Subject:To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Posted by: merlyn60

Date:9/5/2002 2:02:40 PM

I'm under the assumption that you guys (Sonic Foundry) adopted OPT support because you believed it was an evolving technology. Is there any word on a company developing an OPT sequencing plug in that could be used in place of the "stock" one in Acid 4.0? Also, in previous posts there have been hints dropped by some Sonic Foundry folks about a "Midi Forge" application. Any word on this?

Merlyn

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:9/5/2002 4:27:15 PM

The "MIDI Forge" comments were not meant to hint at anything, but used to describe the type of tool for editing MIDI data that doesn't exist.

Currently only Yamaha has released a commercial - and free - OPT plugin. There are third parties that are adopting the OPT standard, but I can't say much beyond this.

Peter

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: merlyn60

Date:9/5/2002 6:55:15 PM

Thanks Peter!

Casey

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: Neil_Palfreyman

Date:9/6/2002 3:00:21 AM

I'm still trying to figure out how OPT is going to change things (and I guess the answer depends on how many companies take it up) but does OPT mean that we could see things like the MIDI editing capability of Cakewalk's SONAR being available as an OPT plug-in to Acid in furure?

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: SonyNateM

Date:9/6/2002 10:25:25 AM

Here is a link with tons of info on OPT:

http://www.yamahasynth.com/pro/opt/index.html

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: merlyn60

Date:9/6/2002 12:55:32 PM

Neil, I think thats exactly what it means. I believe it takes the pressure off Sonic Foundry programmers to make a full on midi module and leaves it up to a 3rd party developer who may specialize in that area. This allows Sonic Foundry to keep Acid 4.0 "bug free" (that is when they get rid of the bugs in it now...just a little jab guys) by not introducing too many different types of new program codes that could de-stabilize the foundation of Acid. The OPT plug ins would work just like any other type of plug in, except they would be able to handle full on midi capabilties. The only problem is waiting for a third party company to take OPT seriously and develop a full blown midi plug in that is capable of sequencing and complete midi editing that we can use in the Acid 4.0 program. Peter and Nate.....I think I got it right. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Merlyn

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:9/6/2002 8:22:07 PM

Nailed it Merlyn.

There is also the potential for MIDI FX and control of external hardware.

Peter

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: dlcham

Date:9/7/2002 2:00:50 PM

...which would explain why, when asked about something like a scrub tool for the piano roll, the response from SoFo was less than enthusiatic. I don't know if I'm too pumped up about paying $x.00 for a base application, then $x.00 for each plugin I'll need to get the application to do what I want it to do.

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: drbam

Date:9/7/2002 2:38:20 PM

<<I don't know if I'm too pumped up about paying $x.00 for a base application, then $x.00 for each plugin I'll need to get the application to do what I want it to do. >>

How would this be different than purchasing a multitrack recorder of some sort (Mackie, Alesis, Tascam, or 2 in tape, whatever), an appropriate console, and various outboard fx processors, midi sequencers, etc? Personally I think its pretty damned amazing that we get the extraordinary amount of features that we do in these software apps! If you compare traditional hardware gear, these apps cost no more than pocket change! To be clear, I don't have $ to waste, and I want the best performance/value I can find. But coming from 30+ years in the analog world, its easy for me to keep this all in context. Just my opinion ;-)

drbam

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:9/7/2002 7:04:37 PM

I guess you would have to define what you want by and "enthusuastic" respsonse. I think your suggestion is a good idea. I can't say when we would add such a feature, but it definitely on my list to review when the time arrives.

One thing to consider about OPT: Since it is a plugin standard, we can also update our plugins or invent new ones with out updating ACID itself.

Peter

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: dlcham

Date:9/7/2002 8:03:48 PM

I understand what you're saying, and I agree. Most of us don't have the bucks to outfit analog studio (I know I don't). Although I'm glad MIDI support is showing up in Acid, I think possibly that it was a rushed enhancement. All I'm saying is that if MIDI editing is an advertised feature of the application, then I don't think it is unreasonable for an end-user to expect to see what is already on the market as a "given" as far as midi edting tools go.

While my comments might sound nitpicky, I love SoFo's apps and their "ease-of-use-to-power" ratio. I just want the new product to live up to what I've come to expect from them.

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: merlyn60

Date:9/8/2002 5:52:45 PM

Is it safe to assume that you guys are working on better OPT midi plug ins than the ones that come with Acid 4.0?

Merlyn

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: coolout

Date:9/8/2002 8:52:43 PM

I think the cool thing about the potential of OPT is less clutter. if you don't want the plug-in's functionality don't pay for it or install it. one of the reasons I left the logic platform and hate using sonar is clutter. aside from an occasional synth line, bass line or chord progression most of my music is created by manipulating audio, be it pre-existing loops or recorded performances of myself and my friends. every time I loaded logic audio I’d think..."man, how fast would this boot up be if the midi stuff and score fonts weren't there?" or I’d be looking for something in the menus and there's all this crap that I never used. I understand most midi/audio sequencers strive to be an all-in-one solution, but I just wanted to make fat beats and write hits...not a concerto or movie score. My friends who use protools say that’s what’s great about it: It records…it edits…it mixes…and isn’t much good for anything else. I think OPT makes sure I’ll never get a headache when looking at acid. thanks guys for keeping it simple. some of us get more work done that way. Now when is that update to 4.0 coming out?

Subject:RE: To Sonic Foundry: Any companies developing OPT Sequencing Plug Ins?

Reply by: merlyn60

Date:9/9/2002 1:02:11 PM

I'm completely with you Coolout. I also enjoy the "no clutter" Acid enviroment and your point on OPT allowing you to use only what you need is well taken. I just can't wait for someone to provide what some of us are praying for, which is an OPT plug in for Acid 4.0 that can take care of real midi business. The question is who will provide it and when?

Merlyn