Wow! This was such an incredibly well made and informative video! You've got a new subscriber in me, good sir. Can't wait to check out the rest of your content :)
What a great video explaining the basic features of both, I've heard about both of these synths for a long time. As a beginner to production, I really wanted to figure out which of these two to buy. Looks like I'm gonna stick with Serum. Visual aids are such a big help 👍👍
I use both Serum and Massive, it is just that it is much easier for me to create my own custom sounds in Serum due to its easier to understand interface.
Thanks for the video, just to let you know that in aprox 4:15 you are using 3 oscilators wich two of them are in square mode. In addition, the most appropiate saw to compare to serum is not saw I or saw II but Saw PWM. Finally, this last one is significantly lower in volume so give it a little push and you have the exact same saw wave as serum
I've been using Serum for a while and I think it's great for sound design. I think massive has way more usable presets for my style, which is hip-hop/trap. I just think alot of serum presets are trash tbh lol. I like the sounds I make with it but sometimes you want to turn your brain off and zone out make music. Serum isn't my go to for leads. But if you're on a budget, Serum's rent to own option is a easy choice.
Re: getting a sound quickly... Massive has an easy to use library search interface for finding patches quickly, whether it's just a general type of patch, a very specific characteristic for patches, or a combination of characteristics you're looking for. So, I've never had a problem finding a useful patch right away.
Great video, thank you ! I have Massive which came with some hardware I bought but Ive never used it lol Serum is calling me more and I dont know why haha
mayby a little late but: can you make some serum tutorials? Not for complete beginners but also not for pro's. Sort of LEVEL 3 .. I think you explain perfect, good tempo and I learn allready from this video.
I'm evaluating Serum vs Vital for a couple days. Should I widen my search to include Massive? My current favorite is Iris 2, but it's a bit abandoned at this point and very CPU intensive, gotta freeze in complex projects. Amazing capability to precisely make sounds spectrally though. But I need a Real Synth software to go beyond what Babylon by W. A. production and beyond what Codex by Waves can do. Serum is impressing me.
I like the way I have account with Native Instruments and Image Line. For me is more likely to buy something from them in the future. But because Image line has everything in my opinion it's better to buy producer edition or above and learn to use the tools there. I like the synths in Cubase also. If I didn't have FL studio I would consider droping money on Cubase instead on bunch of random outside synths.
Both great imo. I started out with Massive and still use it til this day. I've been getting more familiar with Serum and love it so far. One thing we have to take into account is that Massive came out 13 years ago haha. It lacks visually but I feel that it forces you to rely on your ears more. This is important when creating sounds. Although Serum's visuals help with people's comprehension of what they're hearing. It's UI is definitely useful!
Yes! Insightful points. Thanks for commenting. It does make you use your ears more using massive. It was one of my first synths and I didn’t have the facilities developed yet. Now when I return to it, it actually feels good to use. Serum is just so easy to make great sounds. Each has their place. The 13 year time gap is noteworthy.
Damn, I want serum because I used to have massive and while I made whole records with those sounds, it wasn't too fun of a process. Serum sounds like the direction I wanna go (plus i prefer the visual aspect), but native instruments is offering 14 plug ins for 100 bucks. Decisions, decisions.
My point is chose a DAW which comes with synths you know you are going to use. Learn at least one of them good enough so you can make variety of sounds. Don't spend money on thirth party synths unless there is something you are completely sure the synths and effects in your DAW can't do. Save money buy not buyng more. I am probably stuck with Sytrus and Massive for life because I already have them but that's fine. I can live with that. I am somewhat familiar with them. I know how to make a soud and to use filters right 😆
I have only Massive of both. It came with Komplete bundle I bought. I have health problems and I can't justify buying new toys. However, would I justify buying Serum if I had money to spare? The biggest and only selling point is how easier would one make sounds over the other. Probably Serum will win. But since I like to make trance sounds Massive is more than sufficient for me. Besides I am already familiar with the layout of Massive. I wish they made the layout of the oscilators more like Spire. In Spire you twist two knobs and change the wave form. In Sytrus you push few sliders and change the wave form. In Thorn you have easy wave creation too. That's what could be better in Massive. You don't see what you are doing nor it shows what the wave form suppose to look like. Serum can take audio files. That's great. But now with all the newer synths like Avanger and Icarus I would be even more confused. There is choices out there.
I've had both for 3 years now, my advice is, if you are not a heavy edm producer (dubstep and the likes), then it's almost pointless for you to choose Serum over Massive
If you ask me, it comes down to whether you like analog or digital VSTs more. I’ve never used Massive, but it looks like a really cool synth, although it does seem like it comes down to trial and error when it comes to programming sounds. I have Serum and I love it, I’ve never used Alchemy and ES2 in Logic Pro X ever since!
