No comments about Landscape Design 3D.

1 comments about Waves Diamond Native Plug In Upgrade from Platinum.

1. I purchased the Waves Gold Bundle v4 about three years ago for just around $1,000.00. I recall that getting the software authorized to use on my production PC was like pulling teeth... you pay a grand for a software suite, then you spend a day or two convincing the company's "authorization server" that you're not a criminal. Anyway, I eventually got the package up and running and actually used it on an album project.
   
   I recently purchased an up-to-date production computer for my project studio. When I went to reauthorize my Waves software, I was horrified to learn that they no longer support v4. Their web site offers no provision for reauthorizing the software, only an upgrade option for... get this... $1,800.00!!!!!!!!! (The latest version is sold at Sweetwater and other retailers for under $1K). Talk about a big middle finger in the face of those pesky customers!
   
   In fact, the only option to even establish communications with Waves, for owners of previous versions is the following (cut and pasted directly from their web site): "Waves Tech Support is ONLY available for customers whose maintenance agreement under the Waves Update Plan is current."
   
   Now, what this means to the Waves customer is this: should your Waves authorization somehow become invalid (a not uncommon occurrence in the world of computer-based music production), or if you decide to upgrade your computer and want to reinstall and reauthorize your Waves software... you're screwed. Cough up $1,800.00 and then spring some more bucks for a "Waves Update Plan", and they may take mercy on you.
   
   A big middle finger right back at you, Waves. The Universal Audio DSPs are getting rave reviews as compared to your plug-ins, and that's the route I'm going. When I spend a thousand bucks on a software package, I should be able to (a). get it up and running on my computer, (b). use it for as long as I want, and (c). transfer it if I upgrade to a new computer later on.
   
   BUYER BEWARE!!
   
   --Brian Burns

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1 comments about Reaktor 5.

1. This is a complicated, professional-grade program for designing virtual synthesizers. In theory, it allows the user to construct any imaginable synth. A generous sampling of pre-built instruments is included, along with reasonably good tutorials. The pre-built instruments seem to lean towards a Euro-techno sound, and are not well documented. The software works well on Windows XP and integrates well with Cakewalk Sonar. One layer of complexity has been added by the decision of Native Instruments to start a switch from what they call "primary" modules to something called "core" modules. In effect, this means there are two different ways of building instruments. For serious musicians willing to devote a large amount of time to learning the program, this is a powerful and rewarding tool. You might also want to check out the Tassman acoustic modeling program, from AAS.
   
   P.S. -- Technical support from Native Instruments is essentially nonexistent. There is a useful users' forum, although it tends sometimes towards DSP engineer types who like to answer questions in calculus.

No comments about Propellerhead Reason (Mac and Windows) (Version 2.5, Software Only).

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