V-Machine

[JazzSinger]

Dual Core support only makes sense if the software (in this case the plugin) was programmed to make use of a dual core CPU. And the firmware programmers would need to ensure all the quirks of the way Windows does it is duplicated to guarantee smooth operation. Few Windows applications make use of dual/multiple core processor capabilities. It is the smaller technology implemented in the latest generation of CPUs that makes them run at lower temperatures, not the multicore CPU as such.

A 1GHz processor is plenty powerful, believe me. If some plugins are not working as well as on a 2GHz dual core Windows PC, either more memory would help or the plugin is expecting something in Windows that is not optimally implemented in the V-Machine. This probably would need a case-by-case reverse engineering effort to optimize the most popular VSTs. Only worth it on the more popular VSTs.

The registration and protection needs of VST vendors is a bigger problem, but it's early days. Once the number of devices of this type reach a critical mass, vendors will see it to their advantage to co-operate with the firmware/hardware developers in order to sell more licenses. As long as the demand is small, they cannot afford to invest resources because they, too, struggle to make a living.

It's early days yet, but the market is more than ready for small hardware hosts optimized for live use like the V-Machine.

I'm optimistic. I hope to order one next month and am looking forward to using my sfz sample player live.

[ZioKiller]

Consider that a VST plugins runs as a host's child process, so if the host takes advantage of the multi-core CPU, the plugin will do as well.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

That said, the V-Machine will enormously benefit from a dual core CPU since Wine should already support multi-core processors.

[AzureCrystal]

I'm afraid that this was the final Nail for the V-Machines Coffin...

Don't nail anything down. If with the CPU upgrade V-Machine becomes able to run Pianoteq well, it's back on the horse for sure.

Are you thinking they will offer a firmware upgrade that would allow the vmachine to support a new cpu chip that the "user" can then switch ? and if so, it sure would not be free ? Just curious, those little mini PCs are very single purpose, I would be surprised you could just plug in a different cpu chip....

[schoko]

I don't think it Tassman 4 will work since it needs challenge /response to register which is related to a specific machine.

yes, I know, but it is not impossible as far as Danny told us before.

I was just wondering if there are any (good) news about the challenge/response stuff relating Tassman / NI and so on.

[JazzSinger]

Consider that a VST plugins runs as a host's child process, so if the host takes advantage of the multi-core CPU, the plugin will do as well.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

The host provides a conduit through which the control and output of the plugin runs. The actual process of producing the sound is entirely the job of the VST plugin. To make use of multicore processors, it must be programmed to do so. It does not happen automatically because the host is multicore, and it cannot work independently without constantly synching with the host, and this has to be specifically programmed.

The programming world still hasn't found practical uses for multicore technology. Practically all programming tasks work on the principle of first you do A, then use that to do B, then use that to do C, etc.

If you have time, you might like to look up some sites where programmers are discussing multicore processor coding. Look at the examples. They are limited to things like printing in the background, or building up the screen image whilst the program itself gets on with something else (which is done by the CPU on the graphics card anyway).

You might also try, just with pen and paper. Sketch out the various parts of a VST synth, connected to tone or effect plugins. How would you use multicore capabilities whilst ensuring the bytes flow without losing any, or without having to fill gaps when one process finishes before another?

Benefical use of multicores works only on processes that are really and truly independent from each other, like, say, Google's internet search server farms.

That said, the V-Machine will enormously benefit from a dual core CPU since Wine should already support multi-core processors.

Wine can be thought of as a "host".

Generally, you will find software upgrades which say they are now multicore compatible. This usually simply means they don't crash on multicore processors, it does NOT mean they actually use the technology in any useful way.

I might just add that multicore technology has been around on the PC since Windows NT. NT supported motherboards with up to 16 individual CPUs, even back then. They never took off because nobody had a use for them. That hasn't changed.

