How to get the latest software

[muswell]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting an old Pulsar SRB but need to know how to obtain the latest software, and is it payable via paypal does anyone here know?

Looks pretty interesting.

So how many versions of Pulsar were there and does anyone have information re: i/o configs?

Also one other question if I may...

Could someone please explain the keyfile situation? Is it like UAD by chance, a regfile generated based on a hardware id/serial number?

TIA

[muswell]

Thanks stardust for the reply.

Would there be a direct upgrade path from versions 4 and below to version 5 or is there a "hoop" I must jump though.

Also, about the versions, I was referring to hardware unless otherwise stated.

I understand from your post in another thread that ULLI, although implemented in every SC/Creamware product is not necessarily applied in hardware as it were, so if you could explain more it would be appreciated.

Thanks again and many regards

Oh and thank you for the link to the old website, just what I needed!

[muswell]

Regarding ULLI:

Though whenever you combine a 1st generation card with a 2nd generation ASIO I/O is handled via 2nd gen and you can still use the total of all DSP from both cards.

For example you may combine a 3DSP 2nd gen with a 1st gen Pulsar1 (4DSP) and thus have 7 DSP in total and also ASIO in HW.

I hope this helps.

That does help stardust immensely.

Until now I have been completely in the dark as to S | C platform.

So what you are saying is, using TDM, it doesn't matter whether something is 1st or 2nd generation, they all work as one and use whichever I/O implements ULLI in HW.

That would seem very cool, and something that should be pushed more as per old website informations.

One more thing I need to know however and that is how do the DSP's themselves compare to other platforms, eg UAD.

I have a UAD 1e card, and although it uses a PCI - PCI bridge, I'm quite happy with it as limited as it is instance wise since I only really use a single compressor (33609) at a time on the bass or a guitar processor. In that sense I am extremely old-fashioned so am looking to SC in order to expand my "arsenal" as the saying goes.

Anyway, I can't help to be interested in this stuff as I dig synthesis as far as I can understand it, eg modular is a bit complicated for me at this time but if I could get one full instance from a pulsar 6 say @ 96Khz 24 bit, then I might just buy in.

Thanks again and all the best

[petal]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting an old Pulsar SRB

TIA

See this might be just a small detail, but it might also be very important. The SRB stands for Sonic Rocket Booster and the card is a DSP boost cards, which is extra DSP-power for your already existing pulsar system. The SRB-versions of the Pulsar cards comes, to my knowledge, without I/O's and no software is included.

Make sure what it is you are buying before you make the deal or you might get very dissapointed.

Cheers,
Thomas

[cortone]

muswell,

There are other variables with the Modular that contribute to the dsp load, such as the complexity of the patch, which modules are used, and the polyphony setting. Also, how many other devices (mixers, FX, etc.) you are using at the same time. I haven't worked much at 96kHz/24bit, but most Mod III devices should load on a 6dsp card with a fairly low polyphony of 2-3 voices and still have room for the basics of other devices. If you load only the Modular, you should have plenty of room for complex patches and a higher polyphony.

Take a look at these two incredible sites:

http://www.cwmodular.org

http://www.modularsynth.co.uk

They will have more info that may help.

Cheers,
Cory

[muswell]

Thanks for the replies and links.

@petal, I'm not sure about i/o configurations, eg what plates can go on what so might save that for another post but if they can all be mixed and matched, to confirm would be most helpful.

@cortone, I'm keen to investigate what other plugins are available for SonicCore system, as well as the mixer environment but it would be best I think to save that for later questions.

If I can at least run 1 instance of the modular IV on a single card, even a luna II, with I/O (not necessarily in normal mode) I'd be very happy, as there is no product currently on the market like it.

All that native rubbish I am simply not interested in (unless it is VST3 based) otherwise unless well designed, eg TAL but even then it (native) can be dodgy and only a stop-gap measure so as to speak.

