I just spotted the announcement over on KVR
 
"Magix has announced that the complete line of "Independence" products including the sampler and a wide range of plugins (formerly yellow tools) is now available at the MAGIX Pro website."
 
http://pro.magix.com/en/independence/functions.1015.html
 
I wonder how this is going to turn out? It would be nice to see some development but it's a long way behind Kontakt (and Mach Five) now in terms of scripting and third part content.
 
I see they are still offering the Pro version and a basic version for those who do not want to pay for the full library, I think a lot of people would like to see NI take that approach with Kontakt. But it does not look like you can buy the individual instrument sets any longer.
 
It's certainly a nice intuitive sampler to use if you want to map out your own samples and are not into scripting. The Factory library is still useful, not state of the art but solid, usable sounds, particularly the Kirk Hunter Orchestral stuff, the Candy Saxes and the Majestic Basses. All of which IMHO beat the corresponding stuff in the Kontakt library.
 
I also wonder what support will be like for existing users? An encouraging sign is my Yellowtools account log on gets me onto the Samplitude Service Centre and I can see my Yellowtools products, with download and create new activation links.
 
Oh - and the free version is well worth grabbing if you do not have it already.

Looks like there is a new version of the Engine (3.1) so that will be the first acid test. I will not be able to try it until the middle of next week.

Somehow glad that Independence didn't just fall off the face of earth. Though I doubt they're in a position to take over the market. 

The sound has always been good and the free edition is a good edition for freebie hunters. I think they need to overhaul the GUI. The browser is rubbish and trying to work out how to do things isn't intuitive. I couldn't find the answers on how to do certain things anywhere. People asked similar questions and there was tumbleweed all over the internet including their forum.

Plus the install was nightmare for some and they couldn't work out why it affected many and not others. It's never a good sign when people are posting workarounds on how to install the product - such as loading it onto another computer and then copying across because the installler didn't work on all PCs!

Glyn
Thanks for this - I just went and checked my account - all there but different!
I had Majestic, Culture and Candy, now I seem to have the World Library,  Acoustic and Electric Basses plus Saxophone and Brass!!!
I wonder if they have just renamed the libraries or they are different?
Further investigation needed I feel.
Nigel

strikinglyhandsome1


The sound has always been good and the free edition is a good edition for freebie hunters. I think they need to overhaul the GUI. The browser is rubbish and trying to work out how to do things isn't intuitive. I couldn't find the answers on how to do certain things anywhere. People asked similar questions and there was tumbleweed all over the internet including their forum.

Plus the install was nightmare for some and they couldn't work out why it affected many and not others. It's never a good sign when people are posting workarounds on how to install the product - such as loading it onto another computer and then copying across because the installler didn't work on all PCs!

I have never installed/used Independence before, and although this bit of info is good to know, I'm sure my older system will be more than receptive/compatible with their line.
 
(Deciding on whether it's worth taking up Striking's "Installation Challenge")

I think they changed it after that sale. You should be good to go.

Bajan, they were always part of the full installation. I can't remember the original downloads exactly except there was a lot of them and it took a while.

they aren't offering a crossgrade which might draw away some kontakt customers perhaps.. 

but it's just like the 80's and 90's where the akai "s" samplers pretty much ruled the roost.. if they can get some killer functions that nothing else has then they can change the user base a bit.. 

but unless NI REALLY mess up , I can't seen folk changing from pretty much the industry standard.

strikinglyhandsome1

The sound has always been good and the free edition is a good edition for freebie hunters. I think they need to overhaul the GUI. The browser is rubbish and trying to work out how to do things isn't intuitive. I couldn't find the answers on how to do certain things anywhere. People asked similar questions and there was tumbleweed all over the internet including their forum.

Plus the install was nightmare for some and they couldn't work out why it affected many and not others. It's never a good sign when people are posting workarounds on how to install the product - such as loading it onto another computer and then copying across because the installler didn't work on all PCs!

I had the free version, but it was as you say a "nightmare" to install and gave me trouble.  Was not worth it, so I removed it last year.


Does the new version new engine come with the Independence Free?  If so, it might be worth taking a look/listen again.