KVR Audio

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:47 pm

So I've been doing pretty well on my self-imposed austerity pledge when it comes to GAS. I don't need much anymore, mostly because I've acquired a shedload of stuff over the years. Everything I've bought in at least the past 5 or 6 years has been on heavy discount, or an upgrade of stuff I already have. So, I'm mostly up to date with my DAW (Cubase) and all my major plugs. I did skip the KU10 update and bought Omnisphere instead for roughly the same price. Not regretting that at all.

So, nosing around on JRR and elsewhere, I see that I could pick up Machfive 3 as a "crossgrade" with other discounts for somewhere in the neighborhood of $225. Obviously a good deal, but I'm not sure if it would bring anything new to the table.

I'm a preset junkie, so most of the deeper programming capabilities would be lost on me. But I've read reviews that the guitar patches and some other instruments that are included, as well as the beat loops and other rhythm material, are indeed, unique and excellent.

I already own Kontakt/Halion/Sampletank, with Halion really being my current go-to, and Sampletank being a very distant (pretty much never use it anymore) 3rd place. Kontakt, of course, has a ton of great 3rd party libraries, so that's the bulk of my use of that.

So...Machfive 3 worth getting? Thoughts?
Also, is there any info on a version 4? Or am I safe buying v. 3 right now?

Cheers
-B

otristan · Post by **otristan** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:57 pm

Just wondering, what kind of sounds are you after ?

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:41 pm

otristan wrote:Just wondering, what kind of sounds are you after ?

All of them.

Actually, a very good question. I prefer actual instruments, and interesting twists on them (guitars, keys, piano etc.) to purely synthesized sounds. I play jazz and modern pop/rock type of stuff.

My experience with Omnisphere might be instructive. The 'types' of sounds it makes are the same categories in every good vsti. But some of them are so well done they just blow you away and inspire creativity, even though I might have other versions of the same sounds. Case in point: The Omnisphere "Vox" category are some of the best uses of the human voice, either solo or in choirs, that I've heard. Ditto the PRS lead guitar (though it could use a better tremolo on the mod wheel).

Cheers
-B

otristan · Post by **otristan** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:19 pm

oki doki.
So indeed bundled instruments with M5 are worth the price alone.
You can check actual per instrument price on acousticsamples website of some bundled with M5.

Sampleconstruct · Post by **Sampleconstruct** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:37 pm

I simply love MachFive 3, it has become one of my main development platforms. Combining all these different type of synthesis forms and effects with a deep sample playback engine and a very capable granulator, all of this at a pristine audio quality, plus the option to script your own interfaces - it's the most capable hybrid instrument out there now.

Maybe these sounds will please you, maybe not:
http://soundcloud.com/sampleconstruct/s ... machfive-3

http://soundcloud.com/sampleconstruct/s ... xperiments

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL ... YFGBVC1I5a

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL ... vb-AHA8SzI

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:57 pm

Thanks guys.

Seeing some of the content on the Acousticsamples site is helpful, as are the posted audios.

It's really just a question of "when," not "if." Price is right, etc.

Not scheduled to buy anything in April, so maybe that's a good time to pull the trigger.

Cheers
-B

TwoToneshuzz · Post by **TwoToneshuzz** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:42 pm

I'm quite happy with Mach Five 3.2

I think the included library has some very good sounds, the various effects are top notch.

Visually it's really easy on the eyes.

Seems rock solid.

Patchpool sound libraries for it are interesting deep and reasonably priced.

I hope to see it be upgraded in the future, if and when that happens it will be hard to beat..

afcollett · Post by **afcollett** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:34 pm

Mainly preset guy? This may be the instrument that gets your hands dirty, really intuitive and easy to create wonderful sounds.

Sequent · Post by **Sequent** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 6:14 pm

I've been looking at this and will most likely pick it up. Also to be able to get some of the Patchpool sounds! It does seem like it has a lot of sound design options and is built for tweakers. Eligible to a crossgrade here as well. I also have some of the UVI sound libraries and afaik this will allow me to get deeper into those sounds, so it seems like a winner all the way.

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:29 pm

As with UVI, MOTU employs the dreaded Dongle (PACE iLok Smart Key)

If you got the money, I would say, why not get all?

If not, I would rate MachFive on par with Halion, but below Kontakt.

But way way over SampleTank 3

SirKen · Post by **SirKen** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 10:16 pm

Numanoid wrote:As with UVI, MOTU employs the dreaded Dongle (PACE iLok Smart Key)

If you got the money, I would say, why not get all?

If not, I would rate MachFive on par with Halion, but below Kontakt.

But way way over SampleTank 3

I have been interested in this software too but I don't think I am getting it until they enable soft iLok protection.

pinki · Post by **pinki** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 10:55 pm

I'm not anti-iLok at all but somehow with MachFive it's a real passion killer. I want to sit with my laptop and mess around with it but I always leave my dongle in my studio.....

I've pleaded with Motu to do the "authorise computer no dongle required" but they are absolutely not interested in going down that path. Shame, because it would sell like hot cakes if they did IMO, because it's amazingly powerful and a great design.

MillerSam · Post by **MillerSam** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 12:17 am

@Sampleconstruct: Is Machfive 3 a good alternative to the dead Alchemy? Or what is your opinion ?

Sampleconstruct · Post by **Sampleconstruct** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 4:50 am

MillerSam wrote:@Sampleconstruct: Is Machfive 3 a good alternative to the dead Alchemy? Or what is your opinion ?

Sure it is, it has more synthesis options than Alchemy like FM, two different analog synths (which don't use sampled waveforms but use real VA synthesis), a wavetable synth which allows for drag and drop of single cycle waveforms, a granulator, a sampler with crossfade looping/back and forth looping, timestretcher (2 types), convolution reverb, a plethora of filters and FX (including Spark Reverb and various great delays), a deep modulation system with as many LFOs/envelopes, step sequencers as you like - assignable by right click, a deep arpeggiator and more. The only thing is lacks is additive and spectral re-synthesis and the morphing part of Alchemy. In my latest library for it my scripter even developed a snapshot system which allows for 5 snapshots per patch, so you can save sub-patches within a patch. Together with HALion M5 is the best alternative for Alchemy we have now.

UltimateOutsider · Post by **UltimateOutsider** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 5:08 am

MachFive 3 is quite good. I really wish it had electronic documentation (there is a paper manual only), and I wish there was more/better documentation on the scripting.

Once you figure out where everything is (this can take a while!) it's really easy to get around in, and so far does everything I've ever wanted to do with it. I don't design my own sample-based intstruments often, but when I do I reach for MachFive before I reach for Kontakt. (Plus the synth oscillators in addition to sampler support is really powerful.)

Also, most of the newer UVI libraries are great and they all work in MachFive. It can be instructive to see how they're put together.

Machfive 3 - Worth getting if you've got all the competitors?