Low End Modular - Audio software NATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Audio software instrument
Brand	Native Instruments
Model	Low End Modular
Category	Software synthesizer / effect
Platform	Windows 10+, macOS 10.13+
Format	VST2, VST3, AU, AAX
Standalone Operation	Yes (via Native Access)
License Type	Perpetual license, single user
Activation	Via Native Access, requires internet
Content	Modular bass synthesizer with presets, effects
Presets	Over 100 factory presets
Polyphony	Up to 16 voices (depends on CPU)
Sample Rate	Up to 96 kHz
MIDI Support	Yes, full MIDI CC automation
User Interface	Resizable, high-resolution GUI
Documentation	PDF manual included
Updates	Free updates within version family
System Requirements (RAM)	4 GB minimum
System Requirements (CPU)	Intel Core i5 or equivalent
System Requirements (Disk)	1 GB free space
Minimum Screen Resolution	1280x768
Maintenance	Keep software updated via Native Access
Safety	Follow computer hardware safety guidelines
Spare Parts / Repairability	Software not repairable; reinstall if needed

Frequently Asked Questions - Low End Modular NATIVE INSTRUMENTS

How do I install Low End Modular?

Download and install Native Access from the Native Instruments website. Log in, find Low End Modular in your products, and click Install.

What are the system requirements?

Requires Windows 10+ or macOS 10.13+, Intel Core i5 or equivalent, 4 GB RAM, 1 GB disk space, and a compatible DAW.

Can I use Low End Modular in Ableton Live?

Yes, it works as a VST3 or AU plugin in Ableton Live, as well as in any other DAW that supports these formats.

Does Low End Modular include presets?

Yes, it comes with over 100 factory presets covering various bass sounds and effects.

Can I get a trial version?

Native Instruments often offers 30-day demos for software. Check the website for current availability.

How do I activate the license?

Activation is automatic via Native Access after logging in with your account. An internet connection is required.

Is Low End Modular a standalone instrument?

Yes, it can run as a standalone application via Native Access, not just as a plugin.

What should I do if the plugin doesn't appear in my DAW?

Ensure the plugin is installed in the correct folder, rescan plugins in your DAW, and verify format compatibility (VST2/vST3/AU/AAX).

Can I transfer my license to another computer?

Yes, you can deactivate on one machine and activate on another via Native Access. Licenses are tied to your account.

Does Low End Modular support MIDI controllers?

Yes, it responds to MIDI notes and CC messages, allowing control from any MIDI keyboard or controller.

USER MANUAL Low End Modular NATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Welcome to Low End Modular

Welcome to the third release of 10 Phantom Rooms, Low End Modular. Thanks a lot for your trust in buying this instrument! We really hope you enjoy using Low End Modular as much as we enjoyed to design the instrument and the sounds!

This instrument is the second release in 10 Phantom Room's Low End series. Many real, hybrid and electronic instruments have a great foundation in their lowest octaves, so we decided to focus on those octaves and their “fatness” in a whole series of instruments.

The basic idea of Low End Modular was to design an instrument with focus on the lowest possible octaves of modular sounds of many types, but staged in a modern hybrid and processed context. Basically we think you don't need this manual, but it helps to look at in case you want to capture the full potential of this instrument.

Key features are the sound variations in combination with the macros and the source sample content of course. We used tons of processing equipment from five decades to mutate original modular recordings (from huge modern and vintage Buchla systems, a MOTM wall and tons of Eurorack modules), field recordings and complementary sounds to the sources you can use now in Low End Modular.

Downloading and installing

Before you can start using Low End Modular, you need to install and set up the necessary software. Please follow these instructions to get started.

Installation via Native Access

Low End Modular installation happens via Native Access. In case this is your first Kontakt based instrument, please create your Native ID. To learn more about this step and about Native Access in general, have a look here.

In general, please follow those steps:

• Download and install Native Access.
• Create a Native ID if you do not yet have one.
• Login to Native Access using your Native ID.
• Click the Not installed tab.

• Click Install for the following products:

• Low End Modular

• Kontakt or Kontakt Player if you haven't installed yet

The software is installed automatically.

Loading Low End Modular in Kontakt

Once installed, you can start using Low End Modular in Kontakt. Low End Modular is not an independent plug-in, so you first need to open an instance of Kontakt or Kontakt Player:

1. Open Kontakt as a plug-in in your host software (DAW) or as a stand-alone application.
2. Locate Low End Modular in the Browser, on the left side of the user interface.
3. Click Instruments to open the product's content.
4. Double-click the Low End Modular.nki file to load the instrument.

Let's have a look

We want to give you a Low End Modular overview first of all. Let's have a look at the key features on the main page. You will see this page after loading the Low End Modular.nki file.

Four layers

Low End Modular offers four layers, playing at the same time. Imagine a mixer with four channels, each channel hosting its own “low end instrument”.

When listening to single layers separately, you might think those sound simple or thin in several cases. But this makes total sense to allow combining such layers without overloading frequencies heavily.

In case you load a snapshot, like the sound, but there is too much noise or sub bass included just switch off or replace the relevant layer and customize the sound to your own needs.

Three octaves

We decided to offer this instrument with a three octave range, but with clear focus on the lowest octave. During the design process of the samples we found out that many samples have a great usage in higher ranges, not just to play single low notes, but also pads for example. So we decided to offer three octaves to give you more flexibility while playing the sounds. And whenever you think you want a specific sound even lower or higher, use the Pitch control on the Edit page.