[Harry_G]

Maybe an idea. As I know the V-machine is 96Khz, 24 bit (maybe i'm wrong). Why not build in an option to change that to 44Khz, 24 or 16 bit. It will reduce the soundquality but it wil at least double the processingpower.

[ZioKiller]

Maybe an idea. As I know the V-machine is 96Khz, 24 bit (maybe i'm wrong). Why not build in an option to change that to 44Khz, 24 or 16 bit. It will reduce the soundquality but it wil at least double the processingpower.

The V-Machine already runs @ 44.100 KHz.

[henksam]

Did anybody get the truepianos demo working yet?? I'm really curious!

[klausl]

will there be the possibility to do the following things - in near future:

- global receive midi channel for program changes (actually the only REAL missing feature to take the vmachine live on tour)

- sending midi messages to the vsti AFTER loading (e.g. edirol hq orchestral, which doesn't save vst/fxb settings)

my currently installed plugins:

ni b4 II
lounge lizard 3
edirol hq orchestra
superwave p8

thank you for the great work and a happy belated new year.

[bencrossman]

4Front Truepiano works on the V-machine and sounds amazing (just turn off the sustain resonance otherwise it will choke)

Do you mean the version that comes bundled with the V-Machine ??

Can't be that one, I tried it and it's really bad, sounds like only one or two velocity layers on there, even if you barely touch the keys you get the very loud samples, maybe that was a demo or a lite version, but IMHO the one with the unit is not good enough for dynamic piano playing...

No, The one included with the unit is 4Front's free version (sounds rubbish). Go to the 4Front website and download the demo version of TruePianos. It wont expire on the unit.

[kiminet]

will there be the possibility to do the following things - in near future:

- global receive midi channel for program changes (actually the only REAL missing feature to take the vmachine live on tour)

- sending midi messages to the vsti AFTER loading (e.g. edirol hq orchestral, which doesn't save vst/fxb settings)

my currently installed plugins:

ni b4 II
lounge lizard 3
edirol hq orchestra
superwave p8

thank you for the great work and a happy belated new year.

Lounge Lizard 3? full version ?How is that possible?

Kim

[klausl]

why not?
there is 1 important thing i forgot to say: i spent many hours to install my favorite vsti's i have bought for really much €€€ over the last years. the only way to run some plugins is to use a cracked version - not the original cd's or downloads. so if some people think (i'm sure, they do) it's not o.k. to use such versions even i purchased the originals: most of them (ni, ll) are running on my vmachine PERFECTLY.

[ptsound]

4Front Truepiano works on the V-machine and sounds amazing (just turn off the sustain resonance otherwise it will choke)

Do you mean the version that comes bundled with the V-Machine ??

Can't be that one, I tried it and it's really bad, sounds like only one or two velocity layers on there, even if you barely touch the keys you get the very loud samples, maybe that was a demo or a lite version, but IMHO the one with the unit is not good enough for dynamic piano playing...

No, The one included with the unit is 4Front's free version (sounds rubbish). Go to the 4Front website and download the demo version of TruePianos. It wont expire on the unit.

PLEASE let us know how you've installed the Demo version of truepianos!
i'm interested in buying Truepianos when the full version is compatible.
For now,(without a top piano sound like truepianos or pianoteq)
my V-machine is useless to me.
P.T

[JazzSinger]

Sorry to change the subject:

How loud is that cooling fan, really? Compared to cheaper laptops, say?

Is it constant, or does it only start up when it gets warm?

Is it too loud that you wouldn't use it in small rehearsal rooms?

[schoko]

Sorry to change the subject:

How loud is that cooling fan, really? Compared to cheaper laptops, say?

Is it constant, or does it only start up when it gets warm?

Is it too loud that you wouldn't use it in small rehearsal rooms?

On stage you don't hear it, of course...

For studio purpose, it is definetly too loud in my opinion, because it has an annoying kind of "tone", if you know, what I mean. It is working constantly.
When I want to concentrate on mixing in the studio, I turn the v-machine off.