Making an NI Massive Gated Trance Synth

Sometimes what you need is a really flexible synth that can span the range from pluck to pad, and this NI Massive gated Trance synth is one of those sounds. Once you get done following along with this lesson and have successfully recreated the patch, try experimenting with some different filters and even with different rhythmic patterns within the Stepper or Performer to create the gating effect rather then an envelope. There are many ways you can start to transform this sound into your very own and make it a perfect match for your next project!

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It starts out with a Sawtooth loaded into all three main oscillators. The pitch value of OSC1 is dropped one octave, while OSC2 and OSC3 both have their pitch values offset slightly to create gentle phasing and provide more width to this NI Massive gated Trance synth. Next stop is the Voicing tab, where the total number of Unison Voices is increased to four. (Pay no attention to his explanation of voicing, as I think he was a bit confused.) Then these voices are spread out via the Pitch Cutoff and Pan Position features, adding even more width and more phasing.

A Daft filter is loaded into the Filter1 panel and a modulation envelope is set up with a short attack and assigned to control the Cutoff parameter of the filter. Then an LFO, running a Sawtooth waveform, is set up and assigned to modulate the Cutoff parameter as well. This is what gives our NI Massive gated Trance synth it’s rhythmic character. Finally, a Macro Control is set up  to provide control over the delivery of our sound, allowing it to move between a pluck and a pad. You may want to try assigning the Macro control to the Decay Volume and Release parameters of the modulation envelope, as well as what is shown in the video.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,
OhmLab