New Metro LX user

[Dewaine]

Just got Metro LX a few days ago. Been using Cubase SL, but my "dongle" quit and I'm fed up with it.

Having a bit of a learning curve with Metro, but I really like it so far. I think it is overly complecated to use a multitimbrel VST (like TERA), but after I figured it out it does work. I like the interface and the low CPU hit. I really am very happy with it and feel I have my moneys worth.

But

I am using Power PC version 6.2.2 and it seems to crash a lot. Everytime I open up a Soundfont bank from Emu in Apple DLS, or get too carried away with Tera it simply goes to desktop.

Let me say that I have used Cubase, Sonar, FL studio and Acid (yes I was a WinTel user) and Metro is no more crash prone than any of them. But would I be better off using a straight Soundfont VST? Tera is a serious synth and I expect it to crash from time to time, so no big deal. The soundfonts are my bigest concern.

Overall I am very happy with Metro.

[Jerm]

Thank you for purchasing LX.

Just got Metro LX a few days ago. Been using Cubase SL, but my "dongle" quit and I'm fed up with it.

I hear you here.

I think it is overly complecated to use a multitimbrel VST (like TERA), but after I figured it out it does work.

I hope you have gone to the plug-ins window, right-clicked (or ctrl-click) on TERA and selected 'plug-in is multi-timbral'. This will make it very simple to load the plug-in from the tracks window or graphic editor and multiple faders/outputs automatically.

I am using Power PC version 6.2.2 and it seems to crash a lot. Everytime I open up a Soundfont bank from Emu in Apple DLS, or get too carried away with Tera it simply goes to desktop.

This should not happen and is most definitely not a Metro problem. It might be a malformed soundfont. I wonder if you have an old OS like 10.2? Have you tried the pre-release 6.3.2.x which is pretty stable as pre-releases go?

But would I be better off using a straight Soundfont VST?

Well it would be easier to say after seeing the crash log. If you go to the console application and find the Metro LX crash log and email it to me it may show something useful.

[Dewaine]

I must say this is a very confusing program to someone coming from Cubase/Sonar and the PC world.

I am used to simply selecting a track, clicking a VSTi for that track, and then a channel. If its a multi VSTi then I just choose it again on another track and choose another channel. This maze of busses (public transportation? ) and ports (where are the ships? )is a mess. Yes it does work, but what a chore. I realize this is emulating hardware, but it would be so much simpler to forget hardware and design for software.

Also, I realize I can have only 4 VSTi's open at a time. (I have Metro LX) But, If I open a VSTi and simply check out a sound, its counting it against me. I just got frustrated and shut down because I only had one track, yet was told I could not open an instrument. Even though I "cleared" all of them except one.

When using Crystal, how in the world do you load another bank? In other programs you can get to a normal files menu and simply load in a bank. I am stuck using the default bank and its patches.

Like I said, its working for me but the extra steps are a pain. I am finding it quite stable now, and I am sure I will stick with it. Though I must admit tonight I am having buyers remorse....

[Jerm]

I think if you ever have a problem where you are using too many synths in LX all you have to do is save the document and then reload it. You should then be able to open and close more synths. This problem is because of the synths are enabled in the undo history. Alternatively you can set the undo history to 1 but then you will not be able to undo very far back.

As for crystal support I suggest you check their forum or contact the author. Perhaps someone else here knows more.

[Scoot]

I am used to simply selecting a track, clicking a VSTi for that track, and then a channel.

I am used to being in the graphic editor (selecting a track), choosing a VSTi from the plugin popup and selecting the program number for the required preset. There is no difference really.

The busses are there to save CPU so you could run the same effect on several tracks cutting down on overhead.

Ports/Outputs are there to tell you where the sound is coming from.
If you were running a couple of VSTi's and also had a 8in/8out piece of hardware and a synth and a drum machine connected, it would be absolutely vital to figure out where everything is hooked up to - especially coming back to a project after a few months.

Some standalone VSTi shell is not going to give you that kind of flexibility or information.

When using Crystal, how in the world do you load another bank? In other programs you can get to a normal files menu and simply load in a bank. I am stuck using the default bank and its patches.

Crystal Banks are explained on their website under patchmanagement
http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/patchmanagement.html

As far as loading soundfonts into Crystal that is also explained......but to stop you needing to hunt - install a folder in <system disk>/Users/<your user name>/Library/Preferences folder titled - CrystalSoundFonts
Throw all your soundfonts into it.

Open Crystal and go to Voice 1, 2 or 3

Bottom Left - Oscillator - Type is a popup for your Soundfonts among others.

(thanks to member Francois for the soundfont info a few months back ).


PS 6.22 is pretty unstable in the world of VSTi........ohhhh is it time to jump to 6.3.2.4?

Also try different soundfonts. Some that are put together roughly cause nothing but pain.

[Dewaine]

Thanks for the prompt replys!

I will try the reloading of the song to clear VSTi...

I am runing the latest 6.3 version of Metro already.

