I had several of my colleagues recommend UNIFY to me over the past year. I looked at it and at first thought, no way, it is way to complicated looking and what will it do for me. But they persisted and today I dropped the $90.
After a couple hours I now have a whole new appreciation for the learning curve associated with BIAB and what a newbee has to deal with. UNIFY reminds me so much of the complexity of BIAB. Countless menus, strange terminology, hidden workflows, but I have discovered that the power and rewards of pushing lots of buttons is both compelling and overwhelming. This is essentially the mother of all VST hosts permitting one to layer patches and libraries of sounds.
UNIFY, like Scaler, represents a new wave of music making applications. In direct comparison, BIAB happens to be 20 years ahead of its time. These new apps approach the similar power and complexity of this class of software. Definitely a class of their own.
Can't give UNIFY a "full recommendation" just yet as the learning curve looks steep and it will take time, but I do advise you to have an open mind and take a look at some of the many videos out there to see if you agree with my perception about this class of music apps. The picture below shows how I have begun to insert my orchestral libraries into the host - the results are awesome.
Hi DAn. Ok, I gone through several of "Skippy's" video and I think that I might understand this. You can layer multiple VST's and play them all together from one "unified" piece of software...is this right?
Here's my question: can I then take the unified multi-VSTi layer "patch" and use that as a single VST in BIAB or RB or is this a strictly standalone application?
Here's my question: can I then take the unified multi-VSTi layer "patch" and use that as a single VST in BIAB or RB or is this a strictly standalone application?
Jeff
Ya, I have a lot of questions now also. But UNIFY comes as a Standalone, VST3 and VST2 plugins. So you can put it on a track in your DAW then load any number of VSTs (including BIAB-VST, which I just did) into it. Beyond that it is all discovery for me at this time. I will keep you updated if this pans out.
Dan, so speaking in simple terms it is a VST based "VST host".. In many ways similar to "minihost modular" with convenience of upfront mixer but disadvantaged by simplicity of visual chain connection?
---- P.S. Sorry, topic steal. Dan, I was sure you would find this post entertaining: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=643726#Post643726 If you missed it, knowing that you are a fan of Scaler, I suggest you look into it. While Scaler is a fine little app with great team of coders, I found Harmony Navigator a bit more interesting in some ways.
Dan, I was sure you would find this post entertaining: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=643726#Post643726 If you missed it, knowing that you are a fan of Scaler, I suggest you look into it. While Scaler is a fine little app with great team of coders, I found Harmony Navigator a bit more interesting in some ways.
Yes I did review your earlier thread. My conclusion was I have enough on my plate at the time, so I put this on my list to check out further when time permits. I am afraid UNIFY stepped in front of this in the line. But that is how things happen. I had watched UNIFY for a long time convinced I did not want to go there and then things happened. Funny how timing is everything. So glad we are able to share these items. Thanks much.
You lost me at $90. It would be different if I made money with this stuff, but I do this for my own amusement. But if it suits your needs and you have money to spend, it seems like a good thing for you.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
I can highly recommend Unify. I've used since it came out in early 2020 and it is actually much easier to use than it initially looks like. The fact that you can combine all your plugins in one place to make new interesting sounds and patches is just so useful and inspiring. It is great for live performances as well!
So this guy (Skippy) from Unify puts together frequent live promotional shows (at least weekly) to hawk Unify. I general move quickly through them to learn a little more about what this product does.
Yesterday the topic was intended to introduce the current free Unify update V1.4 so I dialed in. But then he announces he will have some friends of his sharing in on the session. So in classic Zoom style the screen stated to fill up with "music royalty". I was star struck! This guy knows some very famous musicians and movers and shakers in the sound industry. You may have heard Herbie sit and chat in the past, but what about Jordan? I really enjoyed this informal candid conversation about music and the pandemic. Mic levels were a bit of a problem at the beginning (a weird twist of irony) but get better with time.
Livestream Chat with Herbie Hancock, Jordan Rudess, Steve Porcaro + more!
Set aside some time for this since they were all having such a good time, despite efforts to end the chat to get to the V4 launch, - no one wanted to end the fun.
The $10 OFF Labor Day Unify Sale is On Now! To celebrate the release of Unify 1.6 PLUS they are offering a chance to save $10 on any purchase. Only until Monday Night at Midnight!
Dan, this looks very interesting. I've been using my old Sonar X3, but Reaper as well. I have plugins that just won't load in Sonar or Reaper properly. Have you had experience using this in different DAWs?
Dan, this looks very interesting. I've been using my old Sonar X3, but Reaper as well. I have plugins that just won't load in Sonar or Reaper properly. Have you had experience using this in different DAWs?
Regards,
Bob
I only have used Reaper and Reaper handles all my plugs so truth be told, I mostly use Unify as a Standalone for my live playing. There is a free demo but the free version is limited and does not allow you to integrate your own plugins as best I recall.
This looks interesting... don't know if this is something I need, or or just want... it's really not about the money, but rather the time... ... ... Here we go again.
For me it is the best if you work with midi in band in a box. Multitimbric and sounds on demand. .Tested and works fine in biab 2020 and standalone. Apart from offering much more. In my opinion they knew what was needed and they did it.
Tip: create some "layers" named "empty unify", It's in "add instrument" and in "operations"- "open plug-ing GUI" assign each one your favorite presets from the unify library or mix yours with them, haute cuisine.
Great buy. Cheers
To the one who gets up early, nobody makes him breakfast.
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