Native Instruments Massive X Synth - Sequel to Massive (Out Now!)

[Vectorman]

No MIDI learn as of yet, but you could probably convert EXP and BC to host automation in Bitwig to move certain macros?

That's a bummer. There should be Pitch, Modwheel, AT, Breath, Expression and a CC option right there on the GUI.

I realized earlier that there's no MIDI learn and had what I assume was a classic look of incredulity going on. Seems like such a basic functionality to have just left out. And, of course, I'm having issues getting Reaper's MIDI learn to work. I'd never tried to use it before - never needed to, since every synth I've wanted to do that with in the past had built-in MIDI learn. Ah well, I'll figure it out.

The other thing that surprised me is that there's only one filter, so none of the parallel/serial filter action of the original Massive. How peculiar for that aspect of its voice architecture to take a step backwards...one would have expected it to at least equal everything the OG could do and go beyond.

These things being said, it still sounds great and is an appealing package on the whole which will hopefully get more refined with near-future updates. A second filter being added is probably unlikely, but some of the other things being addressed would be cool.

[zerocrossing]

I'm happy for the people who are getting their jollies with the new toys, but I already have enough tools to keep me busy until the end of time...

We all do, i guess.

MX is pretty impressive though. It's been some time since i last was that impressed. Could well become my go-to wavetable synth.

And how nice is it that i get that on top of the already great selection of Komplete stuff.

Agreed. For me, the $99 Summer Of Sound upgrade price from Komplete v8 to v12 was well worth it, and I haven’t even bothered with half of the new sample based instruments.

[zerocrossing]

No MIDI learn as of yet, but you could probably convert EXP and BC to host automation in Bitwig to move certain macros?

That's a bummer. There should be Pitch, Modwheel, AT, Breath, Expression and a CC option right there on the GUI.

I realized earlier that there's no MIDI learn and had what I assume was a classic look of incredulity going on. Seems like such a basic functionality to have just left out. And, of course, I'm having issues getting Reaper's MIDI learn to work. I'd never tried to use it before - never needed to, since every synth I've wanted to do that with in the past had built-in MIDI learn. Ah well, I'll figure it out.

The other thing that surprised me is that there's only one filter, so none of the parallel/serial filter action of the original Massive. How peculiar for that aspect of its voice architecture to take a step backwards...one would have expected it to at least equal everything the OG could do and go beyond.

These things being said, it still sounds great and is an appealing package on the whole which will hopefully get more refined with near-future updates. A second filter being added is probably unlikely, but some of the other things being addressed would be cool.

I’d settle for a single dual peak filter with offset.

[Vectorman]

No MIDI learn as of yet, but you could probably convert EXP and BC to host automation in Bitwig to move certain macros?

That's a bummer. There should be Pitch, Modwheel, AT, Breath, Expression and a CC option right there on the GUI.

I realized earlier that there's no MIDI learn and had what I assume was a classic look of incredulity going on. Seems like such a basic functionality to have just left out. And, of course, I'm having issues getting Reaper's MIDI learn to work. I'd never tried to use it before - never needed to, since every synth I've wanted to do that with in the past had built-in MIDI learn. Ah well, I'll figure it out.

The other thing that surprised me is that there's only one filter, so none of the parallel/serial filter action of the original Massive. How peculiar for that aspect of its voice architecture to take a step backwards...one would have expected it to at least equal everything the OG could do and go beyond.

These things being said, it still sounds great and is an appealing package on the whole which will hopefully get more refined with near-future updates. A second filter being added is probably unlikely, but some of the other things being addressed would be cool.

I’d settle for a single dual peak filter with offset.

Come to think of it, I was forgetting that there were some filters (State Variable I think) that have some sort of split going on...I don't recall the specifics without the synth in front of me. So I guess it's not strictly true that you can't get at least some of the sound of split filtering going on, even if it's not as flexible as having two truly separate filters with all their own controls.

[matteogk]

I wish it had more presets though.

In this review @sonicstate, Nick plays several presets I do not find...
Did his beta version have more presets than the official release???

[s28]

It sounds incredible. Very nicely done NI.

So many nice options, just recorded 10 minutes of madness and it yielded sounds I've not heard before, very inspiring.

[DJErmac]

OMG I'm so happy !!! I've just finished browsing the presets and... I haven't been impressed at all by what I've heard !! My wallet is safe... for now !

[yurodivi]

It's a great sounding synth with a lot of flexibility but it's almost as if it was designed by some people locked in a bunker for the last few years who haven't seen how visual and animated synths are now.

I’m sure those visualisations cost extra CPU cycles.

This !!!

[PatchAdamz]

It sounds incredible. Very nicely done NI.

So many nice options, just recorded 10 minutes of madness and it yielded sounds I've not heard before, very inspiring.

You know something is good when you can say, ..."it yielded sounds I've not heard before"...

[wagtunes]

I'm with Digital Boy. Outside of a good brass and woodwind library for big band, I have everything I need. I think K11 is my stopping point with NI. I can't think of anything they could come out with that would make me dig into my wallet and spend anymore money on their stuff. I mean how many synths do we really need?

[ghettosynth]

BORING!

[jarnold]

Sounds very good but the UI is terrible. Such a pity as that sound engine on an intuitive design would be amazing. Wasted opportunity.. Oh well.

[perpetual3]

According to this video, the osc have more aliasing than Serum, Phase Plant, VPS Avenger and the original Massive, and the filters only accentuate the aliasing. Analysis is done on sine waves.

Does anyone know if NI plans to fix this in a future update?

[wagtunes]

BORING!

You're right, it is boring. I have so many synths I'm lucky of I use some of them once a year, if that.

[ghettosynth]

BORING!

You're right, it is boring. I have so many synths I'm lucky of I use some of them once a year, if that.

The synth isn't boring wags, and I would question the chops of any sound designer who thought so.