COLLECTIVE problems on MacOS

[Lutin mutin]

Hi !

I'm on MacBook Pro 15", i7, MacOS sierra 10.12.4, 8Go RAM.
Here reporting problems with the use of the Collective synth PlugIn (in the AU version).

As other users said, this synth is very difficult to test because it is very difficult to deal with the presets.
--> In the "browser" access mode :
- as said in the manual, you have to do 2 clicks on a preset to select it.
When you do 2 clicks on a preset, nothing happens during 3 to 4 seconds ; then all the waveform program "freezes" during 53 to 56 seconds (all measurements done with a chronometer on a basis of 20 presets tested - during the spinning colored apple little ball).
And only after this time (so approx. 1 minute), you have access to the preset and the associated sound... after a so long waiting time, you have just one idea : to close the application !

note : It this very strange, because this problem don't exist in the AU Biotek plug (instantaneous change of preset when "asked" for)...

So, still in Collective :
--> In the "Edit" access mode :
1. To create a "layer" it's easy. But if you want to delete an existing layer or the recent created layer, it takes a lot of time too...
2. there is no user-ready created "user preset folder" on the HardDrive ;
3. it is no possible to drag-and-drop a wave (from the desktop for example) in one OSC, even in the sample mode, as indicated in the Collective manual... it is possible to select a sample preset in the OSC "sample mode", but not personal or user sample...

Despite those "very little problematic details" in the first version of the included synth, my first opinion on Waveform is that it is a very beautiful and ergonomic DAW in the continuity of the different Tracktion 1 to 7.

I think also that Collective is a pretty powerful synth, but in my opinion :
- it is not a sampler. Not at all.
Even if all will be ok, I will never be able to "charge in" my sampled instruments (different notes sampled instrument for instance) as I can do with samplers like Kontakt, MachFive3, EXS24, Bliss, and a lot of other well known samplers ;
- it is a too sophisticated synth for newbies in MAO, and/or too redundant with Biotek (witch definitively is a real monster, but actually too much specialised !)

==> why not add inside Collective, in the future, after the "browser" player, the "edit" synth player, a third part called : "the sampler" !
because in the actual "state of the art", it is unusable for newbies and/or for not-newbies...

This was my first test (?!) of one of the new "musical tools" so different from T7...
So... waiting for next updates...

Cheers !

Lutin mutin.
(a Tracktion fan user since T1)

[Airspeed]

I think Woody said in a NAMM video that they were going to unlock the hidden features at a later date like they did for Biotek. Maybe I misunderstood what he said but I agree that at this point Collective is not a sampler but instead a sample player. I didn't use Biotek at all until they unlocked the advanced features and now its one of the best soft synths I have next to xFer Serum.

Just a word about Collective and OSX. Collective is completely unusable for me in Waveform. Nothing but spinning osx beachballs and "app not responding" lockups. BUT if you open Collective up in Logic like I just did it runs like butter and sounds amazing. There is a patch called "filmstrip ens EM" that sounds like something from a Boards of Canada album. Hopefully they get the Waveform crashes and bugs sorted out because Waveform is totally a NO-GO if you need rock solid stability for your music at this point early in its life. But for the time being I'm totally happy with Collective and BioTek in other DAW's. Totally worth the money!

[bradkvr]

A workaround for the ultra ultra slow loading of presets on OSX is to make sure the VST version of Collective is showing up, and use that. When I first tried, although the VST version was installed in the correct folder, it wasn't showing up in the plug-in list. I had to re-scan my VSTs, then it appeared in the list in Waveform. Using the VST, the presets load incredibly fast.

[mojkarma]

I said it in another topic, but since this is about collective on macos, I also have problems which makes it impossible to use collective in waveform. As soon as I try to change a patch, it becomes completely unresponsive. I will try to use the vst version and see if it is better.

[sword6204]

Just a word about Collective and OSX. Collective is completely unusable for me in Waveform. Nothing but spinning osx beachballs and "app not responding" lockups.

Same here. I'll try rescanning the VSTs and see if that works, as was recommended by "bradkvr" a few replies above me.

[mojkarma]

I removed the AU version of Collective and selected the VST version and indeed, the problems are gone!

[Lutin mutin]

Hi !

(On MacBook Pro 15", MacOS sierra 10.12.4)
I've done like the precedent users (changing AU plugIns by VST).
Tested.

A. The AU Collective PlugIn --> average time to change one preset
A1. --> In Waveform : 1 minute
A2. --> In T 7.2.1 : 12 seconds
A3. --> In Logic Pro X : 9 seconds

B. The VST Collective PlugIn --> average time to change one preset
A1. --> in Waveform : instantaneous (1 second)
A2. --> in T 7.2.1. : 1 to 2 seconds
A3. --> In Logic Pro X : not applicable
==> No problem with the VST plugIn of Collective

Conclusion :
it seems to have a little "fluidity" problem with the AU Collective plugIn itself, and a big problem with Waveform...

Cheers,
Lutin mutin.

[sword6204]

I've decided to use only VST plugins for Waveform on my MacBook Air, except for the actual plugins that Apple already installed on it. Everything seems to move much smoother that way, Collective included.