Page 2: Native Instruments Massive X

Digital Performer

Massive's Performer and Stepper modulators have been combined and developed into the three new Performer mod sources. These also gain a major new feature: you can store and trigger up to 12 different mod or step-sequence patterns per patch. Switching between the 12 different mod patterns can be performed from keys on one octave of your keyboard, and you can choose whether this also triggers the mod. The switch and trigger combo is great for creating a step-sequenced performance or arrangement.

Performers provide custom modulation and step sequencing. Manual sound tweaking is via Macros, pre-mapped to hardware inside Komplete Kontrol.

Performers can be used to create long complex envelopes, custom LFOs, step sequences and of course make things go waaah wub wub wub wub skree. The creation process is a bit daunting, with multiple tools, shape editors and settings for quantising to time and value grids. If you persevere, though, it's an incredibly flexible and powerful tool.

Another fascinating feature that can transform a sound or performance is the Unison mode. As well as classic Unison, you get a multi-mode spread slider, and a chord mode. The Spread has a Wide mode that detunes the unison voices up to an octave in each direction. A full sweep of this slider serves up the legendary 'Deep Note' sound effect from the Lucasfilm THX ident.

The chord mode gives you a choice of scales or preset chord sets and can deliver captivating results. I lost hours. You can also morph between the chord and spread.

Macros & Automation

Macros were an important part of the original Massive concept, giving you a set of eight performance controls for adjusting key parts of a patch. X has twice as many of these controls, all of which are set up in the preset patches and mapped to controls if you're using NI's Komplete Kontrol host.

Macros now have two different mapping methods. You have the classic modifier style where you drag the macro to a mod slot and set a depth and direction. And now you can directly mirror a macro to a control. As the latter results in bi-directional linking between the panel control and the macro, a directly assigned macro is locked out from other assignments.

A backward step in Massive X is the way it handles DAW host automation: only the macro controls can be automated. In other words, you can't just go into auto record on your DAW and expect it to capture everything you do on the plug-in panel. It also means that if your DAW has a mix snapshot automation feature it will not work reliably with Massive X. No doubt this is a result of the modular design of the plug-in, as different patches have different sets of controls. This is handled by some other plug-ins, though, even if it means a huge list of potential parameters.

Conclusion

Massive X is a meal served late and underdone. No MIDI CC control, no graphical feedback of envelope/LFO shapes and half finished manuals are my main complaints. But if the waiter were to try to take Massive X back to the kitchen I'd slap his hand. Even as it is, it sounds so good and is so playable that I wouldn't want to be without it.

NI have promised that the 1.1 update of Massive X will include animated envelope graphics plus dark and light skin modes.

When browsing through sounds from X and the original Massive, the latter sounds dated in comparison. The patch library's excellent sound design, with performance modulators and macro mapping, are a key factor — you can enjoy Massive X even if you don't want to get into deep programming.

For sound designers there's a huge scope of spectral manipulation in the wavetable-powered oscillators, new versatile insert modules and modular routing, all supported by premium sounding effects. X can still produce classic synth sounds and the trademark Massive filthy growls and wubs, but what really stands out when you browse the presets is the range of beautiful, delicate tones and deep sound-tracky textures. When NI add the missing UI ingredients they'll truly be able to call Massive X their next-gen flagship synth.