Revisiting MASSIVE X

video upload by Martin Stürtzer

"Read my review here: https://www.databroth.com/blog/massiv...

check out my wavetables and presets at https://gumroad.com/databroth
join my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/databroth"

Introducing LCO Producer Strings by Native Instruments

videos upload by Native Instruments

"Step inside the studio with the London Contemporary Orchestra – boundary-breaking musicians known for bold orchestrations and collaborations with Frank Ocean, Taylor Swift, Radiohead, and beyond. Shape colourful string textures with expressive four-layer control and creative articulations, all recorded at London’s iconic RAK Studios."

Press release follows:


Add magic to your music with the London Contemporary Orchestra

Get in the conductor's chair and guide the avant-garde orchestra with NI’s latest Kontakt instrument

Berlin, September 25, 2025 – Native Instruments is proud to present LCO Producer Strings. The new Kontakt instrument puts the sound of one of the world’s most adventurous ensembles into the hands of producers everywhere, from bedroom creators to film composers. An ensemble celebrated for its fearless and innovative approach, the LCO has scored award-winning films like Deadpool & Wolverine, and collaborated with visionary artists including Radiohead, Frank Ocean, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd.

LCO Producer Strings delivers emotional depth through modern, gritty, and glitchy string textures, with all sounds captured at London’s iconic RAK Studios in partnership with acclaimed engineer Fiona Cruickshank.

The instrument is built around a flexible four-layer engine that lets users stack violins, violas, cellos, and synths sections into kaleidoscopic textures. Explore the beauty of raw organic sounds or blend them with evolving synth beds and granular textures for unique hybrid timbres. Unique articulations like cluster blooms, harmonic flickers and percussive pizzicatos add an avant-garde flair.

“LCO Producer Strings makes the unique and striking sound of the London Contemporary Orchestra available to everyone. The world-class musicians, studio, engineer, sampling techniques, and intuitive instrument engine combine to give producers and songwriters the freedom to craft strings that are as bold and unconventional as their ideas”, Tim Adnitt, VP, Product Management, Native Instruments.

“For us, it’s about reimagining what an orchestra can be. This collaboration lets us capture the raw, experimental spirit of the LCO and place it directly in the hands of artists and producers - opening new possibilities for how expressive strings can be shaped and integrated into modern music production.” Hugh Tieppo-Brunt, co-Artistic Director & co-Principal Conductor, London Contemporary Orchestra.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Meet You At The Top

video upload by davidryle

"A two part piece. Both are pitch voltage quantization controlled from the ACL Sinfonion. I switch presets through the first part from preset 1 - 4 and in the second half I leave it on preset 5.

The Sinfonion chord section is sending pitch quantization to the Doepfer A-111-4 quad VCO and A-105-4 quad SSI filter. The mixer is the Corsynth T-Mixer. The Empress reverb in Ambient Swell green mode is used.

The opening voice is Channel 2 of the Sinfonion and is sent to the Dotcom Q206 with the Dove D502 in BP mode P1, then an SSL Serge Resonant EQ and finally the Strymon Blue Sky.

A counter voice is the Channel 3 quantizer to a pair of Synthetic Sound Labs TZ-VC Oscillators to the Oakley VC-SVF in BP mode. The audio is routed through a Moon 517S high pass filter to roll of the lower mid tones. I used an instance of Relab Development's LX480 classic Lexicon reverb. This same voice is used for the main melodic part in the second section.

The Channel 1 of the Sinfonion is to the bass voice which is the Dotcom Q169 Oscillator++ and Grove Audio G294A ladder filter.

The Sinfonion arpeggiator part is to the STG oscillator duet and the Dove D501 2069 filter. The signal is sent through the Modcan 73B dual delay. In the first section this voice is solo, but in the second section I added in a duplicated run of the MosLab 901/904A through a different envelope which is timed a bit more sparse and sent through the second section of the 73B delay.

Most of my time was spent mixing levels and changing the timing of the SSL Hagiwo Geo-Gruvn euclidean sequencer. The clock timing was controlled by row 3 of the Moon 563 trigger seq. I used two different memory presets on the Geo-Gruvn for each section. These timings were used for the gate controls to the SSL Octal VCA, CV-8 Breakout and AD/AR Expander. The eight channel vca handled four of the voices. Very cool array of modules.

