Native Instruments Massive X Synth - Sequel to Massive (Out Now!)

[JoeCat]

My 2 cents after 15 minutes, though I suspect only my gf cares, and that because she humors me...

I always liked the plastic-y skeumorphic interface with the subdued color palette; personally I'd prefer the modulation colors to be more subtle, but that's super nit-picky.

Also agree there's too much room taken by the modulation - not sure what the static envelope representations are for in what is obviously not a "beginner" synth - leave them out or animate. Maybe NI's planning a "dark mode", in which case those colors would probably work well for either.

I think the knob speed might be a design choice? I don't mind it; a lot of synths are too reactive to me.

Otherwise, it's well layed out IMO, and no issues in Live on Windows 10 (either scaling Live or scaling Massive X).

Don't need to say much about the sound - I think we're past the point where there was even a chance given NI's DSP IP that this would sound less than stellar. The potential for great evolving ambient sounds and soundscapes surprises me a bit, though given the feature set, it shouldn't. But I think the market for this over the original Massive will be greater, though less focused than the previous version (that'd be the wub-wub crowd)

CPU usage is comparable to other synths of this caliber, so no complaints.

Favorite feature - 2 noise generators with the ability to bypass filters. Surprised there aren't more drum presets, especially with the cymbal samples, etc.

Does feel a bit rushed - I think we'll see an update in the coming weeks that will already address some of the missing pieces (for me, missing shift-fine control on the knobs would be #1).

[ghettosynth]

Spot on JoeCat!

[perpetual3]

Nobody cares about the aliasing?

[JoeCat]

Just watched a bit of that video on the aliasing - I see it in also with a spectrum analyzer on the sine wave, for example, with peak harmonics around -96 db. I wonder if there's a design decision going into that (CPU vs. quality, etc.). As a practical matter, does it make a difference at that level? Maybe there are other factors (and I haven't watched the entire video yet).

Asking as a legitimate question, not to start a flame war about aliasing. I've got years of experience playing all matter of keyboards and other instruments, producing, playing live, even working on large-scale projects, and what I've learned after almost half a century is: what I think is going to matter often doesn't, and what I think I can ignore, I often can't (in other words - still learning!)

[s28]

OMG I'm so happy !!! I've just finished browsing the presets and... I haven't been impressed at all by what I've heard !! My wallet is safe... for now !

No presets and just made some really nice patches with it. Very different experiences!

[perpetual3]

Just watched a bit of that video on the aliasing - I see it in also with a spectrum analyzer on the sine wave, for example, with peak harmonics around -96 db. I wonder if there's a design decision going into that (CPU vs. quality, etc.). As a practical matter, does it make a difference at that level? Maybe there are other factors (and I haven't watched the entire video yet).

Asking as a legitimate question, not to start a flame war about aliasing. I've got years of experience playing all matter of keyboards and other instruments, producing, playing live, even working on large-scale projects, and what I've learned after almost half a century is: what I think is going to matter often doesn't, and what I think I can ignore, I often can't (in other words - still learning!)

I think it matter when using audiorate modulations and complex osc, right? Because if the sine aliases, the a waveshape with lots of harmonics will alias even more, and even more with modulation. Right? I’m definitely not the expert, but that’s my take away from the video.

[s28]

Nobody cares about the aliasing?

I don't personally, I go by my ear and I like what I'm hearing more than any other vst synth I've tried thus far. Very strong first impressions.

[DanielMansell]

Noticing some strange GUI glitchiness with the VST version in FL Studio 20.5 RC1. Anyone else?

There's some flickering when using UI size that is not 100% on Intel GPUs. Known issue, they're on it.

Oh, okay. Thanks for the information.

Flickering is one thing. It happens when the plugin is just open and you don't touch it or if you hover the mouse on the top side. I am also seeing mouse cursor disappearing when turning knobs/sliders. All this when interface is at its default 100%. Is it also known?

Is that not a good thing?

[wagtunes]

BORING!

