Podium

[aMUSEd]

One of the things I'm looking for is good hardware integration. I read it has some of the features Cubase SX has like being able to use a hardware effect (and instrument?) like a plugin and being able to load patchbanks (I think it can read the same format as Cubase patch scripts - is that right?) Do these work well? (I have 3 hardware synths -well 4+ if you count Scope)

[darcyb62]

there are at least a few users who have posted on the Podium forum as demo users, asking for help and assistance. They got the same red carpet as existing customers. So if you try the demo and still have questions just ask Frits the developer.

I can attest to this as I was one of the more recent demo users.

[christianmusicmaker]

One of the things I'm looking for is good hardware integration. I read it has some of the features Cubase SX has like being able to use a hardware effect (and instrument?) like a plugin and being able to load patchbanks (I think it can read the same format as Cubase patch scripts - is that right?) Do these work well? (I have 3 hardware synths -well 4+ if you count Scope)

I really think this is a good question for Frits as I do not use hardware FX in Podium. Try Frits. You will be talking to the developer.

[kangul]

Podium is my favorite sequencer along with eXT.
Frits Nielsen, the creator of Podium, previously worked at TC Electronics. And it means something... Now Frits works fulltime on the development of Podium. And he is going to make an absolutely professional tool for the fair price. Frits is a pro in DSP, and Podium is not yet another tool made by amateur coder.

Strong points:
1. First of all, the price. It costs only 90$/euros, and you get really professional tool for this price. The updates are free. Probably in the future Frits will make an additional update pack with a bunch of synth and fx that will cost some money, but the program updates are free! ;)Think about it.
2. It's the most stable seq on the earth. It's not my own opinion - just visit zynewave community and read user posts. Zynewave.com index page also says that "Development concentrates on quality and stability." It's true. Since I bought Podium (8 or 9 month' ago), no crashes for me! Actually, once there was a crash, but complete windows reinstall has cured it - it was not a Podium's problem.
3. GUI is great. Nice, clear and skinnable.
4. Support is unbeatable. Frits visits the forum very often, and he always answers the questions and looks into user problems.
5. Hierarchy engine is great. (Really, just believe me)
6. Podium supports 64-bit mixing, multiprocessor support, surround sound, 2.4 VST protocol.
(There's a lot more strong points, I'm just too lazy now to write)
Weak points:
1. Some handy features is still not there, but it's ok, Frits is going to implement all standart sequencer features hopefully in the near future. There's a new version every few weeks!
That's all IMO

And yes, it takes some time to understand how this thing work. But read "getting started" first, and you will start to make music at the same day, believe me! Here's the link: http://www.zynewave.com/guide/guide02_start.htm

And finally - don't call Podium not intuitive. Once you understand how it works, it becomes most intuitive program on the earth.

[aallvor]

One of the things I'm looking for is good hardware integration. I read it has some of the features Cubase SX has like being able to use a hardware effect (and instrument?) like a plugin and being able to load patchbanks (I think it can read the same format as Cubase patch scripts - is that right?) Do these work well? (I have 3 hardware synths -well 4+ if you count Scope)

Podium has hardware delay compensation, just like sx3, and also treats hardware just like software in terms of handling presets. This was the big selling point for me, as it makes using hardware fx less of a hassle, much less infact.

[basic channel]

I was originally attracted to Podium because of it's hardware support (Sysex for my sw1000 & plugstation cards, only Cubase SX had similar support).

It takes quite alot of work to setup but this is well worth it e.g. if devices are correctly defined then latencies are automatically calculated.

I took ages to set up most of the Sysex parameters but they are now available for me to automate in my projects.

Podium can scan & import VSTi's and uses whatever info they supply to automatically set up all automatable parameters, audio outputs, patches etc. I've done this for my entire collection so they are available in default project...this amounts to a 1.8MB default project.

Apparently the GUI is specially designed to flow smoothly WRT audio and this is definitely true...no audio glitches when changing windows etc....smoooth as silk.

Has never crashed on me yet.

I only really dabble with it so am still getting used to the "hierarchical" track structure but seems very intuitive.

Frits is the most responsive & helpful developer I've known (and I've known a few... ).

He has now started coding built-in plugins, starting with an EQ with more to come.

I have just not had enough time to play with Podium as much as I would like but it really is the most impressive host I have.

BC

[DuX]

I tested it twice, and I've got many many good things to say about Podium. I'll save rotten tomatos for the end. I tried many hosts and I work professionally with Cubase SX and ProTools, and I don't like them too much but I have to like them, if you know what I mean... it's not my decision. At home, I fiddle with EnergyXT... there's no host like EnergyXT IMHO. It's fast and pure joy to work with EXT. Ok, enough about EXT . There are a few drawbacks which will be rectified in v2.

