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All Reviews by Bunnyboy


By Bunnyboy
On 1st November 2004
Version: 1.2.8

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XT Software energyXT

Theres the theory and debate that the progression and advancement of electronic music has more to do with developments of software rather than developing new theories in music.
In that case, the music created with EnergyXT will be intelligent, flowing, modern, and thoroughly brilliant.
That is because this is what this amazing app is itself.

Where to start? This is an app that can be used for nearly everything you can think of. It can be a standalone host application (It is my main host), a mastering chain, a drum seq VST, a FX chain effect, a... well the list goes on.

EnergyXT is a fully modular host/VST/VSTi application that is only limited by your imagination.

User Interface: The default GUI is sparse and unimaginative, if very easy to use. However, the app is fully skinnable, so you can create your own or download one of the user-created ones form the forum or website.

Sound: Well, I have given it 10 as a a zero rating will not be reflected positivly, but the program does its job on the sound front.

Features: Well, where do I start?
Items include: Sequencer Module
Arpeggiator
Midi Module
Audio Module
Chord Module
Sampler Module
Envelope Module
Midi routers
Mixer Modules
An unlimited number of VSTi/VSTs can be used, including Midi FX (but sadly not MFX).
Due to the modular environment, unlimited set-ups are possible, from traditional linear sequencers to Ableton Live-style like clip-triggering performance instrument.
This can be done as a Main host application, or as a VST/VSTi in another host, expanding its potential massively. Oh, and the automation is peerless.
Its basically everything you could want in the execution of an application.

Documentation: EXT's documentation is a blessing in disguise, or a simultaineous blessing and curse. There is no supplied documentation from the author. However, a community help file is perpetually being conpiled by users. This means that the help has to come after the updare is released. Howvever, as being written by users, a very involved help file is created.

Presets: Well, another 10 as there is no need for presets. However, there is a nifty feature of being able to breed and morph patches over time, and randomly generate patches using selected parameters.

Customer Support: Well, EXT has one of the greatest support networks outside of a 12-step plan. Sometimes it feels like a community project with Jorgen *just* as the programmer :-). Always lively forum here on KVR, great resources on XT-HQ.com and XT-Geek.com, and a genunine sense that you are participating in something special.
Make sure you keep a copy of the last full release as well as your copy of the latest beta to minimise bugs and

VFM: 100/10 or somthing daft like that :-). It only costs 39 Euros!! Thats £27!! Thats $50!! You have no reason not to buy it.
Its a host for that price! Its a sampler for that price! its a midi data module for that price! Its an FX chain for that price!

Stability: Final releases are rock solid. Bugs in the betas are quickly resolved.

This is a proper Hard-core music app, that grows and progresses with every iteration and with your abilities as a programmer. It is not really for the beginners, but what it can do is just incredible. The community spirit around it is great and makes you feel like you are taking part in something forward-looking.
 
Last edited : 1st November 2004     

By Bunnyboy
On 9th October 2004
Version: 1.4

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Cakewalk z3ta+

Since this is my first review, I decided upon starting with this beast.

The "Zeta" is an astonishing, feature-rich, ultra-modern sounding monster of a synth.

It has six - SIX! - ocillators, two filters, six LFOs, a multi-mode arp, a huge mod matrix and a comprehensive effects section spread accross two main pages. all oscs, lfos, and filters have individual tabbed pages.

All features have multiple routing options, so you can have additive, subtractive, and FM in one patch, with two filters in parallel. Then you can get started with the mod matrix and the effects - wow!!
(I'm going use the sections to structure this review)

GUI: Great graphics and intelligent design means that little screen real estate is taken up, but everything is easily accessable, unclutterd and easy to understand. The only criticism I have (and this is a really personal one) is that the logical signal routing is not apparent from the layout. However, quick play with the parameters and all becomes clear.

Sound: Stunning. You can do hard edged leads, twisty basses, evolving pads, complex (VERY complex) arps and crisp drum sounds. The effects section is top notch, and FX versions are also supplied with the program. User waveforms can be imported, and the whole app can be modded with a bit of dexterity (check Franesco's Virus mod) to expand the sounds palette. You can do pretty much any sound with a bit of thought and a good deal of programming - retro sounds come as easy as cutting-edge shards of noise. And of course, if you want to strike out on your own, crack open the wave shaper, and create your own wave shapes for even more sounds!!!

Features: What can I say? Check the list at the top of this page - its comprehensive and fully formed. Crucially, it is not overwhelming at all. It never feels like there are too many parameters to control. Of great note are the wave shaper, effects section, X-Y pad and arp.
The wave shaper allows you to create your own wave forms using lots of options. The effects section is first class - check out Rene's free effects and see just a small taste of what these are like. The X-Y pad allows you to control linked parameters using a mouse of joystick - great for live messing. The arp have all the usual features, but also complex midi generated patters and a utility to create user patterns as well.
The spectral analyser looks nice and does stuff, but is not really needed, IMHO.

Documentation: Great .pdf manual that explains all the features and how they interact. Tutorials are available on the net and are well worth reading if you can find them.

Presets: This is a sound-designers synth and the presets reflect this. A huge range of sounds are provided in over 500 presets arranged into banks. Top notch banks are freely available on the net. You could use the synth as a ROMpler-style device. They are that good. The included ones are designed to show off the synth's abilities, but even though, they are very usable and will probably find a way into one or two of your tracks.

Customer Support: The forum on KVR is an invaluable place for help discussion and general chat. Rene is in there nearly every day will never let you down. If your problem is of a more "personal" variety, you can also email as well.

VFM: Well, I got this is in the recent Group Buy, so for me the VFM is waaaay off the scale. Yes, it is a pro synth and is at a pro price - but that price is at the very bottom of the scale. For what it can do the price is stupidly small. Compare it to synths in the same price bracket and then compare features - scary, eh?

Stability: It has never crashed. Ever.
However, due to the nature of the beast, it is a CPU guzzler, so be prepared to use freeze.

Overall, this is one of the most cutting-edge synths around. It is part of an elite group of megasynths that provide ineffable sound quality with stunning, intuitive features that just make you glad to be in this game.
Genius
 
    
Latest 2 reviews from a total of 2