Here to become an ARTIST, not a copycat. PLEASE HELP!!!

[dublerium]

Does anybody think Massive has it's limitations or any weaknesses in creating instruments? I know it's probably the best for making bass sounds, but what about all the other sounds? Is there any reason I should invest in another plug-in> I've already invested a ton just for Massive because someone assured me I couldn't go wrong. Took forever just to save for it, just didn't wanna be misled.. I really haven't got into sound design enough to know all the capabilities it does possess. I plan on reading the Sound Design thread tonight. Just noticed it today.. Was it just posted recently?

That's totally for you to decide, you should learn enough about the synth, and investigate others to see what they do and make your own decisions on what's best for what you want to make. There's no point someone telling you on here synth 'x' or synth 'y' is the greatest thing ever for you if when you use it you it just doesn't seem logical. It totally depends on what type of sound your going for as well, some vst synths are great for sounding digital whilst other vst synths are better for sounding more like an analogue synth, so what you want to end up with as well as the functionality of the synth should guide you on which synth/s to choose to learn.

Try out some demos, learn other synths features to get a point of reference and then decide on your tools for yourself.

[mromgwtf]

Hey,mromgwtf, how do I turn my volume up? The master volume? I know it sounds stupid, but each instrument has it's own volume AND the master inside massive that can be altered. Then, of course, there's the master which controls all audio coming out equally?

Turn up your SPEAKERS, so -6db coming from your daw will be already loud for you.

[fragments]

I've only demoed Massive, it was a few years ago. I think the problem is it's got a bad rep now and 90% of people using it aren't being even remotely creative with it. I know a couple ambient who swear by it and at first I thought they were yanking my chain when they said their go to synth was Massive.

[SunkLo]

Zebra >>> Massive imo
Alchemy's great too.

But yeah learn the synth you have first.

[BrainSick]

Does anybody think Massive has it's limitations or any weaknesses in creating instruments? I know it's probably the best for making bass sounds, but what about all the other sounds? Is there any reason I should invest in another plug-in> I've already invested a ton just for Massive because someone assured me I couldn't go wrong. Took forever just to save for it, just didn't wanna be misled.. I really haven't got into sound design enough to know all the capabilities it does possess. I plan on reading the Sound Design thread tonight. Just noticed it today.. Was it just posted recently?

Massive, like any other synth, is going to have limitations. But that someone who assured you that you couldn't go wrong with it didn't totally mislead you; it's powerful, it's intuitive, and it has some nice wavetables. I wouldn't say massive is the best for making bass sounds. FM synthesis holds that title, IMO. Also, massive isn't limited to making bass sounds, you can get really creative making leads, pads, arpeggios, etc. with it. The biggest limitation with massive, to me, is the fact that a lot of wavetables are immediately recognizable (like modern talking) which means they've been rinsed to the point of mediocrity.

I don't think you should invest in any other plugins at the moment. Get to know the tools you have very well before you decide it's time to invest in another. In fact, if I were you I'd fall back to a simpler synth (preferably a DAW native one) and master it, first. Realize, also, that a lot of the magic happens not inside the synth itself, but in the processing you apply to it after.

I have worked with operator. But only a few months due to the fact I got Massive and it was so much easier to control and understand once I learned it well enough. One word I caught in your post was "RINSED" What the heck does it mean to rinse something? Please tell me thats production lingo and not something I should know through commmon sense...? It's things like that that lose me.

By the way, I read the sound production thread subcategory about drum samples.. I was encouraged by the fact that I have Vengance Club essentials and a couple other packs that a buddy loaded up for me to use. He uses Reason but told me I could use these samples in Ableton. Just have to layer them and figure out how to find the best sounds and EQ them and put effects on them to build a finished product?

[BrainSick]

Hey,mromgwtf, how do I turn my volume up? The master volume? I know it sounds stupid, but each instrument has it's own volume AND the master inside massive that can be altered. Then, of course, there's the master which controls all audio coming out equally?

Turn up your SPEAKERS, so -6db coming from your daw will be already loud for you.

Got it.. Thanks for clarifying.

[fragments]

Zebra >>> Massive imo
Alchemy's great too.

But yeah learn the synth you have first.

<3 Alchemy <3

Just traded a buddy of mine Absynth for Alchemy. I feel like he lost out on the deal...


BrainSick: This is not in opposition to mromgwtf's advice, but mix with your monitors/headphones turned down as low as possible. Long term you will save your ears, short term you won't suffer ear fatigue as quickly and overall you'll probably get a better mix. I find it's much easier to structure my gain staging at lower listening levels as it's much easier to tell when one element is way too loud or not loud enough.

[Coolschmid]

Holy shit man.. I have one tip. STOP USING OVER DISTORTED LOUD MODERN TALKING

Hahahaha thanks man! I was listening on headphones with it turned up, and read that just in time.

[BrainSick]

Zebra >>> Massive imo
Alchemy's great too.

