MASSIVE X Tutorial: Overview and Key Features | Native Instruments

MASSIVE X: A Software Synthesizer with Endless Sonic Possibilities

MASSIVE X is a synthesizer from Native Instruments.
KOMPLETE 12, KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE and KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE Collector's Edition owners can download and use MASSIVE X at no additional cost as part of those bundles.

See the following guide for instructions on using Native Access.

By the time MASSIVE X was released, more than ten years had passed since the original MASSIVE, which was still widely used.
You can learn how to use MASSIVE in the following guide.

Music continues to evolve, and many software synthesizers have been released by Native Instruments and other developers.
How has MASSIVE X evolved in this landscape?
Here, we review the instrument and take a detailed look at its main features.

Video: MASSIVE X Tutorial 1 — The Oscillator Section

A Question and Answer from the YouTube Video

My only sound-editing experience is with four-operator FM sound chips, such as the YM2203 on the PC-98. Is E1 like a carrier, and are E2 and the other envelopes or LFOs like modulators? It feels great to assign things so quickly by dragging and dropping. The pitch controls look as though they could produce chords and harmonics similar to the Multiple 4 and 5 settings in FM algorithm 4, even though the underlying principle is different. Your video makes it look easy, but trying it myself is probably the best way to learn. MASSIVE X's GUI looks simple and easy to understand, yet the instrument seems very capable.

The fixed aspect of E1 is its assignment as the amp envelope. E2 and the other LFOs can be assigned to parameters on the carrier or modulator side, rather than being restricted to one role. The sound is very high-fidelity and feels fresh, so please give it a try.

Video: MASSIVE X Tutorial 2 — Phase Modulation

Video: MASSIVE X Tutorial 3 — Ten Wavetable Modes

Video: MASSIVE X Tutorial 4 — Voice, Noise, Filter and Effects

Video: MASSIVE X Tutorial 5 — Envelopes and LFOs

Video: MASSIVE X Tutorial 6 — Trackers, Performers and VR

Over 350 Excellent Presets Packed with Modern Sounds

The version of MASSIVE X covered here comes with over 350 production-ready presets.

You can choose a sound category on the left to narrow down the presets.
The sounds strike us as powerful, modern and bold.
This is a particularly appealing library for EDM producers.
We found many of the original MASSIVE's presets unusual and sometimes difficult to place in a track.
This time, the presets feel much easier to use and ready to incorporate into a production.

MASSIVE X can also run inside Native Instruments' KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
The main parameters of the loaded preset are already mapped for KOMPLETE KONTROL.

In addition to designing sounds with the KOMPLETE KONTROL knobs, you can use its powerful scale functions and arpeggiator.

An Oscillator Section Built for Sound Design

MASSIVE X has two main oscillators, or OSCs.

Each offers a variety of waveforms organized into categories.

The waveforms are organized in wavetables. Turn the oscillator's wavetable-position knob to select and morph through them.

A range of modes can further transform the selected waveform.
Alongside Bend and Formant, familiar from the original MASSIVE, there are many other options.

The available knobs change to match the selected mode.
Combining these modes lets you create everything from aggressive sounds to distinctive special effects.

As we will explain later, assigning envelopes, LFOs and other modulation sources to these knobs adds movement and even more dramatic sonic changes.

Using Phase Modulation

Phase modulation lets you create more intricate or aggressive oscillator sounds.

For each oscillator, choose which modulation source to use: PM1, AUX or PM2.
Click the desired source so that it lights up. Here, we have selected PM1.
Use the knob below it to set the modulation amount.
The original MASSIVE used only a sine wave for its modulation oscillator; MASSIVE X lets you choose the modulation waveform as well.

You can also change the modulator's pitch.
This greatly expands the range of sounds available.
The default unit is Ratio.

• A value of 1 sets the modulator to the pitch of the MIDI note being played.
• 2 is one octave above, 4 is two octaves above, and 8 is three octaves above
• 1/2 is one octave below, 1/4 is two octaves below, and 1/8 is three octaves below

These ratios are relative to the pitch of the played note.

Modulating this pitch with an envelope or another source adds movement over time.
This is useful for creating unusual tones and sound effects.

Applying Glide

Glide, the classic synthesizer effect that smoothly transitions between note pitches, is easy to apply.

Click the Glide button so that it lights up.
Then use Time to set how long the pitch transition takes.

Glide works with both monophonic and polyphonic playing. Switch between Mono and Poly in the Voice tab.

The Glide section of the Voice tab also lets you adjust the shape of the pitch-transition curve.

Applying Unison

Unison stacks oscillator voices to make a sound thicker and wider.

Enable Unison in the Voice tab and set the voice count between 2 and 6.
With only one voice, there is no unison effect.

