Nerve

UI was created by Deadmaus, it reminds me of something straight out of Reaktor. No menu diving. My only gripe is the logo is too big, they couldve added a delay feature over the real estate the logo occupies. Alot of common features (master transpose in my personal case) are NOT visible on the UI but are achievable through keyboard shortcut.

Sound = It's sample based so alot of the quality is what YOU feed it. The included sample library is top notch. At first I was worried spending $200 USD on Nerve, but consider the samples as a bonus. It's effects are so great. You can use 16 examples of the built in reverb based on the TAL reverb. 1 ringmod per 16 pads so 16 examples of ringmod. Use it on my toms, perc, zips and bips keeps me in electro-tech heaven. Built in sidechain compressor. Sample slice and dice. 16 examples of sample reverse. Fuzz on each pad, bit reduction, sample reduction. LFO for each pad.

Features: My favorite feature which sealed the deal for me to buy this instrument and its not really a big feature but means the world to a person with huge sample libraries is the buttons for sample select on each pad. No menu diving just to load a sample, browse through your sample folder with ease, and its not limited to 127 samples only. ctrl click = randomize sample, ctrl win alt click = randomize all samples. You can pitch the individual samples in the sequencer to create melody or bass lines with toms as an example some drum samplers cant do this. Reminds me alot of Re-drum from Reason with a ton of more features. I highly suggest the demo, I can be here writing all day. Steve Duda the creator has awesome demonstration vids on youtube. There is an amazing template for Korg Padkontrol at no extra charge, consider this a cousin of Maschine when used with Nerve. Control surface versions for monome 256, Lemur, and Ipad as well.

The manual is well written though there have been alot of new stuff thats not in the manual but on the download page of the new versions. In other words its well written but not current, you can find the new features in depth on the nerve forum.

Presets: I rate a 10 - the samples used are top notch. They are a premium xfer library that is free with the purchase of nerve. There are sequences that come with them also. Alot of fun to open the presets and replace with your own samples.

Customer support: top notch. Steve is quick via email or forum. Hands down 10, not a question about it.

Value = pricey but worth it. Its a great tool and worth every penny if you have giant sample libraries. There is no other plug in that touches this one... not even close.

Stability = I give an 8 out of 10. It has crashed but only using beta releases. Duda warns you before you download the new beta if you are working on an important project dont install it.Read Review