AKAI VIP 3.0 released

[astey]

So the crashes got fixed? I'm considering a Advance 49. I like the looks of those big beefy knobs. Wish there was 2 rows of 4 though. I can't stand anything other than endless knobs. Those non motorized faders are for the birds.

try the 7 day demo and see if your vst going to crash.
My vst are quite stable, but I'm thankful for Bitwig's sandboxes in case of crashes.
Just go for the 64 bit version. Disable caching for most plugins, to make them load faster.

I don't know of any better vst managment software yet! However, the last update was 1.5 years ago......
There is NO daw integration. You need to link instances manually on your keyboard, every time you switch track.
btw: You need to spend a lot of time with VIP to make it your own. But then its awesome.

[sguyader]

VIP has been rock stable for me. I used it live without fear.

[DigiPRO]

I'm in the mood of buying AKAI VIP 3.1 for VSTi preset management. I was so close to pull the trigger when I downloaded the demo version.

To my horror, its GUI seems to be created in the '70s. it's almost impossible to read the text as they use crazy small fonts.

I was under impression that it could be set in Settings, but nope.

Any chance that I've missed some settings? Keep in mind that I'm already using the 125% scale system-wide on Windows 10.

Any help will be highly appreciated!

[DigiPRO]

The left-side font sizes are something I can live with, but central tags and the left side is just impossible to read.

[zzz00m]

VIP 3 is what it is. AFAIK it is no longer being developed.

No VST3 support was ever provided, but that's OK if you have VST2 plugins for your favorite synths to work with. In addition to the AIR synths, there are available patch maps for some of the classic synths from Arturia, KORG, and Native Instruments. Examples are: Arturia ARP 2600 V3, Buchla Easel V, Clavinet V, CMI V, CS-80 V3, DX-7 V, Farfisa V, Mini V3, Modular V, Prophet V3, SEM V2; KORG M1, MonoPoly, MS-20, Polysix, Wavestation; and NI Absynth 5, FM8, Massive, and Wavestation.

As far as the screen size, it appears fine on my HD 1920 screen at 100% scaling. Have not tried with a 4K screen yet, but I imagine that would be an issue. The VIP interface is re-sizable, but the fonts and the graphic controls in the GUI remain at constant size.

[DigiPRO]

VIP 3 is what it is. AFAIK it is no longer being developed.

You mean that it is in the EOL phase? Couldn't find any info on this. Then it's no wonder it doesn't support High DPI Scalling Override. Shame, seems to be a good system for preset management. Thanks.

[zzz00m]

VIP 3 is what it is. AFAIK it is no longer being developed.

You mean that it is in the EOL phase? Couldn't find any info on this. Then it's no wonder it doesn't support High DPI Scalling Override. Shame, seems to be a good system for preset management. Thanks.

Have not seen any official statements that VIP has been retired, or EOL. Just that they quietly stopped updating it years ago (VIP 3.1.1 latest was 2018), removed it from the store pages, removed the old VIP user discussion forums and support pages, and stopped making the dedicated controller keyboards for VIP (from AKAI, M-Audio, & Alesis). Here's a link to the official page: https://www.akaipro.com/vip

The "Advance" series keyboards designed for VIP can be seen on the legacy products page: https://www.akaipro.com/products/legacy

The MPC series seems to be AKAI's main focus these days. AKAI is part of the parent company inMusic, Inc. that also owns M-Audio, Alesis, AIR, Sonivox, and others: https://www.inmusicbrands.com/

It is my assumption that AKAI may have discovered too many issues with integrating VST3 plugins with the VIP system. They never released support for that plugin format or even issued any statements in that regard, so I would say that pretty much spells the end of the road for any plugin host product.

VIP was a great idea that had a lot of potential, but it was never able to work with ALL plugins, and it was limited to those that readily communicated preset info to the host. A big support headache I'm sure!

[DigiPRO]

VIP 3 is what it is. AFAIK it is no longer being developed.

You mean that it is in the EOL phase? Couldn't find any info on this. Then it's no wonder it doesn't support High DPI Scalling Override. Shame, seems to be a good system for preset management. Thanks.

