V-Machine Turns Your Music Software Into Hardware

SM Pro Audio has announced that the V-Machine hardware VST player is now shipping in the US.

The V-Machine is a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module designed to take plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them directly without a computer.

Multiple plug-ins can be loaded into bank/preset memories of the V-Machine for immediate access and combined into chains, splits, and layer. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders.

Audio is handled by stereo inputs and outputs and a headphone output with dedicated volume control. Three USB connections handle computer transfers of VST applications, streaming of sample content from external hard drives, connection of USB controllers, and copy protection dongles. A MIDI-in jack is also included for the connection of standard MIDI controllers.

V-Machine is available now with an MSRP of $599.

Details:

V-Machine ships with control configuration software (downloadable from their web site from 21st November, 2008), which is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X, as well as IK Multimedia’s Sample Tank SE and a set of sound samples. Users can load up their favorite VST/VSTi plug-ins on their computer for auditioning, sound-set creation, and bank/preset memory assignment prior to transferring to the V-Machine for stand-alone use. Transferring (Windows) VST plug-ins to the V-Machine via USB transfer takes care of all required user data and program memories. Once in the main unit, users have instant access to all instrument and effects for the stage or studio with great audio performance, hardware stability, ease of operation, and portability.

Features:

  • External hardware host for Windows plug-ins (VST instruments and effects).
  • Banks, presets (incl. chaining, layering, splitting) can be edited with the V-Machine or the host software.
  • Create synth layers and chain them with effects.
  • Connect nearly every MIDI-Controller to the V-Machine.
  • Multiple VSTis can be combined.
  • MIDI learn functions included.
  • All effect and synth chains can be switched latency free.
  • USB-Ports for external peripherals.
  • Use software samplers and stream its content from any USB drive.
  • Sensor to adjust the display’s contrast automatically.

Technical specifications:

  • 1 Ghz CPU.
  • 1G IDE flash disk.
  • 512 MB RAM.
  • HD audio codec.

Connections:

  • Audio Line Out (2x TS 6.35mm): Line level -10dB.
  • 1 x MIDI In (5-pin female DIN).
  • 1 audio input (1x mini jack 3.5mm stereo).
  • 1 x USB Type-B (Slave) : USB-MIDI Class Compliant.
  • Headphone out (3.5mm stereo).
  • Kensington style lock aperture.
  • 2 x USB Type-A (Host) compatible with USB-MIDI and USB Mass Storage Class compliant devices.
  • DC IN : 12V Regulated.

5 thoughts on “V-Machine Turns Your Music Software Into Hardware

  1. gee, let me see. SMS Pro Audio, the company that seems to be around just to make Behringer products look good by comparison, wants $600 for an underpowered box to run VST instruments. Let’s see:

    Dell will sell you a 2GHZ Core2 Duo box with 2Gig of RAM for $399. Add an M-Audio 2496 for under a hundred (WAY under if you get it used) and you have a machine you can run a free VST host on for $100 less, and it’s faster and has more disk storage.

  2. Kent- You also have crappy Windows box to support that’s not optimized for audio, and you have to take a day to get the thing set up and deal with updates, ad nauseum.

  3. I’m curious about this thing because I just moved over to Mac for audio and had to leave behind some well loved, free VSTs (Synth Edit for Mac PLEASE!)… but I also love the all in one box solution and don’t really want to be dragging another thing around with me just to work on some tunes.

  4. Devilman-

    Point is you can do it cheaply with a PC, some effort yes but not everyone has $$$, but that’s why PC based machines took off in the first place, they were always cheap computers that were upgradable and can do anything you want from it with a little effort. Sweat Equity always wins out over $$$.

    Dante – Yeah I wish the AtariST VSTi and some other chip-soft synths were on the MAC too.

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