Brian Lawler

I installed the demo and it sounds pretty nice. Easy on the CPU. Less than $30 at JRR. Resistance is futile.

So I went back on the Loopcloud sub last month during the sale. Got an email today pointing to this link: https://www.loopcloud.com/cloud/blog/5105 In that link is a coupon code "LC50" for 50% off annual subs and some other offers. If you are still using the app but are not on a sub: I’m not a subscriber, how will I be affected? Loopcloud version 7 works only for users with an active Loopcloud subscription, meaning that once you update to the latest version, you will be required to start a subscription to continue using the Loopcloud desktop app. I thought this was how it worked since Version 6 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The lack of MIDI routing was what turned me away from V9, but I still have not gotten around to using it in 10 ?. Probably the thing I like best about it is how fast it loads- Bam! I don't like leaving my DAW open all day when I am using other apps, so I exit and reload a few times a day. Studio One is SO slow to boot- even with VST scan disabled. Of course Studio One is feature rich++, but Mixcraft does a pretty good job of providing the basics.

I am no expert on Bitwig. The way I use the clip launcher is to record directly into each clip, so I can't comment on playing a long phrase and cutting that into clips. I use clips for repeated phrases, designed to loop, so the pick-up notes would be just before the end of the loop, if that makes sense. If I want more of a free flowing unstructured piece I would just work linearly and not use the clips. Bitwig does have some deep settings that I have never used, however, and it looks like it CAN do what you are asking, according to the manual, https://www.bitwig.com/userguide/latest/acquiring_and_working_with_launcher_clips/#launcher_clip_parameters Scroll down to "Launch Q" and particularly "Q to Loop" about 2/3 down.

They are truncated, but the whole phrases are still retained. Example- You play a couple notes leading in to a five bar phrase. If you want to put it into a four bar clip, you set the "window" that will be the four bars you want. If you don't include the lead in, they don't play. If notes are held beyond where you set the end of the clip, they are truncated (note off sent). Your complete phrase is retained, however. You can go back and adjust the "window" later, even making it more bars long to hold the whole recording. Really no different than how it handles audio.

Bummer! For what it's worth, the very first FX VST (the instruments worked fine) I loaded was an Arturia and it crashed to desktop immediately when I clicked on a preset. Once I reloaded it worked fine and I have a few hours of messing with it today without another crash. I just tried four of my Izotope plugs and they seem to work OK- I also only use VST3. I did hit another bug regarding changing the loop library location that Greg has already replied to via their bug portal. I see you posted on the Mixcraft forum so hopefully they will get you up and running.

A more apt comparison (depending on your shopping timeline)- Has EZDrummer 3 been on a "good" sale since it was released? I don't know- I bought in during the pre-sale upgrade offer.

Love the Dawesome stuff too, but this looks like a multi-effect of which I have... some. Sounds are reminiscent of what I get out of Arturia Fragments. At least we get a 90 day trial to kick the tires.

DISTORT Noisy Synthetic Drums Fusing white noise, FM synthesis and distortion twisted through bitcrushers perfect for snappy synthetic and chiptune rhythms. SMOKE & MIRRORS Hip Hop / RnB Chord Progressions Smoke and Mirrors contain the most relevant and authentic chord progressions used in urban music today. Created by Jelie, a multi-talented rapper and producer who is at the fulcrum of an evolving Hip Hop scene. https://audiomodern.com/expansions/

https://www.beatskillz.com/shop/papyrus/ This is a name changed product with some updates. The original was called "Zodiac" and was $79 retail but sold for $39 a few times. That name conflicted with a competing product, so they pulled Zodiac and now are offering "Papyrus Keys". This is a free update to Zodiac owners. Use coupon code BEATSKILLZ10 to get 10% off your order Papyrus Keys is a virtual instrument with a collection of sounds inspired by New Age artists of the 80s and 90s like Enigma, DeepForest, Vangelis, Enya, and others. Lush Pads, Nature sounds, Lead Flutes, and other Orchestral and World Elements are bundled into one instrument to inspire you. All sounds are professionally produced and sampled and preset generated using our own synthesis and effects engine. These are ready to play!, Just go through the presets and you will be instantly inspired to make new music. Whether you make film soundtracks or pop music, this is a must have collection for all artists and composers.

