Soft Sampler Comparison

[cleanroom]

Hello,

I am trying to compare the 3 major soft samplers. Mach Five, Reason 3, or Kontakt. I use Ableton Live and DP5.11. I'm running a G4 Powerbook 1.67 processor and 2 gigs of RAM. I have Reason 3 and am not all that impressed when using it within other programs. It is a cpu hog in Live, not so much in DP5.11. Does anyone one have any experience with comparing these and how well they work in a laptop situation?

Thanks.

[papageno]

...I'm running a G4 Powerbook 1.67 processor and 2 gigs of RAM. I have Reason 3 and am not all that impressed when using it within other programs. It is a cpu hog in Live, not so much in DP5.11

My opinion:
* Reason's sampler is in a different class than Mach5 or Kontakt. NN-XT is a small section of Reason and its features do not stand any comparision with Kontakt.
* Mach5 is not an option either because it seems that Motu has stopped the development of Mach5. To invest to a piece of software that hasn't received any updates for a long time is not a good idea.

* G4 laptop is too slow for modern sampler software anyway, you should seriously consider MacBook (Pro) with maximized RAM.

All that said there is only one option left: Kontakt 2. Yes, it is buggy. Indeed it is. But I see no other choices for my MBP.

[monkey man]

* Reason's sampler is in a different class than Mach5 or Kontakt. NN-XT is a small section of Reason and its features do not stand any comparision with Kontakt.

Agreed.

* Mach5 is not an option either because it seems that Motu has stopped the development of Mach5. To invest to a piece of software that hasn't received any updates for a long time is not a good idea.

Stopped development?
If they had, they'd have told us.
I believe the reason they haven't said anything, is 'cause they still are.

* G4 laptop is too slow for modern sampler software anyway, you should seriously consider MacBook (Pro) with maximized RAM.

Samplers require better HD performance, but CPU demands are way down from softsynths, generally speaking.

All that said there is only one option left: Kontakt 2. Yes, it is buggy. Indeed it is. But I see no other choices for my MBP.

I'd surmise that buggy software requires constant updates by definition.
Mach V is functioning and stable; there's just no Intel or UB version yet...
Korg Legacy in its various flavours hasn't required much updating, 'cause it's apparently stable.

Just playin the Gods of MOTU advocate, pappy.

[papageno]

Stopped development?
If they had, they'd have told us.
I believe the reason they haven't said anything, is 'cause they still are.

The only fact here I'd like to point out is: October 17, 2005. The date of release of Mach5 1.2.3 update.
Soon 1 year and 5 months of no updates to a piece of software that is being actively developed.

[daniel.sneed]

I must add some :

I've created patchs from sampled materials, from instruments or objects, track, edit, dynamic and eq in DP, then import them in Reason 3 sampler (N19 or NN-XT).
Very easy and CPU efficient IMHO. I've had much success with it.

[monkey man]

Stopped development?
If they had, they'd have told us.
I believe the reason they haven't said anything, is 'cause they still are.

The only fact here I'd like to point out is: October 17, 2005. The date of release of Mach5 1.2.3 update.
Soon 1 year and 5 months of no updates to a piece of software that is being actively developed.

Even as a tiny-tot, I knew to wait until told otherwise.
Hang, even some dogs will wait on-the-spot for days out of respect for their "owners", 'cause experience has taught them said owners deliver.

MOTU delivers, and until I'm told otherwise, I'll assume it's in the works.
Don't you think they'd 'fess up when pressed for updates on the progress of the plug if it were dead?
No, they wouldn't lie or avoid telling the truth just to protect some measly Mach V v1.2.3 update.
I think they're smart enough to know this wouldn't be good for business!
Being smart, they'd also be working pretty hard at it, so fingers crossed it appears soon.
Take heart, papageno; these guys will deliver.

When they do, it won't just be impatient Unicorns who'll be gobsmacked.

[wvandyck]

All that said there is only one option left: Kontakt 2. Yes, it is buggy. Indeed it is. But I see no other choices for my MBP.

I'd surmise that buggy software requires constant updates by definition.
Mach V is functioning and stable; there's just no Intel or UB version yet...
Korg Legacy in its various flavours hasn't required much updating, 'cause it's apparently stable.

Just playin the Gods of MOTU advocate, pappy.

Totally off topic here, but speaks to the stability issue: My first piece of MOTU hardware was the MTP II. (Still works!!!) The software utility, MTP II Console was probably coded for System 7.5.3. but functioned flawlessly through System 9.2.2 (in a dual boot system). The shoe is still on the other foot.

[Frodo]

The only fact here I'd like to point out is: October 17, 2005. The date of release of Mach5 1.2.3 update.
Soon 1 year and 5 months of no updates to a piece of software that is being actively developed.

My how time flies when you're using Kontakt!

[wvandyck]

My how time flies when you're using Kontakt!

Talk about an eye-opener...

This is beginning to feel like that Twilight Zone episode where the officer, the ballerina, the clown and others are standing on top of each other's shoulders in an attempt to climb out of their void, to reach the outside world. We see them reach the top and fall into the unknown...

A child sees the "dolls" in the snow and puts them back into the Salvation Army Toy Donation barrel... (Twilight Zone theme music plays....)

(In Rod Sterling's voice) At the moment, I'm still using a juiced-up G4. But when I acquire an Intel Mac...I'm gonna be hoping...that Mach 5 v2 is gonna be there... in the Twilight Zone (Theme music plays)

[monkey man]

(In Rod Sterling's voice) At the moment, I'm still using a juiced-up G4. But when I acquire an Intel Mac...I'm gonna be hoping...that Mach 5 v2 is gonna be there... in the Twilight Zone (Theme music plays)

Ha! I like that.

I sure hope it's a waiting in the ether.

[boomtown]

I have both Mach5 & Kontakt. I ended up using Kontakt for live use as it is, to my knowledge, the only software sampler with a "latch" function. Had I not needed that for live use I would have stayed using Mach5.

Both are good samplers but, despite its somewhat less appealing user interface, I'm tending to use Kontakt more these days. This may have more to do with the fact that I have an extensive library of other NI hosted virtual instruments, all of which are compatible with Kontakt.

I really like the UVI sample import option on Mach5 and the user interface is quite nice.

As for a Macbook Pro being the only option, I'd have to disagree. I've used Kontakt flawlessly in a live situation on a PowerBook G4 1.67 1GbRAM (MOTU Traveler interface). As long as you don't go mad with lots of sustained notes it works fine.

Personally, I feel your choice is between Mach5 & Kontakt. Try them both and see how you get on.......