Six macros

Every snapshot was designed with individual settings for all six macros. Each macro can control parameters for all four layers individually. Feel free to try out those macros while playing around with snapshots for the first time or later.

Three sound variations

Imagine our sound variations as three sub-presets for each snapshot with blending capacities! Try out the snapshots, play some notes and turn the mod wheel at the same time slowly. Switching to another sound variation is possible by clicking on one of the three A-B-C fields.

In one of the three sound variations, you can store the settings of all faders on the Main page (channel volumes and macros) plus panorama on the Mixer page. Just hover over the little blurred floppy icon next to one of the sound variations to store the actual settings and blend all three variations with the mod wheel.

But there's more that you can do with the mod wheel, just click on the icon below sound variation A and you will see. Be aware of the fact that when using the mod wheel to control the filter macro for example, you can't control the A-B-C morph any more. The mod wheel controls either blending or one or more macros.

Smart EQing

This 2 band-EQ needs no long explanation. We selected typical frequencies to get rid of mud in the low mids and to remove or add sub frequencies to your needs.

Snapshot structure

We grouped the snapshots in those categories, fitting to typical use cases:

Bass Drones

In this category you will find snapshots being designed to be played monophonically in the lowest octave to really catch the “deepness”. Those snapshots often combine tonal bass sources with atonal modular “dirt”, you will find out....

Basses

Here you will find several “normal”, but really deep and often punchy basses that work well in many genres. We recommend playing the lowest octave of those snapshots to hit the bass sweet spot, but feel free to play higher ranges for creative “misuse”.

Leads

In this category you will find snapshots being designed to be played mono- or polyphonically in the highest octave to catch modular lead sounds of a few decades.

Pads

When we initially designed the basic concept for Low End Modular, the idea was to mainly offer super low solo (monophonic) hybrid sounds. But after recording and designing all sound sources, we learned during prototyping, that also very deep pads are possible. Those you will find in this category. We recommend playing those snapshots polyphonically over all three octaves.

SFX

This category covers snapshots that rather touch the SFX area than fitting into any of the other categories. Don't expect super playable sounds here, but inspiring sound effects or other unexpected sounds. We recommend playing the lowest octave of those snapshots, but feel free to play harmonies, mute channels, remove effects to turn such sounds into your own versions, fitting to your production needs.

The Scenes

In this category you will find snapshots being designed to be played monophonically in the lowest octave and above to really catch the “deepness”. Those snapshots often combine tonal modular sources with atonal “dirt”, give it a try!

The pages

Let's now have a look at the four pages of this instrument. Several features like filters and envelopes are self-explaining, so we mainly touch specialities here.

Main page

This page you will spend most of the time, assuming you are not designing sounds with Low End Modular with priority. So this page is of highest importance for you and most of all users.

Let's begin our journey in the upper area. Here you find the four Channels with volume faders and functions to load a sample source by clicking on the name (to open the browser page), to load a sample source with the dice randomly (but within the same category), to load the previous or next source within the same category and to switch a channel on and off.

On the right you find the smart EQ functions, that need no further explanation. In the right lower corner you find a button to switch on and off the animation of the central modular graphic. On the left side you find the sound variations that we explained already in the chapter above. Finally you find the macros in the lower area that control parameters for all four layers individually. Let's jump to the next pages to learn which destinations each macro can control.

Mixer page

The Mixer page has two views, the Channels and the Effects view.

On the Channels view you can tweak usual stuff like channels' level and panorama plus the Space and Echo send effects. Below those you find the Dirt On/Off switch, to activate a separate insert effect, individually per channel.

You can see red rings around all Space and Echo effects on the screenshot above. Those control the modulation intensity of the appropriate macros in the lower area. You can see those macros on all pages. More about the macro assignments will be explained on the Edit page.

On the Effects view you can edit all effects. Important to understand: there are four Dirt effects on the right, one per channel. On the screenshot above, you see the Dirt effect being selected for channel 1.

Edit page

The Edit page offers editing of all basic sound and amplifier parameters for all four channels individually. Don't miss selecting the correct Channel 1-4 in the lower area.

On the Edit page you can also dial in the always red colored macro modulation intensity with the red rings and lines per channel.

Just move the mouse to the little up/down-arrows next to the Cutoff label and dial in the intensity with moving the mouse up or down. During this movement you can see the appropriate macro in red light in the lower area. This helps to identify which macro you are assigning at the moment. On the Edit page you can define the macro settings for Filter and Time.

Animate page

The Animate page has two views, the Step Sequencer and the LFO view.

On the Step Sequencer view you can tweak the step sequencer values on the left and the Animate macro assignments on the right.

On the LFO view you can tweak the Drift LFO parameters including Drift macro intensity on the left. In the middle and right areas you can tweak all LFO parameters and the Animate macro assignments on the right.

Credits

Product Design: Tobias Menguser, Paul Haslinger

Sample Concept, Processing & Design: Tobias Menguser

Graphic Design: Ingo Hermes

Kontakt Scripting: Klaus Baetz

Modular Recordings: Tobias Menguser, Thomas Dimuzio, Robert Rich

Presets Design: Tobias Menguser, New Loops, emptyvessel, Marco Iodice, Joerg Huettner

Documentation: Tobias Menguser