So. I tried Podium twice, and found it a bit troublesome to understand at first, but it worked, and it worked, and it worked beautifully. I cannot say it's on par with Cubase or Protools, because IMO it's better, more efficient, more stable, great 64-bit engine... You should give it some time to learn how to use it, because it's worth it.

Now to the rotten tomatoes part. I don't like to use a host which demands more than two clicks to load a VSTi and play it . That's why I like eXT. I don't like hosts which demand more than two clicks to get a send FX working, because it kills creativity. It -kills- creativity. I could repeat it a few more times, cause developers just don't seem to get it. You click a VSTi and it's on, it's here and you play it - it is possible [eXT]. You click a VST FX and it's on, and it's here and you tweak it [eXT]. Even Cubase has that for christs sakes...

So, Podium is a great host, best of all IMO, so far as the smoothness of the GUI, stability and 64-bit engine goes, but when I want to set up a send FX, I don't want to click around like a mad man, making 2-3 tracks, and finding what is what and renaming a hundred tracks just to remember things and similar BS. It's workflow is just too hampered or at least I find it hampered.

That Kills creativity.

And yea, I'm a bit mad at Podium because such a great host doesn't have a nice stupid-musician-on-pot workflow , and there's just too much things to do before you even start playing music, not to mention those darn Send FX's... and when your project finally catches up, you find yourself bewildered by all those Send FX tracks and channels and tracks in general, it can get really messy with 6-7 send FX. It just doesn't work that way. When you're in a studio, you patch an FX where you want it and you have it - that's how eXT works and how Podium should work and if Fritz "implements" that in Podium, I will be so glad to part with my 90$, actually I'd pay at least twice for it, if Podium gets a different and faster workflow.

The best PC VST host, wholeheartedly recommended to people who have enough patience and time to fiddle with it. Others use eXT and let their creativity flow.

Hope I'm not ruining the mood here

Cheers!

[kangul]

@DuX - just two words - hotkeys rules. I own both eXT and Podium - both are great imo. And Podium is not kill creativity after you've read the guide and know how it works

[DuX]

@DuX - just two words - hotkeys rules. I own both eXT and Podium - both are great imo. And Podium is not kill creativity after you've read the guide and know how it works

I've seen the "videos" and read most of the guide, so I know exactly how it works. It's excellent but hampered. A musician doesn't work that way. eXT is far closer to that, but I really wish Podium had a better workflow. it's the only thing IMO that stands in its way. I've never seen such fluent playing of VSTi's on a PC, never. It's coding must be superb - such fluency, there's no other word to describe it. It pisses me off how good it is .

He must do something with this "wiring" in Podium. If it was easy like in eXT, I would never suggest any other host to anyone other than Podium. If Podium only had a page with wiring like energy XT has, and you simply wire things around and it all manifests within the mixer and sequencer. There's no such thing among hosts, and the eXT is closest to that.

[once_twice]

If you want an example of instantness, particularly with vsts, you can't beat Luna. I don't know any host that implements vsts as well as Luna.

[kangul]

Well, it's a matter of taste. I like both programs a lot and both workflows is good for me - I mean eXT and Podium.

P.S. creating default project for Podium makes life much easier.

[DuX]

If you want an example of instantness, particularly with vsts, you can't beat Luna. I don't know any host that implements vsts as well as Luna.

Yep, Luna looks promising, but Podium is much better coded and much more stabile. So is eXT, and hopefully eXt's GUI will get more fluent in v2. Oh god, I wish I could merge Podium with eXt somehow. I know somebody will say to load eXt in Podium, but that's not my point .

[aMUSEd]

How crippled is the demo then? - I don't try demo's if they are too limited as it spoils the fun.

[kangul]

http://www.zynewave.com/download.htm

"The demo version of Podium has the following limitations compared to the full version:
Message boxes will occasionally appear with demo reminders.
Audio output will drop temporarily every 30 seconds.
Import and export of preset files are disabled.
The demo will expire in July 2006."

[christianmusicmaker]

A musician doesn't work that way.

Hi DuX,

Not sure about that. There are many happy users of Podium like myself, we call ourselves musicians and like the way it works.

I see your point though, I just don't agree with it

Every one has different expectations of hosts based on previous experiences with other hosts, certain preferences e.t.c thats life.

I would like to think of Podiums work flow as different...not wrong in any way. Every host however small or large requires a level of adjustment I think. Podium is no exception. The workflow works for me but of course I guess it cannot work for everyone.

Same goes for just about every other host out there as the threads on this host forum show clearly every day. Different views and expectations of various hosts. Nothing wrong with that. Just a difference of opinion. Not right or wrong.