MachFive in a Nutshell-- POLL

Phlak · Post by **Phlak** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:08 pm

5 - indispensible

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:14 pm

Phlak wrote:5 - indispensible

Direct. To the point. Thanks, Phlak.

How do you use M5, btw, that it has become so indispensable to you? What sounds are you using? ITB? Creating your own? Importing which formats? Surround?

i am monster face · Post by **i am monster face** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:36 pm

I can't really write a huge review of it as I've only had it for a little while. While I would say that I absolutely love it, a few things keep bothering me.

1) I can't import my GigaStudio files correctly. Everytime I do, all the keys I play are just one note.

2) I run a home built PC as my main DAW and a G4 laptop as my road warrior. I can load Symphonic Instrument samples on my G4, I can't on my PC.

Other than that, I love the Bossendorfer. It's absolutely wonderful.

Ian

Matcher · Post by **Matcher** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:29 am

Frodo wrote:Between you and I, we can get the right answers as long as we keep the right questions afloat. Let's keep each other (and our other M5 colleagues) posted on any rumors or info we can find.

Well here goes

I mailed MOTU about the upgrade and Magic Dave replied. He didn't know (or at least wrote so

) what kind of upgrade the II will be, a downloadable updater or a fully featured package with a manual. I for one would like a manual in every case.

Phlak · Post by **Phlak** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:09 am

Frodo wrote:
Direct. To the point. Thanks, Phlak.

How do you use M5, btw, that it has become so indispensable to you? What sounds are you using? ITB? Creating your own? Importing which formats? Surround?

I made the switch to M5 about a year ago after a decade of using an Akai sampler, my pre-Akai years were spent fighting the Ensoniq ASR-10.
I have what, one would call an extensive library of audatory dementia. CD-ROMs, hard drives, zip disks, etc. It had all become unmanageable. With M5 I can actually find stuff, besides the dandy features of the sampler.
I mostly create my own sounds, but I did import some Akai CD's.

I don't think M5 is perfect by any means but it is a hell of a start.

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:56 am

i am monster face wrote:I can't really write a huge review of it as I've only had it for a little while. While I would say that I absolutely love it, a few things keep bothering me.
1) I can't import my GigaStudio files correctly. Everytime I do, all the keys I play are just one note.
2) I run a home built PC as my main DAW and a G4 laptop as my road warrior. I can load Symphonic Instrument samples on my G4, I can't on my PC.
Other than that, I love the Bossendorfer. It's absolutely wonderful.

Thanks Ian; any feedback helps and so does yours. It's amazing how much gear and software just sits around or gets used in a cursory manner, whilst folks get on with deadlines or dream about the "next big thing".
So I reckon many of us who feel we're not qualified to contribute should probably think again. Repeatable bugs on any given configuration are capable, I would have thought, of being useful not only to fellow users, but even to programmers, should they take the time to check!

Phlak wrote:I made the switch to M5 about a year ago after a decade of using an Akai sampler, my pre-Akai years were spent fighting the Ensoniq ASR-10. I have what, one would call an extensive library of audatory dementia. CD-ROMs, hard drives, zip disks, etc. It had all become unmanageable. With M5 I can actually find stuff, besides the dandy features of the sampler. I mostly create my own sounds, but I did import some Akai CD's. I don't think M5 is perfect by any means but it is a hell of a start.

Thank you Phlak; that's very encouraging!

Crikey, looks like we can put a positive spin on the Machster!
I' mean, I'm even conjuring up terms of endearment for the sucker!
All hail the Machster!

Go Machy! Go Machy! Go Machy!

The Hobbit wrote:monkey man wrote:
Frodo, FWIW, I've not had a sampler since the EIV (E-Synth) circa '96?
Having built and ditched a handy library for EPS and ASR-10, followed by AKAI S-3200, followed by the whole EMU thing, I myself am left with a "blank canvas".
It's been a tough "wait", but as my hopes have been pinned on V2 (I want to stick with MOTU for VI's), I've been following your "research" with a keen eye. May I request you continue to post your findings, right through the V2 upgrade, so that we all can benefit? Please? I for one would certainly be grateful!

My friend-- it's a DEAL!!

Dear Hobbit, I thank you with all my heart!

The Hobbit wrote:monkey man wrote:
FWIW, I argued with the MOTU wholesalers in South Australia for around 3 years over whether MOTU would write and possibly include a sampler and VI's. I've been waiting (it's a budget thing) for this convergence of affordability and (predicted) reliability. So you see, I've literally been hangin' on to your every word! The lack of activity in the MV forum of late doesn't exactly inspire confidence either! I've often wondered what potential non-MOTU buyers think both of the V2 delay and the general vibe of the forum.

FWIW-- this info is worth a lot. I've waited 2 years until earlier this year I just had to dig deeper, talk to users, find out just why everyone was so anxious to dump v1.x to get to v2.

Back when M5 was first released, I was discouraged from ordering it because it was half-baked. Surround didn't work properly on all systems and it didn't stream initially as advertised. Those updates came later. It was a general disappointment for a much anticipated VI as far as software debuts go. It's universality remains in question, but hopes for v2 (and more patience!) may yet render a victory in this regard.

What it's capable of doing is indeed remarkable, and for all of my scurtiny and criticsm, there was enough positive user data that kept me interested and spurred me to buy it at last.