But yeah learn the synth you have first.

<3 Alchemy <3

Just traded a buddy of mine Absynth for Alchemy. I feel like he lost out on the deal...


BrainSick: This is not in opposition to mromgwtf's advice, but mix with your monitors/headphones turned down as low as possible. Long term you will save your ears, short term you won't suffer ear fatigue as quickly and overall you'll probably get a better mix. I find it's much easier to structure my gain staging at lower listening levels as it's much easier to tell when one element is way too loud or not loud enough.

Maybe this is wrong, but so far my approach has been if something is clipping, turn it down rationally to get the sound I desire without clipping. And basically mix as I go. Tweak levels and if there's a part I want to boost something or reduce it I just draw in an automation to what I desire. Slight increase or decrease in volume, etc. And then adjust my drums accordingly as well. Basically so that when all instruments are playing in their respective parts there is no clipping issues. I honestly have zero experience in mixing/mastering so you're probably just LOLing at this response. But to be fair, I havent done much research on it and I haven't dedicate a ton of time to it because my focus has been more on composition and learning how to navigate in my DAW and use the various applications of it and all the ins and outs of production.

[Add9]

Zebra >>> Massive imo
Alchemy's great too.

But yeah learn the synth you have first.

I have zebra and massive and while I think Massive might be better for basses, Zebra's capabilities for pads and atmospheres are unmatched. The possibilities with that synth are endless and I'm sure you can make sick basses in it as well I just don't use it for that. It seems really underrated, I don't know why more people don't use it.

[BrainSick]

Holy shit man.. I have one tip. STOP USING OVER DISTORTED LOUD MODERN TALKING

Hahahaha thanks man! I was listening on headphones with it turned up, and read that just in time. I managed to turn it down a bunch but it was still really loud

Sorry bout that!!! Let me guess.... Can You Handle It? Yeah... TERRIBLE level control.... Think I did a better job on Supernatural remix because I actually took time to mess with that aspect. The otheres I DID NOT!

[SunkLo]

Zebra >>> Massive imo
Alchemy's great too.

But yeah learn the synth you have first.

<3 Alchemy <3

Just traded a buddy of mine Absynth for Alchemy. I feel like he lost out on the deal...


BrainSick: This is not in opposition to mromgwtf's advice, but mix with your monitors/headphones turned down as low as possible. Long term you will save your ears, short term you won't suffer ear fatigue as quickly and overall you'll probably get a better mix. I find it's much easier to structure my gain staging at lower listening levels as it's much easier to tell when one element is way too loud or not loud enough.

They're both beauts, Absynth being more idiosyncratic and Alchemy being more versatile and powerful. I'd agree you got the better end of the deal.

My top 5 desert island synths would be:
Alchemy
Absynth
Zebra2
FM8
Reaktor Prism

Also yeah mixing at low volumes is champ. Things stick out a lot more when everything's at your threshold of hearing. You gotta reference at higher volumes as well since it's obviously different, but you can't beat mouse-fart volume when trying to get a quick balance between tracks.

[Triphosphate]

Does anybody think Massive has it's limitations or any weaknesses in creating instruments? I know it's probably the best for making bass sounds, but what about all the other sounds? Is there any reason I should invest in another plug-in> I've already invested a ton just for Massive because someone assured me I couldn't go wrong. Took forever just to save for it, just didn't wanna be misled.. I really haven't got into sound design enough to know all the capabilities it does possess. I plan on reading the Sound Design thread tonight. Just noticed it today.. Was it just posted recently?

Massive, like any other synth, is going to have limitations. But that someone who assured you that you couldn't go wrong with it didn't totally mislead you; it's powerful, it's intuitive, and it has some nice wavetables. I wouldn't say massive is the best for making bass sounds. FM synthesis holds that title, IMO. Also, massive isn't limited to making bass sounds, you can get really creative making leads, pads, arpeggios, etc. with it. The biggest limitation with massive, to me, is the fact that a lot of wavetables are immediately recognizable (like modern talking) which means they've been rinsed to the point of mediocrity.

I don't think you should invest in any other plugins at the moment. Get to know the tools you have very well before you decide it's time to invest in another. In fact, if I were you I'd fall back to a simpler synth (preferably a DAW native one) and master it, first. Realize, also, that a lot of the magic happens not inside the synth itself, but in the processing you apply to it after.

I have worked with operator. But only a few months due to the fact I got Massive and it was so much easier to control and understand once I learned it well enough. One word I caught in your post was "RINSED" What the heck does it mean to rinse something? Please tell me thats production lingo and not something I should know through commmon sense...? It's things like that that lose me.

By the way, I read the sound production thread subcategory about drum samples.. I was encouraged by the fact that I have Vengance Club essentials and a couple other packs that a buddy loaded up for me to use. He uses Reason but told me I could use these samples in Ableton. Just have to layer them and figure out how to find the best sounds and EQ them and put effects on them to build a finished product?

from urban dictionary:

1. rinse

to rince a song/film

to play a song/film so many times you got bored of it.

