Massive Tutorials
Synth Creation From Scratch in NI Massive with OhmLab - Part 3 (of 10)
The Third 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
Part 2: Harmony, Rhythm with atmosphere
Over to Chris…
Thank you for joining us for the third installment of this fun series where we are building a song entirely out of sounds that are being created from scratch within Massive.
So far we have created a quirky little background element and a subtle bass element, both of which are being driven by the stepper to generate the tonal rhythmic sounds that will provide us with a unique feel to this project.
This time around we will be building a bigger piece of the song, a nice gentle synth sound that will utilize some of Massiveʼs more powerful features.
Letʼs get started by selecting a few oscillators, rather than just one like we have in the last two walkthroughs. Go ahead and select the Melofant wavetable from the drop down menu in the OSC 1 panel.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.1.mp3|titles=Tut3.1]Next, move down a bit to the OSC 2 panel and select the Polysaw I wavetable.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.2.mp3|titles=Tut3.2]And now for the third base sound, I have selected the Additivemix III wavetable from the OSC 3 panel.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.3.mp3|titles=Tut3.3]Our next task is to make a few adjustments to get the right sound before we begin manipulating it. Go ahead and take a look at the changes made in the image below.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.4.mp3|titles=Tut3.4]As you can see the tutorials are beginning to pick up in speed and expecting you to have become a bit more comfortable with the application and where things are located. If you have any troubles keeping up, please do not hesitate to revisit the first two to help familiarize yourself more with the surroundings.
Letʼs begin adding our filters. Starting with the FILTER 1 panel, I chose to go with the Daft filter. And for the FILTER 2 panel I picked the Lowpass 4 filter.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.5.mp3|titles=Tut3.5]Now itʼs time to add some effects and give this sound some character. Move to the FX 1 tab and choose the Delay Synced effect form the drop down menu. Then set the FX 2 tab to control the Reverb effect.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.6.mp3|titles=Tut3.6]The next few setting we make wonʼt be as obvious to the ear until we come back to them again later in the lesson. So do not be alarmed if your sound is not making drastic leaps for the next few minutes, it will in time.
Clicking on the 1 Env tab will bring up the first envelope panel. Do this now and set the various knobs to mimic what you see in the image below. Also set the Morph options to 1 over 1 and set the Loop value to 1. Now do this to both the 2 Env tab and the 3 Env tab.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.7.mp3|titles=Tut3.7]Moving now to the 4 Env tab we will create a different envelop which will change the sound completely. Notice the Loop value is set to OFF in this instance.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.8.mp3|titles=Tut3.8]Just a couple more quick stops and we will get the chance to set up the first Macros of the series. But first, letʼs make two minor changes. Click on the OSC tab and set it up the same as the picture below by clicking the Rate box, changing the Pitchbend Up value to 2.00 and the Down value to -2.00.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.9.mp3|titles=Tut3.9]Now move to the VOICING tab and turn on Pitch Cutoff and Pan Position then click the Chord box on.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.10.mp3|titles=Tut3.10]All that is left to do now is set up some Macros and add them to various parts of our newly created instrument. Take a moment to create the following controls and make the necessary adjustments. When you are done your screen should look like the image below.
I set knob 1 as WT-pos, knob 2 as Cutoff, knob 3 as RingMod (RM), knob 4 as FX, knob 5 as Damp, knob 6 as Color, knob 7 as Rate and knob 8 as LFO. I applied 1 to OSC1, OSC 2 and OSC 3. I applied 2 to FILTER 1 and FILTER 2. I applied 3 to MODULATION OSC (which I also set to Oscillator 3 and changed the Pitch value to 24.00). I applied 4 to FX 1, FX 2 and NOISE Amp (which I set to generate White Noise). I applied 5 to FX 1. I applied 6 to FX 2 Color and NOISE Color. I applied 7 to 5 LFO Rate. And I applied 8 to 5 LFO Amp.
[audio:https://www.aphotoofhongkongaday.com/massive_synth/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Tut3.11.mp3|titles=Tut3.11]Download the preset for this sound here!
That wraps up the third installment of the series. Thanks again for checking it out. Number four will be out shortly, so check back soon!
Cheers!
ΩhmLab
—
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.