You're right, it is boring. I have so many synths I'm lucky of I use some of them once a year, if that.

The synth isn't boring wags, and I would question the chops of any sound designer who thought so.

It isn't the synth that's boring me. It's the thought of getting any more synths on top of what I have. Eventually, some of us reach a point where the synth itself, regardless of how amazing it is, doesn't matter. We've had enough.

I've reached that point.

[oxygenmask]

Funny how no one is talking about how it ISN'T a Reaktor synth. And they spoke with such authority...

[DJErmac]

OMG I'm so happy !!! I've just finished browsing the presets and... I haven't been impressed at all by what I've heard !! My wallet is safe... for now !

No presets and just made some really nice patches with it. Very different experiences!

Yes but I can't do this !! Because if I make sounds I'm unable to do with my other synths, I'll have to buy this one !

[JoeCat]

Just watched a bit of that video on the aliasing - I see it in also with a spectrum analyzer on the sine wave, for example, with peak harmonics around -96 db. I wonder if there's a design decision going into that (CPU vs. quality, etc.). As a practical matter, does it make a difference at that level? Maybe there are other factors (and I haven't watched the entire video yet).

Asking as a legitimate question, not to start a flame war about aliasing. I've got years of experience playing all matter of keyboards and other instruments, producing, playing live, even working on large-scale projects, and what I've learned after almost half a century is: what I think is going to matter often doesn't, and what I think I can ignore, I often can't (in other words - still learning!)

I think it matter when using audiorate modulations and complex osc, right? Because if the sine aliases, the a waveshape with lots of harmonics will alias even more, and even more with modulation. Right? I’m definitely not the expert, but that’s my take away from the video.

Sounds about right, which makes me wonder if there's aliasing in the oscillator or something intorduced further down the signal path (if that's possible). I thought with the routing I could bypass everything (including the amp envelope, though not sure how that would add to the problem), but doesn't look like it.

[experimental.crow]

It isn't the synth that's boring me. It's the thought of getting any more synths on top of what I have. Eventually, some of us reach a point where the synth itself, regardless of how amazing it is, doesn't matter. We've had enough.

I've reached that point.

i get that ...
i even subscribe to that feeling ...

you , however , have the consideration that this is a ( potential ) viable source of income ...
i will be interested to see if you continue your hold out ...

[ghettosynth]

It isn't the synth that's boring me. It's the thought of getting any more synths on top of what I have. Eventually, some of us reach a point where the synth itself, regardless of how amazing it is, doesn't matter. We've had enough.

I've reached that point.

i get that ...
i even subscribe to that feeling ...

you , however , have the consideration that this is a ( potential ) viable source of income ...
i will be interested to see if you continue your hold out ...

Right, which he's said is the only reason that he buys synths. I think he's just being contrary for the sake of it.

[perpetual3]

Just watched a bit of that video on the aliasing - I see it in also with a spectrum analyzer on the sine wave, for example, with peak harmonics around -96 db. I wonder if there's a design decision going into that (CPU vs. quality, etc.). As a practical matter, does it make a difference at that level? Maybe there are other factors (and I haven't watched the entire video yet).

Asking as a legitimate question, not to start a flame war about aliasing. I've got years of experience playing all matter of keyboards and other instruments, producing, playing live, even working on large-scale projects, and what I've learned after almost half a century is: what I think is going to matter often doesn't, and what I think I can ignore, I often can't (in other words - still learning!)

I think it matter when using audiorate modulations and complex osc, right? Because if the sine aliases, the a waveshape with lots of harmonics will alias even more, and even more with modulation. Right? I’m definitely not the expert, but that’s my take away from the video.

Sounds about right, which makes me wonder if there's aliasing in the oscillator or something intorduced further down the signal path (if that's possible). I thought with the routing I could bypass everything (including the amp envelope, though not sure how that would add to the problem), but doesn't look like it.

As someone else mentioned, if it sounds good then it is good, yet, for the price I’m kind of shocked that it had more aliasing than the original. Maybe that’s what explains why it also uses less CPU.