KVR Audio

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:44 am

Hello everyone..
I'm feeling a bit likea fish out of water...

I usually hang about around the kvR Café, but I wanted to ask a bit of advice on a new choice of host.

I have a PC, a slow one at the minute, but I will building myself a decent one shortly, so I'm looking to upgrade my host for that.

I've previously used Acid, Fruity Loops, Cubase, Massiva, CMuzys and I've had a tinkle with Logic.
So I've got an idea of the differene between the classic sequencer, pattern-based stuff etc.

So.. I mainly work with samples that I either create myself or borrow, and sequence and arrange samples that way (preferably not pattern based à la Fruity Loops), but some form of time-stretch facility would be a real bonus!

I use more and more VSTi's and so a basic midi sequencer is important to me (with automation of FX and VSTi as a must). I am not a keyboard player or a midi genius so I dont need anything complicated for midi in terms of architecture or input arrangements.

I have to say that CMuzys I do like (despite the time-stretching ability), and I was considering upgrading to Muzys, however the shop is closed and so I guess not...

Logic, likewise, I found pretty damn cool apart from the lack of any Audio Stretch/Editing possibilities. Apparently Recycle could help with beats on this, but then isnt Logic Mac Only now?

Cubase I have always found too... too... unfriendly.

I know everyone has their favourites, but considering the above, is there anything that anyone might reccomend?
Obviously being a poor impoverished musician, the cheaper the better...

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

Cheers

MattC

Alfalfa · Post by **Alfalfa** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:55 am

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:05 am

Thanks Alfalfa I will do - is there anything else that springs to mind?

Cheers
MattC

quincy · Post by **quincy** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:06 am

There are a few hosts that are better at audio mangling than others. The big daddy of the audio-based hosts is Ableton Live, whih has basically the best set of features for loop-based work, also excellent at live performance. The soon to be released new version will support VST instruments, all sorts of new goodies for live stuff and stll retain its original genius with audio. www.ableton.com

A popular host is EnergyXT. This is a fast growing host, and although its not the most immediate to use host, it is very flexible, and the incoming sampler modulae is claimed to be very powerful. its also very Cheap, at 39Euro. Try the deom, and give it some to, you'll ralise how much power is under the fairly minimal interface. www.xt-hq.com

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:07 am

Thanks Alfalfa I will do - is there anything else that springs to mind?

Cheers
MattC

quincy · Post by **quincy** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:08 am

There are a few hosts that are better at audio mangling than others. The big daddy of the audio-based hosts is Ableton Live, whih has basically the best set of features for loop-based work, also excellent at live performance. The soon to abe released new version will support VST instruments, all sorts of new goodies for live stuff and stll retain its original genius with audio. www.ableton.com

A popular host is EnergyXT. This is a fast growing host, and although its not the most immediate to use host, it is very flexible, and the incoming sampler modulae is claimed to be very powerful. its also very Cheap, at 39Euro. Try the demo, and give it some time, you'll realise how much power is under the fairly minimal interface. www.xt-hq.com

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:20 am

Thanks Quincy - I'm aware of Jorgen's EnergyXT having used Massiva, and what not. Its certainly worth a second look.
I'll also check out Ableton and see if there is a demo for VST imstrument support.

Cheers

Matt

PS - am checking out Project5, which looks good although the idea of losing the traditional fader mixer makes me nervous...

quincy · Post by **quincy** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:27 am

UniCon wrote:Thanks Quincy - I'm aware of Jorgen's EnergyXT having used Massiva, and what not. Its certainly worth a second look.
I'll also check out Ableton and see if there is a demo for VST imstrument support.

Cheers

Matt

PS - am checking out Project5, which looks good although the idea of losing the traditional fader mixer makes me nervous...

If you haven't used EnergyXT for a while, i assure you its worth a second look. Its progressed faster than any other piece of music software. Jorgen is a very responsive developer, he frequently takes suggestions from users and integrated them in the software in a few days!

So check the demo, it also works as a plugin instrument and effect, and many people use it to complement their existing host. You really can't go wrong for 39euro.

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:03 pm

Its true - I've had a quick look and it does look pretty impressive! And whilst it was a shame when JA 'dropped' Massiva, it showed considerable foresight as XT can do so much more...

thanks for the tips everyone - I have the relevant demos now and will be checking them out over the weekend (although Live4 demo aint out yet...

)

MattC

jorgen · Post by **jorgen** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:28 pm

Hiya Matt, you still have your massiva key? you can use it to unlock energyXT!!!

jorgen

hjack · Post by **hjack** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:30 pm

Orion appears to be quite friendly

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:41 pm

jorgen wrote:Hiya Matt, you still have your massiva key? you can use it to unlock energyXT!!!

jorgen

Haha speak of the Devil..

how are you Jorgen?
Or is this the other Jorgen that I thought was Jorgen Aase?
Thanks for the tip!!!

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:48 pm

undercore wrote:Orion appears to be quite friendly

and thanks Undercore, i was about to write it off as a patternbased sequencer but then i read the site..

Sequencing in Orion is pattern-based, but is not bound by the limitations of classic pattern-based arrangement.

so I'm going to check out the demo
cheers
Matt

Klemperer · Post by **Klemperer** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:52 pm

Hi,

nothing new from here, just a short notice as I used Massiva too (and still do for some little things even if EnergyXT is unbelievably more powerful). I just can say again you wouldn't believe how good EnergyXT is and will be if you overcome the first difficulties (as important as playing with the standalone-version is to go through the tutorials, (there's a pdf-manual that has all the tutorials).
I own Tracktion and Orion too (Orion is comparable to Project5 in a way, don't know exactly about that as I don't really know Project5) and even if I like Orion I gave anything up for EnergyXT. And if you already have the Massiva-key you might use it too as a VST inside of any other host that loads VSTs. Some people sound like they were addicted to XT ( like me, for example

) but it's all due to the program. You might add some midi-thingies and possibilities you do not use yet to your music, I'm pretty sure, after playing with the program.

UniCon · Post by **UniCon** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:55 pm

Wow

You do seem pretty taken with it - I need to have a good session with this as I opened the standalone version and just thought "WTF?!"
But I am very impatient...

Basic host advice please