Best synth!

[lloydy]

The thing about Massive isn't only the learning curve. For example, I know EVERYTHING about Albino and the older z3ta version (from back when I produced psy trance), probably even more than I know Massive, but I get better results with Massive anyway. It's not the learning curve but the workflow that makes Massive so awesome.

About not sounding good, I don't agree with you either May not be good to make giant pads (for example, I hate unison with Massive, I barely use it), synthetize drums or ambient sounds, but for what it was made for (electronic leads and bass) it really excels. It's not just me, you can read reviews about this everywhere. In fact, when Massive was released, it's primary objective was to be a monster synth in terms of sound quality.

As for Absynth and FM8... I tried an old version of Absynth long ago. I respect it, I actually find it the most powerful synth out there, but the workflow sucks completely. It's just too much. But I heard the new versions are better but haven't tried yet.
As for FM8, it's part of my arsenal but I end up not using it that much. It has one thing I don't like in synths generally which is too much "page" (or window) changing, I hate that, it's a workflow killer for me. Also, I seriously hate it's modulation system. C'mon, a synth so complex and you have so few targets to modulate?!

I didn't say it never sounded good i said sound wise it didn't compete with other synths in my arsenal.Dependent on what sound you are after i feel fm8 is a lot more capable at bass and lead sounds.
I have albino too and do agree massive is better but it doesn't touch fm8 or absynth for sound,i'm sorry but i just simply don't agree.
Yes i agree that the workflow of absynth and fm8 leaves a little to be desired but it is all just a learning curve,once over that hurdle they are just as simple.
In my HUMBLE opinion the only thing massive has over both of these synths is its filter section,white noise section and how easy it is to modulate but a synth is used to make sounds and it gets trumped on every aspect by these two powerhouses.
I just want to state i don't hate massive by any means,just don't rate it sound wise against other synths i have used,is that ok everyone am i allowed to have a different opinion?

[Today]

NO. Hang the defector!

[lloydy]

I like making pads with massive
the performer/stepper is sick for FX dry/wet, WT, etc.
i guess it is one of the better synths for drums too
Arturia's sound quality is top, but i thought the Arp was useless, i like the Moogs

I wouldn't say the arp was useless,bit clunky and anoying to learn.Probably out of all my synths it took me the longest to get my head round but that was mainly because the manual was useless.
Agree on the moog it sounds amazing.

[lloydy]

NO. Hang the defector!

[e-motion]

@lloydy - yeah that's the point of this thread, opinions, I was just sharing mine too

[lloydy]

@lloydy - yeah that's the point of this thread, opinions, I was just sharing mine too

I will admit that i honestly liked them too
Nah props mate,each to there own i guess.Massive is a really good synth and i pretty much cut my teeth on it so i know why people like it.
When ever i talk to anyone outside of the intewebs about sound design or dubstep all i get back is massive and skrillex,kind of gets a bit depressing after a while.

[joegrizzly]

I use massive the most but I dont wanna vote for it cause there may be better out there. Alchemy looks real good with the grandular and apparently FM8 is better than massive from what people say.. I'd say its not what you use its how you use it

[Beat Cube]

I'm a big freeware junky, often I just use basic synthesizers, load them up with effects, export them and sample them. Or just randomize them, gives me nice sounds that I save the preset for another song.

Or I layer up to four-six synths at the same time and resample them. Can get nice fat sounds that way.

Though I do love Massive and Zebra, I just dont think you need to use super expensive synthesizers to make good electronic music. Remember, its the musician, not the tools that makes the music. If you took a hardened pro and dropped him on a crappy DAW he could make better music than a newb with the best DAW on earth. Same applies by synthesizers.

So yeah, I use a whole bunch of freeware synths layered and EQ'd. But mind you, I don't write dubstep per-se, so its probably different for me.

[Perej]

Or I layer up to four-six synths at the same time and resample them. Can get nice fat sounds that way.

Sorry, what do you mean by this exactly? Someone I know kept telling me that I should bounce stuff down and layer it, but I don't know how....
Open up massive, play a note until you find a nice one, then bounce it out? Then do the same again with a different patch? Then what?

Cheers

[Pedro Sánchez]

I use Reaktor 80% of the time.
Massive can used for any style of electronic music, for sounds as soft or as hard as you like, if you think otherwise, then you are a ignoramus who shouldn't be making music.

[sunny_b_uk]

i have tried all the above and for quite a few years + i spend A LOT of time using synths & creating them, but i still pick massive because of how good it is overall.
the possibilities are just endless when you dig in deep, also there are features in there (under the hood) that iv only ever seen in massive and no other synth.
if sytrus was in the list i would say that its second for me because you can oversample at high levels and it wont cost insane amounts of CPU

[Perej]

the possibilities are just endless when you dig in deep, also there are features in there (under the hood) that iv only ever seen in massive and no other synth.

People keep saying this, and everytime I just think to myself - "Only for dubstep though".

In my experience, Massive seems to be the go to synth for people making huge basslines, wobbles and the like. What about us who are not into that? What about those who are more house/techno/garage orientated? In my limited experience, massive seems to be useless for ambient pads and the like, so what are some better alternatives?

[leeany]

Fuck Massive, all about Z3ta. Also : Operator.

[nowaysj]

In my limited experience

Massive's only limitation is your experience.


Seriously, you can't make a pad in massive?

[e-motion]

I must say that, although I can make pads in Massive, I agree that there are much better synths for pads in this list.

[joshisrad]

^ I disagree with that. There are synths in which you find it easier or more natural to make pads with, certainly.

Tough call between Absynth and Reaktor. Chose Absynth because it's easier to program (obviously).

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

I have to say Zebra2 is my favourite Synth. To me it's head and shoulders above all others in terms of sound quality, workflow and possibility.

You can make anything from amazing evolving soundscapes, to sweet and subtle plucked sounds, to resonant messes, all the way up to epic in your face dubstep leads and basses.

It's only downfall is it's lack of marketing. It's one of those proper little secret gems, imo of course.

Seriously though, check the demo out, you'll be hooked.

[zeta]

I've just uninstalled massive because I'm sick of using it as my go-to synth. Imho the sound it produces is quite harsh and digital and I really want something that can produce distinctive and warm sounds other than the waveforms in massive which have become quite archetypal for electronic music.

Have been experimenting with the demo of Zebra, and will force myself to learn fm8 or operator at some time or another soon. Seriously tempted by alchemy and reaktor... but I don't want to get another super-powerful synth when all my other ones are sitting there doing nothing.

[nowaysj]

Massive drone:

Soundcloud

Lot going on in there, no automation, just one note.

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

Massive drone:

Soundcloud

Lot going on in there, no automation, just one note.

Stop bumming massive, we get the point.