Massive Tutorials
Harmony, Rhythm and Atmosphere with OhmLab - Part 2 (of 10)
The Second in a 10 part series of tutorials by ΩhmLab using NI Massive exclusively to create every component of a complete song.
Part 1: Creating a unique background element with NI Massive
Over to Chris…
Welcome back to the second installment of this fun series where we are learning how to create a song using nothing but self-created sounds in Massive. Music is somehow much more satisfying to produce when it is all from scratch, and you learn so much more about the programs this way, too.
This time around, we will be making a slightly atmospheric and quiet bass piece that will be able to provide a little harmony and rhythm at the same time. This is not going to be a lead element by any means so do not be alarmed as the instrument you create becomes quieter as you follow along with this tutorial. Letʼs start by selecting a waveform from the OSC 1 panel. I have picked one called Deep Throat, as you can see below.
Now letʼs move to the MODULATION OSC panel and pick a mode and assign it to an oscillator. I have selected Phase mode and assigned it to OSC 1, as this is where our sound is originating from. I also adjusted the Pitch count up to 12.00.
Next we can choose some inserts to start manipulating our sound. Starting with the INSERT 1 panel, I chose Sample & Hold and for the INSERT 2 panel I chose Simple Delay.
Now go up and add some Filters. Starting with the FILTER 1 panel, I have added the Daft filter. Moving now to FILTER 2 panel, I chose to go with the Comb filter.
Alright. Now that we have a better idea of where this sound is starting to head, we can add the basic effects. Go over to the right and start at the FX 1 tab located below the master volume panel. I started with Dimension Expander and then selected Chorus Ensemble from the FX 2 tab.
I then decided to round it out a bit by making some small adjustments on the EQ tab, just to the right of the FX tabs. Make sure you activate this before moving on so your changes are applied.
Now we that weʼve built a base, we can begin to have some fun! This is where the real changes happen. Letʼs check in on the VOICING tab first. I went ahead and made the following selections before moving on. First I clicked the Monorotate box, followed by the Legato Triller box, I turned on Pitch Cutoff, as well as Wavetable Position and Pan Position and then adjusted the corresponding sliders. The last change I made was to click on the Chord box on the far right. Remember that this is just the first stab at this, so donʼt worry if your settings are not exactly like what you see in the image below.
The next stop is the 1Env tab. Here I adjusted several of the knobs to create a better feel to the sound and set the Morph drop down menus to 13 and 5 respectively.
Now click on the 8STEP tab, so we can create a rhythmic element to this sound. Click on the Sync box and set the Ratio to 1 over 8. Adjust the Amp Mod and Glide Mod sliders a bit and set a pattern into the Stepper.
Now that we have all of this done, we can finally get this sounding the way we want. Or at least a little closer, as it always changes again towards the end of the project once the other sounds in the song come into play. And since we donʼt know what the rest of the instruments even sound like yet, just keep an open mind as to what direction you head in next. Everyone’s tastes and interests vary, at least a little.
Letʼs add the Envelope we created as well as the Stepper settings to some of the other parameters controlling this sound we just made. Do not worry if you hear drastic changes immediately, this is normal! I first applied the 1Env effect to the Wt-position knob on the OSC 1 panel. Then I added both the 1Env and 8STEP effects to the FILTER 1 and FILTER 2 panels.
Download the preset for this sound here!
That wraps up this second part of the tutorial. Thanks again for joining us. We will see you again soon for part three, where we will begin building the main parts of the song!
Cheers!
ΩhmLab
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More about Chris / ΩhmLab
With more than 20 years of experience making music and building communities backing the OhmLab project, you can be sure you will find something that fits your current and future projects alike.
With a unique approach to low cost royalty-free licensing and music production, OhmLab sets itself apart from the rest of the pack by consistently releasing high quality audio for the masses that is original, useful and constantly pushing the boundaries of the norm. OhmLab also offers a range of sound design and post production services including pod casting, custom environments, sound effects, field recordings, samples, loops and much much more. The OhmLab project is also well known for it’s ongoing Artist Profile interview series featuring talented musicians from all around the world, helping to grow the community of independent artists on a global scale. You can learn more about OhmLab and keep up with all the latest buzz by visiting some of the links included below.
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