Massive X vs Zebra 3

[EvilDragon]

I like them both but Zebra 3 is a work of art and hugely inspiring, whereas Massive X is technically powerful but just doesn't have the same kind of genius.

It has a different kind of genius, the DSP is just as great as u-he's and it always sounds terrific no matter what you do with it.

[babaji]

Zebra 3 is the best. But it's workflow is not good.

[exmatproton]

What's the issue people have with Massive X's UI? I find it very clear and straightforward.

It is not a difficult UI. Just not "fun/inspiring" to work with (imho + ymmv). It is a great synth, for sure...but i rarely open it

[Dalle]

Massive X filter combined with the feedback loop is something special. But you do only get one of them. Very different synths.

[Almondo]

What's the issue people have with Massive X's UI? I find it very clear and straightforward.

It's not very intuitive, a bit cluttered, has quite a few abbreviations, and has text and icons that have been squeezed in wherever there's space. In terms of pure UX/UI design it's not the best. Tooltips would help a lot just as a reminder.

It does sound great though.

[XorXisT]

Both are great.

Both have it's place, but Zebra goes beyond because of it's pure algorithmic oscillators, instead of sample wavetables IMHO.

I love both, but Massive X fate have been set.

Time will tell, I guess.

[machinesworking]

IMO even with this comparison between two complex synths, there's not so much overlap that it makes sense to compare them, but at least it's not as silly as some of the VS threads that pop up here. At least it's not some analog synth VS a sampler etc.

[sunthief01]

Own both, love them and they are in my top 3 (Icarus 3 is in there as well).

Zebra's strengths are well documented and I've been doing so much sound design in it lately.

Massive X's oscillator modes and PM, feedback routing, idiosyncratic filters, filter FM and Peru voice effects all sound incredible. The reverb in the "polyphonic area" is incredible as well. I find it to be truly unsung - amazing synth that unfortunately gets written off a lot.

[machinesworking]

I find it to be truly unsung - amazing synth that unfortunately FETs written off a lot.

OK can't find any meaning for FET...

It gets written off a lot because the interface is hard to figure out without diving into the manual.
I would bet this is true for Zebra as well but because it was Urs's first Commercial synth, some of us have owned it for decades.

[Seafire Mk2]

I think he meant 'gets'

[zerocrossing]

Hi I’ve been messing about with the Zebra 3 demo for a good while now, and I’m curious what people who genuinely rate MX think.
I’m not talking features or workflow just core sound, odd bit of audio-rate modulation abuse. Zebra 3 gets endless praise, especially for the filters, and I can absolutely hear why. but I keep coming back to MX. Its core tone just feels a bit more… you know the usual scientific and professional description of a synthesiser’s sound like, warm, creamy, moist, lush, electric, alive, vintage, chewy, velvety, silky, buttery, crispy, gooey, woody, glassy, multi dimensional, organic, free range, grass fed, liquid, juicy, muscular, hairy, expensive. been comparing the svf and ladder filters particularly and I don’t know. I even prefer the MX effects. I don’t intend to turn this into a one must win debate as they are capable of different things but i am genuinely interested in opinions and am also bored.
Don’t hesitate to chime in and explain why I’m objectively wrong in the calm and measured way this community is famous for

Both are great, but Massive X is one of the best plugins for per voice distortion and feedback, if not the best. It's pretty flexible, though it has some odd constraints, like no wavetable editing or even wavetable import. The filter FM is fantastic. You can really get wild with it.

Zebra is more focused on letting you draw waveforms or set up additive oscillators and morph between keyframes. There's no feedback path. No real per voice effects like Massive X. Overall, a bit more polite, and definitely less chewy.

[zerocrossing]

I think he meant 'gets'

Not Field Effect Transistor?

[BBFG#]

I find it to be truly unsung - amazing synth that unfortunately FETs written off a lot.

OK can't find any meaning for FET...

First thing that came up on my search was "Fertilized Embryo Transfer". So I asked specifically for Internet Slang terms and it came up with Fetish(es) that is often shortened to FET on BDSM sites between those that frequent there. Not sure how that really works here. But maybe they're typing with only one digit unbound?

[Tiles]

What's the issue people have with Massive X's UI? I find it very clear and straightforward.

For me it lacks the connections of elements. I connect a few things with each other and then i start to loose track what does what.