Massive X 1.6.1 update (September 2025)!

[concealed identity]

NI Access is great when it works, but it seems like a lot of people have issues with it. I personally have had a number of problems, and it always seems like it's never the same problem, like weird things just happen randomly. Sometimes a restart fixes it, sometimes I have to delete a preference file, and sometimes just logging back in later fixes it.

The only consistent problem I've had is that it's sometimes unable to tell when something is uninstalled and tells me it's installed but broken- this is even when uninstalling via NI Access (when possible) or through the regular Windows uninstall method. After chats with NI support, they just told me I have to edit some files manually to fix this when it happens.

But I've had the program not find any of my plugins, find SOME of my plugins but not most of the others, tell me I have a bunch of third party plugins I don't even own installed (or ready for install), not load the startup screen, and not download or install something after I click on it.

I always keep it updated, but I can't tell if it's getting better or not. It's definitely the least reliable of the myriad installation managers I have for plugins (the only other one I've had issues with is Arturia's when their servers are over capacity after a new release).

[osiris]

Don't want to go OT but I have to vent somewhere. NI will not let me download the new Kontakt Player unless I download Kontakt 5, which I own, first. I do not want Kontakt 5. I do not want to give up the space it requires. I would however like the new Player. Anyone else have this issue?

[BBFG#]

My problems with Access is that first, it only does what it thinks it does about 10% of the time for me. More often having failed or otherwise corrupted downloads and requiring it be attempted over and over again getting the same results. (Insanity?)
Then after finally getting it to work properly, having to go through that insanity on a second machine.

Really? Do you have some sht internet?

I've never had any problems like that with NI Access.

I think it's really good actually. Very simple to check and install updates. No logging in, pretty quick to d/l from.

Over the years through different connections of Phone, Satellite, DSL and through different locations. The 10% of the time (and I'm being generous) it works, it works fine. Although the idea of "download once, install as needed" is something they obviously don't like.

But now we're into comparing your anecdote to my anecdote and rallying others to a side. I accept your experience and ask that you accept mine for what it is. Instead of a p*s contest with cheer squads forming.

With many, Access is the single problem that turns everything else they make not worth using. It would be to their benefit to make that their first priority across any connection in any location for every customer in their base. If that's too hard for them, then maybe they aren't what they say they are. And maybe they are just a "sad state" of former glory for the VC to break up, piece out and declare a major loss to offset their other positions in ventures elsewhere.
Which currently is fitting that playbook.

I still have my account and have reduced the products to NFR and the free players. A company that I used to be "all in" basically now would only have a couple of products I would ever use or upgrade to a full license from them now. But even that is contingent on them launching a campaign to show they've listened, heard, and doing things differently.
Service Center is dead, Access needs a rewrite or rebrand. Correct the problems instead of defending them, denying they happen or deciding the percentages of those problems are "acceptable".

[Daru925]

New Update
They put a workaround for the undo stacks.
If you use ableton live, its possible to deactivate animator's automation so it doesnt clog the undo history, but then linking player X-Y pads to device X-Y pads make automation AND undo possible.
I like the new preset browsing with just up down arrows. But now people will complain they lost the patch they were working on.
Also noticed a faster opening of the first instance compared with previous versions.

[osiris]

I will say the latest update to Access DID finally let me d/l the Kontakt Player.
Re: Massive. Thanks for the update news. That animated pad caused a crash on FL just from switching presets. Massive (any version) has never crashed on me until that.

[martiu]

when i open this synth i cant start a track, i get lost into tweaking stuff, making crazy alien sounds is easy, i enjoy it very much, i have also Sugar Bytes Factory and there is some similarities but Massive X is more capable and overall deeper synth

[Sinisterbr]

when i open this synth i cant start a track, i get lost into tweaking stuff, making crazy alien sounds is easy, i enjoy it very much, i have also Sugar Bytes Factory and there is some similarities but Massive X is more capable and overall deeper synth

I also have and love both very much as well. I think Factory is a really underrated synth

[liquidsound]

i have also Sugar Bytes Factory

Thanks for mentioning it! I got it for $49 right after your post. Superb! And the Random functions are insane

Edit:..

[CinningBao]

Just completed a questionnaire about the future of MassiveX.. seemed like they're looking at quite a lot of improvement/changes.. sampler, more filters fx etc, do we want polyphonic performers (er yes?), and a load of QoL stuff.. interestingly do we want AI stuff? Prompted presets, suggested similars, SAMPLE IMPORT TO GENERATE SYNTH SOUND..

Could turn into something quite magical..

[Vortifex]

Interesting. I'm actually not all that bothered about new features, but it would make sense for them to offer something that can compete with Serum 2.

Honestly at this point they might as well abandon Massive X as a concept, transplant its core DNA into a new synth, bung in all the new features, call it Massive 2 and market it as the true successor to Massive.

[sunthief01]

Just completed a questionnaire about the future of MassiveX.. seemed like they're looking at quite a lot of improvement/changes.. sampler, more filters fx etc, do we want polyphonic performers (er yes?), and a load of QoL stuff.. interestingly do we want AI stuff? Prompted presets, suggested similars, SAMPLE IMPORT TO GENERATE SYNTH SOUND..

Could turn into something quite magical..

thanks for the tip I completely missed the survey in my promotions folder. Just completed it!

Excited to see them gathering feedback for potential feature additions. Nowhere to suggest "make parameters accessible to DAW modulation" which is annoying, but lots of cool features apparently being considered.

For me, MX flexible routing with feedback anywhere in the chain, including Filter FM, PM, and the insert effects is really amazing. Expansion of the possibilities within the monophonic area will just turbocharge what is already an extremely powerful synth - that is also bizarrely still missing important UI and UX features

[XorXisT]

Nowhere to suggest "make parameters accessible to DAW modulation" which is annoying, but lots of cool features apparently being considered.

This quote is from a article published september this year:

“Massive X is very powerful in its capabilities but it can feel a bit intimidating with its love for detail and its flexibility,” Tobias Fricke, Lead Product Manager at NI, explained. “We were looking for ways to make the instrument more accessible to our users and offer something different than what you can find in other synths.”

This is not just a one-time drop but part of a larger effort to boost the profile of X with some much-needed updates. “We are dedicated to building on Massive X,” said Tobias, “and are currently working on the next free update that will include the long overdue addition of automation of all parameters – currently only macros are exposed to the DAW – plus some improvements to the Play tab.”

https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/v ... sic-makers

[sunthief01]

Good looking out! Hope they focus on this and other sound / modulation enhancements over the weird AI category they have in the survey. I'm not in this to type "dark swirling pad" in and have it generate a preset.

[mutagen]

Here ya go, link is live for a bit. If anyone else downloads, please say thanks

Thank you for this from the Absynth 6 thread (didn't want to clutter that up).

I had to page through 9 pages of search results for Massive X that returned other threads, it is clearly a reference point for sound quality (and NI policies and business practices).

[swilow11]

I really hope they allow more than 2 mod sources per parameter. Its an odd limitation. And the performers being polyphonic and easier to use. Sound quality is amazing and it generally sounds better than anything else but damn it has some absolutely startling flaws.