I also sent and effort to control the timing of the STG Voltage Mini Store's timing with row 2 of the 563. The right VMS is used for the Root control to the Sinfonion. The faster moving left VMS is to the arpeggiator of the Sinfonion.

The Sinfonion is using various cv's from the Q960 step sequencers to affect the chord spread and note selections. Also an LFO is used to affect the pre-transpose of the chord section.

A convoluted patch using the Lower West Side Studios CGS88 triple switch, the Dove D900 sequencer and three voltage sources to send control voltage to the transpose on the Sinfonion. I used the Moon 564 trigger stage 1 to turn this on and off by hand when needed.

The final clangorous opening and ending patch voice was the Mutable Instruments Rings through the Behringer Bode Frequency Shifter clone and the Encore Frequency Shifter, and on through the Tip Top Z-DSP signal processor running Halls of Valhalla reverb (Niflheim preset). It was also the midway noise rush background sound where the sections changed. These were added later in Cubase and triggered by hand.

The sections were performed at once live to Cubase and video edited in Final Cut Pro."

HWJ Weekend Challenge - Heavy Construction

video upload by SynthAddict

"Maschine+

Back after a brief hiatus.
I can't resist a bombastic sample challenge. :-)

All sounds are construction/machinery related except for the solo metallic hi-hats. :-P"

The Big Partner Sale | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"A Joe-Blog Composer (‪‪@Joe-blogcomposer‬) runs through four of his favorite NKS-ready instruments available on a discount during The Big Partner Sale. Whatever you’re cooking up in the studio this fall, there'll be something for you. Save up to 80% on over 400 instruments and effects from over 40 developers – all ready to go on your hardware thanks to NKS technology.

Chapters:
00:00 - Ocean Swift – Porphyra Hybrid
01:48 - Cinematic Tools – Tommee Profitt Percussion
03:03 - Fallout Music – Desecrator
04:54 - Keepforest – Evolution: Devastator Breakout Pro

NKS (Native Kontrol Standard) technology powers the deep connection between your sounds and your hardware. Say goodbye to wasted set up time and interruptions and discover a huge choice of sounds – ready to go on your favorite controller.

Find out more: https://www.native-instruments.com/sp...

Whatever you’re cooking up in the studio this fall, we’ve got something for you. Save up to 80% on over 400 instruments and effects from over 40 developers – all ready to go on your hardware thanks to NKS technology.

Save up to 80%: https://www.native-instruments.com/sp..."

Check with dealers on the right for availaiblity of Native Instruments NKS-ready instruments.

Introducing Erosia – the hidden sounds of friction | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

Update: press release follows:



Harness sounds of friction and tension, transforming them into powerful sonic storytelling devices

Berlin, August 28, 2025 – Native Instruments has announced Erosia, a new cinematic sound design engine that turns the raw friction, scraping, bowing, and cracking of overlooked objects into living cinematic textures. Erosia creates morphing and modulating soundscapes from materials under strain, from ice crackling across cymbals to glass vases straining under tension. Explore a palette of bowed bicycle spokes, dry ice, abandoned buildings, rusted hinges, cracked pianos, and more; each stretched to reveal a hidden resonance.

Created with veteran sound designer and composer Jeremiah Savage, the sound artist behind acclaimed Kontakt instruments like Kinetic Metal and Kinetic Toys, Erosia comes loaded with over 200 expressive snapshots, providing ready-to-use starting points for any cinematic composition. By pairing contact microphones with traditional close-miking, Erosia captures the best of both worlds: the hidden, tactile vibrations inside materials, and the natural resonance and space around them. This dual approach reveals textures that are at once microscopic and cinematic.

At the heart of Erosia are three powerful engines: Grain, Wavetable, and Sampler. Grain fractures and animates textures, Wavetable adds evolving harmonic color, and Sampler preserves realism.

Artists can layer up to four sources, while creative macros and modulation via LFOs, envelopes, and sequencers offer countless ways to animate and evolve sound. A comprehensive FX page provides further built-in creative control with a suite of reverbs, delays, saturation, and more, all available for modulation.

Key Features:
· Over 200 expressive snapshots designed for cinematic scoring.
· An eclectic palette of textures captured with contact microphones in microscopic detail.
· Three powerful sound engines: Grain, Wavetable, and Sampler
· Layer up to four sound sources for complex, evolving timbres.
· Deep modulation control featuring LFOs, envelopes, and sequencers.
· Creative built-in FX with reverbs, delays, saturation, distortion, and modulation effects for each layer.

