Bitstream 3x $399

MarkH · Post by **MarkH** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:03 pm

The CME web site (makers of the UF series midi controllers) have the Bitstream 3x listed under their "New Products" page with a price of $399. Have they taken over ditribution for Waveidea? This price is half of what is listed on the Waveidea online shop.

http://www.cme-pro.com/product2.html

AdamJay · Post by **AdamJay** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:06 pm

cool,
but how do we actually BUY it ?

guatamaham · Post by **guatamaham** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:22 pm

I emailed WaveIdea a couple weeks ago. they said that CME was taking over distribution in the US and that the 3X would be available here soon. I hope so

drush · Post by **drush** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:28 pm

call me silly, but what does that thing offer that you really can't do with a uc33e?

please god don't let this turn into another controller evangelism threads.

dCross · Post by **dCross** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:19 am

drush wrote:call me silly, but what does that thing offer that you really can't do with a uc33e?

please god don't let this turn into another controller evangelism threads.

it offers a level of control (largely irrelevant for Live) and build quality not offered with the uc33e.

I think $399 is a very attractive price for such a knob/slider packed device. Especially since it has a crossfader!

buzzcock · Post by **buzzcock** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:38 am

I hope the build quality is better than that of their website...

supster · Post by **supster** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:41 am

drush wrote:call me silly, but what does that thing offer that you really can't do with a uc33e?

its a UC-33 with an extra knob per channel, a better layout, an infrared port, and its built like a tank.

if your current live setup is basically built around a UC-33 basis with a triggerfinger like mine is, its a no brainer: its the only one that isnt a toy right now.
.

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 8:12 am

just contacted distribution for CME in hong kong, sydney and some other places in the world. in australia theyre not expecting the bitstream till next year, and everywhere else told me the price will get updated once it's actually shipping.

MrYellow · Post by **MrYellow** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 9:27 am

call me silly, but what does that thing offer that you really can't do with a uc33e?

It also allows you to record sequences of knob movements and play them back.

Which essentially gives you the ability to record clip envelopes in real-time,
something Live can't currently do.

Finally available on a MIDI controller !
It allows the recording and playing of your the way you moved you controls, in realtime !
That means you can automate some controls movements so you have your hands free to control other functions of the Bitstream 3X

8 parallel and independant tracks
Lenght from half a measure up to 4 (half a measure step)
Independant lenght for every track
Internal or external MIDI synchronisation
MIDI and/or USB output for each track
One shot or loop mode sample
Advanced graphical display

Sampling available on any control of the Bitstream 3X
(knobs, sliders, buttons, infrared, cross-fader, joystick)

Has a MIDI LFO, has to be handy....

Has different curves for the controls.

Has soft-takeover, so things don't jump when you move.

"No-jump" analog behavior

All analog controls (knobs, sliders, cross-fader, infrared) can be configured in "Hook" mode.
This mode prevents any indesirable jump when you switch groups. Until the physical position of an analog control reaches its value in the group, no MIDI message is sent. You can see that on the LCD while you're tweaking you controls.
This mode is the best alternative to motorized controls.

I've had my eye on one for a bit, lots of stuff there that can bring some evolving life into stuff without lots of headaches or CPU use.

Didn't like the old price tho, if the new one sticks I'll be converted.

-Ben

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:47 am

MrYellow wrote:
call me silly, but what does that thing offer that you really can't do with a uc33e?
It also allows you to record sequences of knob movements and play them back.

Which essentially gives you the ability to record clip envelopes in real-time,
something Live can't currently do.

Finally available on a MIDI controller !
It allows the recording and playing of your the way you moved you controls, in realtime !
That means you can automate some controls movements so you have your hands free to control other functions of the Bitstream 3X

8 parallel and independant tracks
Lenght from half a measure up to 4 (half a measure step)
Independant lenght for every track
Internal or external MIDI synchronisation
MIDI and/or USB output for each track
One shot or loop mode sample
Advanced graphical display

Sampling available on any control of the Bitstream 3X
(knobs, sliders, buttons, infrared, cross-fader, joystick)
Has a MIDI LFO, has to be handy....

Has different curves for the controls.

Has soft-takeover, so things don't jump when you move.

"No-jump" analog behavior

All analog controls (knobs, sliders, cross-fader, infrared) can be configured in "Hook" mode.
This mode prevents any indesirable jump when you switch groups. Until the physical position of an analog control reaches its value in the group, no MIDI message is sent. You can see that on the LCD while you're tweaking you controls.
This mode is the best alternative to motorized controls.

I've had my eye on one for a bit, lots of stuff there that can bring some evolving life into stuff without lots of headaches or CPU use.

Didn't like the old price tho, if the new one sticks I'll be converted.

-Ben

dont think this new one will stick, i called the french guys who make this the other day for a friend of mine's club, and i was quoted the EURO price u see on the waveidea website.

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:14 am

Hey exciting news guys...

I just spoke with Waveidea again on the phone and here's the lowdown..

* CME will be taking control of manufacture and distribution of the Bitstream3x from January

* The build quality and physical composition of the product will remain exactly the same

* The new price WILL BE $399 UD DOLLARS

* Until then the price will remain at 459EURO's

* There will be plenty of stock and supply once CME distribution is in effect, you will quite likely see the product in your local retail outlets.

Hope it helps dudes.

buzzcock · Post by **buzzcock** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:08 pm

Still, the cme web site doesn't list any US distributors

what gives?

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:21 pm

buzzcock wrote:Still, the cme web site doesn't list any US distributors

what gives?

i think its a data layout error..

if you go to distributors and check out 'Americas' under Canada you will find Kaysound Imports and their listed address is in New York. Furthermore, they have a USA country code in the phone number... so i think Kaysound is who you're looking for.

FinoAttack-Tuuce · Post by **FinoAttack-Tuuce** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:02 pm

So..CME is Chinese, so this Bitstream 3x WaveIdea (FR) is produced and distributed from China am I right?

If I am right;
Chinese products finishing quality is poor as you know, how about the Bitstream 3x quality from inside and outsite?

Oh..and also another question;
If a Bitstream 3x user needs service for the product or needs a part of the product or assume that your Bitstream is broken down for some reason..

Does the product has to go back to China, to CME? and come back after repaired?

Is this a risk?
Who takes this risk?
Would you pay for the shipping to China and also pay to get it back?

What do you think about these?

Lo-Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo-Fi Massahkah** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:50 pm

FinoAttack-Tuuce wrote:So..CME is Chinese, so this Bitstream 3x WaveIdea (FR) is produced and distributed from China am I right?

If I am right;
Chinese products finishing quality is poor as you know, how about the Bitstream 3x quality from inside and outsite?

Oh..and also another question;
If a Bitstream 3x user needs service for the product or needs a part of the product or assume that your Bitstream is broken down for some reason..

Does the product has to go back to China, to CME? and come back after repaired?

Is this a risk?
Who takes this risk?
Would you pay for the shipping to China and also pay to get it back?

What do you think about these?

So is the rest of your music gear made in Turkey? Probably not...! What would you do if any of that broke down? Send it to Taiwan, Sweden, Germany or Japan? It's a hassle when things break - but then again if you'd play only Turkish gear I suppose you'd be stuck with a bunch of cymbals...

I figure you'd be better of with CME than Bitstream considering that they've been anouncing the 3x for ages without being able to manufacture any (to any extent, anyway...)!

Cheers,
Mikael