I'm wondering if anyone has purchased Spike since the price drop to $249 street.
I can't tell whether it's still bundled with a stripped down version of Ableton Live, or not.
If it does, then I think I just made my next interface purchase decision.
That's a pretty killer combo for $249.
Sweetwater.com still shows it as shipping with stripped down Live, but the Mackie site does not list it in the bundled software.
-Scott
Who here has purchased Spike since the price drop to 249$?
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- KVRAF
- 4908 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from Colorado Springs
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4908 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from Colorado Springs
I got a response back from Mackie.
Spike does not ship with any version of Ableton Live any longer.
Bummer.
-Scott
Spike does not ship with any version of Ableton Live any longer.
Bummer.
-Scott
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- KVRist
- 263 posts since 12 Mar, 2004 from LA CA USA
I recommended it to a friend of mine (because of Tracktion). He bought and it was a nightmare: digital glitches, strange noises, spikes (no pun intended). He has a fast machine, but it's a Sony with onboard video which could, conceivably have been the problem.
But I tried everything, Mackie support tried everything, he got a different unit, and so on.
Bottom line: it doesn't work. If someone does get it working -- consistently, glitch-free, under a real workload -- more power to them. I'm sure someone has, but I couldn't (and I've been doing this a long, long time) and Mackie couldn't.
Not to be gloomy or judgmental, but there's a reason they discontinue things. (And too bad; except for the fact that it doesn't work it's a nice piece of hardware... perhaps if it had been USB 2.0 instead of 1.1...)
But I tried everything, Mackie support tried everything, he got a different unit, and so on.
Bottom line: it doesn't work. If someone does get it working -- consistently, glitch-free, under a real workload -- more power to them. I'm sure someone has, but I couldn't (and I've been doing this a long, long time) and Mackie couldn't.
Not to be gloomy or judgmental, but there's a reason they discontinue things. (And too bad; except for the fact that it doesn't work it's a nice piece of hardware... perhaps if it had been USB 2.0 instead of 1.1...)
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- KVRist
- 230 posts since 25 Nov, 2004
I almost bought a Spike for use with a laptop because of the fact that it comes bundled with (non-boxed)T2. But all I've heard are nightmare stories about it, so I resisted. Is anyone using a Spike without these problems? The interface and T2 for $249 is a killer deal, IF it works.
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- KVRist
- 48 posts since 16 Jun, 2005
I bought a Spike in Germany for the same price after about a month looking at the options. I'd been using the T2 demo before that so in the end it was definitely the software bundle that won me over. The USB 1.1 thing worried me a bit at first but to be realistic, I'm a rank amateur who can barely play guitar and sing and the same time, so for my home setup the yew-bewt 4-in 10-out firewire interfaces were an acute case of overkill. I've heard people complain about latency issues with USB 1 but I haven't noticed them or found myself limited in anyway because of bandwidth problems. No audio glitches to report either. I generally record at ~2.9ms then bump it up for playback, no worries there for my modest needs (max. 12 tracks + effects).
If there are other Spike owner out there I'd be interested to hear what people think of the XD-2. Do you find it useful for recording? How does it stack up against Final Mix? Can you use it in combination with Final Mix? etc
BTW, Scott, my offer was advertised with Mackie Live as well and I was a bit peeved when it wasn't in the box. BUT...I called Mackie support and they actually sent me a registration code. I don't know how long that will last. The only problem now is I have no idea how to get hold of the software. No sign of it on the Live wesite or anywhere else for that matter. Ableton's offices are actually around the corner so I could go knock on their door. That'll make their day!
If there are other Spike owner out there I'd be interested to hear what people think of the XD-2. Do you find it useful for recording? How does it stack up against Final Mix? Can you use it in combination with Final Mix? etc
BTW, Scott, my offer was advertised with Mackie Live as well and I was a bit peeved when it wasn't in the box. BUT...I called Mackie support and they actually sent me a registration code. I don't know how long that will last. The only problem now is I have no idea how to get hold of the software. No sign of it on the Live wesite or anywhere else for that matter. Ableton's offices are actually around the corner so I could go knock on their door. That'll make their day!
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- KVRist
- 268 posts since 11 Nov, 2003 from kentucky
Hey, let me know how it goes with Ableton. I also got the Live lite software bundle, only with my m-audio box instead of spike.
Here's a paste of part of the address for updates to Live lite:
http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=u ... e&Version=
..version number and serial follow but it will load as is.
I THINK you're going to have a hard time getting the lite version. Checking updates, I notice there is no lite version of live 5 and they don't seem to be selling any version of 4 now. I've emailed them to ask if I can still unlock the full version of 4 without buying 5 but no reply yet.