I got that Humble Bundle. Galactic Reverb was part of it, but both DCO-106 and the Tape Echo were new to me. I have not had much time in Mixcraft 10 yet, but I can't find them in the VST list. Maybe a install step I have not stumbled on yet. They show in the "store" as owned though. <edit> RIGHT after I posted this I clicked the Instructions button on the Store icon for the CA plugins. That showed a redemption code for Cherry Audio. Minor annoyance: you can't copy/paste the code.

Only four years in the making. MIDI Routing was my biggest gripe, but the UI was looking a little stale too. They only list "Demo" for the non-Pro version. For $39 I will probably spring for it anyway.

https://acoustica.com/ Version 10 Pro is $39 upgrade from 9 Pro. Recording Studio (non-Pro) version update is $29. Pro without upgrade is $149 / regular $199 Recording Studio is $79/ regular $99 https://acoustica.com/products/mixcraft-10-upgrade-pricing MIDI routing ? "What's New" page: https://acoustica.com/products/mixcraft-10-whats-new

https://soundpaint.com/products/smiley-drum The player is free and this instrument is free (a few others also on the SoundPaint site)

V2.1.3 update released New features coming soon! V2.1.3 available now We've just released an update Melody Sauce v2.1.3, this is now available for you to download from your account's download area at accounts.evabeat.com if you purchased from www.evabeat.com. MIDI import coming soon... We're also working on some exciting new features for an upcoming big free update, including a powerful new Import Midi Chords function. This will enable Melody Sauce 2 to analyse and identify any MIDI chords that are played into it via your DAW - it will then create or adapt its melodies to fit those chords. Watch out for the big update this summer.

https://www.audiofier.co.uk/ambient-electric/ $65 (reg $85) Requires full Kontakt 5.81 or above, Pulse downloader Your Go-To Guitar for Lush Arpeggios Shimmering Riffs Emotional Melodies At your fingertips An Universe of Sounds Modus & Forma – Ambient Electric is extremely versatile thanks to the wealth of articulations, layers and effects included in one single instrument. Manual: https://www.audiofier.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ModusEtForma-Ambient-Guitar-User-Manual.pdf

Nice! I was only interested in Unify libraries, and even at $9 String Theory didn't do it for me, so I didn't try it.

Skippy sent a email saying that the holes were plugged. i.e. one use and can't be used for String Theory.

I doubt anyone else here is as clueless as I am, but you need to go and get the two new free chord packs. They are not built in to the ChordJam update. https://audiomodern.com/chordjam-packs/

I see in the description that for Windows it only supports Intel. Maybe just a generalization? I use AMD. I installed the demo and it found an update to 2.1 MIDI cap seems to work fine but not audio here. I use ASIO and I know that doesn't "share", so maybe it can't get around that. I only used the EXE, not the VST. FYI they use soft iLok (7 day trial) and here is the manual page: https://monkeyc.audio/pages/rewind-manual

I am not sure about the preset count but there are at least a couple hundred. No randomizer, but there are macro knobs that are handy. I actually like the modular type patch display. I find it easier to tweak stuff this way rather than figuring out which of a hundred knobs does what. The dev has continued to issue updates, adding a lot of functionality. One of them was a preset browser with a lot of filters. Tracktion allows a 90 day full feature trial. Dev is also active on Discord, but that app has been griefing me on Windows so I quit using it. https://www.hyperionsynth.com/

Log in to Loopcloud or sign up for a trial. In "My Account" there will be a coupon code for Plugin Boutique to lower the price to $0.

I second the thanks to @cclarry but I have not used any PNY branded memory devices since I had more than one fail after limited usage. Been 5+ years ago, so maybe they are made better these days.

Best deal I have seen for the sub since they started "+". About $72 for a year with the coupon. JRR price on BF was about $80 after coupon.

Soundtoys v 5.4.1 bugfix https://www.soundtoys.com/ We've got an update ready. It’s free for all users with Soundtoys version 5 or later plug-ins, and fixes bugs introduced by version 5.4.0. Important bug fixes: Fixes issues where some VST3 plug-ins could recall incorrectly. Fixes CPU spiking that could occur in Bitwig. Fixes graphics drawing issues in bypassed Effect Rack plug-ins. Fixes the individual SuperPlate installer on Windows (missing Little Plate presets). Fixes issue where VST3 plug-ins had the wrong window size in Studio One. New to V5.4: Ability to use SuperPlate within Effect Rack (when you own a SuperPlate license). New Effect Rack factory presets. Updated high-resolution graphics and text for most plug-ins.