Blackout is a preset pack for Serum with 101 presets, MIDI files, and wavetables, designed for dark, ethnic-inspired sounds in Trap, Drill, and Hip-Hop productions.
What It Offers
Blackout is a sound pack built for Xfer Serum, containing 101 premium presets, custom wavetables, and MIDI files. It emphasizes dark, sinister vibes and ethnic melodies, making it suitable for urban music styles like Trap, Drill, and Hip-Hop. The pack includes instruments created from scratch using the included wavetables, often featuring mangled sitar-like or koto-inspired plucks.
The preset collection spans 808 basses—clean, tuned, or distorted—plus phat basslines, dramatic chord layers, broken-sounding keys, massive leads, plucks, and menacing pads. This variety allows producers to build complete arrangements without additional sound design, while the MIDI files accelerate workflow by providing ready-to-use melodic ideas.
Key Capabilities
The wavetables are integral to Blackout’s unique character, enabling ethnic-sounding instruments that stand out in modern productions. The presets are optimized for creating haunting atmospheres, with enough flexibility to shape sounds for different tracks. The bass presets range from warm and clean to dirty and distorted, covering both sub-heavy and aggressive styles.
For melody-driven tracks, the dramatic chords and broken keys add emotional depth, while the leads and plucks bring energy to club-oriented sections. Pads are designed to be menacing and deep, providing a foundation for darker compositions. The MIDI files complement the presets, offering patterns that fit the intended vibe and help producers quickly generate song ideas.
Workflow and Use
In practical use, Blackout streamlines beat-making by combining sounds and pre-written MIDI. Producers can drag MIDI files into their DAW, load a Serum preset, and immediately have a dark, ethnic-inspired melody or bassline. This approach is especially helpful for those seeking a fast turnaround, as it reduces time spent on sound selection and arrangement.
The pack is flexible enough to be used beyond its primary genres. While it is tailored for Trap, Drill, and Hip-Hop, the text suggests it can inspire tracks reminiscent of artists like Post Malone or Jaden Smith, hinting at cross-genre potential. Producers can layer presets, tweak parameters, and integrate them into any project that calls for sinister or ethnic tones.
Practical Applications
Blackout is ideal for producers aiming to create dark, atmospheric beats, especially in Trap, Drill, or Hip-Hop. The 808 basses are well-suited for heavy, club-oriented drops, while the melodic presets work for hooks and emotional bridges. The ethnic wavetables help craft distinctive sounds that differ from generic synth presets, giving tracks a unique identity.
The MIDI files serve as a starting point for songwriting, enabling quick mock-ups and idea generation. Because the pack has no strict boundaries, it can also be used for experimental production or soundtrack work needing sinister textures. However, ownership of Serum is required, as the presets are not standalone instruments.
Key features
- 101 Serum presets covering basses, leads, plucks, pads, and keys
- Custom wavetables for ethnic and sinister sound design
- Included MIDI files for rapid workflow and melodic ideas
- 808 basses in clean, tuned, and distorted variations
- Suitable for Trap, Drill, Hip-Hop, and similar urban styles
- Presets designed to inspire dark, moody compositions
Best for
Producers using Serum who want to quickly craft dark, ethnic-inspired Trap or Hip-Hop beats with ready-made bass, melodic presets, and MIDI patterns, without extensive sound design work.