The lite version really does compliment Tracktion but be warned, Live is very addictive. I think the full version of Live 5 beats the pants of Tracktion until you factor in the price difference. If Tracktion's price continues to rise without addressing user requests, bugs etc... I know I'll be buying the full version of Live and skipping the next Tracktion point update.
Here's a paste of part of the address for updates to Live lite:
http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=u ... e&Version=
..version number and serial follow but it will load as is.
I THINK you're going to have a hard time getting the lite version. Checking updates, I notice there is no lite version of live 5 and they don't seem to be selling any version of 4 now. I've emailed them to ask if I can still unlock the full version of 4 without buying 5 but no reply yet.
The lite version really does compliment Tracktion but be warned, Live is very addictive. I think the full version of Live 5 beats the pants of Tracktion until you factor in the price difference. If Tracktion's price continues to rise without addressing user requests, bugs etc... I know I'll be buying the full version of Live and skipping the next Tracktion point update.
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- KVRist
- 268 posts since 11 Nov, 2003 from kentucky
Better luck here. Be ready with your serial:
http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=downloads
"...including live lite versions..."
http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=downloads
"...including live lite versions..."
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- KVRist
- 48 posts since 16 Jun, 2005
Thanks for the links, James. Unfortunately I get this:
"There is currently no free update for your Live version available."
I tried the demo version of Live 5 a while back but found Tracktion much better suited to my needs. I can't see myself using anything else at the moment, but if I change my mind I can still use the reg-number to get a discounted full version of Live. It's just a bit annoying that some of the online vendors are still advertising Spike with Live Lite included. Personally, I'd much rather have the boxed version of T2.
"There is currently no free update for your Live version available."
I tried the demo version of Live 5 a while back but found Tracktion much better suited to my needs. I can't see myself using anything else at the moment, but if I change my mind I can still use the reg-number to get a discounted full version of Live. It's just a bit annoying that some of the online vendors are still advertising Spike with Live Lite included. Personally, I'd much rather have the boxed version of T2.
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- KVRist
- 36 posts since 2 Feb, 2005 from Often in the bathroom...
This thread and the last few posts in this thread, have really got me thinking that maybe Tracktion isn't for me. I've been waiting to pick up a Spike with T2. Just waiting for T2's bug reports to be addressed and die down. Then I find that Spike also has it's share of problems. Not to mention that the T2 that comes with the Spike isn't the "full" version. If I want that, I have to pay for the boxed one.
Several disappointments in a row.
Not good...
Am I missing something here, the big picture? I mean, for another $50 I could get an M-box and PT LE, for example. I've been using T1 (via a rigged XLR, L and R, to 1/8" jack which is plugged into my soundcard, a Creative Live! 24 bit) for awhile. I like it, and I really want to like T2. But, some of these other issues may have soured me to that idea. Especially if I want to get an interface that connects via fire-wire.
Several disappointments in a row.
Not good...
Am I missing something here, the big picture? I mean, for another $50 I could get an M-box and PT LE, for example. I've been using T1 (via a rigged XLR, L and R, to 1/8" jack which is plugged into my soundcard, a Creative Live! 24 bit) for awhile. I like it, and I really want to like T2. But, some of these other issues may have soured me to that idea. Especially if I want to get an interface that connects via fire-wire.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
I don't know anything about Spike-- however, any reports about a series of Tracktion 'bugs' are mostly the work of alarmists. Tracktion itself is very stable with only a few remaining annoying bugs that I'm aware of, and an update is imminent.
FWIW, some of the things recognized as 'bugs' in T2 are still there and present in T1. I don't mean to alarm you-- on the contrary, if you haven't noticed them yet, then you'll find the same in T2, except that many of those issues that persist in T1 ARE fixed in T2.
And I bet you haven't found them to be a problem in T1. 
Greg
FWIW, some of the things recognized as 'bugs' in T2 are still there and present in T1. I don't mean to alarm you-- on the contrary, if you haven't noticed them yet, then you'll find the same in T2, except that many of those issues that persist in T1 ARE fixed in T2.
And I bet you haven't found them to be a problem in T1. Greg
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- KVRian
- 664 posts since 5 Jun, 2005
I bought Spike this spring at a similar price here in Denmark about half a year ago. Overall, I think I got good value.
The quality of the hardware is good. On my 1.2gHz iBook the Spike has worked great at 44.1kHz, with only occasional, minor glitches in playback at a latency of about 11ms. The headphone output, which I use a lot, is powerful and clean.