You can find additional details at Native Instruments.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Life's Window | Prophet 10 soundscape

video upload by MIDERA

"It was my Dad's birthday today. He didn't make it to this birthday, or the last 14 birthday's either. Time just goes on and takes everything away from us. But I wanted to write something on his Birthday. I miss him. I miss my mom too. I miss them both.

Meanwhile, I'm just barely hanging on. My wife still hasn't found a job and I sometimes think she won't get one before I lose mine due to all the awesome stuff going on in the federal government. We've been worried about what will happen when we're both without jobs. I couldn't get a job if I tried (and I have). I guess no one wants someone who has a really niche background. It's just not a great place to be.

Life goes on anyway.

Prophet 10
NI Raum for reverb"

https://midera.bandcamp.com/

Exploring Maschine 3 on Maschine+ – Datsunn's favorite new features | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"We've given the standalone workhorse a boost with our favorite Maschine 3 features. In this video, Maschine+ connoisseur ‪@Datsunn‬ explores what's new and put the latest update to the test.

New to Maschine+:

Seamlessly move between desktop and standalone
Save CPU with Bounce in Place
Expand your palette with a new & improved Bass Synth
Step up your setup with new Kontrol MK3 support
Easily get ideas in with MP3, MP4, FLAC, OGG import
Easily get ideas out with MP3 export
Build unique progressions with Custom Chords
Stay in sync with Ableton Link via USB (no Wi-Fi needed)
And lots more"

The eleventh hour | Elektron Monomachines IDM jam

video upload by MIDERA

"Eleventh Monomachine track in my latest series.
#elektron #monomachine #nativeinstruments

Native Instruments RAUM used for reverb

Recorded on 8/16/2025"

Authoritarium | Elektron Monomachines IDM jam

video upload by MIDERA

"Tenth Monomachine track in my latest series.

#elektron #monomachine #nativeinstruments

Native Instruments RAUM used for reverb

Recorded on 8/14/2025"

Remembering Bob Moog with Modular Icons | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"Matt Lara took a trip to the Moogseum in Asheville, NC to celebrate Bob Moog’s incredible pioneering legacy. Modular Icons is NI’s Play Series instrument created in collaboration with the Bob Moog Foundation.

To commemorate 25 years since Bob’s passing and to support the development of tomorrow’s icons, we’re donating over 40% of all Modular Icons sales to the foundation. This non-profit runs the Moogseum and is dedicated to innovating, inspiring, and igniting creativity through education.

Modular Icons instrument: https://www.native-instruments.com/en..."

Ambient w/ OP-1 field, Field Kit, wavestick : Nullify 2025-08-09 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"‪@teenageengineering‬ OP-1 field, ‪@homebakeinstruments8214‬ wavestick, ‪@KOMAelektronik‬ Field Kit, and ‪@KORG_INC‬ SQ-1 A piece where gentle harmonies meet a melody that fades in and out, layered with fragments of radio static.

On the Field Kit, the AUX send is routed out to the NTS-3 and returned to INPUT 1.

The wavestick is sequenced by the SQ-1 and processed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MK II.

The main harmony comes from the OP-1 field; the other parts are from Kontakt."

Darkfinding | Elektron Monomachines IDM jam

video upload by MIDERA

"Eighth Monomachine track in my latest series.

#elektron #monomachine #nativeinstruments

Native Instruments RAUM used for reverb

Recorded on 8/6/2025"

Massive X Player: a very dynamic, FREE plugin from Native Instruments

video upload by CatSynth TV

Merch: https://shop.catsynth.com
Patreon: / catsynth
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/catsynth

"We present Massive X Player, a new free synth plug-in from our friends at Native Instruments that combines the Massive X synth engine with a captivating and intuitive interface optimized for dynamism and movement. The Morpher allows one to quickly change and explore how the macro parameters change the sound, and the Animator allows motion around the Morpher and soundscape to be automated and synchronized with the rest of the music for an ever-changing soundscape. We will go over these features as well as several of the presets from the factory bank and the Bass Music Essentials expansion back"

00:00 Introduction
00:18 Overview
00:47 The Morpher
04:05 The Animator
08:08 Morpher and animator with a fistful of presets
11:16 A few presets more
14:47 Bass Music Essentials expansion pack
19:04 Conclusion

See the announcement post here.

