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Hi There. I literally bought my Powersampler Card last week, ok so it isnt a Pulsar but for what it is and the price I have already seen the expansion options via softsynths being very appealing! And Downloading the freeware ones I was really surprised at how good they are. In fact I was happy with the Orange 303 that I decided there is no need for me to buy Rebirth!

OK now I wanna know something about connectivity etc.

Question 1) I have the STS-3000 sampler and I also have an External Synthesizer (XP-30). Now is it possible for me to actually get Dual Midi Playback from the Sampler and my XP-30, i.e. at the same time.

Question 2) After getting this card I went download mad and got a load for Freeware Synths which I'm pretty happy with! Now, assuming that Question 1 is possible, can I then with a coupla synths assign them to Different Midi Channels. Only I managed to get the synths to play out of Midi Channel 1 so far!

Question 3) Has Creamware or any other Device Developer created a smaller version of the Recording Mixer? Only I dont need that many I/O and only I will use the big one for the recording stage. I did download a Device called 3K Blue Mixer but that actually uses more DSP than the recording one!

Question 4) Has anyone upgraded to the Luna V3 software and if so, is it worth the upgrade. Currently I am running V2.5

Question 5) I would like to know also is the STS-5000 Sampler really that good in the fact that it is equivalent to the Variphrase Technology Found on the Roland VP-9000. That was also another motive as to why I wanted this Powersampler card because of the STS-5000.

It will be much appreciated if people can answer my queries as I am still learning about the PS environment, fustrating as it maybe I finding stuff that I wouldnt believe is possible from an Audio Card!

Thank You.

Akuma a.k.a Richard.

Question 1) If you use a sequencer, like Cubase or Logic, you can play as many synth you want from midi track, and if you want to play 2 synth at the same time using the same masterkeyboard, you can create a split using Logic (Cubase i donno)

Question 2) Yes you can, check on the device surface, you should see a little read lite flashing when you play a notes, usualy, just few millimeter apart, there is a place where you can change midi channel, most of the devices are usualy set to 'omni', just left click&hold, then move up or down to change the midi channel of this devices, so you can put up to 16 devices per sequencer midi source.

Question 3) Well i donno know any other, maybe there is... In Pulsar you have the MicroMixer and DYnaMixer though...

Question 4) Yes it is VERY MUCH WORTH IT, as you get a better recording mixer, a couple of effects, and most of all, the very very good MasterVerb.

Question 5) The STS5000 is very good, but personnaly, i don't thing it will be much usefull for a PowerSampler, 3DSPs seem a bit short to drive this monster.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marcuspocus on 2001-12-24 21:56 ]</font>

I can answer your question about the Roland VP-9000...

I previously worked for a Roland dealer and took home a demo unit for almost a month. The Roland is very good at what it does. It makes you re-think sampling in the traditional sense.

In the end, I just couldnt justify $1600 and that was dealer cost at that time for the Roland as I already had a emu e6400.

Now that I'm completely in a Pulsar setup, I got the ProPack and upgraded the STS-3k to the 5k. The 5k is pretty good at what it does! It's not quite as good as the Roland as it's got a bit more artifacts, but for what you pay for it's worth it for me.

I've only had the sts-5k for a couple weeks and have not used it enough to know all the inner workings. Another area that the Roland excels is for example, on a drum loop, you can visually edit the placement of each "slice" basically just like Recycle. I see no way to due this in the STS. Personally, I dont use the realtime stretching/pitching for drum loops, only vocals so that isn't a big deal for me.

Hope this helps..

- sinix

Answer to Question 4) If you bought your card last week, you should have a LunaV3 key in your "My Page" on the Creamware website already! Just register on the Creamware website your card's serial number and it should be there. If it's not, then email the date, time & place of purchase, along with your card's serial number, to "support@creamware.de" and then wait at least 3 business days (not holidays/weekends), eventually they should email you back with your key. All new cards should get a free LunaV3.

"marcuspocus" I read on the creamware site that the requirements for the STS-5000 is a Luna so i will be assuming it will be running on my Card. It really depends on the polyphony your using. I noticed that because increasing it on the 3000 uses more DSP power. In any case the most I need is Max 32Voice. But thanks a lot for answering those questions. Now I am totally reassured I can playback some synths, my sampler and my XP-30 at the same time, Perfect!

"sinix" In regards to the STS-5000, with most software you never get as good as hardware but the software developers are getting there! I'm definitely interested with this as it is alternative to a VP-9000 and the fact that its cheaper is a bonus.
I would like to know you say you hear artifacts, does this happen, after 2 Octaves or 3?

"Subhuman" Can I ask though why is it that the upgrade to the LunaV3 software costs £62? I had a look on the online shop for plugins and it seems that you have to pay for this update. If not that would be perfect, if I do have to pay then I will have to wait a while longer for my STS-5000! Are you sure its free? I will email my details like you said and wait for the reply anyway, Thank you. Its just surprising that with a aoftware package they give you free Modules like the Chorus and Compressor but no reverb!!!!!! Even Cubase and Logic have a reverb plug-in although not as good as the ones you pay for but at least its there!

Well first register, all the recent cards sent to dealers have a LunaV3 key already in the "My Page - Serials" section of the Creamware website. It is included an incentive to buy a new Luna2, and yes it does have a usable reverb included inside.