Massive X 1.6.1 update (September 2025)!

[Teksonik]

Anyway, back on the subject of Massive X. I received it for free in the recent giveaway so I'm thankful to NI for their generosity.

I'm really trying to love it but every time I call it up to make patches I end up closing it and calling something else up like Icarus 3 or VPS Avenger etc because of the limitations of MX.

I think it's more aimed at genres that I don't dabble in so it might just be like a very nice pair of shoes that don't fit my feet.....

[martinjuenke]

Yeah, it's nothing like it at all. Physical modeling engine. Awesome, if you're into such things, but nothing like Absynth.

The ad blurb on the site seems to indicate it covers some of the same sonic territory as Absynth:

"Plasmonic captures the complex acoustic resonances of Physical Modeling, expands on it with more familiar elements of Subtractive Synthesis, and adds a few unique twists.
From plucked strings with an acoustic presence, to vast imaginary soundscapes, to gnarly leads and complex rhythmic textures, Plasmonic will go wherever your imagination takes it."

Or I guess we could die, and that would be nothing.

At my age that's always a possibility. I could die right in the middle of typing this respon

RIP Teksonik.
Best men leave us young.

[abstractdolphin]

I've fallen more and more in love with Reaktor over the past few years to the point where I use it almost exclusively now. So it's great to hear it's getting some attention. That said, this Reaktor-to-VST thing only makes sense if the users who make ensembles can actually employ it.

There are very few people I imagine who care enough about sound to recognise Reaktor synth quality, but not quite enough to just these synths/effects in Reaktor, and need a (slightly) more refined way of doing so.

The real treasures of reaktor are in the user-created library, and if people could export their Reaktor creations to VST I think it would become the most exciting and powerful platform around. Otherwise, it just seems like a lot of effort for no real benefit.

[jules99]

You might have misread. NI is planning to create VST versions of some of their most popular Reaktor ensembles like Monark. So far, no mention of users / Reaktor ensemble creators being able to do the same.

[Teksonik]

RIP Teksonik.
Best men leave us young.

Thanks, that's very kind. But I blew past "young" several decades ago. If I died today they'd ask "how did he manage to hang on that long?"

[Teksonik]

You might have misread. NI is planning to create VST versions of some of their most popular Reaktor ensembles like Monark.

I think much of the conversation revolves around this part of their announcement:

"Second,we’re working on a big update to a much-loved synth product. Can’t say more at this stage, other than stay tuned".

Which appears right before:

"Lastly, we are modernising several of our classic Reaktor synths as well as building some new ones, and all of these will be hosted as individual plugins in the DAW".

So I guess it depends on the definition of "synth product". Many are hoping it's Absynth, some are wishing for an updated FM8.

I could think of nothing less exciting than a VSTi version of Monark but we'll see what happens.

[EvilDragon]

You might have misread. NI is planning to create VST versions of some of their most popular Reaktor ensembles like Monark. So far, no mention of users / Reaktor ensemble creators being able to do the same.

It is the logical conclusion, though. And not an entirely crazy one, if you ask me.

[zerocrossing]

I don't think Blocks will be ported, it turned out not to be a very successful idea unfortunately.

Monark and Razor are #1 contenders, those things are absolute faves among many many people. I would love to see Form after those two, personally, because it's unique. Only then perhaps Super 8 and others (Prism, Spark, Skanner XT, Molekular...)

Blocks are a brilliant idea that wasn't implemented all that well due to a poor UX design. They tried to fix it by adding some Blocks that had virtual patch cables, like a VCV or Softube, but not all modules work this way... it is just sort of a mess, but if you're willing to work past that (I am) it's really amazing, IMO.

[aMUSEd]

If Razor gets ported I hope it gets a GUI update too

[EvilDragon]

Blocks are a brilliant idea that wasn't implemented all that well due to a poor UX design. They tried to fix it by adding some Blocks that had virtual patch cables, like a VCV or Softube, but not all modules work this way... it is just sort of a mess, but if you're willing to work past that (I am) it's really amazing, IMO.

Oh I love Blocks myself, too! It's just... as far as which Reaktor things are the most popular, Blocks are not it.

[zerocrossing]

Blocks are a brilliant idea that wasn't implemented all that well due to a poor UX design. They tried to fix it by adding some Blocks that had virtual patch cables, like a VCV or Softube, but not all modules work this way... it is just sort of a mess, but if you're willing to work past that (I am) it's really amazing, IMO.

Oh I love Blocks myself, too! It's just... as far as which Reaktor things are the most popular, Blocks are not it.

I don't think modular is ever going to appeal to as many people as a Massive X would. It's just not how most people are, but that said, a little love could really make it one of the top modular software plugins, IMO. First off, I'd give it it's own plugin, and totally lose the Reaktor thing. Just basically look at VCV or Voltage Modular for how it should function. Add a couple of cool new modules, maybe a great high quality Polyvoks filter? I bet a lot of people would jump on it.

[Dalle]

Blocks with a proper module browser would be amazing

[planetearth]

You might have misread. NI is planning to create VST versions of some of their most popular Reaktor ensembles like Monark.

I think much of the conversation revolves around this part of their announcement:

"Second,we’re working on a big update to a much-loved synth product. Can’t say more at this stage, other than stay tuned".

Which appears right before:

"Lastly, we are modernising several of our classic Reaktor synths as well as building some new ones, and all of these will be hosted as individual plugins in the DAW".

So I guess it depends on the definition of "synth product". Many are hoping it's Absynth, some are wishing for an updated FM8.

I could think of nothing less exciting than a VSTi version of Monark but we'll see what happens.

As far as the "big update to a much-loved synth product" is concerned, I wouldn't be surprised if that "synth product" was FM8. That—while possibly disappointing many—would help explain all the "Get FM8 for $10!" offers we've seen over the last 14 months or so. ("Now upgrade to FM9 for only $99!")

But as others have said, an update to FM8 in a market saturated with low-cost (or free) FM synths and DX-series emulations would seem...well, misguided on NI's part.

I'd like an updated Absynth, but I think we can safely rule that out. And while FM8 made FM synthesis more approachable for some over a decade ago, I think that in 2025, people are looking for more "authentic" FM synthesis, whether that means "sounding more like a DX synth" or "offering every option possible for FM synthesis".

Regardless of what is released, it's going to piss someone on here off.

Steve

[EvilDragon]

I don't think the return of Absynth should be ruled out. As I said, all sorts of deals could be cut with Brian, and we do know Brian is open and willing to keep working on Absynth...

[mudi1974]

Blocks are a brilliant idea that wasn't implemented all that well due to a poor UX design. They tried to fix it by adding some Blocks that had virtual patch cables, like a VCV or Softube, but not all modules work this way... it is just sort of a mess, but if you're willing to work past that (I am) it's really amazing, IMO.

Oh I love Blocks myself, too! It's just... as far as which Reaktor things are the most popular, Blocks are not it.

Blocks also has the issue that it's monophonic only. In any case I am using other modular alternatives now that allow polyphony.
Sound-wise all NI synths sound very good independent of how old they are.