Anyone interested in an Editor "buy group"

SoundQuest · Post by **SoundQuest** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:13 am

Sorry, but I can't discuss the agreement between Korg and Sound Quest. I will say this however, I have read a lot of comments, assumptions and guesses over the last 8 months and if I remember correctly, every one of them has been incorrect.

As far as pricing goes, I'll state the obvious. The number will have to be high enough for us to to interested and low enough for the group to be interested. 10 vs 100 vs 1000 will greatly affect what can happen.

Sound Quest hasn't pre-released features of a new version of Midi Quest in at least 15 years and probably longer. If you want to ask me this question once the new version is released, I'll happily answer you then.

If you are talking differences in general then you can compare the current feature set of Midi Quest against UniQuest. There are additiional features in the parameter editor and bank editors. For those with multi instrument studios, Midi Quest Collections allow SysX data to be organized in very flexible ways for multiple instrument setups. Midi Quest libraries allow thounds of programs to be stored in a single location. Each entry in the library can tagged manually or automatically with keywords allowing the library to be searched, sorted and filtered to quickly find the programs you are interested in.

That is just a few of the more obvious differences.

rmvieira · Post by **rmvieira** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:56 am

Not that enthused ... but will support the group buy mainly for 64 bit support and hopefully good features.

miden · Post by **miden** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 5:27 am

SoundQuest wrote:Sorry, but I can't discuss the agreement between Korg and Sound Quest. I will say this however, I have read a lot of comments, assumptions and guesses over the last 8 months and if I remember correctly, every one of them has been incorrect.

As far as pricing goes, I'll state the obvious. The number will have to be high enough for us to to interested and low enough for the group to be interested. 10 vs 100 vs 1000 will greatly affect what can happen.

Sound Quest hasn't pre-released features of a new version of Midi Quest in at least 15 years and probably longer. If you want to ask me this question once the new version is released, I'll happily answer you then.

If you are talking differences in general then you can compare the current feature set of Midi Quest against UniQuest. There are additiional features in the parameter editor and bank editors. For those with multi instrument studios, Midi Quest Collections allow SysX data to be organized in very flexible ways for multiple instrument setups. Midi Quest libraries allow thounds of programs to be stored in a single location. Each entry in the library can tagged manually or automatically with keywords allowing the library to be searched, sorted and filtered to quickly find the programs you are interested in.

That is just a few of the more obvious differences.

Totally understand, thanks Michael.

Dennis

miden · Post by **miden** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 5:28 am

Okay guys and gals there you have it SQ are prepared to negotiate if the numbers are right, so please add your name to the list...The buy would be for SQ 11 with the inbuilt Kronos support so there is time to get a decent group together.

Dennis

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:34 am

SoundQuest wrote:
jimknopf wrote:It is not even released with a Kronos version?? Then why organize a buy?

Someone from soundquest announced it for perhaps December 2012 here a while ago. About two months later we still don't see any trace. Does that sound familiar?
No. Sound Quest has never stated a release date for Midi Quest 11. The last time we announced a release date for a new Midi Quest version more than a month ahead of when it was actually released was some time in the early '90s.

I'm not 100% sure any more, but I thought a possible release date was mentioned somewhere. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

Ányway, I am curious how Korg and Soundquest justify the denial of 64 bit-support for the free Kronos editor version, in times were 64bit has become a standard music envirionment, especially for professional and home studio use. Being forced to to use the big version just to get 64bit support is completely unacceptable from my view. The other features of the bigger version justify a higher price, but it is not ok to make 64bit support only available there.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:18 am

Jim, I think you and I both agree that even if there was 64-bit support, the editor and especially the vst version is still a huge letdown compared to what we were expecting, based on Korg's announcement and what the competition has been offering. 64-bit support is a requirement but would still not get me to use the editor/vst. The interface and the lag and the fact that you still have to use a distinct audio track (and your regular soundcard) are just too crippling for me.

