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MOTU MachFive 3 (Standard Version) MOTU MachFive 3 (Standard Version)
Sampler Plug-in with 45GB Sound Library, Universal Sample Support, 47 Built-in Effects, IRCAM Time and Pitch Technology, and Scripting - RTAS, AU, VST (Mac/PC)

Retail Price: $495.00
Sale Price: $459.00

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MOTU MachFive 2 (No Longer Available)

Item ID: MachFive2

Universal Software Sampler Plug-in

Sorry, the MOTU MachFive 2 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

From Our Research Team:

The Latest Evolution of the Universal Sampler is Here!

MOTU MachFive is one of the best-selling software samplers at Sweetwater for good reason: it's truly a universal sampler! For sound design, music production or broadcast, MOTU MachFive 2 delivers the perfect balance of superb audio quality, speed of operation, and across-the-board compatibility. Whether you simply want to have access to your vast sound library, or want to create a new one, MOTU MachFive 2 will take you there. New in MachFive 2 is the ability to import samples in any major sample format directly into MachFive 2 with no conversion necessary. MachFive 2 represents the future of samplers!

MOTU MachFive 2 at a Glance:
  • Unprecedented compatibility, 32GB of sounds included
  • Loop Lab
  • Collaborate across platforms
  • Compatibility with all major sample libraries
  • Plug-in or stand-alone operation
  • Optimized for efficiency

Unprecedented compatibility, 32GB of sounds included
MachFive 2 is the complete solution for sample library playback and sound design, with unprecedented compatibility and interoperability with all major plug-in hosts, sound libraries and sample formats on both Mac and Windows. Even if you use multiple platforms, hosts and library formats, MachFive 2 is the last sampler you'll ever need to buy. MachFive 2 also includes four dual-layer, 8GB soundbank DVDs that contain approximately 32GB of world-class sounds. The DVDs include a staggering array of multi-sample instruments, loops and phrases, including premium material recorded at 192kHz. DVD 2 provides a stunning 24-bit 96kHz 8GB sampled grand piano. DVD 3 supplies surround instruments and loops. DVD 4 provides the VSL Orchestra MachFive Edition: an exclusive collection of expressive orchestra sounds from the most respected name in orchestra sound libraries.

Loop Lab
MachFive combines the worlds of loops and multi-sample instruments. Trigger both together within MachFive's intuitive environment. The unique Loop Lab lets you freely and easily edit REX, ACID and Apple GarageBand Loops, or create your own. Simply Drag audio files into the Loop Lab - you can even drop in audio that has not yet been sliced. Instantly map slices. Find or set a tempo. Apply destructive or non-destructive sample level editing. Assemble multiple tempo-synced loops side by side. Time-stretch with no artifacts. Then set AutoPlay to trigger the audio when you press play in your sequencer application, or trigger each slice from your MIDI controller. You can even drag both MIDI and audio files from Loop Lab to your desktop or tracks in your sequencer.

Collaborate across platforms
MachFive 2 supports every major software instrument plug-in format platform (MAS, VST, AU, RTAS and DXi), as well as stand-alone application operation on both Mac OS X (with full Universal Binary support for G5 and Intel CPUs) and Windows (XP and Vista, 32 and 64 bit). You can effortlessly move from one platform to another and collaborate with colleagues who use different audio software or even different computer operating systems. For example, you might write and track in Digital Performer or Logic on the Mac, and then move to Pro Tools running under Windows for mixing. Just save a MachFive 2 performance in DP or Logic, load it into Pro Tools, along with your MIDI tracks, and you are ready to go.

Compatibility with all major sample libraries
MachFive 2 opens and reads all major sampler library and audio file formats directly - even legacy sampler discs like Kurzweil K2xxx and the Roland S-700 series. Your computer can't read these discs, but MachFive 2 can. There is no need for time consuming file format conversion. Just load presets directly from the disc. You can even create and save disc images to any hard drive, and MachFive 2 will read directly from the disc image as if the CD were in the drive. Special attention has been paid to compatibility with GigaSampler libraries, especially keyswitching and "dimensions". Open your GigaSampler, EXS24, or Kontakt instruments in MachFive 2 directly and preset characteristics such as key switch, release, and trigger-speed sample switching are faithfully preserved and ready to go.

Plug-in or stand-alone operation
MachFive 2 supports all current instrument plug-in standards on both Mac and Windows platforms. Perhaps you run a commercial studio that offers several different sequencing packages to its clients. Because MachFive 2 runs in any Mac or Windows sequencer that supports virtual instruments, you now have the same sounds and instruments available, regardless of which sequencer you use. MachFive 2 is also directly compatible with notation software titles such as Finale and Sibelius.
Because MachFive 2 works in stand-alone mode, you can take your laptop computer to a gig, load your sounds, and use MachFive 2 for live performance.

