How to Make an NI Massive Harlem Shake Synth

Presented in a unique multi-part approach, this easy to follow video tutorial shows how to make your own NI Massive Harlem Shake synth. First, you learn how to make a simpel hoover rise up synth. Then comes the details on how to transform that basic synth into the sound that has the entire internet dancing like crazy people. Lastly, you can see and hear the finished patch in action. This type of synth is able to be used in a number of different ways, and you should really experiment with different modulation assignments and wavetables to create some of your own new sounds.

Starting out with the basic synth, this NI Massive Harlem Shake synth has its roots in a very simple sound. A Square-Saw I wavetable is loaded into OSC2. A Modulation Envelope is set up and assigned to modulate the Pitch of OSC1. It’s the lack of attack and a slightly shorter decay time in the envelope curve that give this sound it’s unique pitch bend.

Not to change this simple sound into out NI Massive Harlem Shake synth. First the wavetable loaded into OSC1 is changed to a Square-Saw II, which has a slightly different harmonic profile. Then a HP LP Filter Insert Effect is added. Since there are no filters loaded into the filter panel, there is no need fo rus to be concerned with the insert effect’s routing. The HP LP Filter helps shape the sound a bit by rounding off the highest frequencies. A Flanger+ effect is loaded into the FX1 tab, which provides a deep stereo pan movement. A Small Reverb is loaded into the FX2 tab to give the sound some space to move around in. And the EQ is used to attenuate the low end a bit while accenting some higher frequencies to brightening things up a bit.

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