Have not seen any official statements that VIP has been retired, or EOL. Just that they quietly stopped updating it years ago (VIP 3.1.1 latest was 2018), removed it from the store pages, removed the old VIP user discussion forums and support pages, and stopped making the dedicated controller keyboards for VIP (from AKAI, M-Audio, & Alesis). Here's a link to the official page: https://www.akaipro.com/vip

Well, I can't find another (third) name to describe the above-mentioned software state: Just the EOL or retired /abandonware product!?

The problem is that there's no info about either. It would be easier for people in my shoes to make a correct decision. In this way, it is like betting on a horse that I'm unsure of if it is dead or alive.

I must find a solution to bring all my VSTi presets under one roof, but with layering, multis (a la Korg Combi's style), etc. Really a wet dream... Which may never come true. Mouseless, of course...

One of the main reasons I need this is to take control and organize the custom presets saved with Cubase internal VSTi preset format. Now, that may be a challenge as none of the established competitors have the option for importing such presets.

[zzz00m]

I must find a solution to bring all my VSTi presets under one roof, but with layering, multis (a la Korg Combi's style), etc. Really a wet dream... Which may never come true. Mouseless, of course...

One of the main reasons I need this is to take control and organize the custom presets saved with Cubase internal VSTi preset format. Now, that may be a challenge as none of the established competitors have the option for importing such presets.

The really crazy part is that VIP is still being sold! Let the buyer beware!

I wish that I could recommend Komplete Kontrol, but that is really far behind VIP in that it offers NO layering, and only fully supports the 3rd party plugins that are onboard with the NKS program.

I think that you might be interested in Unify by PluginGuru. It is a plugin host that was created by John 'Skippy' Lehmkuhl, a well established sound designer that used to work for KORG, and an expert programmer, Shane Dunne, who has been able to translate Skippy's ideas into code. Free demo available, $79 to buy: https://www.pluginguru.com/products/unify-standard/

The result is a plugin host that can load any plugin and save any plugin preset in native "Unify" format for instant recall from the Unify browser. It excels at layering, allowing unlimited layers of presets from any installed plugin to be combined into a multi layered Unify preset, with splits and layers, plus the additional power of macro knobs to control preset parameters in a realtime performance, plus many MIDI effects to create rhythmic tempo sync BPM presets and layer sequences. Unify is not a DAW since it has no timeline, and runs either as a standalone program, or as a plugin in your DAW.

The GUI is pretty plain, but the small team has chosen to spend their available time focusing on functionality. The good news is that Unify is very light, and optimizes CPU use by assigning each layer to a different core/thread.

[zzz00m]

[DigiPRO]

I must find a solution to bring all my VSTi presets under one roof, but with layering, multis (a la Korg Combi's style), etc. Really a wet dream... Which may never come true. Mouseless, of course...

One of the main reasons I need this is to take control and organize the custom presets saved with Cubase internal VSTi preset format. Now, that may be a challenge as none of the established competitors have the option for importing such presets.

The really crazy part is that VIP is still being sold! Let the buyer beware!

I wish that I could recommend Komplete Kontrol, but that is really far behind VIP in that it offers NO layering, and only fully supports the 3rd party plugins that are onboard with the NKS program.

I think that you might be interested in Unify by PluginGuru. It is a plugin host that was created by John 'Skippy' Lehmkuhl, a well established sound designer that used to work for KORG, and an expert programmer, Shane Dunne, who has been able to translate Skippy's ideas into code. Free demo available, $79 to buy: https://www.pluginguru.com/products/unify-standard/

The result is a plugin host that can load any plugin and save any plugin preset in native "Unify" format for instant recall from the Unify browser. It excels at layering, allowing unlimited layers of presets from any installed plugin to be combined into a multi layered Unify preset, with splits and layers, plus the additional power of macro knobs to control preset parameters in a realtime performance, plus many MIDI effects to create rhythmic tempo sync BPM presets and layer sequences. Unify is not a DAW since it has no timeline, and runs either as a standalone program, or as a plugin in your DAW.

