  4 out of 10
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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. |
"Windows Vista laptop Guinea Pig for your Troubles...that's me."
Feature:
ZZOUNDS ASKS
Did the product include accessories? What are the most useful features? What are the least useful features? Are there any features you wish it had? For guitars, what materials and parts were used, and how do you feel about this selection of components?
Never used a sampler which had such a simple interface but such powerful features. Once I got the damned thing to run with a system that ironically did NOT meet MOTU's requirements (it ran on my HP DV8301nr with 2 GB of ram and 5400 rpm drive that came with the unit-as stated earlier). Ironically, the HP laptop I got MachFive to finally run on was designed for Windows 64 bit, and is the only machine that would run the MOTU Mach 5 out of three machines that I have already tried to install and run it on (and yes, I wiped the drives on those machines and installed both 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Vista and started from scratch to ensure that the problem did not lie within driver conflicts)
Strangely, the HP had the LEAST amount of RAM and HD speed that MOTU said they require, but alas, it ran finally after repeated drive formats, windows reinstalls and ILOK key software installations
*(note-Ilok is the anti-piracy key that comes with MachFive. It allows you to install the program on multiple computers, but the program will not run, unless you insert the authorized Ilok usb key into a USb port on the computer MachFive is installed on. Now, this Ilok key, has its own software and driver that is required before it can be used. MachFive compensates for this on istall, by automatically installng the Ilok drivers for you when installing the program. Then once your distinct ID is on the ILOK, you can put the Ilok into any computer ((say at the studio where you will do mixdown)) and run Machfive on their computer with your Ilok key installed.) Great idea, but makes you wonder if your ILOK and Machfive are communicating properly and if that could be the reason one gets the DLL error upon install and trying run MachFive. I am not one of MOTU's software engineers, and it is NOT my jobn to figure this problem out, but still, I have to wonder why my problems getting MachFive to install.
Now, fiannly after 5 days of work, MachFive initializes, but because I have only had the software for a week, and it took this long to get it to run on any machine I have, I have not yet thrown the book at the MachFive via integration into my CUBASE 4.1 REWIRE'd with ABLETON LIVE 6; hence I cannot verify if it will melt the HP down into the 'bluescreen of death'. I am just happy that I finally got MachFive to run on one of my systems after 5 days of relentlessly trying to get it to install. I will say I tried to install it on the VAIO, got the intitalization error, then went in the back door through Abeton Live 6.01 to see if I could use it as a Plugin instrument, and it crashed my Ableton Live. So, if it will not install without the DLL error, then it obviously won't run as a plugin in any DAW software, at least Ableton. Can't verify use with Protools or any other American DAW manufacturer, as I am just one of those German/Swede loving synth and software kind of guys (Access Virus, PPG Wave, NordWave, Waldor, you get the picture). So, maybe MachFive is one of the US versus their Germans engineer rivalries where no one wants to play well together, ha ha.
I have tried to get it to run on the following:
a) Sony VAIO model VGN CR220e with 4 GB of Kingston PC2 5300 667mhz FSB DUAL SODIMM RAM and a 7200 RPM Mitsubishi drive that I installed myself){if Kraftwerk uses VAIOS}, they are good enough for me}
End result: MachFive 2.01 will not initialize. I get an error after installing the latest ILOK software from www.ilok.com for a 64bit Windows OS and then installing the ILOK into my USB port and installing the MachFive Sopftware. The error reads ""cannot find the required user interface DLL. Please reinstall the software and try again." I have seen this error ad naseum.
b) Toshiba Sattelite model #U205-S5034 Running Vista 32 Bit and 2 GB of RAM with 5400 RPM drive. Built for XP, but runs Vista 32 bit no probelm. Same DLL error. MachFive 2.01 will not run
c) My coveted, self built from Fry's electronics in San Joser, XPC barebones SD37P2v2 with 8 GB of Patriot RAM and two 750GB Western digital drives in RAID 0 array (just means you can write same data to two drives at same time in case one fails you got a backup so you don't lose data)
Same problem. DLL Error in Mach?Five, plus on this XP 64 bit system, the damned ILOK software for 64 bit systems, could not see the ILOK properly and kept refering me to install ILOK Client software, to which I did do, and it would refer me back to the ILOK website in a vicious circle of misery. Needless to say, MachFive 2.01 would not run.
