VIP Music Software has announced that they've introduced a major update to theirVirtual Instrument Player (VIP) - VIP 2.0.
The initial releases of VIP software enabled users to intuitively access any patch from any VST virtual instrument in their computer directly from their keyboard. With VIP 2.0, musicians can now apply the same approach for VST Effects as well. Using the built-in "tagging" function, users can quickly filter and search through every single instrument or effect patch in their plugin library, saving hours of time when needing to find a specific sound or effect quickly, or simply mining their libraries for sounds they haven't used before. After a patch is selected, VIP auto-maps the keyboard's controls to the selected plugin, and displays the plugin parameters directly on a VIP-equipped keyboard's full-colour display for a full 1:1 workstation style experience.
In addition to playing and controlling plugins, VIP gives musicians and producers enormous creative potential using "Multis". A "Multi" allows users to combine up to 8 patches from 1 or more plugins, with the ability to layer, mix and pan these patches all at once. Now with VIP 2.0, users can add up to 4 effects sends and inserts to each slot of their Multis. These effects can also be saved as Effects Stacks, and quickly recalled for fast auditioning or used in different setups. To be able to recall Effects Stacks or Multi's with a single patch change from the keyboard makes the solution powerful for live performances or studio use. Artists can concentrate on their creativity, without being distracted by complex DAW setups.
Live and studio performers will also enjoy the new Custom Control Mode, which enables users to map any plugin parameter from any VST (instrument or effect) to any VIP-enabled keyboard's knobs or buttons. This gives musicians total creative freedom when playing and controlling sounds from small individual instruments to large Multis with integrated effects—further expanding the musician's improvisational capabilities.
Recap of VIP 2.0 New Features:

• Effects Browser: Customers have raved about VIP's instrument browser. Now they can browse for effects in the same manner, searching for a specific type of reverb, compressor, delay, etc. or better yet, auditioning all your reverb, compressor, chorus, etc. patches from multiple plugins with a single click.
• Expanded Multi Mixer: VIP 2.0 Multi Mixer now includes Insert Effects, Send Effects, Bus Tracks and a Master Output channel strip. Collapsible sections allow custom viewing for larger or smaller monitors.
• Effects Stacks: VIP 2.0 introduces Effect Stacks, which combine multiple effects into re-usable patches, accessible in the patch list for easy selecting and auditioning.
• Custom Control Mode: VIP 2.0 offers a new Custom Control Mode which enables mapping of any VST instrument or effect parameter, any CC number and any Mixer parameter to any VIP- enabled hardware control for live or studio playing.
• New plugin maps for today's most popular virtual instruments and effects plugins.

VIP is included as standard software on a growing list of keyboards from brands including Akai, M-Audio and Alesis, and it also works as a stand-alone application or as a VST, AU or AAX plugin for any digital audio workstation.
"VIP 1.0 was a huge leap forward in the creative process for musicians but there was more we wanted to do, of course. The addition of complete effects control in VIP 2.0 is a huge enhancement—one that VIP users will be excited to get their hands on," said Jennifer Hruska, Director of Content Development for inMusic Brands. She added, "A keyboard equipped with VIP 2.0 doesn't slow the artist down—it works with them to maximise their playing experience and enhance their creativity. I can't wait to see what artists do with this."
VIP 2.0 will be available for free for all existing users early February via auto-update.

Source: KVR.com

 

Last edited: Jan 23, 2016

Cool! But it does not support Mac AU or VST 3!
Erm....... Not so Cool!!! Lol

 

I see finally a copy of Apple Mainstage on a PC

 

Hahaha sort of, but not by much IMO.

 

Slightly off topic, what are you guys thoughts on komplete Kontrol vs Akai Advanced ?

 

Anyone tried it ? Is it as buggy as the MPC R ?