Stereo Width controls the width of the sound. Spread sets the amount of detuning between the unison voices, which creates thickness.

Selecting Wide mode extends the pitch spread up to an octave.

With Chord Morph fully left, you get the conventional unison behavior described above. Turn it fully right and the unison voices play chord tones in the specified key.

You can also change the chord type.
This lets you play a variety of chords from a single MIDI note.

Flexible Routing for Creative Sound Design

One of MASSIVE X's defining features is its flexible signal routing.

Connect the sections to control how filters, noise, feedback, effects and auxiliary signals interact.
It may look complicated, but there is just one basic rule to remember.
The rule is: you hear only the signals that reach the arrow at the bottom right.

Double-click a connection to remove it.

For example, removing OSC1's connection by double-clicking it stops OSC1 from reaching the output. You will hear only OSC2, which remains connected.

To send OSC1 through the filter, drag from its output to the input of F, the filter module.

The connection looks like this.
At this point, the OSC1-to-filter signal still will not be audible.
That is because the filter's output has not been connected onward.

Connect the filter's output to X, which is connected to the final output.
OSC1 can now be heard through the filter.

In this example, only OSC1 is filtered; OSC2 reaches the output without passing through the filter.
This lets you freely build a signal path to suit your needs—for example, when you want OSC2 to remain unfiltered.

X, Y and Z are the effects sections.
You can select a separate effect for each of them.

For example, suppose you select Reverb for X.

Both OSC1 and OSC2 are connected to X, so both receive reverb.

Connecting OSC2 directly to the output instead, as shown here, lets you apply reverb only to OSC1.

A Noise Section with a Wide Variety of Sounds

The well-equipped Noise section is useful for reinforcing a sound or creating sound effects.

There are two noise oscillators, each with a volume slider.
The noise types are organized into clear categories.
These include machine and natural sounds, making the section useful for audio-post-production sound effects as well.

Use Pitch to change the pitch of the noise, alter its character and create variations.
Modulating Pitch with an envelope or LFO is another effective technique.

If you cannot hear the noise, check its connection to the output in Routing, as described above.

You can also connect a noise oscillator to PM AUX, then use AUX in the main oscillator section to modulate the oscillator with that noise.
This can produce very aggressive sounds, so give it a try.

A Filter Section with an Extensive Range of Characters

MASSIVE X also offers a wide variety of filters.

Choose a filter type as shown here.
The selection ranges from familiar filter designs to more distinctive characters.
With so many types available, sound design becomes even more enjoyable.

Depending on the selected filter, you can choose options such as low-pass, high-pass, band-pass or peak.
The available options vary with the filter type.

Remember to connect the filter in Routing when you want to use it.

A Comprehensive Effects Section

MASSIVE X offers excellent effects, ranging from everyday processors to unusual sound-design tools.

There are six effect slots in total: A, B and C, plus X, Y and Z. The effects available in the A/B/C slots differ from those available in X/Y/Z.

Their placement becomes clear in the Routing view.

For example, you can route OSC1 through A → B → X → Y → Z while routing OSC2 through C → Z.

For X/Y/Z, you can also choose from three routing arrangements that determine how the signal flows through the effects.

Assigning Modulators

The center of MASSIVE X contains tools that change knob and slider values over time.

The basic approach carries over from the original MASSIVE: drag a modulator onto the desired knob or slider to assign it.
You can, of course, assign one modulator to several knobs or sliders.

After assigning a modulator, drag its number up or down to set the modulation amount—the range over which the sound changes.
The range is shown graphically in the modulator's color.
This assignment method is the same for all modulators.

While designing a sound, you may find that you need more envelopes or more LFOs.
Slots 2–9 can be switched between envelopes and LFOs. For example, you can turn an unused envelope slot into an LFO for a flexible setup.
Envelope 1 is fixed as the Amp Envelope, which controls volume.

At the top of MASSIVE X are 16 macros.
Assign them to parameters in the same way as modulators, then control the macros from a MIDI controller or KOMPLETE KONTROL hardware.

You can also choose which parameters respond to PB (pitch bend), M (modulation wheel) and AT (aftertouch).

The Envelope Section

The envelope section adds Shape controls for A (Attack) and D (Decay).
These let you fine-tune the character of the changes over time.
Envelope 1 is fixed as the Amp Envelope, which controls volume.

An Exciter Envelope is also available.

The LFO Section

The LFO section also gains new features.

Options such as 1shot let you apply a single LFO cycle, and there are additional LFO shapes.
The waveform display also makes the effect easier to understand.
Click Free and switch to Sync to synchronize the LFO cycle with your DAW's tempo.

Random LFO is another available LFO type.

As the name suggests, it introduces random changes to the LFO's timing and movement.
Use Rate to set its speed and the central knobs to adjust the character of the randomness. It is well suited to sound effects.

