Getting creative with sequences in NI Massive

Many people use 1 instance of NI Massive as a synth to create one part of a track, be that a bass or a stab or perhaps a lead line.

It is possible however to create a couple of pieces of a track within 1 instance of Massive!

For example using only 1 OSC, 1 filter and the noise module we can start to program several components of a track at one time, like this:

Now although this sounds fairly basic, I’m hoping that this knowledge will unlock doors for you to get creative and start experimenting.

A couple of weeks ago i talked you through the Bypass function in Massive – with that knowledge do you think you could now use 1 instance of Massive, and one OSC to create a kick drum, another to create a bassline and the noise module to create the hats?

Interesting isn’t it! So going back to my sequence above – let’s make it.

The OSC
The OSC in this instance creates the kick drum.

We only need 1 OSC, so turn of the other 2 for now and set it up as such.

Firstly set the OSC to -36 (i’m playing a C1 in my example) and we want to set up MOD 6 as a performer mod and set it to +50 on the pitch. This means the pattern we create in MOD 6 will create our kick pattern. I’ve chosen a 4/4 beat here, but you can go to town on the pattern to suit your style.

Now we want to set up the kick pattern. Choose MOD 6 and set up like so:

The Noise module

To create the groove we want to add in a hat – now again, you can choose whichever noise type you want and mess around with the color. If you haven’t already now might be a good time to have a look over the hi hat pattern tutorial

As you can see the AMP is controlled by MOD 8, which as i’m sure you have guessed will control the pattern of the hats!

Set up MOD8 like so:

The Inserts
Next we are going to add an insert – we only need 1.
We’re going to use the clip setting, and set up like so:

You should be familiar with the Inserts now after my walk through the other week! As you can see it’s all starting to come together and you should be starting to understand what does what within the synth.

Make sure the routing is set up like so

So in this case we are making sure the effect happens before the filter.

Hit play on your keyboard and you should start to hear something along the lines of my example at the beginning. As i mentioned to you at the start of this tutorial things should start unlocking in terms of what is possible with Massive. Coupled with the knowledge of the routing tab including the bypass function you should be able to start making some very interesting sounds and sequences.

Things to try

1) Set up one of the filters to a comb filter – set the pitch to 12o’clock and the feedback to 7. Now play your sound and move the feedback up – Nice ! Perhaps try moving the pitch backwards whilst the feedback is open…

2) Try using the bypass function and one of the filters to sit the kick and bassline apart.
You could with a bit of thought pseudo side chain the bass and kick within Massive with a performer – any thoughts on how you could do that 😉

If you have time I’d love to hear what you end up making with this tutorial – perhaps you could post a link to an mp3/soundcloud player in the comments for others to hear how creative you can get!