I understand Soundquest's complaints like how the Kronos has such a huge amount of parameters that it simply takes some time to process all that, but to me that just proves that the whole system they use is simply too outdated for the Kronos (or in general). I still believe in a modern DAW environment the way to go would have been to use a proprietary protocol to communicate with the Kronos and to truly integrate it in the DAW environment such as the Virus TI manages.

Anything short of that simply makes it a hassle to use my Kronos in a studio setup, to be honest. I know it's never going to happen, and I'm ok with that. I use my Kronos live most of the time, and I actually have no problems editing on the touch screen. But would it have been possible to use it easily and effectively in the studio (like a USB cable providing VST integration), I would have.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:42 am

We agree about the limited usefulness of the editor as it is now. But that doesn't change the necessity of free 64bit support for Kronos users, if at least some tasks can be done in a more convenient way with it.

P.S. I did a search concerning the december release date:
It was the Chickensys translator (Kronos edition), which was announced for December, not a new Soundquest version: so my memory was wrong and I apologize for that.

Corgy · Post by **Corgy** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 11:47 am

miden wrote:Okay guys and gals there you have it SQ are prepared to negotiate if the numbers are right, so please add your name to the list...The buy would be for SQ 11 with the inbuilt Kronos support so there is time to get a decent group together.

Dennis

Very good initiative, thank you. I am interested to join the group. Put me on the list.

midinut · Post by **midinut** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:50 pm

Add me to the list as well.

SoundQuest · Post by **SoundQuest** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:22 pm

Ányway, I am curious how Korg and Soundquest justify...

Sorry Jim, as I have said before I can't discuss the terms of the contract.

Shakil · Post by **Shakil** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:42 pm

Here we go again...!

As I understand, the issue is not with the editor software, but the KRONOS architecture. You can not modify/edit programs from COMBI or SONG mode, the mode most often used while working from DAW. All banks of programs have to be loaded into memory, regardless of the fact if they are being used in the COMBI or SONG. So, you can't really have a VSTi or Editor software like for the other synth and workstations. So, don't be disappointed if you still not get the same functionatliy as other VSTi after paying for SoundQuest 11.

miden · Post by **miden** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 5:05 pm

Thanks Shakil, maybe Soundquest or Dan at Korg can come in on this?

operaman · Post by **operaman** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:19 pm

My two cents. Let us all wait and see what comes. I am already able to do significantly more with my Kronos than any previous synth. The fact it is able to bridge the gap mostly between software and hardware is pretty awesome.

I am by no means a Korg apologist. It is obvious that the core of the code is directly from OASYS at a SIGNIFICANT discount. So it could take a while to code it as for example the Acces Virus TI series.

Still, with the current state of advancing technology and the sheer number of Kronos users, there are bound to be continued improvements and additions along the way.

Also, people really do need to quit whining over and over abut the same things. We get it: Kronos functionality is not what you expected as of yet with the editor. Asking companies to tell you release dates and contracts with other companies is ridiculous. My only advice is have patience or perhaps work in a platform more suited to your work habits. The end result is to make music.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:48 pm

Nobody asked for contract details. The only relevant thing is a fair result: the editor with at least some useful functionality, and in a 64bit compatible version for all Kronos users.

I have made my personal decision: I will not buy soundquest 11, as long as 64bit support is restricted to that extended version. As soon as the free Kronos version incorprates 64bit support, I will check Soundquest 11 for other welcome additional functionality and possibly buy it.

So for the moment, I am outside of the group buy: this has become a matter of principle for me, and I won't give in.

BasariStudios · Post by **BasariStudios** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:52 pm

This whole thing is a ,,BOLOGNI'' and more likely for mortal users. I never
used and never will use the current Kronos Editor and i know it can not
give me anything new that i can't do on the Kronos (way faster and easier).
You buy a 3000$ machine and they do not support 64 Bit? Are you crazy?
Then you go to some third party Company to buy 64 Bit support with nothing
helpful in it except probably a conversion from 32 to 64. ,,FUNNY''