Doktor, no argument with me about the samples and I can see being thrown by other problems. I don't really use Rapt Pro because of that. Where I differ is I think Cake will get things sorted out, and I think it will be worth it. I love performance pads. In the meanwhile I like some of the presets, it has a great selection of samples that actually work, and it offers a lot of control. Not perfect, for sure, but usable.
As to payola in the music mag business, every time there is a positive review someone somewheres brings out the old canard that companies pay for good reviews. If you work in the publishing business, esp. reviews, there is nothing quite as important as credibility. If I say this product is the best thing since baked beans and a mag publishes it (and it doesn't matter what the product is - music software or cars or hotels) and enough customers buy the product and it kills their firstborn, they ain't going to take my word next time and never buy the magazine again (or that is how I'd react). Magazines get about half their money from ads while the rest comes from you, the reader (and buyer). If I was a publisher I'd spike a review of a product that wasn't up to snuff, not lie. You put half your revenue stream at risk. I'm not saying it ain't done, just that it doesn't make economic sense since when you can just not run the damn thing. And as a writer, I've never been asked to do it by an editor. I just wanted anyone that thinks that way to remember this review - and there have been others.
@