Is Massive worth $100?

JJarvis · Post by **JJarvis** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:43 am

I decided to stop buying softsynths a long time ago. That being said, $99 is definately worth the price.

Kodama · Post by **Kodama** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:38 am

I think it's totally worth it, the only question with NI stuff is when do you want enough stuff to just go for a 2nd hand deal for Komplete on KVR? (Reaktor/FM8/Kontakt/Massive, etc...)

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:49 am

It's not quite as user friendly as Zebra or SYlenth to program IMHO, but there's also more depth to it as well. And as stated previously, making simple subtractive sounds is pretty much just as simple as the others.

Also - run it in eco mode or freeze tracks if you are concerned about CPU load. Eco mode is very manageable, and turn it up to best quality on render - most softsynths are CPU hogging if there is a lot of polyphony needed, or you engage complex routings or oscillator settings - Massive is not as efficient as some others, but it is still better than the Arturia softsynths I own. However, the quality is worth it !

CHARLIE! · Post by **CHARLIE!** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:21 am

I absolutely love how this synth sounds for bass patches.

I think it is worth the $.

swett · Post by **swett** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:47 am

Definetely got my attention....
Hmmm.....

the times are tough....

$100.....

hmmm....

I own Imposcar, minimonsta, oddity, z3ta, pentagon, Live suite, Karma....

I still constantly milk various freeware jewels lime Zebra cm, dominator, Ugo's stuff and the obvious ones like synth1....

To buy or not to buy....that is the question

deva · Post by **deva** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:58 am

Tarekith wrote:
mike@TrackTeam Audio wrote:I know im gonna get super flamed for this one, but i never really got into Zebra, great synth, but the workflow isnt my style...
Nah, I go through that phase too. I love the sound and the options, but there's times the modular architecture just feels like a pain to me too. every time I think about replacing it with something equally good sounding, Massive is at the top of my list.

Massive is not a good replacement for Zebra. It just never has that sweet round sound that Zebra can have. Massive is good in other areas, but not that.

And whether it is worth $100 is really up to each person and the use they get from it. I got it for well under $100. It is a fine synth, excellent modulation scheme, well designed interface. I don't use it much but am not unhappy considering the price. For me it is a specialized synth in that I use it mostly for noisy, glitchy sounds.

BinaryB · Post by **BinaryB** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:05 am

deva wrote:I got it for well under $100...

Could you elaborate on that please ?

channelite · Post by **channelite** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:14 am

Just bumped my Mac Pro from 2GB to 8GB of ram today and Massive is really smooth. What a difference more ram makes.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:43 am

Tarekith wrote:
mike@TrackTeam Audio wrote:I know im gonna get super flamed for this one, but i never really got into Zebra, great synth, but the workflow isnt my style...
Nah, I go through that phase too. I love the sound and the options, but there's times the modular architecture just feels like a pain to me too. every time I think about replacing it with something equally good sounding, Massive is at the top of my list.

That said, I still need to dive into the synth section of OMnisphere more too, another awesome sounding synth, even without the sample aspect.

I'm biased, as I like Urs as a human etc. and designed factory patches for Zebra 1, (which I never ported to 2

), but even so, the main thing that used to bog me down with Zebra 2 is going too far overboard. Less really is more with that synth, you can make sounds that are so modulated etc. that they don't fit in a mix anymore.

Anyway, on subject, Massive is great, it's not a substitute for Zebra, and it's far more CPU heavy, but it's pretty dammed cool. I consider it a PPG Wave on steroids, a digital synth with some analog crunch.

ewistrand · Post by **ewistrand** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:33 am

Get it, neb- you'll thank us later.

Your Massive forum moderator,
ew

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:33 am

It has analog filters and some wavetable functionality. Like said, it doesn't do some things as well as Zebra, but it does other things as well or better. Best to have both, they compliment each other well.

If you see Massive for less than 100 bucks and it's LEGIT, then BUY IT !! When you consider that stuff like Albino is still retailing at most places for close to 200 dollars (Albino is decent enough but definately showing its age and not in the same class as Massive, Zebra and Sylenth).

I find it manageable CPU wise if you run it in eco mode (which still sounds good) and just turn it onto best quality before a render.

kenporter · Post by **kenporter** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:41 am

Massive is with FM8 my favorite NI synth. However, that being said I've never been a fan of NI presets since most of them don't fit into a track, they're way overdone to show of the synth imho. So, if you're into programming your own presets, and Massive is really user friendly when it comes to programming, then I'd say definitely get Massive. For $99 it's a steal!

My 2 cents.

Ken

PS: Another big Zebra fan here, but I must say that I find Massive easier to program than Zebra.

kuniklo · Post by **kuniklo** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:44 am

Massive is buggy in Live 7:

http://forum.ableton.com//viewtopic.php ... highlight=

Avoid it.

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:36 pm

Totally fine on my set up. Never had any issues with it.

kuniklo · Post by **kuniklo** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:37 pm

leedsquietman wrote:Totally fine on my set up. Never had any issues with it.

Try saving some patches using the sequencer/performer to a Live clip and then reloading them to a new track.