Quality:
ZZOUNDS ASKS:
Is the product made well? How is the factory quality control - how is the finish and fit, are there loose parts or cosmetic blemishes? How reliable is the product? Can you depend on it or do you worry something will break (or do you keep a backup or wish you could)? Would the product be appropriate for use "on the road"? What is the worst aspect of the quality? How long does it seem like it will last (mechanical parts, cosmetic aspects)?
ME;
It is software, so irrelevant. I'd say the blue ILOK key will break off if you aren't careful, so there goes another day of hell getting it replaced and your old licence transfered.
The box, nice, glossy, big with believe it or not, a REAL glossy, manual to go with the software! Kudos to MOTU for this little inclusion. I don't have to tweak my eyes in Adobe Acrobat popping manual windows open and closed all day or to burn 60 dollars in proprietary inkjet off our my HP printer (meaning another trip to the store) just to figure out how to run the software.
Box it came in-Too big, takes up too much space for what is inside, but then again, if it weren't that big you couldn't read the writing on the box as it is crammed with 8pt pica print you need a magnifying glass to read.
Use on the road asks ZZounds. Don't risk it, yet.
Value:
"zzounds asks:
In short, is this product worth its typical selling price compared to other items? (Please do not comment on the price at this or any particular other retailer - you'll have a chance to do that below.)
MEL For what this product is, I believe that nothing does what it does with such simplicity and finesse. It is a beautiful piece of software and any library that you put into it, works.
Desirability:
I love this sampler. I love it more THAN MY EMU-E5000, God rest their Scotts Valley Hardware souls. It is too bad they were bought out by Creative Labs, which is just basically consumer grade gaming soundcard stuff. Still, I would have to rate it up there with the EMU X2 SAMPLER, which at least installed and ran on my system, but which is a bit more time intensive in manipulating samples to time stretch, match etc.
Sound:
I want to fair and honest in this review in order to:
1. Not slag MOTU for a truly wonderful, powerful and musically innovative product that has some serious Beta-like install issues in Windows.
2. Let buyers who are using Windows based Vista Laptops know what they will run into trying to install and run this program on their systems.
I am fortunate enough to have had the luxury of four computers to have tried to install MachFive 2.01 and the most recent upgrade on the MOTU website, MachFive 2.02.
My girlfrined is a computer nerd who works for one the major software manufacturers here in SF, so she has Laptops lying around like party favors, so I got to experiment in ways that most poor musicians would never have the opportunity to do at home.
If you can get MachFive Version 2.01 or 2.02 to run on your Windows system, it is awesome, but then you are lucky. It is time consuming and a 80 percent chance you will not get the unit to install properly time after time of uninstalls and reinstalls. Simply put, on most Vista based laptop systems, MOTU MachFive V 2.01 is a royal PITA to install, if you can ever get it to install at all. It took me 5 days to get it to install, using four different laptops in multiple memory and hard-drive and Vista (32 vs. 64 bit) configuarations. I was possessed into gettin this thing to run and import my EMU E-5000 sample library. I was so fixated on gettting this 500 dollar program to work, that I took two days of sick leave from work and worked straight, 12 hours a day for those days, trying work arounds to install the program. Needless to say, that ultimately led to my yelling, screaming, calling MOTU on the techline to only get busy signals, emailing tech support to get no reply to my problem, posting the problem on install on their Tech Forums only to get no reply to my post after three days and a weekend, and finally, finding nothing on user forums at the MOTU website. MOTU does not have a user forum on their site that they will post unedited user questions and answers from fellow users, such as TASCAM does, so that fellow users can help each other out. I believe this is because if their are problems due to lack of end user knowledge, and they unfairly slag the MOTU product due to user ignorance and lack of 'headspace and timing', potential customers will not buy the product. In all, users helping users via their website is bad for business, especially if some of those users, such as this Humble 41 year old musician with years of running software and hardware synths, actually do know a little about installation and usage of these kinds of things, since I spend every free red cent I have on electronic musical equipment, softsynths and mixers/computers and peripherals.
