MachFive, the first and only truly universal sampler instrument, is gearing up for a major upgrade. And best of all, if you purchase MachFive Version 1 now (or any time after January 20th, 2005), Version 2 will be free of charge. So if you're thinking about purchasing MachFive at your favorite MOTU reseller, there's never been a better time.

MachFive Version 2 is packed with major new features and virtual sampling innovations. The list below serves as a preview of what's in store for MachFive users, while a more complete list of new features will be announced closer to its release:

• Stand-alone operation—In addition to supporting all major plug-in formats on Mac and Windows, MachFive Version 2 operates as a stand-alone application, allowing it to be used with popular music applications such as Finale that don't host audio plug-ins. You can also build Mac- or PC-based systems designed solely for large-scale sample playback via MachFive as the software front end for the system.
• Unlimited parts—Currently, MachFive Version 1 provides 16 parts. Each part can be loaded with a different instrument (preset) for independent sequencing on up to 16 different MIDI channels per instance of the plug-in. In Version 2, MachFive lets you add unlimited parts to one instance of MachFive, eliminating the need to open multiple instances when more than 16 parts are needed. The stand-alone version of MachFive can receive on an unlimited number of MIDI channels, while the plug-in version supports up to 128 separate MIDI channels per instance.

• Full-screen preset browser—As just one example of its entirely new graphics engine, MachFive Version 2's new preset browser fills the entire window with a semi-transparent, multi-column list for browsing soundbanks, preset categories and presets, making it much easier for you to find sounds.
• Unlimited keygroup layers—In MachFive Version 1, samples can be conveniently and flexibly mapped as keygroups across the entire 128 MIDI note range and 0-127 velocity depth. MachFive Version 2 adds a third dimension, allowing you to stack unlimited layers of keygroups in one preset. Think of Version 1 as providing only one layer per preset. Now you can build multiple layers per preset and use sophisticated “rules” for switching between layers in real-time. For example, you could load various articulations of an instrument into several layers and use key switches to instantly change articulations (layers). Or you could use a modulation wheel to smoothly crossfade among several articulations (layers).
• Enhanced Giga and EXS24 library support—The just-mentioned layering feature allows MachFive Version 2 to provide much better support for the use of sample libraries in the Giga and EXS24 sample formats.
• Expanded modular synth engine—Under the hood, MachFive has a newly expanded, modularized synthesis engine that provides a host of new features. Two aggressive filters are supplied per keygroup, as are more LFO waveforms, pitch processing, time stretching, tempo synced multi-stage envelopes with unlimited stages and streamlined performance. Every synth parameter can be individually disabled to conserve CPU bandwidth.
• Expanded envelope editor—Fills the MachFive window and allows you to click anywhere on the envelope graph to create an unlimited number of envelope stages and then drag them to create any desired envelope shape.
• Expanded sample and keygroup editors—Both the sample editor and keygroup editor can be expanded to fill the MachFive Window for easier viewing and editing.
• Built-in mixer—MachFive version 1 was designed to give you access to all of its features in one window. This instant-access philosophy lives on in Version 2. With one click, you can instantly view a full-fledged, intuitive, built-in mixer with channel strips, faders, pan pots, inserts and other customary mixer controls. This mixer is especially useful for stand-alone operation, where more sophisticated mixing is needed within MachFive itself.
• LoopLab™—This powerful new groove slice engine lets you perform Recycle™ style loop editing directly within MachFive and your host application sequencing environment. REX files, Apple Loops or other loop material can be instantly imported into MachFive and then triggered directly from MachFive. Or they can be split into individual slices that are automatically mapped to keys in a MachFive preset. Rendered MIDI data that triggers the slices to faithfully reproduce the loop can then be dragged and dropped as a MIDI file directly into the audio sequencer host for further sequencing and editing of the loop.
• Real-time time stretching—Mono and stereo samples (keygroups) can be individually time-stretched to the extreme while maintaining their rhythmic accuracy and even pitch. Loops and other rhythmic material can be automatically stretched to sync their tempo with the host application tempo.

If you purchase MachFive version 1 now (or any time after January 20th, 2005), Version 2 will be free of charge. For further information about MachFive click here.