Contacting IK Multimedia
- KVRAF
- 6097 posts since 5 Jul, 2001 from Just about .... there
Hey Squids,
I know it isn't your job, but do you know a way for us to communicate with IK?
I've tried sending e-mails to the address on the IK site, but I have never been replied to from that.
I've tried support, but you get a reply that has nothing to do with the question...for example (this is a real question and reply and is exactly the type of reply I have received for every e-mail I've sent to them).
question.."How do I assign MIDI CCs to parameters in AT2?"
IK reply..."Thank you for your question. AT2 has extensive routing capabilities. Hope that helps"
There doesn't seem to be a forum anywhere. Is there?
How do I communicate suggestions/questions to them?
I know it isn't your job, but do you know a way for us to communicate with IK?
I've tried sending e-mails to the address on the IK site, but I have never been replied to from that.
I've tried support, but you get a reply that has nothing to do with the question...for example (this is a real question and reply and is exactly the type of reply I have received for every e-mail I've sent to them).
question.."How do I assign MIDI CCs to parameters in AT2?"
IK reply..."Thank you for your question. AT2 has extensive routing capabilities. Hope that helps"
There doesn't seem to be a forum anywhere. Is there?
How do I communicate suggestions/questions to them?
If you have to ask, you can't afford the answer
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- Tunesmith
- 2889 posts since 12 Mar, 2002 from Toronto
All I know is make sure you login before sending any sort of support questions to them. To answer your question though, check the manual to see if there's a list of Midi CCs in AT2, and then the rest would be working out the mapping in your sequencer or better a midi controller that lets you adjust the what ccs the knobs send. Sorry I dont have a better answer for you. I dont think a member forum on IKMultimedia.com could hurt as long as you had to be registered to enter the forum.SJ_Digriz wrote:"How do I assign MIDI CCs to parameters in AT2?"
IK reply..."Thank you for your question. AT2 has extensive routing capabilities. Hope that helps"
There doesn't seem to be a forum anywhere. Is there?
How do I communicate suggestions/questions to them?
I've sort of come to the conclusion that forums are the best form of support possible. People respond fast and have great answers(except when i'm the one answering of course
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 6097 posts since 5 Jul, 2001 from Just about .... there
Mr. Tunes, I sent that question when AT2 first came out. I now know that the answer is "you can't". You have to use whatever host automation is available, which in some hosts will allow some CC mapping etc... However that means they have crippled the software to make StompIO attractive.
My question wasn't really about that, it was about the fact there doesn't seem to be a way actually communicate with IK. I don't know of a forum where they participate. The replies you get through the site e-mail addresses are either done by people who can't read english or are purposefully avoiding answering a question. I just put that one example of several attempts I've made to have AT2 functionality clarified.
Several of my e-mails remain unanswered dating back to a few days after AT2s release. A few have been replied to with equally criptic non-answers.
I seriously want an answer to several points with AT2.
1) are they planning on adding MIDI Learn without requiring StompIO
2) will they provide a stand alone host without requiring StompIO
3) will they allow patch control without requiring StompIO
etc... etc... They simply will not answer the questions through the e-mails, and I don't see an alternative method of contact.
My question wasn't really about that, it was about the fact there doesn't seem to be a way actually communicate with IK. I don't know of a forum where they participate. The replies you get through the site e-mail addresses are either done by people who can't read english or are purposefully avoiding answering a question. I just put that one example of several attempts I've made to have AT2 functionality clarified.
Several of my e-mails remain unanswered dating back to a few days after AT2s release. A few have been replied to with equally criptic non-answers.
I seriously want an answer to several points with AT2.
1) are they planning on adding MIDI Learn without requiring StompIO
2) will they provide a stand alone host without requiring StompIO
3) will they allow patch control without requiring StompIO
etc... etc... They simply will not answer the questions through the e-mails, and I don't see an alternative method of contact.
If you have to ask, you can't afford the answer
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- KVRian
- 1045 posts since 3 Jul, 2005 from The Realm of Possibilities
I have gotten good response from them on bugs...LiteOn wrote:I'd like to know that, too, because I just sent a support mail regarding a CSR bug.
Play what you feel and feel what you play.
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- KVRAF
- 4692 posts since 28 Jan, 2003 from In these very interwebs
You probably didn't get a straight answer to those questions because that information has not been made public yet. Following the long waits for recent products, IK has become very tight-lipped about future plans (not that they weren't before, anyway).SJ_Digriz wrote:Several of my e-mails remain unanswered dating back to a few days after AT2s release. A few have been replied to with equally criptic non-answers.
I seriously want an answer to several points with AT2.
1) are they planning on adding MIDI Learn without requiring StompIO
2) will they provide a stand alone host without requiring StompIO
3) will they allow patch control without requiring StompIO
etc... etc... They simply will not answer the questions through the e-mails, and I don't see an alternative method of contact.
-Kim.
