FEATURE DETAILS
MASSIVE's macro controls offer a very fast and direct way in which to control the sound. All of a sounds' most important parameters have been pre-configured and mapped onto these controllers. A single controller can handle multiple assignments and bundles the technical details: for example, just twist a knob labeled "Rhythm" and watch how a number of underlying technical parameters are all altered simultaneously.
The macro controls enable you to customize any of MASSIVE's KoreSounds instantly and profoundly, without having to understand the technical structure of the sound. The macro controls essentially turn each sound into a set of possible sounds that seamlessly morph into one another.
Moreover, the macro controls are the most important interface to other applications. They are targets for MIDI assignments, which are easily set using the MIDI Learn function. They are also the first eight parameters that are reported to any host when MASSIVE is used as a plug-in. When used within KORE, for example, the macro controls are automatically mapped onto the KORE controller's eight knobs. Of course, all other parameters of MASSIVE are also accessible from KORE.
MASSIVE includes a number of different filter types:
2x Lowpass and highpass
Bandpass and bandreject
Allpass
Comb filter
Double Notch, Scream, Daft and Acid
Each filter provides individual character, for instance Scream can be used for dirty, analog, warm sounds. The comb filter can be used for physical modeling approaches. These filters not only modify the signal's frequency spectrum, rather they modify the sound's entire 'attitude'. Acid, for instance, is modeled on a famous little silver box. Each filter type is to a large extent configurable and provides dedicated parameters. Most filters' cut-off frequencies can be linked to frequency modulation, ideal for rhythmically accurate punches and accents, simultaneously multiplying MASSIVE’s sound design capacities.
MASSIVE's sound synthesis is based on a unique Wave Scanning algorithm, implemented in three parallel oscillator modules. It combines the highest sonic quality with utmost flexibility and controllability. Think of a Wave Scanning oscillator as a multi-track sequencer; one of the tracks contains a saw wave and the other a pulse wave. In the vertical dimension, each of MASSIVE's oscillators allow these tracks to be faded seamlessly into one another. In the horizontal dimension a single cycle's read-out speed curve can be manipulated in three different bending modes.
MASSIVE features an unlimited number of these "tracks" in each wavetable as well as two additional manipulation modes relevant for time and frequency settings. Of course, the “tracks” are not restricted to usual sawtooth or pulse waves.
MASSIVE comes with 85 specially designed wavetables, each one with a unique combination of waveforms and particular sonic characteristics. Finally, a modulation oscillator can be used to vary the main oscillators' signal. It can be used for ring modulation, phase modulation (which sounds similar to FM) as well as further modulation modes. A noise generator provides an additional signal source that can be mixed in with the other signals, generating particular effects. It can, for instance, be used in combination with MASSIVE's comb filters for a physical modeling approach to sound design.
A wide variety of high-quality master effects are included in MASSIVE. There are two effect slots allowing two of the master effects to be used in a row. An additional equalizer can also be activated. Each effect provides up to four particular parameters, allowing it to be tweaked to your exact needs. All the parameters can also be modulated, allowing the effects to 'evolve' over time and blend with the sound.
For example, use the Bit Crusher to distort the sound between both main filters. Or you can delay the feedback signal to introduce phase interferences. Use the highpass/lowpass filter to reduce all low frequencies from the feedback signal. Or saturate a bandpass filter's sound with the Parabolic Shaper. The possibilities are endless.
MASSIVE's basic structure conforms to the well-known subtractive synthesis paradigm, making it easy to understand while simultaneously ensuring the signal flow is highly flexible. You can place two insert effects at various places within the signal flow. You can also take the signal at any point and route it back to the beginning. For example, you can filter a sound and feed it back into the filter's input. This can create very lively and dynamic results. The flexibility is further increased by placing an insert effect into the feedback path.
You can route any of the oscillator’s signals directly to the synthesizer's output, bypassing all filters and/or master effects. This feature allows a direct 'punch' to be added to layered, highly modulated sounds, for example to add a sub bass.
MASSIVE's various global settings pages allow a variety of parameters to be adjusted – parameters that most other synthesizers leave unmentioned and unadjustable. MASSIVE unveils their true sound design potential. The Keytracking pages map the incoming pitch information generated by your keyboard or sequencer individually for each oscillator and filter. There is even separate keytracking control over the filters' cut-off frequencies and other additional parameters such as a bandpass filter's width or a comb filter’s feedback. This allows effects to be created that can be controlled by simply playing your keyboard.
Like in most synthesizers, you can adjust glide times between pitches when you play legato notes. MASSIVE goes a step further, allowing the pitchbend range or the phase of each oscillator to be adjusted. The Voicing page allows switching between polyphonic and monophonic voice handling as well as several voice trigger options, for example playing musical-sounding trills easily with your keyboard.
Several voices can be triggered by a single note. Much like an orchestra where several violins play the same 'voice', making the sound warmer and more lively, the unisono feature makes your sound thick and vivid. This feature can also be adjusted to extreme settings, spreading your voices over several octaves or filling the stereo panorama – all with just one single note being played.
MASSIVE features several types of modulation sources that, thanks to the innovative user interface, can easily be assigned to any of its parameters. Multiple parameters can be assigned to a single macro control, bundling technical settings into a single control – a far more musical approach. For instance, you can assign both the filters' cutoff frequencies to one macro control and label it as "Brightness".
The envelopes in MASSIVE feature an advanced loop mode: a part of the envelope can be looped and you can morph between different transitions or crossfades for the defined loop start and end points. Various other options make MASSIVE's envelopes truly unique.
MASSIVE contains two step sequencer modes: While the Stepper conforms to the well-known, established operating modes, the Performer allows each step to be shaped individually, making it ideal for advanced rhythmic structures. A flexible low frequency oscillator completes the list of modulation sources. The variety of possibilities is as wide as it is fast to use. This is further enhanced by the inclusion of templates for standard tasks for all the modulation sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, steppers and performers. For example, setting an envelope to a generic ADSR shape is a quick, one-click issue.
MASSIVE contains 600 production-ready sounds. All have pre-defined macro controls and all have been crafted by professional sound designers and well-known artists. The spectrum of styles included is as wide and varied as music itself, bound to inspire you no matter what the flavour of the piece you're currently working on.
KoreSounds® are searched for using MASSIVE's integrated KoreSound® Browser. Besides being intuitive and easy to handle, it delivers results in an instant. All MASSIVE sounds are saved in the KoreSound® format, allowing them to be loaded into KORE.
Read more about the MASSIVE library...
