Creamware minimax review... not!

[the synthman]

Just asking, why has this synth never been reviewed in the "Browse the gear" section.

[Cybercardinal]

Because noone has written a review

[Bitexion]

users submit those reviews. So feel free to make one. I have a minimax but Its been sitting in a drawer for the past couple yearsl for some reason..

[Broadwave]

If it's anything like the Prodyssey I had, it's buggy, very, very buggy! Admittedly, I can't vouch for the Minimax.

Unexpected random program changes, dreadful aliasing etc. but above all... zilch in the way of support from Creamware/Soniccore - Dreadful.

The Use Audio Pluggiator went the same way.

A one word review for you - "Avoid"

[wiss]

Bugs...really bad bugs...I hade the minimax and prophet 12 and without a doubt the best sounding VA's on the market.

[the synthman]

Have you guys got the latest (last) OS installed? The minimax is v 2.0 I think, this is supposed to have cleared up the bugs such as stepping when adjusting filter cutoff for instance!

[chimney chop]

i had one for awhile.

hadn't really tried using the remote software so i can't comment on that.

as far as the hardware goes the interface is vexing and highly frustrating.

tweaking the FX is difficult and the FX parameter choices are odd.

if you want the LED display to show how far the knob is from the actual value you have to switch modes and if you've forgotten you've switched you'll accidentally press the PatchValue/UpDown button and lose all your work.


that being said it sounds fantastic.

i got a Plugiator instead and MIDI mapped it with my virus TI2.

very happy with that setup.

[chimney chop]

also, there's too much resistance in the pots.

i found that to be true of all the ASB series.

[bjamin9]

Greetings!

Someone mentioned an OS version of 2.xx for the MiniMax.
Where can I get this?
I have version 1.0. Bought this when it originally came out.
Had talked to the music store at that time for I couldn't get the glide to work.
I was told at that time that I needed specific codes to enter into the software that would be placed on the computer.
I did, it didn't work. So, I'm wondering if the 2.xx will clean up some stuff with this unit?

Also, (and I know I can tweak this also) was there ever any sites that offered other sounds to load?

Any help, links, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Bjamin9

[Ashe37]

iirc, its buried on Creamware's site, someone asked about the ProOddyssey, iirc, awhile back and i found it.

[Bitexion]

I remember it was a pain in the a*s to get the upgrade for mine, since the upgrade is tied to a software license key. You can't install the upgrade without the correct key. And since Creamware is long gone, you have to write a mail to sonic core, and hope they still have the keys lying around.

So I first had to wait for an initial reply from SC, who said they had the key if I provided the serial number, then waited a couple days more for the key code.

Who does something that retarded anyway? Copy protection on a fricking firmware update? It's not like someone would pirate it cmon guys I asked why they put a cdkey on a firmware update, and got the response that they were equally baffled but had nothing to do with Creamware employees anymore.

[the synthman]

the firmware and remote software are available from the download page of the support section of the Sonic|Core website.Don't upgrade the firmware without requesting the ASB's firmware key. The key given in the "read me" file is only an example and will kill your mm is you try to use it...Sonic|Core will provide this if you send a short email to support requesting it. you must provide the unit's serial number. Sonic|Core is not Creamware, so the firm and software and keyfiles are only provided as goodwill services, their use is at your own risk, although the risk is very low.also, the remote software will only work fully and properly in XP or OSX no later than 10.2.

[Bitexion]

Oh yes, that's what happened with mine. I kind of forgot about the whole cycle..

I updated the MM with the firmware, and it killed the sound in my synth. And that's why I wrote Sonic Core I suppose, to ask what the h**l had just happened.

And they told me the keyfiles and serial needed to match and that they had no idea why CW had made it so convoluted in the first place.

[the synthman]

"And they told me the keyfiles and serial needed to match and that they had no idea why CW had made it so convoluted in the first place."

Yeah it was, or is still totally daft...

[skunk3]

I had a Minimax years ago and I was actually shocked at how good it sounded. I didn't encounter any bugs that I remember though... however, the knobs did have a lot of resistance. At the time I wanted one really bad but now that there's so much cheap analog available I wouldn't really care to own one again unless it was at a fantastic price.