Understanding the Routing Tab and Bypass Module - Part 2

This is part 2 of our tutorial focused on understanding and intelligently using the Routing table inside NI Massive. Originally created by Steve Foulds, this tutorial has been pulled from our vault of original member tutorials. In Part 2, we look at the bypass feature and it’s purpose in Natives Instruments Massive Synth.

Last week we covered bypassing one of the OSCs inside the routing panel, which I hoped opened up some new doors for you with NI Massive. This week we continue with the routing panel and using the inserts.

As with the bypass feature, the Inserts and feedback can be added at specific points in the signal flow. Where the effects are placed will ultimately shape the final sound. As with all tutorials, experimentation is the name of the game! Try placing different effects at different points in the signal flow and see what happens!

Routing tab
As you can see in the image above, inside the signal flow there are several points with the names INS1 & INS2 and FB. This means you can add an Insert 1 or 2 at any of the points in the chain you see their respective names.

Feedback

The feedback module allows you to re-route the signal from any of the several different insert points back to the filter input. The point in the flow to route back from can be chosen by clicking on one of the “FB” images on the routing diagram in the routing tab. Once you have selected where in the signal flow you want the feedback module to be placed (note that next to the amp knob is a label showing where in the flow you have placed it!), you can adjust the level of output using the Amp level knob. You can also decide which of the filters to send it too and by how much.

Feedback – Things to try

– Try the Feedback module in the various slots
– Try modulating the feedback amount

Inserts

The inserts are my favorite tools, especially the bitcrusher. Check out the noise tutorial on this blog for more info this! Typically, I like the Inserts after the filters, but of course they can be just as productive before the filters!

As stated above, you can select at what point the insert effects are introduced into the chain. I would recommend playing around with the inserts, making sure to listen for the differences it makes to the sound when you move them about the flow. This alone can radically change a sound!

You can find out more about each of the individual Insert effects starting on page 47 of the Massive manual.

Feedback – Things to try

– Try the changing the input type and also it’s position in the flow.

Combining feedback and the inserts

What is interesting with the routing tab is the ability to run inserts and feedback together (you can see this in the signal flow diagram next to the Noise module). Note you can only add 1 of the insert effects here.

For example you could get some very nice effects running a delay into the feedback!

Feedback & Insert combinations – Things to try

– Try running various Insert effect types into the feedback and play with the Amp knob on the feedback module.