If I am understanding correctly I'd have to pay for a) Scope v5 upgrade from 4.5 and below and b) Modular IV software, so if there are any other options, eg additional plugin's please note it in this thread.

In the meantime I will try and read up on modular, as it's probably my main interest at this time.

Thanks again people for all the replies.

P.S. What are voices, and why only 2-3? I've used a mono synth before, SH101, is that what we're talking about?

[cortone]

muswell,

'voices' can be translated into 'how many notes you can play at one time.' That's a simplification, because it also can relate to how successive notes overlap (or not, this is called voice stealing). But consider that playing two keys at once requires two oscillators to begin to sound, and that gives an idea of why that's a larger load.

I don't remember for certain, but I believe that Mod III comes as a default with V5 software. There are already tons of modules, plus free ones, to get you started creating some useful devices. For an additional cost you can upgrade to ModIV and get a bunch of new modules. Another 'essential' to the modular environment is the Flexor 3 set from Adern, which includes another incredible variety of modules, and then there's the RDII Modules from Zarg/John Bowen, BlackBoxII from SpaceF and Wolf's MidiToolBox as well. But, there is a LOT of fun to be had with just ModIII.

Jump in, the water's fine!

Cory

[Mr Arkadin]

@petal, I'm not sure about i/o configurations, eg what plates can go on what so might save that for another post but if they can all be mixed and matched, to confirm would be most helpful.

Basically what he is saying is the SRB comes with no software - so make sure you're not getting an SRB, you need a full card with I/O and software.

If I am understanding correctly I'd have to pay for a) Scope v5 upgrade from 4.5 and below and b) Modular IV software, so if there are any other options, eg additional plugin's please note it in this thread.

Not quite. You have to pay for Scope software if it is Scope 4.0 or below. If you get a card with 4.5 then the upgrade to 5.0 is free. You will have to pay for ModIV, but if you get a second-hand card you will already get Mod2 and ModIII, plus there are lots of free modules that you'll find here in the Devices section.

P.S. What are voices, and why only 2-3? I've used a mono synth before, SH101, is that what we're talking about?

The number of voices is dependent on the number of DSP you have and the complexity of the device. So an optimised 'off the shelf' synth might get you up to 6 voices of polyphony on some cards, but a complex Modular patch may only get you 2-3 voices on the same card, or even only one voice (monophonic). It's up to you if you want to use a synth polyphonically or monophonically. The bigger the card the more voices you'll get - some synths i still prefer mono anyway.

[muswell]

Thank you for all the replies thus far.

@petal, I'm not sure about i/o configurations, eg what plates can go on what so might save that for another post but if they can all be mixed and matched, to confirm would be most helpful.

Basically what he is saying is the SRB comes with no software - so make sure you're not getting an SRB, you need a full card with I/O and software.

So, if a card therefore never came with software, are you able to somehow register it and obtain software right off the bat as it were, ie by paying a single charge, eg Scope v5, and then later purchase modular and maybe other things if anything new has been developed lately.

I'm still working my way through the manuals but since they were written in the day of Cubase VST, it's is making the situation unduly complicated and harder to comprehend.

Thanks again

[Mr Arkadin]

So, if a card therefore never came with software, are you able to somehow register it and obtain software right off the bat as it were, ie by paying a single charge, eg Scope v5, and then later purchase modular and maybe other things if anything new has been developed lately.

You need a card with software and I/O otherwise you could end up with a board that does nothing. There are ways to add I/O to certain cards but really it's not the simplest way to begin your Scope journey.

