For support videos concerning the PLAY software, please visit our Support Videos Page or select your Operating System from the following links: Mac | Windows
What is EastWest's PLAY Software?
PLAY is EastWest's 64-bit and 32-bit Advanced Sample Engine, featuring advanced Legato Detection, various Effects Engine capabilities, and many more features. It is compatible with all major DAW/Sequencing Hosts (see 'Supported Hosts' table on each product page), and all major system platforms (Mac, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7).
What plugin formats are supported by PLAY?
PLAY is designed to run on:
- Windows XP (32 and 64-bit)
- Windows Vista (32 and 64-bit)
- Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit)
- Mac OS X (10.5 or higher, Intel, 32 and 64-bit)
The following plugin formats are supported:
- VST
- Audio Units
- RTAS (Pro Tools 7.4 or later)
PLAY also runs as a standalone product and can access audio through Core Audio and ASIO drivers.
How many instruments can I load into PLAY? Can I control them separately?
As a plugin, you can load as many instruments as your computer can handle, but each instance of PLAY can hold up to 16 instruments. You can open as many instances of PLAY as your computer allows. This is a limitation of the plugin standards and MIDI.
As a standalone application, you are limited only by the power of your computer and amount of MIDI ports you have. PLAY allows you to select a MIDI port, channel, and audio output for each loaded instrument.
Will I still be able to use my NI-Powered library or Kontakt if I upgrade to PLAY?
Yes, upgrading to PLAY will not affect your NI-Powered license.
Can I open Kompakt or Kontakt multis in PLAY?
PLAY cannot open .nki or .nkm files from Kontakt 2 or Kompakt. You can, however, create your own multi-instruments and save them anywhere you like for easy recall.
If I upgrade to PLAY from an NI-Powered product, will the keymapping change?
No! If you switch out the Kompakt version with PLAY and load the same instruments, they will play back the same samples.
Can I load patches from one PLAY library into another?
Every instance of PLAY allows you to mix and match all of your libraries together. You can load a bass from Fab Four, a guitar from Ministry of Rock, percussion from Stormdrum 2, and a Quantum Leap Steinway piano all in one instance (provided your computer has enough available resources).
Can I use the PLAY library on more than one machine?
Yes. The iLok allows you to use your library on any computer you like. Simply plug it in and you're authorized.
If you would like to use the PLAY library on two machines at the same time (simultaneously), you will need to purchase an additional license and an additional iLok USB key. For additional licenses please see the licenses tab.
For the Platinum Edition of the East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra, we will continue to license the product in four sections. You may distribute the sections on up to four computers simultaneously, one section per machine. You will still need one licensed iLok attached to each machine running the software. Licenses can be managed at iLok.com.
What kind of manuals are included with PLAY, and where are they?
The documentation gets installed as a PDF with your product. The PDF's are also included on the Disc #1 of your PLAY product, which can be opened using Adobe Reader.
How do I install my products from DVDs?
For more information, please visit our Support Videos Page, or please click the following links: Mac | Windows
How do I authorize my PLAY product?
Make sure to head to the support page and download the latest version of the authorization wizard.
Authorization for all PLAY-Powered products are done with the Authorization Wizard, which gets installed with your library, which puts the license onto your iLok USB security key (not included). For more information on authorizing, see our iLok Authorization FAQ.
Your Authorization Code is located on the disc sleeve, or in some cases (for electronically delivered licenses, download purchases, hard drive purchases, etc.) your Authorization Code may be included on your e-mailed invoice if you purchased a product from SoundsOnline.com.
Can I transfer my PLAY license to a different iLok key?
Yes, however both iLok keys MUST be registered to the same iLok.com account, and both must be inserted when transferring.
Why are there two installers on my Disc #1 for Windows (x32 and x64)?
These installers are either for a Windows 32-bit system, or a Windows 64-bit system. Please refer to your Windows installation information or computer manufacturer if you are unsure which one you are using.
PLAY QUICK TIPS:
- Convolution reverb sounds amazing, but takes up a lot of resources. Try turning it off if your computer needs more power for other tasks.
- Master patches are great for auditioning sounds, but Elements patches are a good way to go if you want to load something quickly, and save system resources. You can add articulations to the Elements patches as you need them using the load button in the articulations window.
- Using multiple instances in a host will provide better performance than using multiple instruments in an instance.
- On a PC, use an ASIO Driver for best performance. Using the 64-bit version of PLAY will enable you load many more instruments with more ram installed.
- You will obtain the best performance by using the fastest computer you can afford. Hard drive speed is particularly important; we recommend a minimum of 7200rpm hard drives, however faster hard drives will provide even better performance. Our software offers better performance on Intel Mac than PPC Mac.
- If you're having performance issues and you have an older computer or slower hard drive, try raising your audio buffer size in PLAY's settings.
- Use Favorites folders and Recent (under the main menu at the top left) for quick and easy access to the most used patches on your system.
- Keeping your samples on a dedicated drive will give you better performance than sharing a drive with the system.