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- Tunesmith
- 2889 posts since 12 Mar, 2002 from Toronto
This is interesting. I've sort of been out of the loop with the new products I just assumed that AT2 was similar to AT1 in this regard(assuming makes an ass out of u and me right?)
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 6097 posts since 5 Jul, 2001 from Just about .... there
AT2 is out. They should be able to tell me what it does or doesn't do.Kim (esoundz) wrote: You probably didn't get a straight answer to those questions because that information has not been made public yet. Following the long waits for recent products, IK has become very tight-lipped about future plans (not that they weren't before, anyway).
-Kim.
But, I'm not here to attack eSoundz, or even IK. I seriously wonder why it is so hard to get ahold of them. Why don't they have a user forum? I just know Squids has a direct line to them, so I was wondering if I was missing something.
If you have to ask, you can't afford the answer
- Sonic Reality Head Chef
- 8566 posts since 11 Mar, 2002 from Florida
There isn't likely to be an IK forum. They see how much time I invest in keeping just this forum up and IK is many times the size of SR or esoundz. It is not an easy thing to do, especially when English is your second language, cultural differences plus having the right personel to do it. I know that IK tech support is swamped constantly. Most of the time it is with user errors or people who need assistance in getting things up and running even because they are new to software or whatever. But, no more than other companies of that size and IK seems easier to get a response back from than some other companies I know (but I won't name).
As for finding out what the software does, this is something you can always ask here on KVR or in this forum specifically (the closest thing you guys will probably have to an IK forum). Jason from IK tech support even comes in here when he can to answer some questions. Keep in mind though that Jason and other IK tech support people, unlike some smaller companies here, aren't actually the developers or heads of the company that are authorized to tell you future plans of the company. So, they won't be answering those questions most likely. I am one of the only people who can tell you anything like that publicly but I am also in a much different position being the head of my own company that is partners with IK and I also know how to get the okay to do it. Those guys aren't going to risk their jobs just to please you.
I deleted the posts about being nasty (even though I know or hope it was partially in jest). It's a bad idea to even suggest using our forum that way. It has been done before in the past and it is not something we put up with. So, yeah, we don't have time for it and like the forum rules say you can expect it just to be deleted. We provide a lot of help for IK users considering IK doesn't fund me being on this forum (or Kim, Elijah or any other esoundz or SR person). So, hopefully no one else spoils it for others who appreciate our efforts.
Anyway, I will try to find out some answers to your questions. But, if you are after using it stand alone then there are some really basic hosts like Chainer that can do that for free. I think the plans for Stand Alone ARE a version that does MORE than just... stand ALONE. (ie more than just "not need a host"). The stand alone version will be intended for the Stomp IO to be the midi control surface but it is a serious development and inter-communication between the two.
As for Midi Learn, I like it too. However, no IK product has had Midi Learn yet (no ST based). It would be nice and maybe we'll see it in IK products in the future. Which ones, if at all, who knows? All I can tell you is that I have and will continue to suggest it on the user's behalf (as well as my own... not on the TOP of my wish list but it is there... along with a hundred other things!).
Don't know about patch control. Some of these things may just be dependent on what your host can do. Some hosts can do more than others. As to which hosts do what, that is a bigger question but definitely one good for KVR for many people to chip in on. I even learn things from others on KVR such as what cool stuff like Energy XT can do for instance. I found out about Chainer here too.
On the other hand, and I get the feeling you don't want to hear this but... sorry, if you really wanted the best stand alone experience with full control and access to 4,000 presets then you SHOULD get the Stomp IO upgrade when it is out. I don't think it will be that expensive considering its build quality and what it can do. I mean, it has 6 expression inputs. That's pretty freakin' cool if you ask me. But, that's up to each person. I think it is safe to say that considering how much it takes to even develop AT2 and the Stomp IO integration that that is where IK development is consentrated and not on other ways to make the plug-in work with other midi controllers. If you want to go the Stomp IO-less route then there are ways but you have to use the right periferal software and hardware to do it... most likely anyway. That's not any kind of official word but I think that's probably the case. Logic would suggest. You never know down the road though. Let's see how it develops. It's only been out a short while.
As for finding out what the software does, this is something you can always ask here on KVR or in this forum specifically (the closest thing you guys will probably have to an IK forum). Jason from IK tech support even comes in here when he can to answer some questions. Keep in mind though that Jason and other IK tech support people, unlike some smaller companies here, aren't actually the developers or heads of the company that are authorized to tell you future plans of the company. So, they won't be answering those questions most likely. I am one of the only people who can tell you anything like that publicly but I am also in a much different position being the head of my own company that is partners with IK and I also know how to get the okay to do it. Those guys aren't going to risk their jobs just to please you.
I deleted the posts about being nasty (even though I know or hope it was partially in jest). It's a bad idea to even suggest using our forum that way. It has been done before in the past and it is not something we put up with. So, yeah, we don't have time for it and like the forum rules say you can expect it just to be deleted. We provide a lot of help for IK users considering IK doesn't fund me being on this forum (or Kim, Elijah or any other esoundz or SR person). So, hopefully no one else spoils it for others who appreciate our efforts.
