Cool other software that is Mac or PC only

kid music · Post by **kid music** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:50 pm

I have been a lover of both platforms for years. I am getting a new laptop that will become my main music computer. My main software will be LIVE; what I am interested in is the cool other software (programs, fx, instruments, anything) I might use.

This is not a topic about which OS is more stable, looks better, or any other flame crap.

If I get a new PC, what Mac software will I be missing out on?

If I buy a new Mac, what PC software will I be missing out on?

Thanks,

kid music

kabuki · Post by **kabuki** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:04 pm

Logic = Mac only

Reason = Cross Platform

FL Studio = PC only

Acid = PC only

Cubase = Cross Platform

Lots of freeware VSTs = PC only (look into this area hint hint)

Live is SUPPOSEDLY better on PC because it is not Altivec optimised for Mac... I'm on a Mac, and since I will never want to use FL Studio, Acid or any other Sonic Foundry product, I won't miss them personally. The VST thing is the biggest pain in the arse, but oh well.

I use Live, Reason and a few Freeware VSTs within Live (Supatrigga and Chopper) on my Mac and am as happy as I could be.

If you are looking into a PC laptop, look at the Gateway line with the 17" screen.... Cheep and BIG!

Cheers.

jho · Post by **jho** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:28 pm

kabuki wrote: and a few Freeware VSTs within Live (Supatrigga and Chopper) on my Mac and am as happy as I could be.Cheers.

Where can I find chopper? Can't seem to find it on KVR.

kabuki · Post by **kabuki** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:24 pm

Chopper, and Skidder...

http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~thman/VST/vst-eff3.htm

tjwett · Post by **tjwett** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:25 pm

i'm a life long Mac user, currently running Live, Reason, and Logic. lately though i've been seriously considering adding a PC to my setup. the Open Labs neKo computer/synth is particularly appealing. i'm also interested in Project 5, FL Studio, and GigaSampler. i love using the Mac and i'm very comfortable on it, however my 12" PowerBook struggles at times and these other PC-only tools have got me very interested. i'll probably continue working on the Mac primarily and maybe build a powerful PC to use as a mega synth/sound generator.

Mbazzy · Post by **Mbazzy** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:21 pm

Audiomulch : pc only
Plogue Bidule ; cross platform

jho · Post by **jho** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:34 pm

kabuki wrote:Chopper, and Skidder...

http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~thman/VST/vst-eff3.htm

bummer the chopper link gives me an error when I click on the icon to download it...some gibberish appears on screen. So is it really similar to skidder (which I have and I like it)?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:33 pm

metasynth is mac only and is well worth a look

but microtonic is PC only and also well worth a look

Alex Reynolds · Post by **Alex Reynolds** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:58 am

Numerology is Mac-only. Any interesting AU effect or instrument will by definition be Mac-only. Not sure if there is an equivalent to Numerology on Wintel...

FaX · Post by **FaX** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:11 pm

Yep Metasynth / Metatrak/Xx bundled make a damn good combo.
Almost worth buying an older G3/G4 for IMHO .
Quite possibly the most underated synthesis tool on the planet.
Still no PLUGGO for Windows yet either

....but they are working on coding an XP version for release by years end (touch wood).
Cellsynth - another Mac only app that's very underated in my humble opinion.
There are some truly awesome tools for PC but the more exotic and esoteric ones seems to be flirting with the Mac only platform.

kid music · Post by **kid music** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:26 pm

"microtonic is PC only and also well worth a look"

"Yep Metasynth / Metatrak/Xx bundled make a damn good combo"

What are these programs? I've never heard of any of them, except metasynth.

Great stuff, everyone... keep 'em coming!

-kid music

stew · Post by **stew** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:55 pm

SuperCollider is Mac OS only, from what I know.
SoundHack is Mac OS only.
Samplitude is Windows only.
My AudioSpace and Manipulator programs are Mac OS only, although I might continue working on the Windows version of the Manipulator one day.
Sequitur is BeOS only...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 8:15 pm

Metatrak is like ACID for metasynth with some rather tasty effects algo's and write all (composition to disk function ) in SDII format stereo or mono wave. Easy to import onto something like live.

Xx - is like a metasynth sequencer.
It works using PICT files like Meta-synth but converts them to midi data for manipulation and playback. You can even get a Metasynth files and import the render into Metasynth and vice versa as either synthesis or midi-compositional formats.
Want to know what dna sounds like as a midi drum pattern - easy to do.
Etc etc etc ...
Has a huge swag of midi algorythmic modifiers.
Some damn funky fractal randfomisation algo's.
Cannon ,Reversed ,Reversed Cannon counterpoint in harmnic and inharmonic formats over midi note data.
I could go on but the list of features is pretty HUGE

You should check Xx out on the Metasynth/U&I web page.
Makes for some interesting reading when you go through the tutorials.

logicat2001 · Post by **logicat2001** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 12:24 am

Another strong vote for all the U&I software. The OS X versions of their audio tools: MetaSynth, MetaTrack and Xx are currently in development.

Here's their homepage: U&I Software.

U&I is a TINY company (~ two people ?!). They are passionate about what they do and create really amazing stuff that is very deep and has been on the cutting edge for years now

tjwett · Post by **tjwett** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 3:13 am

werd up. Metasynth ROOLZ. it's just sick fun, once you get over the fact that's you're running Photoshop to make music. can't wait for the OS X version, i'm really missing it. shit, someone should come up with a ReWire or VST Photoshop Plugin.