What Are Your Initial Thoughts About Esperance??

[Glen J. Millar]

Let's keep it civil and on topic if we can...but what are your initial thoughts about the new Esperance release?

[Hayd]

I've been playing for a while now so here's my thoughts so far. As basic points based on what is there:

Likes:

Looping works well and is simply implemented.
Beatmixing of mp3's  easier with the bpm finder.
Type of file icons quite neat.

Dislikes:

Control buttons for pitch etc very small
Categories are in menus and much harder to navigate.

[Kev]

If I'm honest, there's a couple of things, some negative some positive. We've all used Ots for probably over 10 years, so can give some decent thoughts.

1. I'd have liked a little bit more clarity in the introduction to Esperance. Primary example being I don't know if my library is now compatible between 1.85 and 1.90.
2. I was surprised to see no help files have been written for it on the Ots website- they said they'll get to that. Surely they've had enough time to write and document as they go.
3. The interface is going to take a little bit of getting used to - it appears more DJ suited then radio.
4. I don't like the big hand icon it insists I use.
5. It took me 5 minutes to figure out you need to click on the Ots logo in the top left for the File/Edit/View menu.
6. I love the search just working whenever I type.
7. Delete from list is no longer bottom of the right click option on a file in the playlist - just nearly deleted a load of tracks from my media library.
8. I like the history showing when a track was last played.
9. They've moved the clock from the top right to the left (above dynamics) - I liked it up there
10. Showing items per category is really difficult now. If I want to view "A List" I have to click on the down arrow, choose show all items in category, then pick my category.
11. Looping was really easy to pick up on.

That's about it as I get into it. First observations really.

[Darryl]

On Kev's point 2 - the help files distributed with the release appear to be newer (e.g the new keyboard shortcuts in 1.90).

My first impression is it is very good - keyboard access to playlist manipulation is improved hugely.  I had no issues with installation or my media library.  I'll plug in the Numark Total Control in a minute and find out if the OHML format has changed.

[Darryl]

It took me a while to work out what the numbers in front of Media Library items was - e.g. 2.2M - it's when it was last played - 2.2 Months in this case.

I'm now wondering how to change the category filters on the drop down list on the left hand side of the Media Library - I mean, how many times will the search "Both Beatles and Love in title/artist" be needed?  I'm guessing that these are meant to be defaults that we can change...

[Hedley]

I'm sure plenty will post about this, but missing out MPEG-4 is going to cost them a lot of money. They can say they're looking for a way and sugarcoat it with their algorithm all they want, but MPEG-4 is a requirement, not a bonus, for anybody dealing in new music videos now - Too many suppliers offer a better deal for MPEG-4 today.

You can add AAC into that, too - Given iTunes is such a popular store today, and an easy place for a DJ to get a track (even during a show), why hasn't that easy addition been made? Again, the algorithm isn't that hard, and if it is for them then I'm afraid to say they should hire some new talent (brutally honest but true, all other relevant software supports that format).

Most of the changes seem interface related and, to be honest, interface wasn't really one of the things that many were asking to be improved (at least publicly). The ability to run a bigger window is a bonus, however.

Despite the point on video, radio is my main use and it seems obvious to me that their target is now DJs and VJs, because there's very little for the radio lot (including none of the voice tracking and so on). That, of course, begs the question why they'd leave out key things that those people need, because I can't see Esperance doing the bottom line of what it's intended to do - That is, bringing in new users and making Ots Labs money.

Personally I'm content with 1.85 and an upgrade isn't necessary, there's no new features that appeal and it'd just mean learning a new interface.

[Hayd]

If you want to complain about what's not there you could go on for ever, best to comment on what is. As far as the radio dj/ vj etc there are very few new features for either only really more playlist features and looping and more awkward interface.

[Darryl]

I'm a little annoyed that the scroll function on my mouse pad no longer scrolls the lists.

However its nice to finally see a key change facility (something karaoke singers used to complain to me about not having).

[Jumpin' Jeff]

 I love the new search immediate functionality... No more clicking the edit box on the search dialog before typing. YEAH! I semi like the new work space. Still playing with it, but I have a feeling I'll prefer it over the older interface.

I looked through the included help files, but it looked to reference the 1.85 version to me. perhaps I need to look more.

IMO, I like the new look, but completely understand the disappointment from others. If they were going to revamp the interface, then why not create a skin interface to allow others to configure to their own needs and desires.

As for the media library, no changes have been made to this yet, so Kev, they are currently compatible, but the next release will likely not be backwards compatible.

As to Kevs point 7, I agree. I too almost deleted tracks from my media library. Glad I got the warning and read it. Once I memorize the keyboard shortcuts, I'll really like this tho.

Hedley, You'd be amazed at how many comments I've heard through the years about the interface. Unfortunately, without skinning, I think the took a small step back.

[Paul Douglas]

My gripes aren't many or very large.

Hmm not much if anything for the internet/radio broadcaster that we didn't have before, shame about the drab black/charcoal colour scheme, the size of the decks is something i'll get used to in time with all those extra buttons that I have no use for and again the colour scheme.

And my biggest loss is not being able to have the decks at the bottom.

The search is fine I guess, but then so was the old one as far as I was concerned.

I still love Ots because is just sounds so great and mixes so well without me having to do anything.

Now I just sound like a grumpy old man



Paul.

Looking forward already to the next update as this one really has nothing new for me.

[larichardson73]

I kind of feel the same.  There really isn't that much for the broadcasters.  The search functions are cool, but I run an internet station that is mostly automated.  I don't really need to find songs "on the fly".  The old search functions were fine with me, as was the entire interface.  In truth, the only thing I was really looking forward to was proper functioning of the '.' operator.  I just want OTS to automatically generate a playlist that separates Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler  It's such a simple thing, but so important to broadcasters, and they've been promising it for a while now.  They mentioned in the documentation that it is coming, but what does that mean?  Another year?
This is a great product.  I've only played with it for about an hour, but I can tell it is rock solid as usual.  But it just doesn't suit my needs.  I was waiting for this release in order to decide if I need to look elsewhere, and I think I may do that now.
Don't mean to be a pooper.  Just a bit disappointed.  It certainly was a long wait.

[Darryl]

Under the main menu (click the Ots icon) -> View -> Rack Area -> Backdrop you will find three colour schemes:
Black Curtains (default)
Charcoal Grey
Solid Black.

[Jigger]

I can understand people dissapointment, but this is a big change for ots and so far I have no gripes, I think once we all get use to it will be better,
This is only the first stage of Esperance I am sure more will come, but it has been said before you can't please all the people all the time.

[Jumpin' Jeff]

Yeah, and on the system I tried this out on, there wasn't much difference in the overal look and feel by choosing any of the 3.

[Jigger]

I noticed that Jeff couldn't see much of a change