Anyway, I will try to find out some answers to your questions. But, if you are after using it stand alone then there are some really basic hosts like Chainer that can do that for free. I think the plans for Stand Alone ARE a version that does MORE than just... stand ALONE. (ie more than just "not need a host"). The stand alone version will be intended for the Stomp IO to be the midi control surface but it is a serious development and inter-communication between the two.
As for Midi Learn, I like it too. However, no IK product has had Midi Learn yet (no ST based). It would be nice and maybe we'll see it in IK products in the future. Which ones, if at all, who knows? All I can tell you is that I have and will continue to suggest it on the user's behalf (as well as my own... not on the TOP of my wish list but it is there... along with a hundred other things!).
Don't know about patch control. Some of these things may just be dependent on what your host can do. Some hosts can do more than others. As to which hosts do what, that is a bigger question but definitely one good for KVR for many people to chip in on. I even learn things from others on KVR such as what cool stuff like Energy XT can do for instance. I found out about Chainer here too.
On the other hand, and I get the feeling you don't want to hear this but... sorry, if you really wanted the best stand alone experience with full control and access to 4,000 presets then you SHOULD get the Stomp IO upgrade when it is out. I don't think it will be that expensive considering its build quality and what it can do. I mean, it has 6 expression inputs. That's pretty freakin' cool if you ask me. But, that's up to each person. I think it is safe to say that considering how much it takes to even develop AT2 and the Stomp IO integration that that is where IK development is consentrated and not on other ways to make the plug-in work with other midi controllers. If you want to go the Stomp IO-less route then there are ways but you have to use the right periferal software and hardware to do it... most likely anyway. That's not any kind of official word but I think that's probably the case. Logic would suggest. You never know down the road though. Let's see how it develops. It's only been out a short while.
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 6097 posts since 5 Jul, 2001 from Just about .... there
Thanks for answering Squids.
#1: I don't mind that you deleted the silly posts.
#2: Midi Learn would be great, but there are lots of VSTi that don't have it. It is silly NOT to have it, and I would appreciate it if you would do the Squids thing and hammer that home with IK.
#3: The patch change issue is HUGE. They did not implement the VST patch interface at all, plus they did not expose the patch list to automation (this could not have been unintentional). So, there is no way to control patch changes.
They need to fix the VST program list immediately, or expose the AT2 program list to automation. It is fairly dirty tactics to not have either available.
#4: I will not be buying the StompIO. I don't need another foot controller. Especially a proprietary one. I don't care how many expression pedals I can put on it. If it will only let me control AT2 and the Ampeg clone then no thanks. If the controllers were using industry standards so that it was cross functional, that would be one thing. But to purposefully cripple software so that only your controller makes it useable is dirty pool (poor tactics).
If there were proper specs for StompIO, such as a list of communciations protocols it supports ( LIke MIDI CC and Sysex) so that I could see that it would be useful outside of AT2, and if AT2 itself had been left open for proper routing control I might have considered StompIO. Under my current percieved configuration there is NO WAY IN HELL. Sorry.
Again, thanks for replying
#1: I don't mind that you deleted the silly posts.
#2: Midi Learn would be great, but there are lots of VSTi that don't have it. It is silly NOT to have it, and I would appreciate it if you would do the Squids thing and hammer that home with IK.
#3: The patch change issue is HUGE. They did not implement the VST patch interface at all, plus they did not expose the patch list to automation (this could not have been unintentional). So, there is no way to control patch changes.
They need to fix the VST program list immediately, or expose the AT2 program list to automation. It is fairly dirty tactics to not have either available.
#4: I will not be buying the StompIO. I don't need another foot controller. Especially a proprietary one. I don't care how many expression pedals I can put on it. If it will only let me control AT2 and the Ampeg clone then no thanks. If the controllers were using industry standards so that it was cross functional, that would be one thing. But to purposefully cripple software so that only your controller makes it useable is dirty pool (poor tactics).
If there were proper specs for StompIO, such as a list of communciations protocols it supports ( LIke MIDI CC and Sysex) so that I could see that it would be useful outside of AT2, and if AT2 itself had been left open for proper routing control I might have considered StompIO. Under my current percieved configuration there is NO WAY IN HELL. Sorry.
Again, thanks for replying
If you have to ask, you can't afford the answer
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- KVRian
- 895 posts since 1 Apr, 2005
Just for completion: IK reported back yesterday which I call responsive.LiteOn wrote:I'd like to know that, too, because I just sent a support mail regarding a CSR bug.
cheers,
LiteOn
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- KVRian
- 1256 posts since 22 Aug, 2003
Yeah, I recently received a reply to an e-mail I sent to IK too! About 6 days separation - I guess that's not too bad - didn't really answer my question, but I think we're heading in the right direction (it's "wait and see" for about a month before I ask esoundz about just returning the product and being done with it).
Jason doesn't seem like a bad guy - the process is just a little slow.
Jason doesn't seem like a bad guy - the process is just a little slow.
