Muon Software

rollasoc · Post by **rollasoc** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:03 pm

Hi,

Been trying to use DS-404 for several weeks (I even resorted to reading the manual).

The loading of patches etc is such a pain, it takes several clicks to get it to move from one slot to another, then when you go back it has lost settings.

This really has a bad user interface. Not intuitive or easy to use. I'm getting very close to giving up on it.

rollasoc
http://www.hairthieves.com

CypherOne · Post by **CypherOne** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:06 pm

I'm with you on this. I can't get on with it, I gave up a long time ago, but now I'm needing a sampler I keep meaning to re-visit it. Mind you, watch what you say, because when I said it wasn't intuitive I got a right kicking.....

Trojan Badger · Post by **Trojan Badger** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:11 pm

I'm glad it's not just me. I was trying to do something using just the CM freebies a couple of weeks ago (call it an exercise in creativity) and I lost all enthusiasm because DS404 was just so difficult to load patches into. The manual gave no help either.

It could have been sooooo good.

Scot Solida · Post by **Scot Solida** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:13 pm

For myself, I find it so easy to use that I use it over many more expensive, feature-laden samplers (I have lots...Kontakt, HALion). At first, I too had a little trouble dealing with the "different" interface, but once I had worked with it a bit, it became second nature, and I can now jump around on it very quickly. I urge you to give it a little more time )or another chance). You might find that it becomes much easier after a bit.

As for it losing its settings...You need to either save your presets and multis as you work on them (click on that "E" that appears when you have edited), or turn the memroy-protect off (same place, click on that "E").

smart · Post by **smart** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:27 pm

yeah, I'm not big on the GUI myself either...

Bruce Bartlett · Post by **Bruce Bartlett** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 1:16 pm

Wow, and I thought it was just me...

I too find the GUI to be very counter-intuitive and confusing, and I gave up. And this is coming from someone who used a Yamaha TX16W for many years -- and that beast had the reputation of being the most user-hostile piece of hardware ever.

handy · Post by **handy** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:03 pm

I NEVER rant on these boards, but C'MON muon! Everthing is labelled "F1-F4", but the F1-F4 function keys on your keyboard don't work !!!! I really wanted to like this thing, but theres no possible sane reason for this. Oh and they're pretty small and fiddly to hit with a mouse too... the worst of all worlds basically.

tinman · Post by **tinman** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:21 pm

I gave up after an hour or so of trying to make a very simple beatbox. Way to many clicks, and those were the ones my brain was making trying to figure it out.

I found the jeskola sampler much better

TrekStar · Post by **TrekStar** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:43 pm

It is simply not true what you say. Yes, you have to read the manual. DS404 doesn't explain itself. But after having understood the principle it is fast and easy to use. If this all too much work for you...then pay between 200-400 bucks for a professional sampler. And now think how much DS404 costs.

Posts like these make me really angry because DS404 is an almost freeware instrument...and I don't think that you encourage the developers in that way!

CypherOne · Post by **CypherOne** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:48 pm

Surely we are entitled to an opinion?

I know from previous posts on this subject that a lot of the issues around the layout are due to the limited amount of money that Future Publishing gave Muon for dev. work.

Or perhaps we are only supposed to say good things about software? In which case, DS-404 has one particularly strong point - it's free.

smart · Post by **smart** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:49 pm

There's no doubt that it's a badass sampler man. It's just that the interface isn't the easier thing on earth.

TrekStar · Post by **TrekStar** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 3:08 pm

There is no need to have the same opinion. Sure. But if you want to take part at a discussion you should have a minimum of knowledge about the issue........THE MANUAL! And it is so obvious that you havn't read it properly. I'll bet you havn't even bought DS404...just downloaded it somewhere...tried a little bit...opened for two seconds the manual and abandonned.

Am I right? Don't know.....

CypherOne · Post by **CypherOne** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 3:17 pm

Wow, I was supposed to buy it? How much did you pay?

And no, you're not right.

Bruce Bartlett · Post by **Bruce Bartlett** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 3:21 pm

I can't speak for anyone else, but yes I did buy it via CM, and yes I did read the manual. My issue is that it's confusing and not intuitive, the F1-F4 buttons being a particular gripe. I also second the sentiments about the buttons (and the GUI in general) being too small. I have to refer the manual every time I use it, which really discourages me from ever using it.

I know it's almost free and all, but considering how much work obviously went into it and how good it sounds, it's rather disappointing that it's so awkward to work with. I love all the other Muon instruments....

pough · Post by **pough** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 3:21 pm

I find that anything that's more complex than... OnePingOnly will be unintuitive by it's very nature. To a degree, at least. In other words, in order to understand how something works you have to understand how something works. DS-404 could maybe benefit from being larger (giving more room to the buttons) but then it would make moving around in it slower once you had it figured out. DS-404 is fast and easy to use once you understand it. Intuitive is for instruments that do less.

IMO.

Muon Software

KVR Audio

DS-404 Is it me or the user interface the not intuitive?