth1: main synthesizer for sound design
- FabFilter Pro-Q: equalizer for tonal shaping
- iZotope Trash: multi-band distortion
- Fruity Fast Dist: lightweight distortion from FL Studio
It really doesn’t matter which plugins you use. Just work with the ones you’re comfortable with. The sound design principles stay the same.
More hardstyle screech tutorials
This tutorial is just the beginning. If you’re serious about mastering hardstyle screech design, check out the Screech page on this site for more in-depth guides and core techniques.
Your ticket to creative freedom
But every screech, and every hardstyle sound, starts with the synthesizer. Mastering how it works is non-negotiable.
That’s why in Synthesizer Explained, I break down every key function so you can skip the tech confusion and focus on making hard-hitting screeches.
Start now by clicking the link to unlock your synth for complete creative freedom.