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Jedanor
Enthusiast
Posts: 298
Loc: Atlanta
(09/05/08 06:26 AM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out!
Did I read that right that you can now have two different types of devices on the firewire line? Or is it still just mlan only? I'm about to sell off my 01x but if I can use it as a controller front end to my 003 I'll keep it and use it. Anyone know if that is possible?
Jed
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geosync
Guru
Posts: 714
(09/05/08 06:32 AM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out!
No just mLAN and AI (Motif XS and n series)
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Jedanor
Enthusiast
Posts: 298
Loc: Atlanta
(09/05/08 06:47 AM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out!
Thanks Geo. Just thought I would ask before hitting Ebay. I hope it all works out for you guys. Keep up the good work.
Jed
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Acelera
Guru
Posts: 2791
Loc: London, UK
(09/05/08 09:56 AM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out!
Now that's what I call a long shot... 
Not that you can use the Mackie Control protocol as a front end to Protools anyway. You'd need HUI emulation which the 01x doesn't have.
Hope it goes well with the 003, I've heard it's a notch above the 002.
http://www.myspace.com/aceleramusic
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Jedanor
Enthusiast
Posts: 298
Loc: Atlanta
(09/05/08 01:49 PM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out!
Ace,.....thought I'd ask before ditching it.
Jed
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chrismcc1
Guru
Posts: 1936
(09/06/08 02:49 AM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out!
I have now installed the new driver and tested it last night with CUBASE 4.1.2 for about two hours switching back and forth between the new and old driver (alternating starting up the computer from two separate but internal SATA backup system drives, one with the old driver installed and the other with the new driver installed), and using the same Cubase project each time.
Follows a description of the conditions of my tests (you can skip this and go to the conclusions further down if you like):
- The project has about 11 mono audio tracks and seven midi VSTi tracks. The VSTis are Halion One, Hypersonic, Wavestation (from the Korg Digital Collection series) and LM7. Hypersonic is played using three midi tracks (with up to 7 patches loaded in the banks at one time...). Three 21 inch monitor setup with project in main window and two mixer windows open in alternative monitors. VSTs used: Two sessions of Roomworks, three of Studio EQ, one Vintage compressor, one MDE-X and one Final Master on the mixdown output track. I consider this project to be an average project that I would expect most homestudio musicians would expect their setups to be able to handle as a composition is gradually created and put together.
- Sample Rate 512. Cubase indicates an input latency of 12,667 and output latency of 11,333. (Since my Studio Vision Pro days, I have always considered that an input latency of 12 ms or less is within comfort zone, so this is my target for any decent homestudio setup).
- Computer and audio: Dual 2.5 PPC with I88x and 01X. Graphic Patchbay setup as follows: I88x has 2 ins and 12 outs connected; 01x has 10 ins and 12 outs; Computer has 24 ins and 4 outs. Again, I consider this to be a reasonable setup for recording and one that I consider is what Yamaha convinced me would be possible two years ago when I invested in Mlan according to Yamaha's very own specs. Of course I could have a separate GP setup when mixing down to reduce CPU consumption, but I wanted to test things in a homestudio setting (which is what Mlan is designed for) in which the user would not necessarily expect to have to make changes continuously. Granted, some may consider my setup to be close to professional, but again that's what I wanted and what Mlan was described as being capable to deliver on the Mac two years ago. Most home studioists want to switch on the computer and record or mix without having to think too much about what he needs to do to squeeze additional ressources out of the CPU before playing around with the inspiration of the moment...
CONCLUSION:
Tests were conducted initially freezing all VSTi. This is because before the update to Mlan 1.1.4, the track would not play at a sample rate of 512 without CPU interrupts.
So I started with all VSTi tracks frozen.
Results: Playback interrupts several times using Mlan 1.1.2 drivers. The song will only play cleanly at a sample rate of 1024. At a sample rate of 512 the CPU VST performance window in Cubase is at 50-60% and regularly spikes to 100% with audio interrupts.
With the Mlan 1.1.4 driver the project plays back at a sample rate of 512 flawlessly (interstingly there is just one spike when I play back the song the first time, and then all is fine!?!?!?).
Next I started switching VSTis back on by unfreezing the tracks. I did this only with the Mlan 1.1.4 driver as the older driver had already reached its limit.
The project continues playing back at a sample rate of 512 with all VSTis back on and solliciting the CPU. The track plays with just two or three interrupts essentialy when the Hypersonic tracks play together.
The CPU performance window remains at 50% or so all along and spikes only twice during playback when Hypersonic is heavily sollicited.
I tried all the above tests with Apple's Activity Monitor window open. The activity monitor was up to 100% most of time with 1.12, it now moves between about 75 to 100% with 1.14.
I am also writing this post as the project is playing in the background with just the very few interrupts indicated above.