Between you and I, we can get the right answers as long as we keep the right questions afloat. Let's keep each other (and our other M5 colleagues) posted on any rumors or info we can find.

Cheers!

Between you and me, young Hobbit, I agree!

At the very least:
1) We'll learn something.
2) We'll feel a whole lot/ little better about what we're doing!
3) We'll learn to be happy with a rock-solid, fully featured sampler programmed by the Gods of MOTU.

Can't be all bad!

Anyway; thanks again guys (oh, and the Hobbit).

Must run; I've work to do...

Go Machy! Go Machy! Go Machy!

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:50 am

i am monster face wrote:I can't really write a huge review of it as I've only had it for a little while. While I would say that I absolutely love it, a few things keep bothering me.

1) I can't import my GigaStudio files correctly. Everytime I do, all the keys I play are just one note.

Yes-- the UVI Engine is part of the v1.x issues. Key mapping doesn't always slot in cleanly. Sometimes you've got to import a couple of times, but then some things just work and others just don't, sad to say.

i am monster face wrote: 2) I run a home built PC as my main DAW and a G4 laptop as my road warrior. I can load Symphonic Instrument samples on my G4, I can't on my PC.

So, you're saying that you have M5 on your PC, but you can't load in SI samples into the PC version. Hmmm... Could that be a difference of the audio format or some difference with certain file extensions between Mac and PC? (Sorry, I don't have MSI.) Shooshie is the first user who comes to mind.. but Timeline or MIDI Life Crisis may also have a userful word or two about this.

i am monster face wrote: Other than that, I love the Bossendorfer. It's absolutely wonderful.

Ian

Very cool, Ian. I'm glad to finally be good company after a long wait!!

monkey man wrote: Go Machy! Go Machy! Go Machy!

LOL!! I can see this is going to be a fun pursuit!!! No such thing as too much fun.

Your faithful hobbit will search every flet and smial for whatever info lurks therein!!

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:22 am

Frodo wrote:
monkey man wrote: Go Machy! Go Machy! Go Machy!
LOL!! I can see this is going to be a fun pursuit!!! No such thing as too much fun.
Your faithful hobbit will search every flet and smial for whatever info lurks therein!!

I've packed your spotted handkerchief with sandwiches, a mysterious ring I didn't mention, a MOTU Traveller, Mac Book and your favourite VI's, and attached it to this short pole.

Godspeed young Hobbit; the Shire anxiously awaits your victorious return! Er, and you have not yet departed!

i am monster face · Post by **i am monster face** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:05 pm

So, you're saying that you have M5 on your PC, but you can't load in SI samples into the PC version. Hmmm... Could that be a difference of the audio format or some difference with certain file extensions between Mac and PC? (Sorry, I don't have MSI.) Shooshie is the first user who comes to mind.. but Timeline or MIDI Life Crisis may also have a userful word or two about this.

Yeah, it's weird. The last version to be updated on the MachFive download section for PC is 1.2. That was in 2004 - 6/26/2004 to be exact. The last OSX update was 10/17/2005. The 1.2.3 update is the one that allows MachFive to be used with Symphonic Instrument. The fact that there is no update for PC kind of bothers me.

But I do like this program. It works very well for me and I'm glad I have this forum as a resource.

Thanks,
Ian

i am monster face · Post by **i am monster face** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:07 pm

*double post*

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:18 pm

That's really odd!! At first I wondered if the PC version already had this capability with 1.2 without the 1.2.3 update. But then, we're talking about MachFive-- the Rumplestilskin of all soft samplers where updates are concerned.

I don't know if I was more relieved or mortified to see that just last month streaming and mulitple outs (!!!) were added, among other VERY basic features. I'm glad that they were quick(?) to add these features, but to think that MSI was released without them makes me shudder a little.

Patience, my friend. It all appears to have been swept aside for M5 v2-- we hope!

i am monster face · Post by **i am monster face** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:04 pm

Yes. I received an e-mail today telling me that MachFive 2 will be out soon, although there is no timetable as to when it will be available.

The tech support guy told me that there is no way to import MSI into MachFive on my PC, so I should just sit tight.

I'm fine with that for now. I can still use them on my G4, so I really shouldn't compain at the moment. I just hope it's not a year before MachFive2 comes out.

Ian

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:39 pm

i am monster face wrote:Yes. I received an e-mail today telling me that MachFive 2 will be out soon...

You got the same e-mail? Hmm. Mine's dated February, 2005.

Let's see-- we can pass the time by disconnecting our keyboard controllers and then step inputting all MIDI data with the mouse....!!

Ah-- too much patience can turn folks quickly into patients!!

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:38 am

Frodo wrote:Ah-- too much patience can turn folks quickly into patients!!

I'm on the verge myself. Our supporting each other will prevent rampant insanity amongst Unicorners!

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:22 pm

monkey man wrote:
Frodo wrote:Ah-- too much patience can turn folks quickly into patients!!
I'm on the verge myself. Our supporting each other will prevent rampant insanity amongst Unicorners!

Yes, indeed-- MM.

btw-- I've eaten the sandwiches you packed (thanks). We may have to make a stop at Rivendell along this journey to refresh ourselves a few times before it's over.

BTW-- I'm getting the "any day now" message verbally from my dealers. Odd that there is no press release about it.

I don't think Gandalf meant for any of this to happen... ~ Frodo: LOTR/FOTR, end of film 1