From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Wed Sep 30 23:14:30 2009
Subject:Re:Ashby Solutions is back! / V-Machine

Hi Ben,

No problem.

The good news:

Yes it will run SoundFont files -- although I'm not sure if you really mean *VSTs*. if we're really talking SoundFonts, there are a number of SoundFont players out there, including a freeware one called Font! 1.2 that works nicely. The only issues I've come across are that a) Font! 1.2 has no reverb or other effects; and b) the player seems to be affected by aftertouch in a strange manner -- the volume actually drops a little!

For these reasons, I've tended to take my SoundFonts and convert them to SampleTank files. For my money, a 'suitable' reverb or chorus should be as good as the ones that come with a good ROMpler like the Motif or Fantom, and SampleTank meets the criteria. (If I want grainy reverb, I can always reduce the density on a good reverb.) Using SoundFonts with SampleTank is a two-step process: 1) Use a file converter program like Awave Studio to strip the sounds to individual WAV or AIFF files; then 2) use the sample importer on SampleTank to make new 'instruments.' (Caution: This feature is only available on the retail version of SampleTank, not the 'SE' version that ships with the V-Machine.)

-----------
Now, the bad news:

VB3 doesn't work well with the V-Machine, according to the author. I've been told that it's unstable when lots of simultaneous notes are played. My suspicion is that the number of notes is fairly high (> 25 ???), but performance isn't guaranteed.

NI B4 and B4-II are supported, as is the new GSi product, Key Performer --

http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=38

KP is *similar* to the VB3 engine, but not the same. The sound is a little brighter, and maybe a little less authentic, and there are very few adjustable parameters. For example, the only Leslie parameters are fast/off/slow and drive level; belt tension, mic placement, etc. are fixed. Don't get me wrong: the sound is GOOD, but the VB3 is better, to my ears. YMMV.

To be fair, Key Performer isn't a dedicated organ clone, and for about 2x the price it offers 7-8x the instruments. The pianos sound excellent, the EPs are good, and it has Clav, synth, and strings, too.

I may have to play around with VB3 on my V-Machine a little more. It sounds GREAT through the V-Machine's PC interface program (VFX), but I've learned that the PC version can muster more horsepower than the V-Machine itself can deliver.

The real question is: Would there be much value to my pre-installing and configuring VB3 for buyers? GSi software has no dealers, so a buyer would have to buy the software from GSi, then send me the license info so I could program the V-Machine. It doesn't leave me with much of a service to provide, it would seem.

Regards,

-BW
--
Bruce Wahler
AshbySolutions.com™
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com

At 11:54 AM 9/29/2009, BenWaB3@aol.com wrote:

>Hey Bruce,
>
>Not aiming to disrespect your request and consideration for having people contact you off-list, but this question may be on the minds of some other list members out there?so your answer would be a service to us all:
>
>Will the V-machines you're selling run the VB3 & other instruments from soundfonts? And if they do, do you plan on having packages where they are loaded in & set up? The soundfonts stuff gets such good reviews to start with & I personally wouldn't mind paying the extra to have someone who knows software to set them up properly. Inquiring minds want to you. Thanks.
>
>Ben
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>------------------------------------
>
>To unsubscribe, send email to: CloneWheel-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]