Complete Guide to NI Massive Tutorial Course

Want to truly get to grips with NI Massive? This 3-hour set of tutorials takes you from the very beginning right through to advanced sound design, explaining all of the synthesizing technology included in this powerful, cutting-edge instrument. The course delves into all the main stages of subtractive synthesis, covering the oscillators, filters, modulators and global and insert FX. After all of the synth sections have been explored, there are some lessons on preset making, combining all of the techniques into some practical examples to help students put everything into context.

The course is presented in a series of online videos, with accompanying written notes and synth presets to work to, as well as more than £25 worth of additional presets supplied by our sponsor Loopmasters. Don’t miss out on this essential guide to synthesis and sound design for one of the most popular synths on the market today!

Module Details

Module 1: Introduction and Overview – Free Module

Introduces the Course Style and provides an overview of the instrument, covering the three main display areas, where synth presets can be browsed, managed and edited. There is also a brief guide to setting up the synth in standalone mode.

Module 2: Oscillators and Noise Generator

Covers Massive’s sound-generators, those being the three oscillators and noise generator, explaining the different types of waveforms available in each, and how they can be edited. In addition to demonstrating how each control works, there is an example of how to combine them in order to create a simple patch.

Module 3: Filters

Teaches about the different types of filters available and the effect they have on the sound. Also provides a guide to the way signals can be routed through the filters, showing some examples of parallel and series setups.

Module 4: Effects and Routing

Goes through all of the effects available on Massive, including a more comprehensive guide to the most popular ones. Shows how different effects can be applied to the main output, as well as various points earlier in the signal path.

Module 5: Introduction to Modulation – Envelopes

Takes a look at envelopes, starting with the most common type, the amplitude envelope, which changes the level over time. Then moves on to some other classic uses of envelope modulation, where filter frequency and oscillator pitch are manipulated.

Module 6: Cyclic Modulation – Looped Envelopes and LFOs

Continues looking at modulation by exploring the continuous types featured on Massive, those being looped envelopes and LFOs. Includes a guide to making the classic dubstep wobble bass.

Module 7: Modulation Part III – Stepper and Performer

Runs through Massive’s 2 onboard sequencers, showing how they can be used to create all sorts of incredible effects. There is also a brief guide to making your own chorus.

Module 8: Modulation Part IV – The Modulation Oscillator

Teaches some of the different ways Massive’s modulation oscillator can be used to modify a preset. There is also a demonstration of the different types of synthesis and modulation it provides, including FM (frequency modulation) and Ring modulation, showing how to create some classic and more diverse sounds.

Module 9: Additional Oscillator Settings and Voicing

Gives a run through of all the additional parameters featured in the central display, including how to apply glide and vibrato, how to set up polyphony and legato, and also the setting up of unisono voices and keyboard tracking.

Module 10: Global Settings, MIDI Control and more

Ties up all the loose ends by explaining the remaining controls and features not covered so far, including how to use the Feedback and Bypass circuits, how to stack modulation and apply sidechain modulation, how to set up the macros and other performance modulators, as well as a whole host of global settings.

Module 11: Making a Fat Bass Preset

Gives a practical example of how to apply many of the techniques taught in order to produce a fat bass preset.

Module 12: Making a Multi-Layered Preset

Shows the full potential of Massive by demonstrating how it can be used to simultaneously produce drums, bass and lead parts, in order to make a house groove.

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