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I do recall seeing a feature request somewhere, I think it was on the IK Syntronik forum, regarding the ability to assign MIDI channels to the multi parts. Don't think that feature ever got any traction with the devs, as a workaround was always to just use the SampleTank UI. As you also pointed out, there are some advantages to using the SampleTank UI. Plus they seem to have ported most of the good stuff from Syntronik, such as the cool FX rack, over to the SampleTank 4 UI.

Yep, $349 vs. $999 for the Roland AX-Edge.

Good catch! By default, the parts in a blank SampleTank 4 parts view are assigned consecutively to MIDI channels 1-16, where in the native Syntronik UI, the parts are all assigned to "omni". So when loading the preset Syntronic multis from within SampleTank 4, the multi parts all seem to load with consecutive MIDI channels (1, 2, 3, 4,etc.) assigned, which means only the first part on MIDI channel 1 will respond, until you set all parts to channel 1. This only seems to be a programming oversight for ST4 with the preset Syntronic multis, as I checked some of the other preset multis for ST4 , which had all parts assigned correctly to channel 1 when loaded. The native Syntronic UI does have preset multis, but they appear in a different menu from the main browser in the Syntronik UI. Look for the dropdown menu within the multi view. The main browser only offers single patches, but does have the building blocks for creating your own multi velocity layers.

That Keytar looks like fun!

Can't imagine why that would be, other than a corrupt install. Both the bass and the guitar still working here on Windows 10, as plugins and with the Ample mini host (standalone). What is the error message?

+1

Just wondering how you are setting up your tracks for recording the Ample Sound output? If you are using a simple instrument track, by default it will record the MIDI. It is possible to capture the performance as audio on a separate audio track. If you play back an audio recording of that performance along with the MIDI, that will trigger the MIDI instrument again, and you will get it doubled. After recording the Ample Sound performance to an audio track, you will probably need to mute the MIDI clip.

First, I would thoroughly read the installation section of the motherboard manual that came in the box to familiarize with the connector locations and functions. Then I would tag or label any cables attached to the existing motherboard as to what they are connected to. I would ask questions for any that you cannot identify. Depending on how tight the fit in the case is, you may need to remove power supply, graphics card, drives, cooling fans, etc. Those tags will really be helpful when putting humpty dumpty together again! Good luck!

I get the point about the potential step down in available sounds when going from BandLab to Cakewalk. The starter sounds in the current edition of Cakewalk by BandLab may not offer much content, but the DAW is offered for free and is completely supported for free. And to the OP's point, there are plenty of great freebie plugins out there. Just the 50 sounds in IK Multimedia SampleTank 4 CS should go a long way for a new user! My point here is regarding the "free" part of Cakewalk. The development and support staff is small and focused on the DAW. Professional developers and support engineers usually don't work for free. If Cakewalk were to officially bundle 3rd party plugins, then they would be obligated to support their use, as that would be an implied endorsement and guarantee of functionality. Which would mean either taking time away from the DAW focus to test, QA, and support additional plugins, or adding staff to support them. I suspect that is one of the main obstacles for them to release any former legacy Cakewalk add-ons. The BandLab CEO, Meng, has stated that the Cakewalk DAW would always remain free. However, I would vote for a pay model for add-ons to see the re-release of Rapture Pro, for example.

When I tried out the Cubase Elements 30-day trial a while back, it came with instrument content for Halion Sonic SE (a limited subset of the full Halion Sonic 3 content). But I don't really see the point of having a "free" version of Halion Sonic SE without any content...

That's why an automated installer is desperately needed. Too many moving parts now for a human to get it exactly right with a manual install.

Hey ZincT, nice find!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!!

Yep. The SynthMaster developer said on their forum last September: "Guys, I started on the v3 development, the first milestone is to merge the architectural changes in SynthMaster One onto SynthMaster 2.9. That will be v2.9.9 release (Free update). Then we will be able to design the new UI from scratch."

I think in hindsight, I would probably rather have the MPK249, over the Advance. Sliders. https://www.akaipro.com/mpk249

Just grab the everything bundle. You get SynthMaster 2.9, all the preset packs for SynthMaster 2.9, plus a free upgrade to SynthMaster 3 when it's released. And they throw in SynthMaster One. https://www.synthmaster.com/synthmastereverythingbundle.aspx

One thing you can do is create separate paths for your ST3 content and your ST4 content (don't install them all in the same folder path), then add both paths to the ST4 GUI. If this ever gets messed up, just delete the content paths from the sound content settings in the GUI and then re-add them to the GUI.

I wonder what the "SampleTank 4.pak" file is in the "Program Files/IK Multimedia" folder is. It's too big to open with any editor I have.

Nevermind. I opened that file up in Notepad++, and it appears to only be system settings for ST4, but no favorites. They must be elsewhere...

I suspect that they are saved in the "settings.properties" file in this path: "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\IK Multimedia\SampleTank 4".

It appears that sforzando can import and open the individual sfz elements from Dim Pro. But not the full presets, which can be made from up to 4 elements. Also, sforzando is not multi-timbral like the Aria player.

Back when AKAI came out with their plug-in host VIP, the company issued 3 controller series with fully integrated support for VIP, including onboard color LCD screens, and on-screen controls for plugin selection, patch selection, mixer for multis, etc. The series were the Akai Advance, the M-Audio CTRL, and the Alesis VX. https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/akai-advance-49 I caught a great deal on the Alesis VX49, with the same functions and software bundle as the AKAI Advance 49. But it now appears that all of the VIP tightly integrated hardware has been discontinued, except for the AKAI Advance.

Something to consider about M-Audio is that they are owned by InMusic Brands now, so no longer the old M-Audio. They are in the same company with AIR, AKAI, Sonivox. and Alesis now. https://inmusicbrands.com/ I own several of their products, which work fine now, but I wonder about their future direction and commitment for ongoing support of existing products. Their top end line of hardware appears to be AKAI Professional.

That Nektar setup looks to be quite similar to that used for the Roland/Cakewalk A-PRO series keyboards. Both inputs have to be selected in Cakewalk, one for the keyboard, and the other for the control surface. The modes for transport, mixer, and virtual instrument appear to align with the ACT functions. I finally got my A300PRO working, with a bit of effort. Not currently using it as I found it a bit short (32 keys), and I don't really care for a spring loaded modulation joystick that Roland seems to be fond of... but I do miss the sliders...