What Is Spitfire Audio MASSE? Walkthrough and Demo

Transcript

welcome uh this is a quick walk through and demonstration of the functionality of Spitfire Mass Spitfire audios m e um this is an expansion module to the existing Spitfire audio Symphony collection uh you can already buy the symphony orchestra which consists of the brass the woodwinds and the symphony strings which have all been rebranded now now u... Read More

Key Insights

• 💡 Spitfire Audio MASS is a complementary expansion to the Symphony Orchestra collection, offering a standalone instrument for orchestral arrangement mapping and idea generation.
• 🧡 The instrument consists of four main sections: Tutti, String Section, Brass Section, and Woodwind Section, each offering a range of articulations and controls.
• 👻 Spitfire Audio MASS emphasizes expressiveness and speed, allowing users to quickly create full orchestral arrangements.
• 😑 The instrument includes customization options, enabling users to personalize their playing style and expression.
• 👀 Spitfire Audio MASS is suitable for composers and musicians looking to experiment, map out orchestral ideas, and create expressive orchestral music.
• 👤 The premixed sections and intuitive controls make Spitfire Audio MASS user-friendly and accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
• 😊 The instrument's sound quality is praised, particularly for its deep, punchy brass and strings, and the ability to create lush, atmospheric textures.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Spitfire Audio MASSE, and what is it designed for?

Spitfire Audio MASSE is a complementary expansion to the Spitfire Audio Symphony Orchestra collection. It is designed to help users quickly map out orchestral arrangements and develop musical ideas.

Q: Can Spitfire Audio MASSE be used without the full Symphony Orchestra collection?

Yes. The walkthrough describes MASSE as a standalone instrument and says the full orchestra is not required to use it, although it was initially given to people who had invested in the full Symphony Orchestra package.

Q: What instruments and sections are included in Spitfire Audio MASSE?

MASSE contains four main instruments: Tutti, a full string section, a brass section, and a woodwind section. Tutti combines strings, brass, and woodwinds in a premixed orchestral patch.

Q: How does the Easy Mix section work in Spitfire Audio MASSE?

Easy Mix lets users dial between close and far microphone sounds. In the background, it mixes the close, tree, and ambient microphone positions, which can also be controlled separately or mapped to a MIDI controller.

Q: What articulations are available in Spitfire Audio MASSE?

The interface provides multiple long or sustained articulations and several short articulations. Examples named in the walkthrough include long, staccato, Beast long, and Beast short, with articulation switches placed in the usual Spitfire Audio key configuration.

Q: Which performance controls does Spitfire Audio MASSE provide?

MASSE provides controls for dynamics, vibrato, release, tightness, reverb, and expression. Dynamics are mapped by default to CC1, expression is assigned to CC11, release changes the release-tail length, and tightness adjusts the length of staccato parts.

Q: How do dynamics change the sound of the Tutti section?

At lower dynamics, the brass sits farther behind while piccolo and flute sounds become more noticeable in the high register. Pushing the dynamics forward brings out the trumpets and more of the brass, although the Tutti patch keeps brass relatively low because a separate brass section is available for layering.

Q: How are the microphone positions and reverb handled in Spitfire Audio MASSE?

Users can work with close, tree, and ambient microphone positions, either through Easy Mix or separate controls in spanner mode. The Lush control adds convolution reverb on top of the natural ambience captured by the tree or ambient microphones.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Spitfire Audio MASS is a complementary expansion to the existing Spitfire Audio Symphony Orchestra collection, designed for orchestral arrangement mapping and idea generation.

• The instrument consists of four main sections: Tutti (strings, brass, woodwinds mixed), String Section, Brass Section, and Woodwind Section.

• Each section offers a range of articulations and controls for dynamics, modulation, reverb, and expression.