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All Reviews by johnrule

By johnrule
On 12th June 2009
Version: 1.2.0.22

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I am not sure why this thing is such an 'abandoned child' because it is extremely useful and powerful. I have been trying out different VST hosts on different platforms for several years now, and I still gravitate back to VSTack. It seems solid, and I just finished testing it in Wine version 1.1.23 (Ubuntu Studio) and it works great (you need to add some fonts though)! I also recently tested it successfully on Windows 7, so it looks like it will be around for a while. Unfortunately, the MacOS version is compatible only with PPC processor machines. I haven't tried it in any kind of emulation mode on MacIntel machines though; it is fairly encapsulated (i.e. it is not dongle or hardware dependent) so it might work.

The engine is built on Steinberg’s SX engine, so you get much of the mixer and routing capabilities of their full blown sequencer, along with some decent EQ (parametric and waveform). The main function of this application is organizing VST instruments and FX, and it does that quite well. You get 16 slots for Instruments and 17 slots for FX (5 insert, 8 sends, and 4 Master). Each instrument is dynamically assigned channels in the main mixer according to its outputs, so a Kontakt instrument with 8 outputs (for example) will show up with eight mixer channels when it is loaded. You can also use external controllers (like Houston or Mackie) for controlling the mixer section, or you can assign a 'generic' controller using any incoming midi port.

What do you need this for? You can setup an external computer to offload your VST synths and/or FX easily…without the hassle of a proprietary VST hosting system. And because it will run under Wine in Linux, you will have more freedom from a specific operating system or hardware. Even though we have computers with 8 cores now, it seems like they are never powerful enough…so it is good to have an option.

The only downside is the disconnect that you have from the rest of your system; there is no facility for recalling presets through midi (or any other native function). It is certainly possible to script something that will do this, but that is beyond the capabilities of many. I am hoping that this review will reinvigorate interest in this product, and that Steinberg might add simple features like snapshot recall through midi (or network). Regardless, it is definitely worth the $49 dollars they are asking for whether they add these features or not.

A few more interesting features:

- System Link support
- Midi stacking
- Multiple controller input support
- Key Zone and transpose
- EQ waveform curve
- Channel grouping/linking
- DirectX support
- Almost everything in the mixer is controllable through midi

I know that it may seem rather outdated to some of you, but I find that it is still a useful and versatile tool, and a very inexpensive alternative to very expensive hardware/software.
 
    

By johnrule
On 18th May 2009
Version: 2, 3

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  GUI
Sound
Features
Docs
Presets
Support
VFM
Stability
Modartt Pianoteq / Pianoteq Pro

This is a solid piece of work. Pianoteq is a model of an acoustic piano that can replace sample based instruments. This point may be arguable, but in my opinion, I believe this is the best modeled piano to date. The first version I experienced was version 2, which is very low on resource usage like memory and cpu. I used this from my PC, Mac, and Receptor (1st gen) with great success. Next, they released version 3 that totally blew me away! The new version has mic modeling included that allows you to place virtual microphones for different effects. There was already a wealth of tweaking tools for controlling dynamics and characteristics (including hammer tone!).

The built in reverb is quite good, and really adds to the reverberation qualities of the piano (sympathetic resonance and overall reflections), and the new soundboard is excellent. You also have built-in eq that is very good...good enough to actually use (compared to some 'tone' eqs that are built-in). The included presets are very usable, but you can tweak until you find what you like. Version 3 uses a bit more cpu than version 2, but you can always disable the reverb to regain some power. I have used this quite extensively in conjunction with Kontakt, Reaktor, SampleTank, and many other VSTs from within Cubase, energyXT, V-Stack, and a few other hosts. It has never crashed on me.

For those of you who are sold on sample libraries, I would say that you should check out the 'Recording' presets, and then play with the mic placement. Eventually you should be able to find the sound you are looking for, but the advantages that you will gain by moving away from samples is well worth it regardless. The new version does include some harpsichord (not bad), and there is an excellent electric piano expansion. They also just released a native Linux version too!


User Interface:
This can be strange at first, but it is logical. And eventually you will find that it is just fine. Could it be better? Sure. But it is not different enough to warrant a bad mark.

Sound:
Superb! I see no reason to ever use sample based pianos again.

Features:
More than you will ever use...

Documentation:
I have never used it (so maybe the UI is better than I thought!), but it looks adequate.

Presets:
Wide variety of sounds and characteristics, but I always tweak my own.

Customer Support:
I have never required their support, but the forum is active, and there does seem to be a fast response to anyone that does need help (not just from other users either).

Value for Money:
Since I purchased version 2, they have released version 3, and the native Linux version all for free...so I would give them 11 if I could! Overall, it is the best value for my money I have received in a very long time.

Stability:
It has never crashed, and I use it on a daily basis (standalone for practice, and VST in Cubase).
 
Last edited : 19th May 2009     
Latest 2 reviews from a total of 2