 

For those who want to really know: it works fine with legit and non legit stuff! I own an AKaI Advance +VIP (didn't have to validate any licence cause R2R iLok Emulator was already installed on my computer)... The only non legit players that aren't working in VIP browser= Nexus² (2.2.0 Air) and Best Service Engine2 (old crack)... Most of existing VSTis (and now fx VSTs in VIP v2.0- upgrade on february) are pre-mapped in VIP! Of course, when using Kontakt5, you'll have to enter third party libraries manually (except Komplete Bundle ones that are automatically mapped!).
VIP as an AAX plugin can run your VST/VSTis (as it is a VST host) in Pro Tools (even the recent AZ release)...
The very difference between Komplete Kontrol software and Vip is : VIP is an infinitely largest universal browser; VIP has a multi mode (that allows 8 parts combinations -each part can play any preset of any VSTi from the browser, with now VST effects on the whole mix or on each part)+ each part can be easily tuned/tweaked and key-mapped -as in Omnisphere or Air Xpand2 multi modes)= that allows free splits/layers with all your players! The last difference is the setlist mode (like on the Korg Kronos)= useful way to release best of configurations/presets, gigg sets and all that sort of things... For those who are AZ old users: trust me= all your downloaded stuff works fine in VIP!

 

It's funny how easy it is to stack dozenz of synth patches on top of each other and the music still sounds like shit. Especially in the pop/edm world. But hey, you will get that V.I.P status with it :D

 

@5teezo: that's pure and stupid trolling= being able to use all your plugins in a single interface doesn't mean you're going to stack lot of things just in order to pretend you're a musician! We're just speaking of new features in new softwares, not of the music people can play or compose with such tools! One can also be the worst musician with a single piano or guitar!

 

I was just questioning the "NEED" for applications like this in the first place. That's not trolling, that's critical perception of so-called innovations. And I thing the inability to compose dope music is just getting over-compensated by eye-candy tools like that suggest "users" to get more creative and "musical" by buying this stuff, because you can stack sounds on top of each other and be a success. The name V-I-P itself implies it all. I won't fall for this gimmicky bs. :D

 

@5teezo: You are entitled to your opinion, but don't be so quick to poo poo something because you have no need for it. I am interested in this because I am a working musician. I transitioned to all vsti's several years ago, and I have a NEED for something to use on stage that will get me to song setups with a touch of a button. I am not talking about EDM or triggering loops. I play keyboards and guitar in several bands, and between them all I have to be able to trigger setups for some 500+ songs. Cataloging is a must. I have tried so many programs that fail to serve my purpose, so I get excited knowing that there are still some developers recognizing a NEED for such software. Since you are questioning the NEED, and not trolling, I answered your "question". If someone wants to use it as eye candy to create worthless music, who really cares?

 

I think it will be a great tool for songwriters who are looking for inspiration from sound.

 

@Zenarcist: Absolutely !!

 

Of course! What I meant by "trolling" (perhaps is it not the right word... "spoiling" would be more exact?) is that this topic is about new particular features relative to AKAI VIP software: if one is not interested in that kind of products, I can perfectly understand it... but don't spoil the topic by personal considerations about "bad or good" music people could play with those tools... The great improvement that VIP brings to VSTi players is the ability of mixing presets from very different plugins (so that the musical "palette" is now really wide opened) in a single simple interface (like in Omnisphere multi mode)= you can "stack" or "alternate" 8 presets (from any plugin of your set), play/mix them "live"... With the v2.0, it seems that we will be able to integrate our VST fx collection to the browser (in a separate menu) and the insert (up to) 4 VST on each multi chanel...

So when I say "up to" (8 plugins / multi) or (4 VST fx /chanel), it doesn't mean you have to stack all those things to make good music= those are technical specs!

VIP is very inspiring as it allows a real "melting pot" of various musical sources in a very intuitive/easy to map/play/tweak environment!

 

Also @patpat which r2r eliscencer are you talking about?

 

A little off topic, but I think the M-audio ctrl looks like a space ship control panel out of flash Gordan or something. Im a 80's baby so I want one.

 

sorry. too much coffee.