I have used Crystal for years, its just hard to get to banks on metro. Of course I already have a folder with all soundfonts/banks in it. The problem is Metro does not allow me to access that directory, its the only software I have used that doesn't.

Anyway.... thanks for the help! I will keep trying.

[Jerm]

Of course I already have a folder with all soundfonts/banks in it. The problem is Metro does not allow me to access that directory, its the only software I have used that doesn't.

Say what? Metro does not allow you to access a directory? Related to Crystal or do you mean Apple DLSMusicDevice? I have no idea what you are talking about here.

[MP]

Hi Dewaine,

Most plugins have their own load/save dialog boxes for banks and presets. Obviously, Crystal handles things a bit differently. As long as you put banks where they need to be, you can see them in the banks pulldown. Yes, it appears Metro does not offer its own dialog box to load a bank for plug-ins (you could always request this feature).

I have used just about every DAW out there (on both platforms) and have found that they all have unique ways of doing things. Metro is no exception in that respect. I switched to Metro from Digital Performer this summer and I'm still getting used to the differences. What didn't take long to get used to was Metro's stability, CPU performance (I can now run multiple instances of Crystal, some with polyphony), AU, VST and VSTi support, and having bugs fixed within a day or two of being discovered.

I'm sorry to hear that you're having buyer's remorse, but I'll bet that the more you use Metro, the more it will grow on you. For those times when it doesn't, you can communicate with the developer directly (when was the last time you talked to Charlie Steinberg?). He is always open to suggestions and wants users to be happy with his product. Good luck.

Mike

[Dewaine]

Thanks again for the quick feedback. Got home from work and now have Crystal working.

I am very pleased with the cpu use and stability of Metro. It's just that it's a bit more cryptic than I'm used to. I will get the hang of it, there is just a learning curve when coming from a XP and other DAW environments.

Thanks for the help, you all are great.

[Jerm]

Also, I realize I can have only 4 VSTi's open at a time. (I have Metro LX) But, If I open a VSTi and simply check out a sound, its counting it against me. .... Even though I "cleared" all of them except one.

This problem has been fixed in 6.3.3. In this new version of Metro LX and SE only plug-ins actively loaded in normal sections are counted. Previously the undo buffer would count against you.

Metro 6.3.3 is currently unreleased but should be pre-released soon.

[Dewaine]

Excellent!

I am back with Metro, and have been a silent user for a month or so now. Gave up on Cubase SL again because of the same idiot dongle issues. I hate it when I pay for a product and then can't use it. And when I contact what little support there is I am treated like a pirate! I bought and have serial number from my CD but that does not matter. WTF?

Anyway.... I have been spending time with Metro LX and getting an idea how it works. I REALLY like the small memory and cpu footprint. I like the fact that it is really powerful. I don't like the fact that it takes a long time to dig deep to find the power. I don't like the lack of basic audio editing. Not looking for extreem features, but just to set the volume and pan of a clip. I don't like the buses and other criptic and old school UI. But, it works! and it works well. Just have to be willing to spend the time. I will add that Metro LX is the most stable DAW I have ever used. It crashes, but seldom and most of the time I have Virsyn Tera open and have been using it a while. Tera is awesome, but a CPU hog, and has "issues'. I am willing to restart a few times in order to use the amazing features it has. And in praise of Metro, Tera crashes less in Metro LX, than in Cubase (Mac or Win) and Sonar (Win) or FL Studio (Win).


I have to say I like what I am writting with it. I hope to have the first completed project soon that is 100% Metro LX. Shame ther are no Metro users posting MP3's of their stuff.

[Jerm]

Excellent!...Not looking for extreem features, but just to set the volume and pan of a clip.

Thank you. That is useful feedback.

It helps as a user to speak up in this forum. If you want a feature like setting the volume/pan of an audio clip you can easily suggest it, along with a detailed description of how you would like to see it implemented, in the feature request section of this forum. All feature requests are seriously considered and usually implemented unless that implementation would take serious resources that are not currently available.

[Jerm]

It crashes, but seldom and most of the time I have Virsyn Tera open and have been using it a while.

As for the crashes, Metro LX should not. If it does I would be interested in the crash logs available from the console program located in your utilities folder. The crash log may provide information on the culprit, be it Tera or Metro LX.

[Scoot]

The crash log may provide information on the culprit, be it Tera or Metro LX.

Could be another one of those "plugin is multitimbral" problems?

A lot of VSTi problems were output based.

[Dewaine]

I will try to remember to send a crash log. But really, Metro LX is more stable than the others already. I switched from the Tera VSTi to the AU, and it still crashes some. But not often at all.

I should also point out that after Tera is open for a while and with several channels pumping, it just gets freaky. Tera has done that with every host I have ever tried, and on PC and Mac. I really think its just a Tera problem. I seldom use Crystal but I notice it does a graphical glitch in Metro. No big deal, but I have to double click to get the sliders and everything back on the Crystal gui. I would point out that I use "midikeys" to "play live" and that may have something to do with it......

Anyway... I'm learning and enjoying, thanks.