The GUI is pretty plain, but the small team has chosen to spend their available time focusing on functionality. The good news is that Unify is very light, and optimizes CPU use by assigning each layer to a different core/thread.

Yes, I know about it, actually have it installed on my workstation PC.

What I'm looking for is a solution that works with the hardware ie. directly from the midi controller. without having to fiddle with the mouse etc.

Therefore, I thought that VIP seemed to be an exceptionally good solution. At least when it comes to integration with keyboard controls - almost like working with a real workstation.

The only option that may be left is Nektarine, however, you have to use their P, T, or Aruba series controllers. I've had the P4, not sure I want to go that route again. Nektarine has support for full support Cubase now, which it didn't have then and was a reason why I abandoned the concept.

It was pretty much every possible option, including Native Instruments.

[zzz00m]

What I'm looking for is a solution that works with the hardware ie. directly from the midi controller. without having to fiddle with the mouse etc.

Therefore, I thought that VIP seemed to be an exceptionally good solution. At least when it comes to integration with keyboard controls - almost like working with a real workstation.

It sounds like what you really want is a real workstation keyboard. I had one of those in the 90's.

I think we face a big technology gap between hardware controllers with finite controls, and virtual instruments with virtually limitless combinations of control parameters. I don't think anybody has solved that one yet, especially regarding preset & multi management.

I do like that VIP works well with a VIP "integrated" keyboard such as the one I have, with a full color LCD screen and knobs and buttons that have control over the plugins that can work within an instance of a VIP multi, up to eight layers. Once a VIP multi is saved, it is virtually mouse free other than launching VIP. Using setlists, you can easily switch VIP multi presets. Too bad it is no longer supported, and will never see any improvements.

I also have an Arturia KeyLab MkII that integrates very well with Analog Lab and V Collection. The slider and knob templates are plug and play with the macros in the Arturia instruments. It's great in the context of instrument performance control, and allows you to search presets by bank or preset with the knob and buttons on the controller. But searching the 20,000+ presets installed in my Analog Lab with one knob and a few buttons is asking a bit much. Probably need to first use a mouse to narrow the usable choices down to a user bank or two!

But that's Arturia integration and still not a universal solution. But it's a great master controller that can be manually mapped to nearly any parameter.

Be interesting to hear what you end up with. Good luck!

[carrieres]

Blue Cat's PatchWork or Komplete Kontrol or Unify can do what you want
I pressed submit without read the previous posts sorry

[zzz00m]

Blue Cat's PatchWork or Komplete Kontrol or Unify can do what you want

Komplete Kontrol cannot do layers, and Unify requires a mouse. Layers and mouse-free operation are requirements.

I must find a solution to bring all my VSTi presets under one roof, but with layering, multis (a la Korg Combi's style), etc. Really a wet dream... Which may never come true. Mouseless, of course...

What I'm looking for is a solution that works with the hardware ie. directly from the midi controller. without having to fiddle with the mouse etc.

Never tried PatchWork so cannot comment on that one.

[DigiPRO]

What I'm looking for is a solution that works with the hardware ie. directly from the midi controller. without having to fiddle with the mouse etc.

Therefore, I thought that VIP seemed to be an exceptionally good solution. At least when it comes to integration with keyboard controls - almost like working with a real workstation.

It sounds like what you really want is a real workstation keyboard. I had one of those in the 90's.

I think we face a big technology gap between hardware controllers with finite controls, and virtual instruments with virtually limitless combinations of control parameters. I don't think anybody has solved that one yet, especially regarding preset & multi management.

Yes, I'm a true workstation-aficionado, have been using them since the 80s, heh. You described very well the core of the problem. The AKAI VIP was the most promising "no mousing around" solution up to date.

The problem is that I'm unsure whether to invest more time and effort in something that hasn't been updated since 2018.

With the hardware, it's another thing. I'm still using 30+-year-old hardware synths. They & players don't have to take the outside world into consideration when they use them as a part of their rig.

Software developers, on the other hand, must keep up with trends and security issues, compatibility, new hardware development, etc.