Be advised though, it will take time, patience, perserverence, and the 5 stages of Mourning before you get it to run, if you can get it to run. I have taken a break from trying to install in on my VAIO to write this review. Now, I know that you need at LEAST 2 gigs of RAM and a 5400 RPM HD (ever see a 10,000 RPM SATA HD at your local Bestbuy? Thought Not)
Latency can be a problem if you are using your laptop internal soundcard. I suggest a cheap USB or Firewire interface such as an M-audio Transit or Presonus Firepod, both of which worked with MachFive 2.01 with little latency, on my HP DV8000 ML-34 Turion Laptop running Vista 64 bit, 7200 RPM Mitsubishi HD and Kingston 2 GB of 667mhz FSB PC 5400 SODIMMS RAM. I am being specific here, because this program is damned finnicky and I am trying to save end users a lot of pain an frustration with this program installing. If you purchase it from a vendor, 90 percent of the time, you are NOT going to return it. That is how software returns are. Example: Here is Bestbuys policy on Software:
"A 15% restocking fee will be charged on returns or exchanges of any opened notebook computer, camcorder, digital camera or radar detector, unless defective.
30 days from the date merchandise was received, refunds are available on the remainder of our merchandise.
Exceptions
Computer Software
Video Games
Prerecorded Videos
DVD Software
Music
In order to receive credit for these items, they must be unopened."
How are you supposed to know that the software will work on your system unless you open the damned software!
HA HA HA you're stuck with your MOTU Mach5 2.02 so you better figure out how to get to work or you are out $495.00 list price dollars.
Ease of Use:
ZZOUNDS ASKS
How easy is it to get great sounds from this product? Is the interface intuitive? How easy is it to modify the sound to your personal taste? How easy is it to use this product with your other products? Is there a learning curve? Is the manual clear? For instruments, how playable is it?
Haven't gotten this far, but from the interface, I suggest at least 15 " screen. It is really colurful and has a pretty blue hue to it, but again, I cannot yet comment on ease of use as I am just kicking my heals with joy that it is running on my HP. I just wish I could put more memory into my HP and get around the 5400 RPM ATA drive speed and throughput limitations. One idea I had ,was to not F%^* with the install and take drive out and put into a newer, bigger and faster HP machine to see if the conflict with running MachFive is Hardware or Software related. Alas, the HP factory drive that Machfive is now working on is already antiquated by todays SATA II laptop standands and I am not going to risk a disk image copy of the old drive that it installed on , to a newer SATA II drive in a faster HP notebook with more power and have MachFive NOT run. That would be a major waste of time and money.
Support:
zzounds asks:
"Have you dealt with the company that made the product? Were they easy to reach? Were they friendly? Did they solve your problem? Have you had any experiences under the warranty? Have you needed any repairs or attempted any upgrades? Have you needed any service? If so, how did each of these turn out? "
Me:
I have neverhad such poor support in all my life. No support means poor support. I have had no response from MOTU in three days via phone or email. My repeated calls have encountered busy signals time after time.
My Yamaha RS 7000 tech support got right back with me in a half day after calling and leaving a message. Echo at least sent a response, as ignorant as it was, when they shipped their Audiofire 12 unit with an upside down meterface (Chinese factory glitch) telling me to turn the face around. Right. New unit, I'm supposed to be electornic tech for their manufacturing error. Guy at Guitar center tore unit apart in front of me, put it back together very carefully, stuck it back in the box, for some other unsuspecting fool. Is that legal?
Overall:
ZZONDS ASKS:
"How long do you expect to be satisfied with this product before searching for another product? Will you supplement it or replace it? What would lead you to search for another product - would you wear this out, seek some specific feaures, keep this but seek additional or different sounds and features? How would you compare this product to others you considered, and why did you choose this one (if you bought it)? Does this product help you meet your musical goals? If the product were lost or stolen, would you replace it or buy something else - if so what else? What do you wish you knew before you bought it? What do you like most about it? What do you like least about it? "
ANSWER
I have not used the product enough yet to know what it will but I am really impressed with the reviews I read and its sheer potential.
Bottom Line. I think I gotta buy the fastest, baddest Macbook Pro on the placent, and see how it all works out. Most software now, including Mach-5, claims to be multi-platform, so I can use it on my XPC and on my Macbook without any problems, right?
Sure, said the piper with one hand in your pocketbook.
Submitted: 3/1/2008
Style of Music: Acid Jazz, Electronica, Downtempo, Techno, trance, GOA trance, Progressive House, Drum and Bass and all of the above
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