MOTUNATION (formerly UnicorNation) is an independent community for discussing Digital Performer and other MOTU audio software and hardware. It is not affiliated with MOTU.
I was told that when I purchased Mach Five I would be able to load Symphonic Instrument, Ethno Instrument, and all of my Giga Files. I called Motu and asked the specifics on loading giga files. I was told all should work fine.
Now I sit with a pc version AND a mac version(sold seperately) because the PC version was never updated to accept symphonic or ethno sounds (even though the mac was) and NEITHER have ever worked with ANY of my giga files. (i will admit that I got a very big discount when I went to my local retailer and told them how dismayed I was with the current situation. They most definetly helped me out.
I used to be pissed off that I had to buy two different versions and neither worked correctly, but I'm not complaining anymore. With the help of Frodo and Monkey Man over at the sit-in I have realized that it'll happen soon. Soon enough. I guess.
So while there were no specific literature (except for the literature that I read at the store and on the Motu website) telling me that, yes, this will work with all gigastudio, ethno and symphonic files...well...wait. Yes. There is tons of literature. I'm not so much concerned about the intel mac, more, I 'm concerned about all the files I wanted to integrate that I can't after spending money on two products to make it work.
I guess what I am now asking is, did anyone really get told stuff like "If you buy version 1 we will have version 2 Mac Intel ready right when you want it"?
No, but I was told it would work for what I needed it to do. At least once. Just work. Without having to buy two different versions of the same product.
Wherever or however the arguments might diverge, it is clear that all users of M5 have one thing in common: they can do nothing about it at this time because it hasn't been updated at all since October, 2005.
Since that time, computers have changed. Users' needs have evolved, and even the needs of any one single user may have evolved, and these developments are not guaranteed to be identical. Some have moved on to the MacPro while others are hoping for features and functions on the PPC to be tightened up.
There has been a little bit of misleading info on what M5v1 would do when it was first released. The one thing that stopped me from buying it at the time was that I'd learned after the fact that v. 1.0 did not stream, which was added in a later update. Also, I was told by my trusted dealer back in 2005 that v2 would be released in July of that year. Granted, that did not come directly from MOTU, but even my dealer (who has never let me down) believed that the release of v2 was imminent even at that time.
Mind you, I'm not complaining by saying all of this. It's just a matter of fact that supports a certain angst with the cryptic or misleading info that has been floating around for some time.
Where the two arguments come together is in M5v2 itself where the needs of both PPC users and Intel users might be addressed with better features, better functionality, and Universal Binary support in a single update. What surprises me a little is that there hasn't been a UB release of v1 in the interim. It's not that anyone promised a v1 UB, but there certainly has been a LOT of time to wonder about what's going on during this enormous gap in the meantime where MOTU's updates for M5 have not dovetailed with users' needs.
While delays are common with software, 28 months is a little unusual for MOTU who was among the first to release UB drivers for their hardware. But those whose livelihoods depend upon having a functional UB sampler are either holding out for v2 or have already added Kontakt 2.x to their arsenals.
The wait is understandably a little awkward, and it's getting increasingly difficult to consider musings and questions about v2 as being the result of impatience, given that we're into year 3 of the wait. MOTU has always been optimistic in its responses. But the intensity of any argument stems from the intensity of a particular user's need. Some people may *want* v2 while others have invested a great deal of energy and money developing their sample libraries for heavy, long-term M5 use.
This all serves to raise the question of when a hopeful promise becomes a cruel teaser as v2 appears to be caught in a state of perpetual imminence.
But, according to MOTU, it's on it's way, and that's about all the info we have presently.
Surely it is doubtful that ....."MOTU have failed to move M5 on at all"
More likely they are really close to finished and you just can't see all the hard work until the box hits the shelves???
I was unaware that ..."Some people have been sold v1 with the implied promise of v2's functionality."
I guess what I am now asking is, did anyone really get told stuff like "If you buy version 1 we will have version 2 Mac Intel ready right when you want it"?
You've made huge assumptions in your comments. Commented on a MachFive upgrade program and a procedure that you're not familiar with.
Made a statement regarding people in this forum concerning their skills as a user/programmer.
You're an "Installer"?
Okay let's not pretend MOTU is perfect. Likewise, they certainly aren't the evil software empire of the universe. In the case of Mach 5 V2 they are getting criticism they full well deserve.
MOTU has been claiming v2 will be released "soon" for years. In that time, they have been advertising/proclaiming features of V2. Well here it is years later and still no v2. Clearly, many users have hung on to Mach5 because of v2 proclamations. I and many others will never believe MOTU again when they say they have a product (or a product update) coming soon. A person or company is only as good as their word.
Installer wrote:
Other companies, like MOTU, tend to wait until they get it right and then release the product without the endless revisions.
Er, if they get it right the first time, then why has the PC version so many annoying bugs in it?
Even the .2 bug fix release (which tho not endless, is most definitely a revision), failed to address many issues.
I would have much preferred that Motu have released as many .x revisions as needed to get it working as well on the PC platform as it does on the Mac one.
As it is, M5 sits on my hard drive doing nothing, in the vain hope that ver 2 delivers as it was meant to first time round.
I have a Mac also. We're all grateful for the forum and a place to compare results and solve problems but if I had it to do over again the $305.00 I spent on MachFive would be invested in a new Joel Tudor or Takayama and I'd be sitting on that board off Swami's or San Elijo getting something for my money. The PC guys must really feel left out.
FWIW, I am noticing more libraries being offered in Mach Five format lately. So I don't think there's any reason to fear that this product will be oprhaned.
Sarcazm wrote:Er, if they get it right the first time, then why has the PC version so many annoying bugs in it?
What do I care? I have a Mac.
I see! So you made this site is for Mac only users now? Well why not say that up top, so that us PC users don't even bother to look in then
Personally, I don't care whether you care or not. I was replying to another poster's ridiculous claims about Motu's software quality. I'd rather Motu have come out with Mach V for Mac only in the first place, rather than try and and claim that they also have a PC version to make suckers like myself buy it.
Sarcazm wrote:Er, if they get it right the first time, then why has the PC version so many annoying bugs in it?
What do I care? I have a Mac.
Ouch. I have a Mac too but that's just cold, dude.
Without music, Life would be a Mistake
- Nietzsche
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M2 Ultra Mac Studio, Sierra, 64 Gig of RAM, DP 11.3, Mach 5V2, UAD Apollo X6 & Apollo 8