Native Instruments Introduces Free Massive X Player

video upload by Native Instruments

"See how producer ‪@Datsunn‬ uses the free Massive X Player synth to build a track from scratch in just nine minutes. Hear the included sounds and how they can be transformed with the Morpher and Animator."

Press release follows:


Massive X Player offers producers a powerful, no-cost path to next-gen synthesis and face-melting sounds

Berlin, July 29, 2025 – Native Instruments has rolled out Massive X Player, a powerful and free version of the Massive X that makes it easy to build genre-defining sounds, fast. Explore growling basses, shimmering leads, and floating pads, with a premium library of presets for quick inspiration. There’s no steep learning curve, and no cost – just playful sound design.

Massive X Player takes the complexity out of modulation, offering a fun new experience for diving into synthesis. The new Morpher XY pad animates synth patches in realtime, and is available as a free update for all Massive X owners.Plus, it comes with the Bass Music Essentials Expansion for free.

Key Features
Morpher: Blend parameters in real time with this central visual control. Drag to transform textures and twist sonic shapes— expressive, fluid, and powerful.

Animator: Add evolving motion and rhythmic modulation with no need for manual automation.

Randomize Button: Get unexpected results and steer the outcome using eight expressive macros.

For creators craving deeper sound sculpting, the full version of Massive X unlocksadvanced routing, custom oscillators, and complete modulation flexibility.

Get it with Komplete
StartMassive X Player is now part of Komplete Start, Native Instruments' free collectionof premium instruments and effects. Get a wide array of premium synths, keys,drums, guitars, choirs, and instruments from across the world, ready to inspireproductions in any style.


Learn more
Get all the details at www.native-instruments.com

Pricing and availability
Massive X Player is now available via Komplete Start.
The Bass Music Essentials Expansion is now available via Komplete Start.
Massive X owners can get the free update now.

Luke Million Studio Tour Update July 2025

video upload by Luke Million

"Following the Studio Tour Video I made last November, here is an update with recent acquisitions and changes to my workflow in my Studio.

Some highlights are the Moog Messenger, Arturia DrumBrute Impact 1984 Edition, Synido TempoPAD C16, Aly James Lab Vprom 3.0, Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro, Modartt Pianoteq 8 and some Franklin Audio Devices.

The biggest change is in my 2nd Studio where the B Team is kept. I have connected those synths to a Franklin Audio SS-6 Switchable Input Stereo DI which then sends audio to my Universal Audio Volt 476 interface connected to a Macbook Pro Laptop.

You can view the original Studio Tour Video here -"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Dance of the black moon | Elektron Monomachines IDM track

video upload by MIDERA

"New track July 19th 2025. Have a day or two to just write music and relax, so I created this, recorded it, and finished it today. Enjoy.

Native Instruments RAUM used for Reverb (trying to get away from Eventide Blackhole VST on Linux)"

Ocean Swift Releases Myth Rhythm - A Deep Versatile NKS Percussion & Avant-garde FX Cell for Kontakt

Playlist:

1. Myth Rhythm - Versatile Percussion & Avant-garde FX Engine | 16 Cells, +4800 Sounds, Deep Synthesis
2. Myth Rhythm - Versatile Percussion & Avant-garde FX Engine | Snapshot Sound Example Demos 01
3. Myth Rhythm - Versatile NKS Percussion & Avant-garde FX Engine | Deep Dive Overview Presentation

Press release follows:


Ocean Swift Releases Myth Rhythm
An Avant-Garde FX & Percussion Powerhouse with 4,800+ Sounds for Free Kontakt Player

Intro offer - 33% off just €40 until August 10 2025:
https://oceanswift.net/product/myth-rhythm/

Myth Rhythm combines deep modulation, powerful effects, and avant-garde sound design in a seamless, NKS2-integrated multi-cell percussion and sound FX instrument.

Myth Rhythm is a versatile cell based instrument featuring 16 individual cells, each capable of holding one of over 4,800 included samples or a user-loaded sample.
Each cell offers extensive editing capabilities, including filters, envelopes, LFOs, dynamics effects, and send levels. Cells can be easily copied, pasted, and customized with key color settings.

Additionally, each cell supports extensive external modulation, utilizing velocity, polyphonic aftertouch, and pitch bend for dynamic performance control.
The instrument's main effects section provides a range of creative and modulation effects, along with various delay and reverb options for send returns.

Myth Rhythm also offers a unique seamless NKS2 experience, even allowing users to effortlessly program and customize their own NKS2 performance mode mappings directly through the interface.

