BASIC QUESTIONS

What is Stylus RMX™?
It's a Virtual Groove Module plug-in, which combines a massive 7.4 gigabyte core library with a powerful, yet easy to use interface for manipulating the sounds in unique and innovative ways.

So is Stylus RMX basically a "preset" loop machine?
Not at all. The whole idea is to combine powerful flexibility, with an easy to use interface. You can easily think of RMX as the ultimate Groove creation machine! Because of the power of Groove Control™, you can easily create and manipulate your own grooves using the core library as a starting point for your own explorations. It is not an exaggeration to say that there are millions of possibilities. Stylus RMX is designed to be inspiring for many years to come.

Which libraries are included with Stylus RMX?
The entire core library in Stylus RMX is specially created for this virtual instrument. Nothing is from our previous sample libraries.

Is Stylus RMX only useful for Electronic styles?
RMX stands for “Remix”, so of course the focus of the core library is definitely on sound design and modern sonic elements. However, there is also a nice "hi-fi" selection of percussion loops and many single hit menus for use in many more traditional styles. Because of the flexibility of Groove Control and the wide variety of single hits, Stylus RMX has been successfully used in many traditional pop and rock settings too. There have been numerous hit records and filmscores that have featured the Stylus RMX core library in a vast array of genres. We’d recommend checking out the uses of Stylus RMX on our demos pages to hear it in a wide variety of styles.

Also, RMX can be expanded into more acoustic genres with the SAGE Xpander series!

Does Stylus have Kits and Playable sounds?
Yes! Stylus RMX includes an extensive collection of over 250 hundred Kits, over 3,000 kit modules and over 10,000 single hits in “Sound Menus” - all of which are great for creating your own completely custom rhythm tracks. The focus of the sounds are decidedly in the “modern remix” category. Although you won’t find many “traditional” acoustic sounds with extensive multisampling, there is a nice section of acoustic percussion and some hi-fi cymbals too.

Is the Bonus material on the Xpanders unique to each title?
Each of the Spectrasonics SAGE Xpanders (Metamorphosis, Backbeat, Retro Funk, Liquid Grooves and Burning Grooves) has a “Bonus Spectrasonics” library - which includes all of the Vocal Planet and Bizarre Guitar Groove Control material, a large selection of loops from the Distorted Reality libraries and more previously unreleased material.

The ILIO SAGE Xpanders (Big Bad Beats, Noizbox, Ethno Techno and Stark Raving Beats) all come with a different “Bonus ILIO” library - which features material from their Memphis Horns, Phat Fingers, World Winds, Transfusion libraries and more.

Do the SAGE Xpanders include new Kits or only Grooves?
All of the SAGE Xpanders include groove elements only.

What is the difference between the original “classic” Stylus and Stylus RMX?
Stylus RMX is a brand new instrument that has a new sound library, a new interface, many new features and is the first instrument to feature our newly developed S.A.G.E. technology. It’s completely new and includes all the original sounds of the original Stylus plug-in, which is now discontinued.

Is there an upgrade from Stylus to Stylus RMX?
Yes. You can find out the details HERE.

If I upgrade my Stylus Classic to Stylus RMX can I later resell and transfer the license of either instrument used to someone else?
No. Customers who participate in a special upgrade program for any Spectrasonics virtual instruments are not eligible for license transfers either for the original instrument or its subsequent upgrade.

For example, if an original owner of Stylus Classic takes advantage of our special upgrade program to Stylus RMX, the owner is not permitted to resell either instrument and no license transfer will be granted.

What formats does Stylus RMX import?
Stylus RMX can import all the Groove Control® sample libraries and Propellerheads REX files as well... which vastly expands the capabilities of this instrument, since this opens up the potential of using your own audio loops and third party REX libraries.

Can Stylus RMX load Groove Control™ sample libraries?
Yes! They work great and work via a very simple one-time conversion. There’s no difference in quality between the conversion and the native SAGE Xpander versions of these titles.

The only missing material between the original Groove Control libraries and the new SAGE Xpander versions is the Bonus libraries and special multi patches that are included with the Xpanders.

Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use Stylus RMX?
No, you can use it completely with a mouse if you want. However, it is faster to use and more inspiring if you also use it with a MIDI keyboard, since Stylus RMX can be "performed" in real-time.

How much content is on each SAGE Xpander?
Each SAGE Xpander includes about 1GB of new grooves, except Burning Grooves, which has about 2GB of new grooves.

LICENSING/PROTECTION QUESTIONS

Are there any legal limitations to how I can use Stylus RMX?
The main limitation is that you are not allowed to use it to make a sample library or another kind of sample-based product. You are also restricted from giving away or posting online any loops or samples created using Stylus RMX. However, you are able to use Stylus RMX in all musical recording applications without paying any additional licenses.

Does Stylus RMX use copy protection?
Yes, we have our own system (not PACE). Once you’ve installed and open the plug-in, you’ll have a 48 hour grace period to use the product without authorization. To continue using the instrument on that computer, you’ll need to authorize the plug-in on our web site. It's fast and easy, and you'll get your Response code for your computer immediately. You don't have to use your music computer to do the web authorization.

What if I need more than one install for laptop use, if my hard drive crashes or if I get a new computer?
Not a problem...our web site is available around the clock to handle these situations immediately. It's very easy to do it online and you’ll always be able to get the authorizations that you need for your computers from Spectrasonics.

