Soon, I will be purchasing/building a computer dedicated to playing samples, via USB, with my MP6. I will need to purchase a sampler, an expensive one-time decision with which I will play sampled pianos. I intend to get a small micro-atx computer with 1TB HD and 16GB of memory.

I do not like a great deal of complexity and tend to stay away from complex programming etc.

Does anyone here use Machfive or Kontakt? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each.

MOTU MACHFIVE

VS

KONTAKT 5


I see a few sellers have older versions of Kontakt or Komplete on sale on Ebay for less. Are there strong drawbacks to these older versions of Kontakt?

Kontakt 4 well 5 in 2 days. Honestly, there is nothing to say about Motu. It really is that clear cut. Kontakt is the only real sampler option at the moment worth investing in.

I got Komplete 8 three days ago and have been running Kontakt 5. I don't think you can go wrong going that direction. It cost a fraction of the EastWest stuff, which I also have, and in most cases, sounds just as good or better.

Thanks for the replies and thoughts. I was already leaning in that direction.

It appears there are few users of Motu Machfive.

May a Mac "mini" for $600.
Mini
It will have dramatically better performance and lower latency. Latency in important. Yes it only has a 2.3Ghz Core i5 inside but the OS is made for this kind of work. It can run easily a dozen software virtual instruments and web browsers and email at the same time. You will not need to a 16GB of RAM. It will do fine on a lot less.

Apple's sampler is called "ESX24". It is included with Mac OSX. But out of the box the interface it it is very stripped down. It can only play prepared sample sets and there s no way to make your own or make changes. If you buy Apple's "Logic Express" then you get the full featured user interface to EXS24.

Comparing EXS24 to Kontakt. I have both. As you might guess Apple's user interface is miles ahead of Kontakt. Kontakt does not follow normal computer user interface standards. it does not have the look and feel of a Windows program or a Mac program. They went their own way. Little silly stuff like the ability to make the font larger or smaller or cut and past are missing. ESX is very well integrated in to the desktop user interface. As for what you can do, Kontakt has a more powerful scripting but EXS lets you do a lot from the user interface which is MUCH "deeper" than Konkakt's Both are very mature products that have been in use over a decade now.

Logic is I think the second most common DAW used in recording studios. Pro Tools being the leader. So Logic comes with EXs24 and several other virtual instruments (synths, drum machines,...) And you can run Kontakt inside Log as a plug-in. That is mostly how I use kantakt.

In terms of cost Apple is abut 1/2 the price of a small PC. maybe even less than 1/2 when you look at the total cost of ownership over a 3 year lifetime. Two reasons for this: (1) The Mini will retain most of it's value when you sell it in three years while a self-build AXT PC will have next to zero resale. (2) Apple practically gives away their software, so the total system cost of hardware and software is much less.

Get the "magic trackpad" rather then the mouse, much better for this kind of use as there is not god place for a mouse on DP.


Between the two that you asked about Kontakt is the way to go. Kontakt and ESX24 are the two industry leaders
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i'm sorry but EXS is fine for simple sample operations but it is rather a joke when compared to Kontakt. EXS hasn't changed in years. it was a useful option before logic could access more than 4 gigs of ram as EXS could use external ram but it was pretty much rendered obsolete the second Kontakt 3.5 came out. EXS is not a mature product. Old yes but extremely limited. There is a reason nobody is making libraries for it.

I have Logic 9 Studio. Some nice tools in there but I much prefer Kontakt and the East West stuff. Trilian and Stylus are great for bass and rhythms.

I appreciate you tossing this idea into the mix, as well as your detailed and well-written reasons for why you would consider it. I would prefer to keep costs down, not hear fan noises with my music, and keep the shelf-space-footprint small. I will not be scripting anything or creating my own samples. Kontakt compatibility is a must, as it appears to have the most samples.

The Logic site was impressive.

Imac 27 is your best bang for buck right now

I appreciate you tossing this idea into the mix, as well as your detailed and well-written reasons for why you would consider it. I would prefer to keep costs down, not hear fan noises with my music, and keep the shelf-space-footprint small.

That is why I suggested the Mac Mini. Zero fan noise, tiny footprint but a very pwerful machine. It can run multiple virtual pianos at the same time. The cost is resonable too, especially when you look up the prices they sell for used. You can very easy get 1/2 the price back. That means the cost to own is only $300.

Most people find that Apple's included DAW "GarageBand" des what they need but that Apple's included piano samples are weak for solo performance (but good enough in a mix if you are making a soundtrack for a video.)

The other thing going for the Mini is the eco-system around it. The blue tooth track pad solves the problem of where to put the mouse and eventually I'd get an iPad to use as a wireless display for the Mini

For musicians, othther than pianists I'd say the iPad i the best "computer". It has an even smaller foot print, costs less and has no fan. The music and DAW software for iPad is very inexpensive. It does what most people need except there are currently no really first rate piano sample libries for it. The best is "Sample Tank". This will change and soon I'd expect prograsms like "Pianoteq" for the iPad.

The 27" iMac is the "best" for the money but not practical to place this large screen on a piano. (although for studio use one could wall mount a 27" display over the piano. the iMac will suport a second display.) Last weekend my iMac was recording my daughter's vocals applying a string of vocal effects (eq, reverb, compresion), playing a virtual piano (Kontakt) and two virtual wood winds (exs24 based) and a sending a stereo guide track recording to headphones so she cold keep time and pitch. I had a web browser up, some downloads going on while we were running 8 audio tracks in Logic. The four CPU meters where not up to even 20% The machine is way more than needed for home music production. The Mini would be enough

i don't think the ipad is really useful as a DAW. I mean there are cool control programs you can use to control your DAW like touchosc and some neat 3rd party attachments that let you use any mic to record using a program like fire recorder but never thought of it as a DAW. Also the size i find is just too small for scores. Ok for reading scores in the bus or on the metro but for live use, my eyes are just not that good.

i do have 3 tho that I use for controllers. They are that good in that aspect. Replaced my euphonix controller.

I am waiting for my K5 upgrade. I really like K4. My 13" macbook pro works very well - handy size on gigs. The instrument sounds are very nice. I've had fun learning the software.

iPad with iOdock is pretty good for quick recording. I have it and it works great.

That being said, it doesn't compare to my MacBook setup with the seamless integration of multiple plug ins into Logic. iPad is great for an Omnisphere controller, but you still need the MacBook for Omnisphere.

I am really finding quality stuff in Kontakt 5. I can't believe I only paid $399 for Komplete 8.

Another vote for Mac here.