Basically: overused.

Vengeance packs are really nice, you really don't have to do much to them to get them to sound nice because they are already very compressed. But yes, you might want to layer them to make them sound more unique.

[Triphosphate]

My top 5 desert island synths would be:
Alchemy
Absynth
Zebra2
FM8
Reaktor Prism

Sytrus
Harmor
3xOsc
Massive
Nexus (I know... its a wompler... the shame )

[dublerium]

Does anybody think Massive has it's limitations or any weaknesses in creating instruments? I know it's probably the best for making bass sounds, but what about all the other sounds? Is there any reason I should invest in another plug-in> I've already invested a ton just for Massive because someone assured me I couldn't go wrong. Took forever just to save for it, just didn't wanna be misled.. I really haven't got into sound design enough to know all the capabilities it does possess. I plan on reading the Sound Design thread tonight. Just noticed it today.. Was it just posted recently?

Massive, like any other synth, is going to have limitations. But that someone who assured you that you couldn't go wrong with it didn't totally mislead you; it's powerful, it's intuitive, and it has some nice wavetables. I wouldn't say massive is the best for making bass sounds. FM synthesis holds that title, IMO. Also, massive isn't limited to making bass sounds, you can get really creative making leads, pads, arpeggios, etc. with it. The biggest limitation with massive, to me, is the fact that a lot of wavetables are immediately recognizable (like modern talking) which means they've been rinsed to the point of mediocrity.

I don't think you should invest in any other plugins at the moment. Get to know the tools you have very well before you decide it's time to invest in another. In fact, if I were you I'd fall back to a simpler synth (preferably a DAW native one) and master it, first. Realize, also, that a lot of the magic happens not inside the synth itself, but in the processing you apply to it after.

I have worked with operator. But only a few months due to the fact I got Massive and it was so much easier to control and understand once I learned it well enough. One word I caught in your post was "RINSED" What the heck does it mean to rinse something? Please tell me thats production lingo and not something I should know through commmon sense...? It's things like that that lose me.

By the way, I read the sound production thread subcategory about drum samples.. I was encouraged by the fact that I have Vengance Club essentials and a couple other packs that a buddy loaded up for me to use. He uses Reason but told me I could use these samples in Ableton. Just have to layer them and figure out how to find the best sounds and EQ them and put effects on them to build a finished product?

from urban dictionary:

1. rinse

to rince a song/film

to play a song/film so many times you got bored of it.

Basically: overused.

Vengeance packs are really nice, you really don't have to do much to them to get them to sound nice because they are already very compressed. But yes, you might want to layer them to make them sound more unique.

Not everything needs to be 'very compressed'. It might be the type of sound your after but putting stuff like this all over forums is going to give people starting out the impression that that's how it should be.

Think it should be pointed out as compression seems to get thrown around like it's meant to be used on everything which seems to confuse most new producers even more.

[Triphosphate]

^I'm not saying to compress everything. I'm saying you don't need to compress (or do much of anything, really) to vengeance samples because they are already well processed.

[BrainSick]

In my Kesha remix, if you hear the snare, we layered snares, routed them to all play one one note, EQed each one individually, Compressed where we needed to, (I understand not everything needs to be compressed and I'm learning quite a lot about compression, although I need to learn MORE) and added reverb to give it that sustain. Loved the results but didn't have much luck making my own drums without him present. Like I said, he's very knowledgeable with all that stuff and at the time I learned a lot but I guess it just comes with repitition and practice? But that snare was a good sound, I think. Hoping to make more and going to utilize this forum and all it's resources, as well as youtube and my mentor to further develop. You all have been so amazing though! Can't thank you all enough! And I enjoy reading what synths and techniques you all prefer as well. Very helpful!!

[dublerium]

^I'm not saying to compress everything. I'm saying you don't need to compress (or do much of anything, really) to vengeance samples because they are already well processed.

I see that, it just reads like you mean compressed is the way samples should be, which isn't always the case. If I read it like that new users could too so was just making threads like these more readable for peeps learning

[Triphosphate]

^I'm not saying to compress everything. I'm saying you don't need to compress (or do much of anything, really) to vengeance samples because they are already well processed.

I see that, it just reads like you mean compressed is the way samples should be, which isn't always the case. If I read it like that new users could too so was just making threads like these more readable for peeps learning

After re-reading my own post... yeah I see your point

I'm learning quite a lot about compression, although I need to learn MORE... it just comes with repitition and practice... Hoping to make more and going to utilize this forum and all it's resources, as well as youtube and my mentor to further develop...

You're definitely on the right track. You have a good mentor, the right attitude, you want to practice, and you understand that you never stop learning.

[hutyluty]

In my Kesha remix,

i think this might be where you're going wrong