A wave table takes an audio file, and creates multiple different wave forms from what you started with. You are then able to use those wave forms as the primary wave in your synthesis, or to sweep between different parts of the wave table
@@LiveKeyboardist I just hear everyone raving about how it's one of the best VSTs to have... Which it probably is, but I already have Komplete12 CE so I have massive with a whole heap of additional presets thanks to all the NI expansions, I see you can get Serum on rent to own through splice so I was thinking maybe I try it out, but if they are very similar then I'll probably pass and just use Massive (unfortunately I can't use Massive X, due to my main rig being an old Mac Pro, and it's marked as incompatible ☹️ )
Bummer RE: massive X. Serum definitely has a very different vibe to it. They are similar type of synth, but serum does allow you to have user wave tables and massive does not. I also think the routing in Serum is a little bit more intuitive. I guess it just depends what you’re looking for. If I had to buy just one it would be serum. If I had the list of VSTs that you have, I would probably be torn to. But it definitely is a very different flavor than massive.
@@LiveKeyboardist thanks, I think on the splice thing you can try it for 3 days as a trial, so I'm probably best giving it a try and see how it fits my style before taking the plunge :) another thing I have to consider is CPU usage , until I get a newer system next year 😎
MASSIVE is the BEST I LIKE LEARN MORE AND I KNOW SERUM IS SO EASY THAT I NEVER GOING TO LEARN BEYOND MASSIVE MAKE ME THINK IF ROU LEARN MASSIVE U R GONNA DOMINATE EASILY EVERITHING
pigments is interesting as a wave table, granular, modular, subtractive and additive synth
Thank YOU... I've been look for these answers!
Great video! I've seen alot of videos that favor one or the other, thank you for the review
Wow! This was such an incredibly well made and informative video! You've got a new subscriber in me, good sir. Can't wait to check out the rest of your content :)
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed!
What a great video explaining the basic features of both, I've heard about both of these synths for a long time. As a beginner to production, I really wanted to figure out which of these two to buy. Looks like I'm gonna stick with Serum. Visual aids are such a big help 👍👍
Great choice! I think you’ll be super happy with it.
you wanted to figure out which one to BUY???!! bro.. dont 🙂
I use both Serum and Massive, it is just that it is much easier for me to create my own custom sounds in Serum due to its easier to understand interface.
Thanks for the video, just to let you know that in aprox 4:15 you are using 3 oscilators wich two of them are in square mode. In addition, the most appropiate saw to compare to serum is not saw I or saw II but Saw PWM. Finally, this last one is significantly lower in volume so give it a little push and you have the exact same saw wave as serum
I've been using Serum for a while and I think it's great for sound design. I think massive has way more usable presets for my style, which is hip-hop/trap. I just think alot of serum presets are trash tbh lol. I like the sounds I make with it but sometimes you want to turn your brain off and zone out make music. Serum isn't my go to for leads. But if you're on a budget, Serum's rent to own option is a easy choice.
Great insight! Thanks for sharing. Massive does excel in having a lot of great presets.
For my style, festival house and bounce, I usually require the right presets and sounds for my particular style.
Just got a legit copy Massive after years without it and I’m excited to rework some of my old projects
Im in the same boat. Got mine from kvr at stunning 10$ !
Re: getting a sound quickly... Massive has an easy to use library search interface for finding patches quickly, whether it's just a general type of patch, a very specific characteristic for patches, or a combination of characteristics you're looking for. So, I've never had a problem finding a useful patch right away.
Great video, thank you ! I have Massive which came with some hardware I bought but Ive never used it lol Serum is calling me more and I dont know why haha
mayby a little late but: can you make some serum tutorials? Not for complete beginners but also not for pro's. Sort of LEVEL 3 .. I think you explain perfect, good tempo and I learn allready from this video.
I'm evaluating Serum vs Vital for a couple days. Should I widen my search to include Massive? My current favorite is Iris 2, but it's a bit abandoned at this point and very CPU intensive, gotta freeze in complex projects. Amazing capability to precisely make sounds spectrally though. But I need a Real Synth software to go beyond what Babylon by W. A. production and beyond what Codex by Waves can do.
Serum is impressing me.
"It's a pretty legitimate saw wave" I will use this catch phrase when I'm techsplaining my friends.
If there was an award for most entertaining comment, I’d give this one to you. Thanks for watching!
I like the way I have account with Native Instruments and Image Line. For me is more likely to buy something from them in the future. But because Image line has everything in my opinion it's better to buy producer edition or above and learn to use the tools there. I like the synths in Cubase also. If I didn't have FL studio I would consider droping money on Cubase instead on bunch of random outside synths.
Both great imo. I started out with Massive and still use it til this day. I've been getting more familiar with Serum and love it so far. One thing we have to take into account is that Massive came out 13 years ago haha. It lacks visually but I feel that it forces you to rely on your ears more. This is important when creating sounds. Although Serum's visuals help with people's comprehension of what they're hearing. It's UI is definitely useful!
Yes! Insightful points. Thanks for commenting. It does make you use your ears more using massive. It was one of my first synths and I didn’t have the facilities developed yet. Now when I return to it, it actually feels good to use. Serum is just so easy to make great sounds. Each has their place. The 13 year time gap is noteworthy.
