Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which synth to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
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Contenders
Massive XL is Native Instruments' new flagship wavetable synth, succeeding Massive X with a sample-to-preset Generator, Mutator, ten oscillator modes and poly aftertouch.
Unglued Harmonic Bass Machine: monophonic bass synth with locked sub, harmonic oscillator and note-tracking distortion. $45 at Plugin Boutique until 30 Nov 2026.
Technical matrix
| Signal | Massive XL | Harmonic Bass Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 intro to 3 Jan 2027 (then $199) | $45 (intro, until 30 Nov 2026) |
| Dubspot Score | — | — |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | VST3, AU, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Developer | Native Instruments | — |
| Type | Wavetable synthesizer | Monophonic bass instrument |
| Oscillators | Ten oscillator modes; hundreds of wavetables (original Massive, PPG-style, acoustic, analog-derived) plus user import | Two phase-locked sines; Extra Sub |
| Routing | Open architecture: oscillators, noise, filters, inserts, phase modulation, feedback | — |
| Effects | NI effects including Raum, Replika Shimmer, Tape Wobble | — |
| Standout tools | Preset Generator (sample to preset, stem separation), Mutator, Randomizer, Morpher, Animator, Performers, Trackers | — |
| Expression | Polyphonic aftertouch on compatible hardware | — |
| Presets | 1,000 | — |
| Compatibility | Loads Massive X presets and Expansions | — |
| Formats | macOS: VST, VST3, AU, AAX. Windows: VST, VST3, AAX. NKS-ready. No standalone | VST3, AU; macOS 12+, Windows 10+, Linux x64 VST3 |
| Systems | macOS 14/15/26, Windows 10/11 (64-bit), Intel AVX or Apple Silicon, 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended) | — |
| Download size | 2.1 GB (Mac), 1.8 GB (Windows) | — |
| Price | $99 intro (then $199); free Massive XL Player | $45 until 30 Nov 2026 at Plugin Boutique ($69 list); £59 at Unglued |
| Distortion | — | 12 shapes; note-tracking crossover; final clip |
| Noise | — | Six characters with envelope follower |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.