Optimized for efficiency
MachFive 2 provides disk streaming on a per instrument basis for efficient memory usage. Enable disk streaming for the included 8GB Grand Piano, so only 40MB of RAM is used to load the instrument. Disable disk streaming for shorter samples, such as percussion instruments, to maximize hard drive efficiency. Effects and synthesizer parameters (LFOs, envelopes, etc.) are modular, allowing for maximum CPU efficiency.

MOTU MachFive 2 Software Sampler Features:
  • Available in all major plug-in formats for Mac OS X and Windows, plus as a standalone application.
  • Disk Streaming and modular design for maximum CPU efficiency.
  • Supports 24 bit, 192khz sample playback.
  • Unlimited parts (unlimited multi-timbral operation)
  • Unlimited polyphony and ultra low software latency
  • Unlimited sample keygroups and keygroup layers
  • Up to 200 discrete audio outputs (depending on host)
  • Up to 256 MIDI channels (depending on host)
  • Multi-column browser for fast and easy navigation; audition loops and samples while browsing
  • Full-screen keygroup/sample editor with unlimited undo/redo, batch processing, and 47 DSP effects
  • Advanced time-stretching and pitch-shifting engine
  • LoopLab™ beat-slicing editing of multi-channel loops; playback at any tempo with or without stretching; sample, stretch, and slice loop engines
  • Surround (5.1 to 7.1) capability
  • Built-in graphic mixer with faders, FX inserts, metering
  • Seamless combination of traditional synthesis and samples
  • Dozens of effects, four available per preset
  • Comprehensive Mixer view
  • Layers and Rules to stack, sort, and organize sounds, and create dynamic performances

The MOTU MachFive 2 software sampler gives you truly universal sampling capabilities!

MachFive 2 Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number MachFive2

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Reviews

Sounds Great, But...

by James Harris from Chicago, IL
July 29, 2009
Music Background: Singer, Songwriter
The rating is completely for the sound, period. If you own a Windows box, beware! The installer may not work correctly and, if your only useage is as a plug-in, then you'll be fine. As a live tool, ... read more [+]you'll need a Mac to ensure that you can use the stand-alone version.

Maybe MOTU will fix the installer but the current version of 2.02 has problems on Windows machines. I will, however, strongly recomend this for those of you who, like myself, have a large Giga investment. It's not perfect on giga performances, insofar as its loading techniques, but it's the best at it after Gigastudio itself, which sadly, is no longer available. close [-]

Sweetwater Advice

Ron Daniel
MachFive 2 is an impressive package. It comes with an installer CD and four DVDs full of loops and instruments that sound amazing. But that's only the beginning. With great algorithms for pitch-shifting and time-stretching, its power to layer countless parts, and ability to read every kind of sample library without conversion, MachFive 2 is your all-in-one sampler! I've been using it in my studio for tons of stuff since the day I installed it!

Flexible Soft Sampler

by Nick Daley from Tampa, FL
November 2, 2008
Music Background: Sound Designer, Producer
I use MmachFive 2 as a plug-in in ProTools HD so I can only speak for its performance as an RTAS plug-in. I am impressed by MachFive's ability to import nearly any format VERY quickly. For instance, I... read more [+] had a native instruments sample library I was not able to use since I abandoned Kontakt a couple years prior. MachFive is able to load it immediately without conversion.
For the most part it's stable but it isn't without it's fair share of random crashes.

The controls are simple to operate, at least on a basic level, but I found myself frustrated at times when I wanted an LFO to modulate something like pan or volume - it wasn't straight-forward to set-up like some soft synths I've used that share similar modulating capabilities (such as Hybrid and Virus).

Loop lab remains a bit of a mystery to me because some samples will allow you to choose between sample, stretch and slice mode while others do not give that option. I have not quite figured out why. Furthermore some samples (ones you've imported manually) will allow you to control speed independently of pitch and others (loaded from a library) seem to be missing this functionality. HOWEVER, I am new to the plug-in so this functionality may be there. To me it just isn't as obvious as it was in Kontakt.

Over-all I am happy with the sound of MachFive; it's one of the few soft samplers that hasn't given me clicks during playback (even when using several layers, each containing several inserts of in-sampler DSP). Being able to drag from my edit window directly onto the sampler to manipulate audio is a HUGE time-saver. This function and the ability to import many formats were the main selling points for me.

To summarize: Good performance, surround capable, reads a vast range of formats, allows drag and drop from the edit window to sampler, slightly cryptic envelope assignment interface, some random crashes when quickly changing through sounds during playback. close [-]

Plugin incompatible with PT8+

by Mark Phillips from Northern California
April 26, 2011
Music Background: Semi Pro (retired commercial studio owner)
M5 sounds great, and plays lots of legacy sample formats correctly, including Roland S7x CDs. But, the plugin is INCOMPATIBLE with Pro Tools 8 and 9. And, on Windows, the installer for the standalon... read more [+]e version doesn't work. If you're on WIndows or PT, look elsewhere. close [-]
See Also: Software Samplers , MOTU , MOTU Virtual Instruments: Samplers

MOTU MachFive 2

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