To simply describe MOTU’s Mach- Five 3
music software as a sampler would do a considerable injustice to this amazingly
versatile sound creation tool. Sure, it’s a plug-in with a standalone option
and, yes, it comes with a 45GB sample library, but it also draws on a host of
synthesis options, including modules for analogue, FM, Wavetable and synth
drums. Combine these with its silky smooth IRCAM time stretch algorithms,
quirky granular treatments and rack effects, and you’ve got the makings of many
lost weekends.
MOTU Machfive 3.0.2
In among those 45GB of sounds - which
include the Biosphere’s atmospheric synths and the Universal collection of
loops and standard-fare sounds - are some impressive sampled instruments. This
weighty collection of piano, bass, drums and guitar fill up four of the DVDs.
To get MachFive 3 up and running, you need an iLok USB dongle. There isn’t one
supplied, but you can use an old iLok and add the authorization to it after
some online authentication.
The sample DVDs contains UFS-format sound
banks and you simply copy them from disc, ideally to a fast external drive.
MachFive 3 can be configured for multiple audio outputs and even surround
formats up to 7.1. However, most people will use it in stereo, adding parts for
different instruments, each with their own volume, pan, mute and solo controls,
with effects options, too.
“It supports i92kHz/32-bit audio and is
64-bit savvy, so it can access as much RAM as you can afford for loading
samples”
MachFive 3 supports 192 kHz/32-bit audio
and is 64-bit savvy, so it can access as much RAM as you can afford for loading
samples. But if you run a tight ship, you can conserve memory usage, as it
supports disk streaming.
MachFive 3 has numerous sound generation modules - here, different synth
drums are easily mapped across the keyboard
If you choose something like the F Grand
278 piano, you just get the one patch to load, which is refreshing. This grand
has a warmth and authenticity, and there are seven dials to tweak release,
pedal and resonance volumes along with velocity customization and even key
noises. Whatever sound you load into a selected part, it will show up in the
larger main window, which has four tabs for info, edit, fix and event, the latter
offering scripting options. Here, some serious transformations can take place.
Chorder, for instance, will deliver one-finger chords with presets such as
Debusian, Film Noir and Jazz for Dummies, which are quite convincing.
With Telematic, not only do you get to
enjoy strumming with one finger while making a chord with your left hand, but
solos can be made more realistic in Legato mode incorporating hammer-on playing
for notes within a specified range of each other. Slide mode makes the sound of
a finger moving along a string in either direction by up to 20 semitones. Slide
mode always froze on MachFive 3.0.2, but version 3.0.3 fixes this issue.
Overall, Telematic is impressive, as it
features a broad range of sampled playing techniques, different pickup
settings, as well as amp and pedal effects.
MOTU makes quite a noise about Mach- Five’s
ability to import a range of popular file formats, including libraries from
Native Instruments’ rival Kontakt sampler. However, there wasn’t much joy here,
as Kontakt sound banks tend to be copy protected. A collection of Battery drum
kits did load up.
Although MachFive 3 has a few rough edges,
its sound creation credentials are exceptional. Given MOTU’s track record,
refinements will surely be on the way.
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Details
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Price
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$495 * Upgrade
$214; Cross grade $340
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Website
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www.motu.com
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Needs
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Intel CPU * 2GB RAM * OS X 10.5.8 or
higher
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Pro
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Comprehensive sound creation tool with
scripting features plus AU, VST and RTAS plug-in support
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Con
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iLok dongle not included; Scripting bugs
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Rating
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4/5
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