Due to historical reasons there are many iterations of cards. The most common are:

Creamware:
Pulsar (sometimes called Pulsar I) - 4 DSP card, older hardware version, latency only down to 13ms. Various I/O options.
Pulsar SRB (Sonic Rocket Booster) - 4 DSP card, no software, no I/O, just adds power to an existing system.
Scope/DP - 15 DSP card. A developer's card so you probably won't see this on sale. Various I/O options.
Scope/SP - 15 DSP card. The 'domestic' version of the /DP card. Various I/O options.
Pulsar II - 6 DSP card. Second generation, latency down to 3ms. Various I/O options.
Elektra - 3 DSP card. Came with Modular software. Second generation, latency down to 3ms. Various I/O options.
PowerSampler/PowerSampler2 - 3 DSP card. Came with STS sampler software. Second generation, latency down to 3ms. Various I/O options.
Pulsar XTC - 6 DSP card. This one breaks the rule a bit. Intended for use in XTC mode it has no I/O but does have software.
PowerPulsar - 15 DSP card. Second generation, latency down to 3ms. Various I/O options.
Scope SRB (Sonic Rocket Booster) - 15 DSP card. No software, no I/O, just adds power to an existing system.


As you can see that's quite a complicated line of products, so S|C simplified it all into three main types - they are the same cards as the CW second generation cards, so if you are offered a CW card just think in terms of the current line and it'll be simpler. They can all run Scope 5.0 software.

Sonic|Core:
Scope Home - 3 DSP card. Runs Scope software, various I/O options.
Scope Project - 6 DSP card. Runs Scope software, various I/O options.
Scope Pro - 14 DSP card. Runs Scope software, various I/O options.
Scope 6 DSP Booster - 6 DSP card. No software, no I/O, just adds power to an existing system.
Scope 14 DSP Booster - 14 DSP card. No software, no I/O, just adds power to an existing system.


Phew.

Does that help or complicate things further?

[muswell]

Thank you Mr Arkadin, it does help to clarify things greatly.

From what you have written I gather that regarding the 15 DSP versions, that there were a couple of type 1 cards, as well as 2 type 2 cards, eg PowerPulsar and Scope SRB.

What I am not understanding I guess is from what has been already posted, as well as your information, does the 3ms situation come about as a result of an i/o plate since why would there be a need for ASIO if there was no i/o?

I had been offered a 6DSP version, but with no software so was thinking maybe of buying software for it, but would that be possible?

Thanks again

[cortone]

muswell,

The ASIO is a connection between softwares, for instance Scope to Cubase nad back to Scope. These softwares would be using the hardware IOs (which don't exist in your current scenario, unless you have another soundcard with IO) to input/output sound from/to external devices, which would include your monitoring system.

I don't have an answer about buying software for the SRB that you have been offered, I would suggest contacting S|C directly for that answer.

My best suggestion would be to look for a used Scope Home/PowerSampler, ideally already with V4.5 or above, and use that for the IOs. You would then have a 9 dsp system when you connect them (using a TDM cable), and be one step ahead of the inevitable jones for more dsps. Better yet, look for a Scope Project with V4.5 above. Best of all, look for a Scope Pro!

Cheers,
Cory

[Mr Arkadin]

From what you have written I gather that regarding the 15 DSP versions, that there were a couple of type 1 cards, as well as 2 type 2 cards, eg PowerPulsar and Scope SRB.

What I am not understanding I guess is from what has been already posted, as well as your information, does the 3ms situation come about as a result of an i/o plate since why would there be a need for ASIO if there was no i/o?

Type 1 cards are Pulsar (4 DSP), Pulsar SRB (4DSP) and i think some early Scope/DP and Scope/SP were too. All this means is that it is not possible to achieve better than 13ms latency - it's nothing to do with the I/O plate, it's a result of ASIO (in fact the Scope cards are latency-free in reality, it's just when it has to communicate to and from things like Cubase that latency is introduced).

Type 2 cards are all the others (and later Scope/DP/SP cards i believe - not sure how you tell). These can achieve 3ms latency.

Also worth noting: if you see a card labelled "Pulsar2+" or "Pulsar2 Plus" this is the professional version of those cards with balanced XLR break-out lead, rather than the regular RCA break-out lead. The break-out leads are not interchangeable so check before you buy.