I’m very concerned about what would happen to my Spectrasonics instruments if the company were to go out of business...would I be still be able to authorize them?
Absolutely! At Spectrasonics, we believe it is essential to guarantee to our users the ability to get lifetime authorizations for the Spectrasonics instruments they purchased. In the unlikely event that the company were to go out of business, we would provide the ability for all registered users to get continued authorizations. In fact, there already exists a system in place for this contingency. However, the good news is that this event is highly unlikely...we plan to be around for many years!

Do I have to credit Spectrasonics if I use Stylus RMX on a project?
No, it isn't mandatory for our instruments...but we certainly would appreciate it!

Do I need to obtain a special license to use Stylus RMX on a commercial project?
No, the lifetime license fee to use the samples is covered in the purchase price of the instrument. You can use it on as many of your own projects as you like and we hope that you make some hits with it!

Can I use Stylus RMX on Music Libraries or Film Trailers?
Yes, this is fine. Some soundware companies restrict this kind of use, but Spectrasonics doesn't.

Can I use Stylus RMX in multimedia or game music projects?
Yes, this is OK unless you want to put samples created with Stylus RMX directly encoded into the game. That requires an additional license.

I work at a production music studio with several other composers/producers. Can we all use Stylus RMX from our main server?
No. It's very important to know that each composer must have his or her own copy and license for Stylus RMX. We make regular checks to verify that large production studios have obtained the proper licenses for our instruments and sample libraries.

As a studio owner, can I include Stylus RMX on a rental or studio computer for studio clients to use on their projects?
No. The standard license to use Stylus RMX is only granted to the buyer. We have a "single user/multiple computer" lifetime license policy. If it is your own recording project that you are producing, of course that isn't a problem...but your studio clients aren't licensed to use it for their own projects, and Stylus RMX use can't be "rented". Multiple license packages are available by contacting your Spectrasonics distributor. If you have questions regarding multi-license packages contact info@spectrasonics.net

Does this mean that I can’t use Stylus RMX when working on someone else’s project?
This type of use is very standard and not a problem at all. The "single user" is defined as the person who is licensed to use the software instrument. This means that the licensed user can use it on an unlimited number of musical projects they are involved in. This can be a person’s own project, a project where they are acting as a producer for another artist, as a session musician performing on someone else’s project live or in the studio, etc, etc. The main point of our license agreement is the concept of a single licensed user. If a licensed Stylus RMX user is not musically involved in a project, that is where there is a restriction - hence the inability to simply rent the instrument or rent "time" to use the instrument as part of a studio’s services. Most of our customers use their Spectrasonics instruments on many different kinds of musical projects for different artists and collaborations.

Can my writing partner use a copy of my instrument on their computer?
No...the license to use Stylus RMX is on a per-person (single user) basis. They would need their own copy of Stylus RMX to use it on their computer.

Can I install my Stylus RMX on a client’s computer for their use?
Not unless they are a licensed user. They will need their own serial number and registration to be licensed to use the instrument.

I’ve never heard of these kinds of licensing restrictions before. This seems unusual and totally different from using hardware sound modules. Why does Spectrasonics have such an unusual policy?
It’s not actually unusual at all or even unique to Spectrasonics. In fact, this is the identical type of license agreement used by thousands of sample libraries, virtually all sample-based virtual instruments and the vast majority of music software. Single user license agreements do have different restrictions compared to using hardware devices, and many people are not aware of these types of differences and restrictions. Part of the purpose of this FAQ section is to serve as a clear explanation of our policies. In this case, these types of "single user" license restrictions are standard for nearly all software/soundware companies, not only Spectrasonics.

Can I resell Stylus RMX used to someone else?
Not without obtaining a license transfer from Spectrasonics. The sounds and software are licensed and registered ONLY to you. You cannot automatically transfer the license to someone else, and therefore you cannot simply sell it used. If you do attempt to sell it used without obtaining a license transfer, the buyer will not be able to use the product because it is registered and licensed to you. The Stylus RMX license is the right given to a single person to use the instrument. When you purchase the product, you are primarily purchasing the lifetime right to use the product and the sounds it contains in your own music projects. Also, if you sell any of your computers that have a Spectrasonics instruments installed on them, you are required to delete them first from the hard drive.

How would I obtain a license transfer and how much does it cost?
The vast majority of sample libraries and sample-based virtual instruments on the market do not allow license transfers of any kind. However, at Spectrasonics we realize that there are certain circumstances where it can be a legitimate transaction. Because circumstances can vary so much, we only grant up to one license transfer on a case-by-case basis to the original owner. Any license transferred versions of this software do not have all the same upgrade privileges as standard new units purchased at an authorized Spectrasonics dealer. Depending on the circumstances, when a license transfer is granted, there is usually an additional fee involved that covers the transfer all the rights to the new user to use the core library sounds, to receive full tech support and continuing support update rights, issuing a new serial number and account, etc. If you have more questions about obtaining license transfers, how much it costs and what the limitations are of license transferred versions, please contact us directly at info@spectrasonics.net

Can I use the demo songs?
No, they are just there to give you an idea of what Stylus RMX can do.

Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
You can send us an email at info@spectrasonics.net

We’d also recommend checking out the Yahoo Spectrasonics Users Group and Northernsounds forum - These aren’t official company forums, but they are full of excellent tips and very knowledgeable users.

Yahoo Spectrasonics Users Group
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/spectrasonics/