Damn, I want serum because I used to have massive and while I made whole records with those sounds, it wasn't too fun of a process. Serum sounds like the direction I wanna go (plus i prefer the visual aspect), but native instruments is offering 14 plug ins for 100 bucks. Decisions, decisions.
Someone please reply😭what is the oscilloscope he is using to view the waveform? Have been searching for a plug-in like this endlessly
For Big Room/Melbourne Bounce/Hardstyle I prefer to use Massive, but for Progressive House and Electro I prefer to use Sylenth1 and Serum
Yes - insightful. Thanks for sharing. I think many others would agree with you.
I own Serum and Massive, but I plan on getting Sylenth1, Pharlight, and another keys sound from NI.
My point is chose a DAW which comes with synths you know you are going to use. Learn at least one of them good enough so you can make variety of sounds. Don't spend money on thirth party synths unless there is something you are completely sure the synths and effects in your DAW can't do. Save money buy not buyng more. I am probably stuck with Sytrus and Massive for life because I already have them but that's fine. I can live with that. I am somewhat familiar with them. I know how to make a soud and to use filters right 😆
We need an update to compare against massive x
I have only Massive of both. It came with Komplete bundle I bought. I have health problems and I can't justify buying new toys. However, would I justify buying Serum if I had money to spare? The biggest and only selling point is how easier would one make sounds over the other. Probably Serum will win. But since I like to make trance sounds Massive is more than sufficient for me. Besides I am already familiar with the layout of Massive. I wish they made the layout of the oscilators more like Spire. In Spire you twist two knobs and change the wave form. In Sytrus you push few sliders and change the wave form. In Thorn you have easy wave creation too. That's what could be better in Massive. You don't see what you are doing nor it shows what the wave form suppose to look like. Serum can take audio files. That's great. But now with all the newer synths like Avanger and Icarus I would be even more confused. There is choices out there.
I've had both for 3 years now, my advice is, if you are not a heavy edm producer (dubstep and the likes), then it's almost pointless for you to choose Serum over Massive
Did you accidently write them in wrong order?
Huh?? Can you rewrite that. It doesn't make sense what you said.
Massive is the best to me
If you ask me, it comes down to whether you like analog or digital VSTs more. I’ve never used Massive, but it looks like a really cool synth, although it does seem like it comes down to trial and error when it comes to programming sounds. I have Serum and I love it, I’ve never used Alchemy and ES2 in Logic Pro X ever since!
Yes! Both excellent synths. At some point, it always comes down to preference.
LiveKeyboardist Also I think your videos are cool, I subbed
Thanks man! Happy to have you on board!
Wow that is praise indeed as Alchemy is great
Alchemy can definitely produce some good sounds. For sure though, the best synth is the one you know how to use
what about Massive X ?
5:15 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Which Vst are you using to see the signal?
I am using a Max For Live device called jo.oscilloscope. You can find it here. maxforlive.com/library/device/1918/jo-floating-oscilloscope
I know what a Wav file is. But, what's a Wave "Table"???
A wave table takes an audio file, and creates multiple different wave forms from what you started with. You are then able to use those wave forms as the primary wave in your synthesis, or to sweep between different parts of the wave table
Dex Arson: "I'm using both".
I already have massive and 1000s of presets, do I really need Serum? 🤔
Need is a strong word. Ha ha ha. I do prefer working with serum visually. But the truth is the best synth is the one you have.
Is there a specific reason you are looking at serum (other than it’s a great synth)
@@LiveKeyboardist I just hear everyone raving about how it's one of the best VSTs to have... Which it probably is, but I already have Komplete12 CE so I have massive with a whole heap of additional presets thanks to all the NI expansions, I see you can get Serum on rent to own through splice so I was thinking maybe I try it out, but if they are very similar then I'll probably pass and just use Massive (unfortunately I can't use Massive X, due to my main rig being an old Mac Pro, and it's marked as incompatible ☹️ )
Bummer RE: massive X. Serum definitely has a very different vibe to it. They are similar type of synth, but serum does allow you to have user wave tables and massive does not. I also think the routing in Serum is a little bit more intuitive. I guess it just depends what you’re looking for. If I had to buy just one it would be serum. If I had the list of VSTs that you have, I would probably be torn to. But it definitely is a very different flavor than massive.
@@LiveKeyboardist thanks, I think on the splice thing you can try it for 3 days as a trial, so I'm probably best giving it a try and see how it fits my style before taking the plunge :) another thing I have to consider is CPU usage , until I get a newer system next year 😎
Serum is the best.
u could lower the volume of the saw next time
MASSIVE is the BEST I LIKE LEARN MORE AND I KNOW SERUM IS SO EASY THAT I NEVER GOING TO LEARN BEYOND MASSIVE MAKE ME THINK IF ROU LEARN MASSIVE U R GONNA DOMINATE EASILY EVERITHING
They're such different beasts really.
The best thing is 3rd party support for Preset Libraries are tons for both.