The included sounds library offers a diverse array of avant-garde one-shot sounds, encompassing everything from classic drum sounds and vintage drum machines to spoken word, sound effects, and an eclectic mix of unconventional noises. This collection features a broad spectrum of unique elements, including tings, bleeps, blops, bells, whistles, animal sounds, cars, household items, synth stabs, modular effects, and much more.

Highlights:
Versatile Cell based Instrument - 16 individual cells
Massive One-Shot Library - Open library of over 4,800 sounds
Free Kontakt Player Compatibility
Instantly Playable, Infinitely Tweakable - Quickly play or dive deep
Genre-Defying Sound Design - Hundreds of presets
Deep Editing Power - Designed for creative flow
Seamless revolutionary NKS2 Integration - Streamlined workflow
Unprecedented control with MK3 Keyboards
Polyphonic Aftertouch Support - Subtle nuances and articulations
Perfect for Pad-Based Workflows - Finger drumming fun

Native Instruments Introduces MR1 Valve Data

MR1 Valve Data walkthrough video upload by Native Instruments

"Product expert Reuben Cornell takes you through the innovative features of this new kind of drum machine from cult developer 10 Phantom Rooms. MR1 Valve Data is a new approach to creative drums. Hear its raw analog tube beats and see how its drum sequencer and innovative controls quickly shift, warp, and shape to create compelling beats."

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:44 - Snapshot Examples
07:25 - Interface Overview
08:09 - Source Sounds Examples
09:19 - Sample Start Examples
10:30 - Randomization
10:44 - ABC Variations
10:58 - Mod Wheel Macro Control
11:18 - Creating Variations
11:43 - Quick Edit Overview
13:07 - Cutoff / Tune / Decay / Burn Dials
13:35 - Burn Processing
14:27 - Cut Macro
14:39 - Time Macro
15:00 - Pump Processing
15:35 - Sequencing Control
17:10 - Pan / Cutoff / Sample Start Sequencing
17:45 - Mutate
18:12 - Global Sequencing Options
19:18 - Mix / Edit / FM Page Summary
19:40 - Conclusion"



via Native Instruments

"Modular tube drum machine

A new kind of drum machine – fun and easy to use with special real-time features
155 presets based on over 300 creative samples, designed with modular tube gear
Morph, shift, and transform beats like never before with intuitive performance controls

Raw analog tube beats transformed

From 10 Phantom Rooms’ new Modular Rhythm series, MR1 Valve Data leads the way in a new approach to creative drums. The real-time features let you morph parameters with just one control, for totally fresh sounds.

And that’s not all. Get dirty, deep tube-processed drums with the satisfying analog grit of sampled oscillators, filters, and granular effects. Create distinctive beats fast with intuitive sequencer, randomizer, and mutator features. Then, warp and shape them with "burning" distortion effects, tuning, plus reverb and delay including new sidechaining controls.

Created by 10 Phantom Rooms exclusively for NI

MR1 Valve Data is the first in the new Modular Rhythm series created by 10 Phantom Rooms. Specializing in next-generation Kontakt instruments for film and media composers, the company was founded by sound and instrument designer Tobias Menguser, alongside Paul Haslinger (ex-Tangerine Dream, Underworld). With a career spanning three decades, Tobias has created sounds and instruments for many of the industry’s biggest names, including sounds for more than 600 movie trailers.

At a glance

Product type: Kontakt instrument

For use with: Free Kontakt Player or Kontakt

Sound category: Hybrid modular plugin

Number of snapshots: 155 with 3 variations each

Download size: 300 MB

System requirements: Free Kontakt Player or Kontakt (version 8.4.1 or higher). Please also see the Kontakt Player system requirements and the Kontakt Player FAQ.

User Manual PDF

You can install this instrument with Native Access – just as you would with any Native Instruments product."

The Sounds of Scene: Saffron | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"Watch product specialist Matt Lara crafts orchestral swells and shimmering synth pads at the touch of a key. Stuck for ideas? Explore 120 carefully designed presets, or roll the dice to randomize elements for unexpected sparks of inspiration.

Designed with media composers in mind, the Scene series offers premium cinematic sounds in a simple and easy-to-use interface. Centered around an XY pad, each instrument comes loaded with carefully-designed presets and streamlined controls, enabling you to quickly blend, layer, and shape the perfect sound for on-screen moments."

Scene: Saffron was announced back on July 30th 2024.