Metro 7 & VE Pro 5

[fastlanephil]

Hi Jeremy,

I've been reading up on Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 as a MIDI LAN solution and for your sound libraries and effects management. It looks like something I might be at least trying out with their demo sometime in the future. Even the demo requires the eLicenser dongle. Have you tested this with Metro 7 for compatibility ? I've read that at least one DAW has issues with it.

It's not something I'm planning on buying any time soon but just thought I'd mention it.



Phil

[Jerm]

I have not tried it but you should by all means try the demo to guarantee compatibility.

[fastlanephil]

It looks like Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 is not compatible with Metro 7 for OSX. It shows up in the Plugins window but you get an error and the interface in the Effects/Synths window is distorted. This was on my 2011 2.7 i5 24GB iMac.

I bought a Mac Mini from Apple to try using Target Display Mode to the Mac Mini (OSX 10.9) with my iMac (OSX 10.9) while also connecting with ethernet. This does work but the Vienna Ensemble Pro Server software crashed on the Mac Mini but not on my iMac. I returned the Mac Mini to Apple.

I tried running Vienna Ensemble Pro Server on my 2009 MacBook Pro(OSX 10.9) and it also crashed on it. I don't think VSL has any intention of fixing or even admitting to the issue.

I had to purchase a eLicenser dongle and a single instrument from VSL to get the demo. Hopefully they will be of use to me.

[Jerm]

Thanks for the report. If you email me a crash log I might be able to discern some more information from it.

[fastlanephil]

With some help from VSL support reading the crash log I realized that I had dragged over the installed VE Pro folder from my iMac to my other Macs instead of the installer pkg. which has all the needed files.

Now I can order a CTO from PowerMax save some on the local sales tax.



Phil

[Jerm]

That is great that you got that worked out!

[fastlanephil]

Unfortunately I've run into a major issue using VE Pro 5 and Metro 7.2. When I try to render a midi track to audio not much happens. The track is still midi but does not play back. If I set the packet size to the minimum I create a caf track but it's just a straight line with the midi track playing back and maybe a few blips of sound from the caf track. Also if I use fast forward with the midi track there is a lot of metallic or saw tooth sounding distortion. If I do this with the Axion 49 remote transport control the notes become out of tune until the instrument is reloaded inside VE Pro 5.

The situation looks rather bleak I guess.


Phil

[Jerm]

Hello Phil,

Don't give up. Please email me your contact at VE Pro and I will shoot them out an email. If I can get an NFR I can most likely figure out a solution.

[Jerm]

Hello Phil,

I have contacted VSL and they have been very responsive so we'll see what accrues.

On an aside, there is an alternative way to render MIDI to audio via plug-ins. What you do is this:

From the tracks window:

• Record enable a new audio track.
• Using the input record selector column (or right click the track and select the input select submenu) and select 'output master direct L+R'.
• Record.
• Everything that would normally playback to the speaker should be contained in the new track.

Let me know if that helps.

[fastlanephil]

Hi Jeremy

Yes, I was able to render the tracks individually with a four track test and mix them to a stereo track adding some Apple reverb. A little tedious but it works.

I need to learn how to add effects with VE Pro 5.

There is a Network bug in Mavericks 10.9.1, at least using two Macs, so you need to go into Advanced and select local-link only with Configure IPv6. Using Apple's Target Display Mode causes some windows to get captured in the upper left corner unless they're hidden or minimized. Changing the screen resolution forces it back out. Another Mavericks bug.

Good luck on your efforts.


Phil

[Jerm]

Well I have been hampered in investigating this. The makers of VE Pro 5 have been generous by supplying me with a demo version. Unfortunately the software requires a Steinberg dongle which they want me to buy. I am currently unable to do that at this time.

[fastlanephil]

If you email me a mailing address, as Sweetwater uses the USPS for light items, I'll be happy to pick up an eLicense key at Sweetwater and have it sent to you.

I'm pretty sure you have my email address.



Phil

[fastlanephil]

The eLicencer dongle has been ordered from Sweetwater. It raised a red flag and I got a call from them.

I've run into another issue.

Sometimes playing in aftertouch will make the note drop down lower or go higher and I end up with chords or a very long note in the graphic editor that is silent after the initial shorter instrument sound.


Phil

[fastlanephil]

There is definitely an issue with Aftertouch and Metro and VE Pro 5. I was drawing in Aftertouch and Metro locked up and woudn't load.

I ended up tossing the Metro Prefs which worked.



Phil

[Jerm]

There may be a problem in Metro 7.2.x's Mix and Render on the Mac, I am still unsure about that but I was able to get it to work with VE Pro 5 by setting the latency in VE Pro 5 interface to 'none'. Please let me know if that works.