I think the usability/interface is more than ok. What I dislike the most is the lack of MIDI mapping and automation possibilities. It's such a shame that we can only map the macros and only be able to automate those.
There are so many times when I touch a knob on the interface and go "wow!! Awesome!" only to realize I can't control it in real time nor automate it.. without assigning it to a macro knob first, which can be really silly when all macros are already in use.
This issue alone makes Massive X feel archaic and much worse than it's age old predecessor. It's such a weird decision. I don't know if there are any other plugin synths that are this limited in terms of what can and can not be automated.
Massive X 1.4 update!
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- KVRian
- 611 posts since 1 Jul, 2023
I guess the modularity plays some role. But if so I don't get why Massive X hasn't done what other semi modulars like Falcon or Phase Plant have which is to create assignable automation 'busses'.
That said, I'm rarely automating more than 16 parameters. I tend to dislike automation outside of macros- baking parameter values into a patch via automation is annoying (handled well by Bitwig though).
That said, I'm rarely automating more than 16 parameters. I tend to dislike automation outside of macros- baking parameter values into a patch via automation is annoying (handled well by Bitwig though).
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- KVRAF
- 1574 posts since 27 Apr, 2012
It’s not a full modular though. There’s a limited number of pieces so it’s more akin to Zebra than Falcon or Phase Plant or whatever. There’s no reason all the possible controls can’t be available for automation.
Softsynth addict and electronic music enthusiast.
"Destruction is the work of an afternoon. Creation is the work of a lifetime."
"Destruction is the work of an afternoon. Creation is the work of a lifetime."
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- KVRian
- 670 posts since 20 Jun, 2010
goodcarrieres wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2024 8:06 am Qt is a cross-platform application development framework for creating graphical user interfaces https://www.qt.io/
Quicktime died in 2020
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- KVRer
- 24 posts since 5 Apr, 2024
What I don't understand is that NI knew from the beginning that Massive X users lack visual feedback. Why did it never come as an update? Can't we expect that?
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- KVRAF
- 23226 posts since 7 Jan, 2009 from Croatia
There was an update which dynamically changes envelope shapes depending on parameter values (which wasn't there in the original release). Don't expect fireworks like Pigments because it's not going to happen. This is not that kind of synth (neither was the original Massive).
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- KVRer
- 24 posts since 5 Apr, 2024
@evildragon
Yes, that's a pity...
Yes, that's a pity...
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- KVRist
- 205 posts since 4 Dec, 2003 from Oregon, USA
The deal destroyer for this one for me is that every time you select a preset, it leaves the preset selection screen. And it didn't use to do that. Seriously, WTF?
It's the only synth I have that does that and it KILLS the work flow
It's the only synth I have that does that and it KILLS the work flow
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- KVRian
- 1007 posts since 6 Jul, 2009
In the preset selection screen, there will be a "pin" button you can press to keep the presets open.idoru97214 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2024 5:51 pm The deal destroyer for this one for me is that every time you select a preset, it leaves the preset selection screen. And it didn't use to do that. Seriously, WTF?
It's the only synth I have that does that and it KILLS the work flow
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- KVRist
- 490 posts since 20 Mar, 2015 from Nerima, Tokyo
Maybe i'm the only one left who still absolutely love this synth ahah^^
It should be labeled "not recommended for presetpacks makers and 747 pilots" at this point.
It makes gorgeous sounds, which is most important to me.
And 16 macros + MW + aftertouch + remote octave per patch is plenty for simple minds like me.
I'm lucky it has just the right amount of "simple but not simplistic" i need.
But it takes some time to learn and you have to rtfm.
The improved comb filter makes these karplus- strong sounds really strong this time, send that into the unison chorder, delicious!
I also like how that "boring" blank interface slowly comes to life as I start setting saturn rings.
It should be labeled "not recommended for presetpacks makers and 747 pilots" at this point.
It makes gorgeous sounds, which is most important to me.
And 16 macros + MW + aftertouch + remote octave per patch is plenty for simple minds like me.
I'm lucky it has just the right amount of "simple but not simplistic" i need.
But it takes some time to learn and you have to rtfm.
The improved comb filter makes these karplus- strong sounds really strong this time, send that into the unison chorder, delicious!
I also like how that "boring" blank interface slowly comes to life as I start setting saturn rings.
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- KVRist
- 127 posts since 4 Jun, 2019
I think it's also a very musical and organic instrument. The whole architecture is well thought out. It's a very deep synth, but it also forces you to stay within reasonably limits. I think the wavetables and the filters are chosen by good musicians, they just work together. I like it better than the option to have hundreds of similar sounding wavetables and browsing through them.
Having just one filter sound like a problem, but you can use filter-wavetables - sweeping through the wavetables sounds like resonant filter. You also have the ART readout mode and it sounds like another resonant filter. There are also dual-mode filter types. And the clean filters in the insert effects. So you are limited, but there are many options, that sound good and can be inspirational.
But it doesn't have a proper polyphonic MSEG, trackers are not polyphonic. That's a shame.
Having just one filter sound like a problem, but you can use filter-wavetables - sweeping through the wavetables sounds like resonant filter. You also have the ART readout mode and it sounds like another resonant filter. There are also dual-mode filter types. And the clean filters in the insert effects. So you are limited, but there are many options, that sound good and can be inspirational.
But it doesn't have a proper polyphonic MSEG, trackers are not polyphonic. That's a shame.
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- KVRAF
- 2838 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
Nah... It's not perfect but I also love this synth. I still don't know how to use it all. So many options.
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- KVRAF
- 2838 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
Having only one filter while being a follow up to Massive still makes no sense to me.Stirner wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2024 9:14 pm Having just one filter sound like a problem, but you can use filter-wavetables - sweeping through the wavetables sounds like resonant filter. You also have the ART readout mode and it sounds like another resonant filter. There are also dual-mode filter types. And the clean filters in the insert effects. So you are limited, but there are many options, that sound good and can be inspirational.
But it doesn't have a proper polyphonic MSEG, trackers are not polyphonic. That's a shame.
The dual filter setup in Massive was so intuitive and powerful, I can't see any good reason that this isn't a minimum for all synths, let alone Massive X.
The msegs are ok once you get used to them, but could have done with a simple mode as well that could have been... Just like massive.
A third oscillator... Why lose one...?
LFOs... The LFOs take up tons of space and the shapes are just a bit limited and weird... Why??
Even with all these annoyances, it's still excellent though. 5/5
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- KVRAF
- 23226 posts since 7 Jan, 2009 from Croatia
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- KVRAF
- 23226 posts since 7 Jan, 2009 from Croatia
You can load additional 3 oscillators if you want to in insert slots. They won't wavetable (I don't think they need to considering the main two WT oscs are better than anything else on the market) but they will definitely support the sound.
Because Mike Daliot said so. The shapes were carefully chosen (although I myself don't know the reasoning behind each of them), they sometimes behave a little different in Uni/Bi modes as far as starting phase etc. It's quirky but it's all Mike.