However, setting the XD-2 to 96kHz doesn't give any kind of satisfactory result. I recently wrote Mackie's tech support asking if they would update the drivers (there is only a beta version for 96kHz), and got what was effectively a no. So claiming that Spike is capable of 96kHz (which is said clearly on the box) is a case of false advertising. Maybe us Spike owners could start some rumble to make them update the drivers.
As to software, most important to me was the 'Mackie Live Light' included (actually a barebones version of Live 2) - a very limited program, but with an upgrade path to the full Live 4 for $250, which also got me a Live 5 serial when that came out. I must admit I don't care for Tracktion 2, but of course it makes Spike even better value value for those that do - as I take it people here would.
But with the Firebox currently on sale for $300 and the Yamaha i88x for $400, I don't think Spike would be my first choice if I was in the US.
The quality of the hardware is good. On my 1.2gHz iBook the Spike has worked great at 44.1kHz, with only occasional, minor glitches in playback at a latency of about 11ms. The headphone output, which I use a lot, is powerful and clean.
However, setting the XD-2 to 96kHz doesn't give any kind of satisfactory result. I recently wrote Mackie's tech support asking if they would update the drivers (there is only a beta version for 96kHz), and got what was effectively a no. So claiming that Spike is capable of 96kHz (which is said clearly on the box) is a case of false advertising. Maybe us Spike owners could start some rumble to make them update the drivers.
As to software, most important to me was the 'Mackie Live Light' included (actually a barebones version of Live 2) - a very limited program, but with an upgrade path to the full Live 4 for $250, which also got me a Live 5 serial when that came out. I must admit I don't care for Tracktion 2, but of course it makes Spike even better value value for those that do - as I take it people here would.
But with the Firebox currently on sale for $300 and the Yamaha i88x for $400, I don't think Spike would be my first choice if I was in the US.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4908 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from Colorado Springs
The Firebox price drop to $299 definitely put it on my radar screen.krank wrote: But with the Firebox currently on sale for $300 and the Yamaha i88x for $400, I don't think Spike would be my first choice if I was in the US.
Spike's specs look great; particularly the quietness of the mic pre-amps, but I'm afraid there are too many horror stories for me to consider it now.
Here's my currently considered device list:
Is there any place that I can look at noise specs of the built-in mic pres for small channel count USB and Firewire I/O devices?
I'm in the market for one of the following:
USB devices:
Alesis IO|2 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/io2/
Edirol UA-25 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UA25/
M-Audio Fast Track Pro http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrackPro/
Mackie Spike http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Spike/
Firewire devices:
Presonus Firebox: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FireBox/
M-Audio Firewire 410: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firewire410
The Alesis unit still seems like vaporware. I'd really love to see a side by side comparison made of these devices.
-Scott
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- KVRist
- 48 posts since 16 Jun, 2005
I agree with those sentiments. I certainly don't think Spike is the best piece of hardware on the market. But if you really want Tracktion as a host then add another $80 to those Firebox and i88x offers. For people on a budget, that can be a deal breaker. So I chose Spike and spent the money I saved on beer. But believe me, if the Firebox came with T2 I would have been all over it!
Also, and I could be wrong here, but at price range I gather Spike is the only package that comes with a fully-fledged host and not a watered-down "light" version. I can't imagine that a Cubase LE or a PT LE really stacks up against T2 feature-wise. I'm sure opinions differ on that one. Judging from what I read on this forum, T is at least a program I can use at any level, without worrying about upgrading to a more feature-rich version. So I guess for me that's the "big picture": Spike is a good piece of software that comes bundled with a flawed but cheap interface.
Also, and I could be wrong here, but at price range I gather Spike is the only package that comes with a fully-fledged host and not a watered-down "light" version. I can't imagine that a Cubase LE or a PT LE really stacks up against T2 feature-wise. I'm sure opinions differ on that one. Judging from what I read on this forum, T is at least a program I can use at any level, without worrying about upgrading to a more feature-rich version. So I guess for me that's the "big picture": Spike is a good piece of software that comes bundled with a flawed but cheap interface.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4908 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from Colorado Springs
I already bought the boxed version of T2 on upgrade. Now it's merely an interface decision for me. I'm married to T right now; no divorce in sight. I was looking for the lite version of Live, merely to get around T's lack of a proper time/stretch algorithm.
It's really too bad that Spike seems to be fraught with problems. On paper, it looks very tempting - particularly the SHARC processing and the Mackie Pre-amps.
-Scott
It's really too bad that Spike seems to be fraught with problems. On paper, it looks very tempting - particularly the SHARC processing and the Mackie Pre-amps.
-Scott