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I like Massive, you can make pretty much any sound you want with it but like most synthesizers, you have to really learn how to use it before you can really appreciate it's capabilities. Massive is more than just a synth for making a wobble which you found out how to do on YouTube

Massive is a wavetable synth, so the key to getting nice results from it is to ensure that you create movement in the oscillators at all times.

Stacking multiple oscillators, with each oscillators index scanning at different rates will give you fuller sounds. (Index scanning = WT Position in Massives oscillator section) Remember, static = metalic when using wavetable synths!

Applying chorus and very light amounts of reverb could also help 'diffuse' the sound, making things thicker and fuller.

FAW Circle and Vember Audio Surge both have similar modulation interfaces, although both synths are also wavetable synths.

Otherwise, why not check out Imageline Rapture, Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Camel Audio Alchemy, Sylenth 1 or Zebra? These synths don't have the same drag & drop modulation system as Massive, but are all popular and f***ing powerful!

massive is highly adaptable, if youre not getting the sound you want, you arent trying hard enough

hurlingdervish wrote:massive is highly adaptable, if youre not getting the sound you want, you arent trying hard enough

Exactly!


Things to do:

Read the manual.
Search on Google & Youtube for tutorials.
Experiment.
Experiment some more
Read up on every synthesis type offered in Massive (FM, RM, Wavetable and even phase distortion options exist)
Study the feedback structure and routing options
Bang your head against the wall.
Start using the filters in different ways (comb filters especially)
Experiment some more!!!

Massive is aptly named. It really is capable of more than just mid range cack and wobbles. Knowing how and why it does something is the key to pushing it to create some of the better sounds it is capable of producing!

I got a question with regards to the massive. Is the sine:triangle wave (think thats what its called) the closest I'm going to get to a sine? so far I've been using that and just sticking a lowpass filter on for subs

Lowpass wrote:I got a question with regards to the massive. Is the sine:triangle wave (think thats what its called) the closest I'm going to get to a sine? so far I've been using that and just sticking a lowpass filter on for subs

the first knob on the osc. alternates between TWO waves

so go to sin/square or sin/square and turn it to the left

other settings alternate between many waves

throw an lfo on that bitch for extra phatness

hurlingdervish wrote:

Lowpass wrote:I got a question with regards to the massive. Is the sine:triangle wave (think thats what its called) the closest I'm going to get to a sine? so far I've been using that and just sticking a lowpass filter on for subs

the first knob on the osc. alternates between TWO waves

so go to sin/square or sin/square and turn it to the left

other settings alternate between many waves

throw an lfo on that bitch for extra phatness

I recommend the sin-triangle at -35pitch , with a second osc to -64 with a smooth sound. get some filters on it like a soft reverb and DONT use a dimension expander like they say in the youtube video ^^ it makes my subbass go metallic.

That's pretty much how my subbass looks like, though I had a hard time figuring it out.

Also you might wanna try to experiment with the cutoff and resonance in your filter.

afriiqaa wrote:im struggling to get any warm sounding bass out of it. i mean to me it sounds ok initially, then i wack on some loefah and the difference is immense.

massive does have a distinct sound and anyone denying that is wrong. i've found that massive is indeed flexible, but is lacking in the warmth/low end department somewhat - i think its to do with the filters myself, they have this weird sound to them.

if you want warm low end from a soft synth, i would recommend NI Pro53. its a bit old now but i still think it has some of the nicest low end i've heard as far as software goes.

what i do with massive is use it for the midrange and then layer it with another sub.

i dont really get why anyone would waste that much cpu for a simple sine wave tho

go old skool 'n use Junglist or Hydra

nowaysj wrote:...like butter melting into toast, like firelight, like a felt but unseen breast across your chest.
.

We have a poet amongst us...!

I find picking out presets I really like and deconstructing them is really helpful in figuring how to make my own sounds.

rook wrote:I find picking out presets I really like and deconstructing them is really helpful in figuring how to make my own sounds.

yeah

also check the modulation matrix if there is one

FSTZ wrote:
yeah

also check the modulation matrix if there is one

That's the love of Massive, there ain't a modulation matrix. Assigning modulators is all done via drag & drop swishness! The way forwards imo!