Native Instruments Unveils Successor to Massive X, Massive XL
Released two decades ago this month, Native Instruments’ Massive became one of the most influential soft synths of its era. From bass music and electro, to film scoring and sound design, users have relied on Massive’s distinctive sonic character and flexible synthesis architecture to create sounds that stand apart, before a belated sequel, Massive X, was released in 2019.
Today, Native Instruments unveils Massive’s third generation, Massive XL, the successor to Massive X and the company’s most significant instrument release since it was acquired by inMusic, owner of Akai and Moog, earlier this year, after going into preliminary insolvency in January.
New tools in Massive XL, including Preset Generator, Mutator, Morpher, and Animator, make it easier to discover, shape, and personalize sounds while preserving the deep synthesis engine and open routing architecture that Massive users have relied on for years.
Though there are tons of improvements and new features in Massive XL, it’s the Generate function that’s going to steal the headlines. This is an AI model, developed in-house by NI, that analyses any imported audio file and recreates it as a fully editable patch in Massive XL.
Here’s a closer look at what’s new in Massive XL:
Faster paths to new ideas. At the center of Massive XL is a set of new creative tools designed to accelerate sound discovery without sacrificing control.
Drop an audio file into the newly-added menu on the right-hand side of the synth’s interface, and you can select a slice of up to four seconds in length to use as the basis for a patch. NI has added stem separation here, so you’re able to drop a sample from an existing song, split it into its constituent stems (Vocals, Bass, Drums and Other) before running a slice into Generate.
Generate creates four different patches by default, and you’re able to adjust how much variation there is between presets and how closely they match the timbre of the original audio file. Each preset variant is automatically assigned six macro controls that let you make quick edits to the character of the sound.
Like Massive X, Massive XL is built around two wavetable oscillators with 10 oscillator modes, plus phase modulation oscillators, two noise generators and a filter with nine types, three insert slots, three effects slots, semi-modular routing and a flexible modulation system.
Both the Generator and Mutator give users new ways to access fresh sounds at the click of a button, but Massive XL has plenty of upgrades for more traditional sound designers too. You can now create your own wavetables – something Massive users have been asking for for a long time – by dragging-and-dropping any audio file or single-cycle waveform into the oscillator section, and there’s a new single-oscillator view that lets you see the whole wavetable in a waterfall display as well.
- *NEW* Preset Generator: Transform an audio reference into a playable Massive XL patch that remains fully editable and ready for further sound design. Stem separation is included, giving producers new ways to explore and reinterpret source material.
- *NEW* Mutator and Randomizer: Generate new sound variations with guided, similarity-aware mutations or randomize individual modules while keeping your favorite elements intact.
- *IMPROVED* Morpher and Animator: Create movement that can be performed, locked, transferred, and reused across presets, making evolving sounds faster to build and easier to control.
- *NEW* Starting point templates: Jump into sound design with practical factory defaults and saveable curves for filters, effects, and modulators.
Joining the 170+ wavetables already in Massive X’s library are more than 100 new wavetables designed for XL, including some retro options lifted from classic PPG synths and the original Massive, and you get over 100 new noise tables as well.
There are three new effects onboard based on existing NI plugins: Raum is a three-mode algorithmic reverb, Replika Shimmer combines delay, reverb and pitch-shifting to create classic shimmer effects, and Tape Wobble adds wow, flutter, saturation and noise in the style of analogue tape machines. Sub-presets for effects, inserts and filters can now be saved too.
Massive XL also introduces polyphonic aftertouch support, so controllers that send per-note pressure can shape the sound of each note independently – any existing aftertouch assignments, including those in older presets, will automatically switch over to per-note response.
That’s not all, either: there’s a long list of minor improvements, including animated modulators, interactive envelope graphs with draggable handles and curve segments, custom user banks for user presets, and undo/redo functionality.
Along with Massive XL, Native Instruments is releasing Massive XL Player, a free version of the synth that lets you load and play presets in the Play view but doesn’t give you access to full editing, or the new Generate or Mutate features. NI has confirmed that Massive X and Massive X Player are both being retired with the release of Massive XL.
“Massive has always been about giving producers the freedom to create sounds that feel uniquely their own,” Native Instruments’ Senior Director of Product Management Tim Adnitt said in a press release.
“With Massive XL, we’ve focused on helping users reach those sounds faster. It delivers the character, flexibility, and control Massive is known for while introducing new tools that make exploration, experimentation, and sound creation more immediate.”
Massive XL – New Sonic Capabilities Include:
- 100+ new wavetables, including material from the original Massive and classic PPG wavetable content
- 100+ new noise tables
- Custom wavetable creation from imported samples and sample libraries
- Integrated effects including Raum, Replika Shimmer, and Tape Wobble
- Polyphonic aftertouch support for expressive performance with compatible hardware
Deep control with greater clarity:
- ANIMATED MODULATORS: See modulation displayed in real time, with visual feedback showing exactly how parameters are being influenced. Massive XL introduces a redesigned user experience built to make advanced synthesis easier to understand and navigate.
- VISIBLE MODULATOR INFO: Quickly identify what is affecting any parameter or reveal all active modulation sources in a patch simultaneously.
- ADVANCED MODULATION ENVIRONMENT: Create sophisticated movement using drag-and-drop modulation, sidechain routing, envelopes, LFOs, Performers, Trackers, and 16 assignable macros with full host automation support.
- CONTEXT HELP: Access explanations directly inside the instrument, reducing interruptions to workflow and making advanced functions easier to learn.
- WORKFLOW UPGRADES: Undo/redo history, draggable envelope handles, reusable component sub-presets, and customizable user banks help streamline day-to-day production.
Massive XL is available now for €199/$199/£179, with an introductory price of €99 / $99 / £89 from October 27 through December 31. Owners of Massive X can update to Massive XL for €69 / $69 / £59, or €49 / $49 / £44 during the introductory period, and owners of the original Massive can crossgrade for €129 / $129 / £109, or €79 / $79 / £69 during the introductory period.
Massive XL is available as a download from native-instruments.com.
Find out more on Native Instruments website.
