Alternatives to SoundMinder?

[drenkrom]

Hi guys,

We've been using SoundMiner LE 3.2 for a few years to database our SFX and Stock Music collections and remotely search and access them from the various rooms. The release of version 4 has sparked a debate among the engineers as to where to go now. Let's just say we don't like SM that much. Version 3.2 has been as stable as a Parkinsonian Salsa dancer and support is abysmal. We're looking for alternatives.

What we need is really simple. We must be able to database our libraries, with metadata support, natively if possible. We must then be able to search from the studios for keywords, audition directly and import as seamlessly as possible into PT. We've come up with surprisingly few candidates.

What would you suggest?

[subwoof]

I upgrade from 3.2 to ver 4 Pro, and it is as stable as can be over two rooms and an ethernet network FX drive. Always works perfect, as long as you remember to set the transfer path and bit depth correctly. If you have the wrong bit depth, it can quite working suddenly. Otherwise, no problems. SM 4 Pro has awsome Metadata editing capibilities as well. I don't think there is anything out there better than SM 4 Pro right now. Plus, it is becoming the "standard" at a lot of facilities.

Go for it!

My 2 cents!

Mike

[Stuart P.]

Originally Posted by drenkrom

Hi guys,

We've been using SoundMiner LE 3.2 for a few years to database our SFX and Stock Music collections and remotely search and access them from the various rooms. The release of version 4 has sparked a debate among the engineers as to where to go now. Let's just say we don't like SM that much. Version 3.2 has been as stable as a Parkinsonian Salsa dancer and support is abysmal. We're looking for alternatives.

What we need is really simple. We must be able to database our libraries, with metadata support, natively if possible. We must then be able to search from the studios for keywords, audition directly and import as seamlessly as possible into PT. We've come up with surprisingly few candidates.

What would you suggest?

What problems are you having specifically?

[rafukyo]

I used SM since version 2. I have now V4pro. It's stable as a rock. I use it with rewire. I have it in 12 rooms. it's perfect with no problem. if you use "look for PT session" feature, you'll never forget to change the transfer parameters according to the session. the alternatives are very problematic. 1st is Gallery's Mtools and the 2nd is Netmix. both of them are not nativelly programed to run as an stand alone appliction. Mtools is filemaker combination. and netmix is written in visual basic. which is not very efficiant. SM is written in C++ the most efficent programming available. Justin and Steve are amaizing. when ever I needed an answer any time in the day (considering I at another time zone) they where there in 2 hours more or less.
the buttom line is: use SM and if you need any help, write to Steve or Justin. they will surly help you.

Rafi

[Frank Kruse]

I've never had any support issues. Response is fast and they even provided some bug-fixes or special version when I needed to cope with special workflow-issues. Sometimes within a few hours.
Yes, there hasn't been an update for quite some time now but the current version is very solid. All issues I know of happen when digidesign changes things in pt or the APIs that breaks stuff.
I don't know of any alternative that offers the same feature set on mac AND PC.
Frank

[StefB]

Same here! I have only received the best possible support from Steve & Justin (even answered some really stupid questions from me quickly & politely) As a matter of fact, I will never use anything else because of the quick reply and solutions from their side. I have used SM since 2004 (One pro version on Protools HD3 and 4 x Miniminer on Protools LE and FCP /AVID edit stations. Never ever had any real issues! It is super stable.
my 2c!

[DAPG]

Soundminer is super solid and their support is excellent. Our facility has been using SM for many years. Steve and Justin have always provided great support and the program has matured very nicely. My 2 Cents.

[mix109]

http://www.baseheadinc.com/
XP only,maybe not an alternative exactly,but i had the chance to work using it on a Nuendo system and the work flow is great

[TVPostSound]

I've never had any support issues. Response is fast and they even provided some bug-fixes or special version when I needed to cope with special workflow-issues. Sometimes within a few hours.

I can testify to that personally!!

SM 3.X is no longer supported, is that what you are complaining about?

SM 4 is rock solid, even with Rewire, as Justin rewrote the latest version of the SM Engine to fix Rewire's shortcomings.

[Stuart P.]

Soundminer has some of the best support you'll find. They're extremely responsive to legitimate concerns, and will bend over backwards to make their products work for you. Even when the reason the product doesn't work is the fault of bugs in the host software, they will do their best to create a work-around.

If you're having issues, and you're running a supported configuration, contact them.