Virtual Instruments and DP

infectiousbeat · Post by **infectiousbeat** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:17 am

Contemplating a purchase of East West Platinum virtual instruments. Anyone have a good experience working with DP on something comparable? I am making a gradual transition from synth racks to VI's, but I have limited resources at the moment. Limited meaning an intel 1.8gHz Imac with 4 gigs of ram. I have kontakt as my only virtual piece. Was thinking of running Kontakt, East West Platinum and Logic Pro 9 (since it is now $199) from a second computer just as a source for VI's. Make sense? Thoughts? Thanks very much.

Richard

Kubi · Post by **Kubi** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:49 pm

If you have a second computer, I'd run VE Pro 5 from that to host VIs, instead of Logic.

Especially if you use it without a second Mac, your setup is indeed too limited to run what you have - you'd need at least twice the RAM to not choke on even small-ish files. Be sure your samples come from a drive separate from both your project and your OS/apps.

Even though it has a few stellar patches (low strings, low brass, some of the orch perc.), in addition to the mostly decent sounds and a few truly pathetic patches like the woodwinds, overall I'm not too keen on EastWest Platinum. There are now better options out there (including their own new libs) and, more importantly, there are a number of non-Play-but-Kontakt-based (read:more stable) options out there - Cinebrass, LA Scoring Strings, and a number more.

infectiousbeat · Post by **infectiousbeat** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:15 pm

Thank you, that is very helpful info. This has been a stop and go process for me, so every bit of direction I get is another step on the way.
rhl

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:52 pm

Kubi wrote:If you have a second computer, I'd run VE Pro 5 from that to host VIs, instead of Logic.

+100000000000000000000

Here. Enjoy and drool, infectiousbeat. This has got to be one of the best written and most revolutionary software of late:

http://www.vsl.co.at/en/65/71/1988/1677.vsl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

infectiousbeat · Post by **infectiousbeat** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:25 pm

Thanks for all of the useful info!

Now, to actually host soft samplers/synths on one machine and have it talk to another, what is required? I have two Imacs at my disposal - a 2.33 gHz and a 1.8 gHz. The 2.33 has 3 gigs of ram and the 1.8 has 4 gigs. Right now the 1.8 is running DP 7.24 and Kontakt. Which machine should do what, and how do I connect them? I do have a USB MOTU Timepiece AV along with an M-Audio Profire Lightbridge as a firewire interface. Possible?

I am looking to purchase LA Scoring Strings and Omnisphere in the near future.

I have storage drives also, perhaps for the libraries?

Many thanks,
Infectious

wrathy · Post by **wrathy** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:15 pm

All you need is VEPro and an Ethernet cable. It's the easiest way to go.
I would reccomend getting more RAM. Esp. for LA Scoring Strings & Omnisphere.

Best.

zuul-studios · Post by **zuul-studios** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:56 am

infectiousbeat wrote:. . . Now, to actually host soft samplers/synths on one machine and have it talk to another, what is required? I have two Imacs at my disposal - a 2.33 gHz and a 1.8 gHz. The 2.33 has 3 gigs of ram and the 1.8 has 4 gigs. Right now the 1.8 is running DP 7.24 and Kontakt. Which machine should do what, and how do I connect them? I do have a USB MOTU Timepiece AV along with an M-Audio Profire Lightbridge as a firewire interface. Possible?

Many thanks,
Infectious

Here's another option to consider that worked well for me in the past. It seems like you have the basic gear available to you. Consider using MidiOverLan Cross Platform 3 (MOLCP 3) to communicate MIDI information to get things "singing". MOLCP3 works via the ethernet. This accomplishes the MIDI end of things. For the audio, simple connect the "outs" of one audio device (connected to your "slave" computer) into the "ins" of the other audio device (connected to your "master" computer) via the lightbridge (ADAT light channels, or whatever they're called now).

A similar set up worked like a charm for me. I had an old (and now dead) Dell Precision Workstation as one "slave" computer, a new (at the time) MBP computer as another "slave" computer and a MacPro as the "Master" computer. Each had its own MOTU audio device with ADAT light ports (in & out). All MIDI communication worked via the MOLCP3 program, via the ethernet ports of each computer. (MOLCP3 works on both Apple and PC computers.) There was negligible latency. Current versions of MOLCP3 seem quite stable, although it's a minor challenge configuring this program when first running it.

Personally, I'm trying to get away from the "Master/Slave" computer set-up. It's just part of my overall effort of simplifying my life. Besides, newer computers are quite powerful, now-a-days. Still, those aging computers are worth keeping. They can serve to function wonderfully as "archiving machines" as well as "slave" computers for MIDI sequencing/recording of larger orchestration projects. MOLCP3 can certainly help with this.

Finally. . . as others have pointed out. . . the more RAM, the better. I've had GREAT success in ordering products from "Other World Computers" (http://www.macsales.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) They seem to have all sorts of RAM for new and old iMacs:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac

Good luck with your decision. . .

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:11 am

OSC in Plogue Bidule should allow hosting VIs in a second computer.

MOTUnation.com