KVR Audio

Reefius · Post by **Reefius** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:16 am

I'm wondering if there is any software that works like Akai's VIP, but without having to buy some expensive keyboard.

What I would like:

- Browse presets on all my VST plugins from one central browser
- Layer plugins/sounds
- Assign parameters to my keyboard's knobs and sliders (some kind of MIDI learn)
- Can work standalone or as a VST plugin in a DAW
- 64 bit (having a built-in bridge between 32 and 64 bit would be a nice extra)

I'm prepared to spend some money (up to 200 Euro's) on something that does all of the above, but so far I have not found anything, except the VIP software that comes with Akai Advance keybords. If only Akai would release the VIP software seperately, I would buy it instantly.

Big Tick · Post by **Big Tick** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:36 am

Zen will do all of these, but not the layering.
There are numerous options for layering sounds (BlueCat Patchworks, DDMF Metaplugin, Plogue Bidule, ...)
I haven't tried that but you should be able to use any of the above chainers inside Zen, which would fit all your requirements.

You could also get the Akai Advance 25 for about 400Euros, then resell the bundled content.

Reefius · Post by **Reefius** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:49 am

Is there any way to add synths to Zen that are not in the supported synths list? Most synths in that list are quite old.

Angel Powerlord · Post by **Angel Powerlord** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:56 am

Hi,

I'm using Brainspawn Forte since 10 years, for roughly 20 gigs/year. Perfect for my needs.

Bye,
Angel

- Browse presets on all my VST plugins from one central browser
Some kind of automated browsing provided

- Layer plugins/sounds
Excellent!

- Assign parameters to my keyboard's knobs and sliders (some kind of MIDI learn)
Yes. And remap/rescale.

- Can work standalone or as a VST plugin in a DAW
Standalone only, plugin no.

- 64 bit (having a built-in bridge between 32 and 64 bit would be a nice extra)
Yes, 64bit, and supports Jbridge in both directions from 32 to 64.

Bye,
Angel

Big Tick · Post by **Big Tick** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 12:06 pm

Reefius wrote:Is there any way to add synths to Zen that are not in the supported synths list? Most synths in that list are quite old.

Yes. The supported list only shows the synths that have their presets online, but otherwise it can use pretty much any plugin.

kev2525 · Post by **kev2525** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 12:54 pm

interestinly NI is developing something called Komplete Kontrol at the moment. The 1.1 iteration does not support layering, but it does support of the other things you mentioned like browse presets and midi control. It also has a layer that allows you to play chords as well as an arp. It can communicate bi-directionally with your DAW too. It's early days, but it looks like it could have potential. Strangely the Komplete Kontrol software is not well advertised on the NI site and is usally bundled with other NI products - for example I got mine with maschine mikro.

I have a unconfirmed theory that they may even start to bundle it with their synths in future which would mean you could pick it up pretty cheap.

Read about it here: http://createdigitalmusic.com/2015/04/k ... ts-coming/

Alternatively you could look at MUX...the modular environement. It has half the things you want, but not all.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 1:07 pm

I'm hoping Akai will bring out a non keyboard version, I don't know why both Akai and NI insist on bringing out expensive keyboard controllers when many musicians will already have keyboards (I have 3!) and it would make more sense just to add the controller/browser functions to what they have.

Reefius · Post by **Reefius** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 4:42 pm

kev2525 wrote:interestinly NI is developing something called Komplete Kontrol at the moment. The 1.1 iteration does not support layering, but it does support of the other things you mentioned like browse presets and midi control. It also has a layer that allows you to play chords as well as an arp. It can communicate bi-directionally with your DAW too. It's early days, but it looks like it could have potential. Strangely the Komplete Kontrol software is not well advertised on the NI site and is usally bundled with other NI products - for example I got mine with maschine mikro.

I have a unconfirmed theory that they may even start to bundle it with their synths in future which would mean you could pick it up pretty cheap.

Read about it here: http://createdigitalmusic.com/2015/04/k ... ts-coming/

Alternatively you could look at MUX...the modular environement. It has half the things you want, but not all.

I own a Maschine Studio, so I already have the Komplete Kontrol software. I guess I'll just wait a while to see how well the VST support will be. Layering would be nice but can also be done in the DAW. Only drawback is that I will then need to run a seperate instance of KK for each layer.

If only Akai would release their VIP software separately...

Dewdman42 · Post by **Dewdman42** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:17 pm

aMUSEd wrote:I'm hoping Akai will bring out a non keyboard version, I don't know why both Akai and NI insist on bringing out expensive keyboard controllers when many musicians will already have keyboards (I have 3!) and it would make more sense just to add the controller/browser functions to what they have.

To get you to buy the new one of course! hehehe

I think Komplete Kontrol and VIP are both about the same concept, but NI's is very focused on their own software, which is why I don't use it much.

I don't think Akai will give this software away or sell it seperately, its a selling point of the new keyboard. never know though.

The concept is a good one and perhaps Zen or something else can step up to fill this void in a more generic way. Aside from the fact that Akai attempted to get as many preset collections from around the planet as possible, it supposedly has some kind of smarts in it to attempt to read through any set of VST presets you throw at it and generate category tags.

This seems to be a new way people are going. Omnisphere2 also has well tagged presets so you can find stuff and sounds like other stuff, etc.. when you have lots of plugins and thousands of presets, it has to come to do this...we need a better way to organize our presets, and without us having to painstakingly tag every single preset...

Scoox · Post by **Scoox** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:12 pm

Big Tick wrote:Zen will do all of these, but not the layering.
There are numerous options for layering sounds (BlueCat Patchworks, DDMF Metaplugin, Plogue Bidule, ...)
I haven't tried that but you should be able to use any of the above chainers inside Zen, which would fit all your requirements.

You could also get the Akai Advance 25 for about 400Euros, then resell the bundled content.

Zen looks like what I need but I've just tested it and the UI looks tiny on my Surface Pro 4, is there a way to increase UI size for hi-res displays? Thanks

Greybox Audio · Post by **Greybox Audio** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:33 pm

Akai has just released VIP 3.0 and opened it up to all users and keyboards.

If you're having a recent Akai/M-Audio Keyboard check your user account for a free license. Otherwise you can buy it at Pluginboutique http://www.pluginboutique.com/product/3 ... 0-Standard

Elektronisch · Post by **Elektronisch** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:07 pm

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol

Greybox Audio · Post by **Greybox Audio** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 3:16 pm

Elektronisch wrote:Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol

OP asked for a software that is not tied to specific hardware

Elektronisch · Post by **Elektronisch** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 3:35 pm

krabbencutter wrote:
Elektronisch wrote:Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
OP asked for a software that is not tied to specific hardware

It is not tied

you can download it and use it as it is with any controler

Only downside you cannot layer.

Jace-BeOS · Post by **Jace-BeOS** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 3:46 pm

I seem to remember this thing called Kore...

Something like Akai VIP but without the keyboard