[user-forum] Rack Attack: hardware or software version

[DB]

It is a little difference between the two. You can put the Rack Attack 
in AttackVSTI compatibility mode, but
if it's out of that mode, you get a GREAT 24 track 128 step sequencer, 
that can be triggerred remotely from
a keyboard/mpc. It's actually quite flexible and fun to play with live.

Check here:
http://reviews.sonikmatter.com/2002/11/waldorf-attack.php

*********


      What's different in the RackAttack?


Perhaps the most important difference between the software and hardware 
units is the additional flexibility in the modulation routings found in 
the RackAttack. This is probably because the matrix-editing interface of 
the Rack Attack, while showing less information at once than the plug-in 
interface, is better suited to supporting menu-driven options like 
matrix modulation.

The effects section in the RackAttack is also far more comprehensive 
than what can be found in the Attack VSTi, with four separate effects 
busses being shared for all sounds, and a greater variety of effects. 
This could be attributed to a few factors, including the above mentioned 
case of a menu-driven interface being better for supporting more options 
- as well as the fact that Waldorf had already developed a number of 
excellent effects for the MicroQ, which also uses the same software 
platform. Also, given the plethora of effects that are bundled with 
every major digital audio package, let alone the hundreds of free and 
low-cost effects processors that can be easily downloaded from the 
Internet, it's not as necessary to include effects inside of the VSTi 
itself.

The RackAttack also has a Pattern Play feature that is like a 
supercharged arpeggiator. You can create patterns of up to 128 steps, 
and have a separate pattern for each of the 24 sounds in a program. They 
are syncable to midi clock, or to the RackAttack's internal tempo. You 
could, for example, set up a four-on-the-floor on the kick key, and a 
16th note on the closed hi-hat key, while one snare could have a 64th 
note burst fill while all your other sounds are played "live". Waldorf 
really appears to have given this some thought for live use. Don't 
mistake this for a full blown pattern sequencer, however - you'll still 
need to use an external sequencer or keyboard to build songs using the 
RackAttack. This is not going to replace your MPC-60, but will 
definitely compliment any hardware sequencer.

*******

I have Serial Number 2, and wouldn't part with it for twice what was 
quote earlier....

Dave

Joey Gonzalez wrote:
> they are actually the same engine... though the rack attack is said to sound
> better... i
>
> but you definitely cannot go wrong with the attack software
>
> On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 8:17 PM, Scott Orange <scott.orange at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> OK - My Micro Q is still looking for its soul mate in a drum machine,
>> and I am beginning to think the Rack Attack might be the answer.
>>
>> Rack Attacks seem near-impossible to find, but I prefer
>> hardware.  Would you recommend hardware or the Attack software
>> instead?  Which sounds the best?  How much would you pay for a used
>> Rack Attack these days?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> --Scott
>>
>> --
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