Clearly there is an improvement in CPU consumption with the new driver. I wouldn't necessarily call it major, but it is "bloody good!". I would consider major to be above 50%, and my results indicate closer to 25 to 30%. BUT, (the big but) the difference although less noticeable in the CPU performance graphs, is quite noticeable for the user and my impression is that my studio as now gained appreciated flexibility and what I consider to be a very decent sample rate and latency.
I would expect these results to be even better on a Quad macintel and can finaly consider upgrading my computer with Mlan. Donations for this project can be sent to my personal account number ... ... ... 
I did not test autoconnector. The little Mlan pulldown menu is nifty and gives the Mlan environment a more cleaned up look and feel. It is not essential as I had become accustomed to launching the GP at startup (it was in my startup folder with my GP setup file) so all I had to do was hit apply each time.
I understand the AC now remembers the last state. I wonder whether this is of any use to GP users? Is there a way to get the AC to remember the last GP state? As anyone successfully tested this?
I will now upgrade Cubase from 4.1 to 4.5 and report back if I find further improvements or the opposite (you can never be sure with Steinberg who can be absolute genius' one day and a bunch of nuts the other!!!!).
Finaly, to Yamaha if they read this far, I would like to say thanks. This IS a good update and Mac users can now boldly go where no mac musician has gone... ...
I am now both enthusiastic with Mlan, rather damn proud of my homestudio, and looking forward to December.
Sorry for the long post and I hope this helps...
Christian
G52x2.5,OS10.5.6,SX4.1,O1x,I88x
http://www.christianmccormick.com/Page_7.htm
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valmundo
Enthusiast
Posts: 495
Loc: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
(09/06/08 08:18 AM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out! - My results
Finally had the chance to install the latest drivers to see whether or not this was the improvement we've all been waiting for. For the most part, the release is a winner! My setup is as follows:
Apple iMac Intel Core Duo (1st Generation - 2.0 GHZ and 2 Gigs of Ram)
Yamaha 01X
Yamaha i88X
Yamaha Motif ES with mLAN expansion
Yamaha N8
Various synths and effects racks
As we all know, the previous drivers did not allow me to have both 2nd Generation mLAN products (01X) with third generation products (n8). I was forced to run bootcamp if I wanted to have both units working in tandem. Naturally, when the latest drivers were released, this was the first thing I tested. I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT EVERYTHING WORKS PERFECTLY! Please note, one cannot connect all inputs and outputs from all four units due to bandwith limitations inherent with firewire, but I was able to connect ALL AVAILABLE MIDI PORTS! (i.e. all ports from the 01X plus all midi ports from the i88X, n8, and Motif ES). I am not concerned with input / output limitations anyway because having that many inputs and outputs is beyond my needs. Additionally, this limitation is a "flaw" with the firewire 400 protocol and not Yamaha's drivers, but I digress.
As everyone has stated previously, the drivers are much more efficient regarding CPU load. Even with all the midi ports enabled, the CPU load is significantly reduced...No spikes! I am also able to put my computer in sleep mode and upon awakening, mLAN works fine! (I only tried this once and it worked but I am going to keep my computer on for a couple of days to see if mLAN consistently works upon the awakening of my Mac).
The only thing for me outstanding is the wordclock issue and if that is fixed in December, I will be very happy.
IN CONCLUSION:
This release delivers. It doesn't appear as if it will support the new products from Steinberg...yet, but even so, the inclusion of the n-series and Motif XS indicates that Yamaha is still committed to supporting mLAN for some time to come.
Good Job Yamaha!
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sikander
Experienced
Posts: 56
Loc: Florence, Italy
(09/06/08 11:09 AM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out! My wishlist...
1) graphic patchbay starts automatically on startup (no need of "apply" or drivers more integrated with system)
2) don't loose connection in stop mode
3) In case of disconnect, possibility of reconnect without restart system
Will be possible...?
www.alessandrolamuraglia.it
Macpro quad core 2.6Ghz,7Gb ram,Leopard 10.5.5, 01x, motif ES
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valmundo
Enthusiast
Posts: 495
Loc: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
(09/07/08 03:04 PM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out!
Day two and so far so good.
Sleep mode seems to work now with mLAN.
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tuf
Experienced
Posts: 72
(09/08/08 11:34 PM)
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Re: 1.1.4 is out! My wishlist...
Did they really not fix the problem Sikander describes:
"3) In case of disconnect, possibility of reconnect without restart system. Will be possible...?"
Thats a pretty big issue, and Yamaha knows all about it. Can someone who's had this issue report in on the new driver? I've had no other problems with the last version of the driver, so I figure its probably not worth upgrading if this fix isn't addressed.
--
mLAN rig: Quad 2.66/01v96/i88X/Logic Studio 8/Cubase SX3
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