Thinking of switching to Metro

[jackrabbit]

Hi Metro users
I have outgrown cubase SE and dont really want to upgrade with cubase so I am exploring other systems.
I like what I have read about metro + Sagan technologies. But before trying a demo I have a few questions.
I have a 1gig i-mac with an novation x-station a korg electribe, various vst plugins and precushion instuments.
My most needed requirement is to be able to control vst effects(e.g. camelphat+space) with my x-station. Can this be done on any of the metro packages? If so which ones?
Also am I right in in understanding from product spec that I can only sync my kong's sequencer with the top version of Metro?
Lastly how compitent is the audio editor?

[Scoot]

Look here

http://www.sagantech.biz/products/

according to the info on all the products, even the SE version will run 2 VST synths or as AU's.

Midi Time Code - top version - yes


The audio editor can be used in wave form mode or you can select audio regions and move them about. Audio Regions is a on/off mode in the switches menu...and you can link them to the tempo.


Best bet - download the fully running demo (without a save) and see if you like it.

[MP]

Hi Jackrabbit,

I've been using the full version of Metro on a 1 ghz Powerbook for about a week now. So far, I find it to be very stable - a characteristic that is hard to come by with the current crop of OSX sequencers. It also seems to be very efficient with CPU and memory usage - an important factor when using multiple virtual instruments and effects. Metro supports both VST and AU natively, so you can use a wider range of the plugins and virtual instruments out there.

Coming from Cubase, you'll probably notice that the UI is kind of plain. However, I have found that a graphically rich UI is not always the most intuitive to use - it can also bog down performance.

Lastly, Sagan Tech has been very responsive to my questions. They seem to be committed to this program and its users. I'm happy to give them my business.

Mike

[jackrabbit]

Thanks for such a quick response. Its good to hear Metro is CPU friendly, I do have a tendency to push my mac much further than I should.
I have studied the comparason table but some features I need I dont know the tecnical words for. i,e controlling effects with external midi(my x-station).

[Jerm]

i,e controlling effects with external midi(my x-station).

That would be "Effect Automation". Metro allows this through the use of the remote control window. This feature is in the full version of Metro only.

[jackrabbit]

Hi Jerm
Cubase SE can record effect automation, but only via a mouse not my x-station. I need to be able to route CC messages from external midi to effects just like one would to control a VSTsynth.

[Jerm]

I understand. Like I said, that feature is only available in the full version of Metro.

[jackrabbit]

Thanks for the advice I am going to give the demo a go and do some serious fund raising as I require the full metro. Cheers

[Scoot]

Thanks for the advice I am going to give the demo a go and do some serious fund raising as I require the full metro. Cheers

You could always buy LX and upgrade to Full at a later date.......there is no price penalty when upgrading - you pay the difference.

[jackrabbit]

Nice idea Scoot but it dosn't contatain the features I need so I am trying to hold out a bit. I have just done an advert for my yamaha CS1X that I havn't used since buying my mac+novation.
Have been reading the start up guide last night. Its a lot different from what I am used to. I might still go for LX first just to minimise the learning curve then upgrage once I know my way round the program.