Massive X vs Zebra 3

[ksandvik]

Yes, Note that Massive and MassiveX are two quite different synths -- I wish NI would have called *X something else. But you could check out the massive library and figure out various patches, how they are made, tweak them and so on.

[pdxindy]

No real per voice effects like Massive X.

Zebra 3 has:
EQ/Resonator
Ringmod
Wavefolder
Bit Crusher
Utility module which can adjust mid/side, mono-ize the bass...
Phaser

All of those are per voice and modulate well. Or did you mean something different?

[loctune]

They are both very powerful and complex synths. Between the two Massive X has a generally better and more user friendly design, but neither I would call good modern UX.

Both have a ton of synth presets, but Zebra 3 have virtually no osc or wavetable preset provided. Users have to work out their own thing in the wavetable editor. On the contrary, Massive X has a ton of good wavetable presets, but does not allow any user wavetable editing or importing.

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation, feedback, load samples.

Things Zebra 3 can do but Massive X cannot:
Additive, modal synthesis, MSEG.

In a word, they are both pretty niche synths. I have much better options as my daily go-to, but sometimes it’s good to have niche synths which do something special that no other synths can do.

[liquidsound]

The reverb in the "polyphonic area" is incredible as well.

Are you sure you can add the Reverb in the Polyphonic area?

[exmatproton]

The reverb in the "polyphonic area" is incredible as well.

Are you sure you can add the Reverb in the Polyphonic area?

You cannot. I've tried

[exmatproton]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

[pdxindy]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

Also Ringmod module
and Filter FM

[exmatproton]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

Also Ringmod module
and Filter FM

yeah..was just naming a few but you're correct indeed

[Magpel]

I've always been impressed with the core sound of Massive X. When I pull out my own patches, they hit me with a solidity of sound that strikes me as superior. The only other remotely comparable "super" synths I have here are Vital and Pigments. They are ALL a lot for poor old me. I don't have a really firm grasp of Massive's routing page and I suppose that's the only thing that keeps me form opening it more often.

[liquidsound]

The reverb in the "polyphonic area" is incredible as well.

Are you sure you can add the Reverb in the Polyphonic area?

You cannot. I've tried

Maybe a NDA comment about the next update?

[loctune]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

I don't think Zebra 3's LFO goes full audio range? Last time I checked it was around 300Hz if use 0.1s and fastest rate. Maybe I can get even faster by using fast tempo and 1/64 note setting, but I don't think I can get super fast. Massive X has modulator which goes to 22kHz which can be used to modulate anything and can even be used as sound source. The closest thing I've tried in Zebra 3 is to have a super fast MSEG powered by super high loop rate, combined with mapper I can kinda get a very fast modulator, but it's really a dirty thing.

FMO is common to both Zebra 3 and Massive X so doesn't count.

[loctune]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

Also Ringmod module
and Filter FM

FMO, Ringmod and Filter FM are common to both Zebra 3 and Massive X. So I don't really count them...

[exmatproton]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

I don't think Zebra 3's LFO goes full audio range? Last time I checked it was around 300Hz if use 0.1s and fastest rate. Maybe I can get even faster by using fast tempo and 1/64 note setting, but I don't think I can get super fast. Massive X has modulator which goes to 22kHz which can be used to modulate anything and can even be used as sound source. The closest thing I've tried in Zebra 3 is to have a super fast MSEG powered by super high loop rate, combined with mapper I can kinda get a very fast modulator, but it's really a dirty thing.

FMO is common to both Zebra 3 and Massive X so doesn't count.

does not count? you said Z3 doesn't do audio rate..and...it does. This is not even a discussion. FMO is part of your point. Z3 does audio range

[exmatproton]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

Also Ringmod module
and Filter FM

FMO, Ringmod and Filter FM are common to both Zebra 3 and Massive X. So I don't really count them...

again; you said that Z3 doesn't do audio range modulation. It clearly does..it doesn't matter if you count those modules or not.. It is also irrelevant in this particular case if both Z3 and MX have the same types of modulating possibilities. They both do audio range ..

So this:

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

is wrong

[loctune]

Things Massive X can do buy Zebra 3 cannot:
Audio rate modulation

It can do audio rate modulation;
*LFO -> parameter, even keytracked.
*FMO module = audio rate modulation

I don't think Zebra 3's LFO goes full audio range? Last time I checked it was around 300Hz if use 0.1s and fastest rate. Maybe I can get even faster by using fast tempo and 1/64 note setting, but I don't think I can get super fast. Massive X has modulator which goes to 22kHz which can be used to modulate anything and can even be used as sound source. The closest thing I've tried in Zebra 3 is to have a super fast MSEG powered by super high loop rate, combined with mapper I can kinda get a very fast modulator, but it's really a dirty thing.

FMO is common to both Zebra 3 and Massive X so doesn't count.

does not count? you said Z3 doesn't do audio rate..and...it does. This is not even a discussion. FMO is part of your point. Z3 does audio range

OK then. Maybe a better way of saying this is Zebra 3 does not have modulator able to run at full audio range...