The Tracker Section

Trackers are a new type of modulator introduced in MASSIVE X.
They let you vary knob and slider modulation amounts according to note pitch or velocity.

There are many creative ways to use them.
For example, making the reverb amount depend on note pitch lets you keep low notes free of reverb.

Another interesting application is to change the wavetable position according to velocity.

The pitch currently being played is indicated by a yellow line.
Use the Edit tools and drag the line to create different curves.
This is useful for fine-tuning the expression of a sound.

The Performer Section

The Performer, a popular feature of MASSIVE, has also evolved.
It can synchronize to the tempo and modulate parameters with patterns up to eight bars long.

You can also change the length of the cycle.
Drag the playback range at the top to set it. Here, it is set to one bar.
The slider below lets you zoom in and out for more detailed editing.

The editing grid changes to match the selected time signature and note value.
Then click and drag to create your curves.

The center line is neutral: it does not change the assigned parameter's value.
Above the center, the modulation is positive; below it, the modulation is negative.

The Edit tools also let you create complex shapes quickly.

You can assign a curve to several parameters.

Each Performer can store up to 12 patterns.
Click a tab to create or switch to a different pattern. Double-click a tab to give it a name.

You can switch between these patterns using MIDI notes from a keyboard, which is useful for live performance and other real-time playing.
Click Remote to view the assignment details.
By default, the patterns are assigned to a one-octave range of 12 keys beginning at C-2, up to the C-1 boundary.

Click the desired key to change the assigned keyboard range. Here, it has been moved to the octave beginning at C1, up to the C2 boundary.

The Random Section

VR lets you randomize the assigned parameter.

For example, applying a small amount of randomness to pitch, filter or volume creates subtle variations each time a note sounds.
Larger amounts of randomization can also create interesting special effects.

MASSIVE X 1.0.1: A Practical Update Incorporating User Requests

Next, let's look at some especially useful changes in MASSIVE X 1.0.1.

Pinning Menus

Pin buttons have been added to the preset, oscillator and noise menus.
Previously, these menus closed after you selected an item.
Enable the pin button to keep the menu open after making a selection.
This makes it much easier to switch between sounds and compare them.
You can also double-click an item to close the menu.

Bypassing Individual Modules

Click a module's letter or number to bypass it.
This makes it easy to compare the sound with and without that module.
Click again to enable it.

The Routing view also reflects the bypass state, making the signal flow easy to follow.

Changing Selections without Opening Menus

The arrow buttons let you quickly change selections for oscillators, noise and the harmonizer.

DAW Compatibility Fixes

The update also improves preset loading and addresses crashes and display problems when using MASSIVE X in a DAW.

MASSIVE X 1.3: Noise Features and Parameter Readouts

MASSIVE X was subsequently updated to version 1.3.
This update adds useful features, particularly in the Noise section. Let's take a look.

MASSIVE X 1.3 Video Tutorial

New Presets

As with other updates, more presets have been added.
There are many world-instrument-style, noise-based and percussive sounds to explore.

Parameter Value Readouts

Knob and fader values can now be displayed numerically.

You can see values for parameters such as filter cutoff,

as well as envelope and LFO settings, making precise sound design easier.
This is a welcome improvement.

An Enhanced Noise Section

The Noise section receives substantial improvements in this update.

Select Key Track mode to make the noise follow the notes you play.
This lets you use noise as a pitched instrument or combine it with the main oscillators to expand your sound palette.

You can now use your own audio files, including WAV, AIFF and MP3, as noise-oscillator sources.
Click Add Folder and select the folder containing your audio files.
Bringing audio into MASSIVE X in this sampler-like way and editing it opens up many more sound-design possibilities.

You can also use the noise as a modulator for an oscillator.

In the Routing tab, connect the noise output to AUX.
Then enable AUX in the oscillator section and set the amount.
This makes it easy to create more aggressive and unusual sounds.

Although it is a free update, it adds features that make MASSIVE X more enjoyable and convenient to use.
Try incorporating them into your sound-design workflow to create your own distinctive sounds.

Product URL: https://www.native-instruments.com/jp/products/komplete/synths/massive-x/

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which KOMPLETE editions include MASSIVE X at no additional cost?

Owners of KOMPLETE 12, KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE and KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE Collector's Edition can download and use MASSIVE X through Native Access at no additional cost as part of those bundles.

Q2. How many presets does MASSIVE X include?

The version covered in this overview includes over 350 excellent presets, organized into categories for easy browsing. Compared with the original instrument, we find these sounds easy to incorporate into a track straight away.

Q3. Does Glide work with single notes or chords?

Glide supports both monophonic and polyphonic playing. Switch between Mono and Poly in the Voice tab, where you can also customize the pitch-transition curve.