Massive X 1.6.1 update (September 2025)!

[Biome_Digital]

but they seem to be determined to keep a tight control over all sound content creation for Massive X and keep it all in house. In my view this can only result in people eventually losing interest in it, which would be a real shame.

Exactly what my thoughts were, too.

[pierb]

In my view this can only result in people eventually losing interest in it, which would be a real shame.

Yeah in fact the browser is the main reason I'm not making presets for Massive X.

[zzz00m]

It does but what it doesn't allow you to do is create bank names for existing or new banks which is crazy so they are still all in one increasingly long list

The existing bank names list can be expanded to show the bank names installed. The default display for KK is "All Banks", but by clicking on the downward diamond reveals the existing bank list, so that you can shorten the displayed preset list to a single bank.

Bummer that you apparently cannot create new bank names.

[aMUSEd]

It does but what it doesn't allow you to do is create bank names for existing or new banks which is crazy so they are still all in one increasingly long list

The existing bank names list can be expanded to show the bank names installed. The default display for KK is "All Banks", but by clicking on the downward diamond reveals the existing bank list, so that you can shorten the displayed preset list to a single bank.

Yes I know but only for NI created content, not existing third party banks. That's the crazy thing, obviously the capability is there to create bank names and organise presets by tags but NI do not make it available to anyone apart from in-house content creators.

[Biome_Digital]

It does but what it doesn't allow you to do is create bank names for existing or new banks which is crazy so they are still all in one increasingly long list

The existing bank names list can be expanded to show the bank names installed. The default display for KK is "All Banks", but by clicking on the downward diamond reveals the existing bank list, so that you can shorten the displayed preset list to a single bank.

Yes I know but only for NI created content, not existing third party banks. That's the crazy thing, obviously the capability is there to create bank names and organise presets by tags but NI do not make it available to anyone apart from in-house content creators.

Yes, it's basically locked away from the user. That's pretty crazy, there is at least 3 people in this thread not doing content for Massive X because of it. So, maybe that is what they want, but it's the users that miss out in the end.

[Super Piano Hater 64]

I've seen repeated assurances from "those in the know" that a massivexly improved patch browser is in the works. They do seem to be taking their time with it, but considering how many other delays have been the result of NI's organizational inefficiency, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. There are companies that deliberately do weird things to tease and torture their customers, but I'm pretty sure that's not what's going on here.

[Biome_Digital]

I've seen repeated assurances from "those in the know" that a massivexly improved patch browser is in the works. They do seem to be taking their time with it, but considering how many other delays have been the result of NI's organizational inefficiency, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. There are companies that deliberately do weird things to tease and torture their customers, but I'm pretty sure that's not what's going on here.

yeah I've seen them too, but we're waiting, what, 2 or 3 years!! That's mad!

[chk071]

I've seen repeated assurances from "those in the know" that a massivexly improved patch browser is in the works. They do seem to be taking their time with it, but considering how many other delays have been the result of NI's organizational inefficiency, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. There are companies that deliberately do weird things to tease and torture their customers, but I'm pretty sure that's not what's going on here.

What an utter nonsense.

But, hey... maybe propose to them that you're the guy to take over their project lead. I'm sure you do a much better job.

[EvilDragon]

That's the crazy thing, obviously the capability is there to create bank names and organise presets by tags but NI do not make it available to anyone apart from in-house content creators.

They use tagging in Maschine too, AFAIK. It just gets stamped as a factory preset, or something, rather than user content.

[zzz00m]

Well here's hoping it will get better. Not going to hold my breath, just going to stick to Phase Plant and Pigments until they fix this mess...

[spektralisk]

I thought there might have been a proper preset browser released. Still no??

No, but if you load Massive X into Komplete Kontrol, that provides a decent preset browser. It lets you search by bank, tags for instrument types and sound characters, plus there is a search box.

Bonus: KK also provides 8 macro knobs corresponding to the 8 macros in Massive X. KK allows MIDI learn from your controller for those 8 macros.

It does but what it doesn't allow you to do is create bank names for existing or new banks which is crazy so they are still all in one increasingly long list

Yes of course, that is my problem with it and why I only made one massive expansion pack.

The sounds I got out of it are unlike any other synth I've used. Really gnarly sounding!

Thanks for confirming what I have long suspected. I keep flagging this up with NI; they are shooting themselves in the foot over this. One of the biggest keys to success of any plugin is the development of a thriving community of third party sound content creators (paid and free). NI should know this as it was one of the main factors in Reaktor and Massive's success, but they seem to be determined to keep a tight control over all sound content creation for Massive X and keep it all in house. In my view this can only result in people eventually losing interest in it, which would be a real shame.

I have a similar impression. They should make it friendly for third party creators. It'll benefit all involved.

I keep making sound banks for Massive X regardless. It sounds great and is fun to patch the sounds. For now I'm using tags for each of the new sound bank in Komplete Kontrol. It works but it's only a workaround. I hope eventually NI will address this and make a proper browser in Massive X and add sound bank/expansion tagging for third parties in KK.

[chk071]

Frankly, I think what most people don't get is that NI wants you to use Maschine or Komplete Kontrol with their synths. You can think about that what you want, but, IMO, their synths are really made for use with these two.

[spnc]

I thought there might have been a proper preset browser released. Still no??

No, but if you load Massive X into Komplete Kontrol, that provides a decent preset browser. It lets you search by bank, tags for instrument types and sound characters, plus there is a search box.

Bonus: KK also provides 8 macro knobs corresponding to the 8 macros in Massive X. KK allows MIDI learn from your controller for those 8 macros.

It does but what it doesn't allow you to do is create bank names for existing or new banks which is crazy so they are still all in one increasingly long list

Yes of course, that is my problem with it and why I only made one massive expansion pack.

The sounds I got out of it are unlike any other synth I've used. Really gnarly sounding!

Thanks for confirming what I have long suspected. I keep flagging this up with NI; they are shooting themselves in the foot over this. One of the biggest keys to success of any plugin is the development of a thriving community of third party sound content creators (paid and free). NI should know this as it was one of the main factors in Reaktor and Massive's success, but they seem to be determined to keep a tight control over all sound content creation for Massive X and keep it all in house. In my view this can only result in people eventually losing interest in it, which would be a real shame.

NI even shut down their forum in 2018... speaks volume about how they care about creating a community and support. Non-existent.

[Super Piano Hater 64]

What an utter nonsense.

But, hey... maybe propose to them that you're the guy to take over their project lead. I'm sure you do a much better job.

I can't tell if you're mad at me for going too easy on them or for calling the company inefficient.

[EvilDragon]

NI even shut down their forum in 2018... speaks volume about how they care about creating a community and support. Non-existent.

Forum was moved to a new platform last year, not 2018.

http://community.native-instruments.com/

Support is much more involved there.