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| Questions |
| Q: When is the Chimera available? |
| Q: How much does the Chimera cost? |
| Q: Can I reserve a Chimera from the upcoming production run? |
| Q: Where can I buy the Chimera? |
| Q: I don't live in North America, can I purchase the Chimera? |
| Q: What is MESCOL Technology? |
| Q: What does the MESCOL Client Software include? |
| Q: What is MESCOL Workshop? |
| Q: What is MESCOL Online? |
| Q: What is the MESCOL Device Manager? |
| Q: What is the Chimera? |
| Q: How does the Chimera sound? |
| Q: What effects are available for the Chimera? |
| Q: Do I have to pay for the effects? |
| Q: Do I need a computer to use the Chimera? |
| Q: Is the Chimera a VST plug-in engine? |
| Q: I'm a keyboardist/bassist/vocalist, can I use the Chimera? |
| Q: How do I become a MESCOL developer? |
| Q: Can I help improve the MESCOL development tools? |
| Q: What do the development tools offer? |
| Q: What kind of computer do I need to run the development tools? |
| Q: Are there Macintosh/Linux versions of the development tools? |
| Q: Where can I test the Chimera? |
| Q: Where can I test the MESCOL Client Software? |
| Q: What technical support will be available? |
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| Answers |
| Q: |
When is the Chimera available? |
| A: |
Commercial release of the Chimera is set for Summer 2005. Join our mailing list to find out when you can pre-order your Chimera. |
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| Q: |
How much does the Chimera cost? |
| A: |
The Chimera currently has an introductory target street price of $649USD (approx. $799CDN). This includes the Chimera upgradeable effects pedal, the MESCOL Software, membership to MESCOL Online, software upgrades, shipping, power supply, USB cord, and warranty. |
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| Q: |
Can I reserve a Chimera from the upcoming production run? |
| A: |
Yes. We will be accepting pre-orders, join our mailing list to find out when pre-orders are available. |
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| Q: |
Where can I buy the Chimera? |
| A: |
The Chimera will be available for purchase on our website through the order page. |
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| Q: |
I don't live in North America, can I purchase the Chimera? |
| A: |
Yes. Given there is enough demand. Please contact Mode to show your interest. |
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| Q: |
What is MESCOL Technology? |
| A: |
Mode Electronic Sound Collective (MESCOL) Technology is the underlying technology for the Chimera and the MESCOL Client Software. |
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| Q: |
What does the MESCOL Client Software include? |
| A: |
The MESCOL Client Software consists of: MESCOL Workshop, MESCOL Online, and the MESCOL Device Manager. |
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| Q: |
What is MESCOL Workshop? |
| A: |
MESCOL Workshop is the software tool that gives you the power to create your own effects and patches and edit existing effects and patches. |
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| Q: |
What is MESCOL Online? |
| A: |
MESCOL Online is the online effects community that allows MESCOL Members to share and download effects and patches for FREE. |
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| Q: |
What is the MESCOL Device Manager? |
| A: |
The MESCOL Device Manager allows you to organize your patches for use on the Chimera. |
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| Q: |
What is the Chimera? |
| A: |
The Chimera is an upgradeable effects pedal that is fully upgradeable with effects and patches created with MESCOL Workshop or downloaded from MESCOL Online. |
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| Q: |
How does the Chimera sound? |
| A: |
The audio and control chips in the Chimera are very powerful, and meet or exceed those used in high-end studio rack-mount processors. The Chimera uses the SHARC 21161 DSP processing 32-bits @ 100MHz. |
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| Q: |
What effects are available for the Chimera? |
| A: |
The Chimera comes pre-installed with a base set of effects to get you started. After that, the MESCOL Client Software provides you with the tools to continually update your effects. Finally, Mode is committed to continual development of new software that makes the creation of effects easier. |
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| Q: |
Do I have to pay for the effects? |
| A: |
No. Effects can be created and shared freely. Free creation and exchange of effects within MESCOL Online will always be a pillar of Mode's philosophy. Commercial developers who are already established as makers of audio tools may want to port their effects to the Chimera, and in turn charge for them. |
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| Q: |
Do I need a computer to use the Chimera? |
| A: |
The Chimera is a fully functional guitar effects pedal independent of a computer (you can even tweak effects in real-time). However, to create new effects with MESCOL Workshop or to download new effects from MESCOL Online you must have a computer. Therefore, yes, a computer is essential, but not necessary in your jam space. |
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| Q: |
Is the Chimera a VST plug-in engine? |
| A: |
No. However, we are interested in the possibility of porting VST to the Chimera. If you have any questions or comments on the idea of porting VST to the Chimera please contact Mode. |
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| Q: |
I'm a keyboardist/bassist/vocalist, can I use the Chimera? |
| A: |
Yes. The Chimera is designed for guitar use, but has a dual mono stereo input, easy to use interface, and adjustable gain that can accept any electrical instrument. The wide variety of effects possible with MESCOL Workshop and available from MESCOL Online allow the Chimera to be the key to creativity for a variety of musicians. |
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| Q: |
How do I become a MESCOL developer? |
| A: |
The development tools are available to all Members of MESCOL Online and resources are available through the Members only site. If you want more information about the development environment please feel free to contact Mode. There are no fees, as long as you have or are willing to learn the programming skills, you can be a developer. |
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| Q: |
Can I help improve the MESCOL development tools? |
| A: |
Mode is a proponent of a collaborative development approach to the evolution of our software. Ideas, bugs, questions, and comments related to our software are very much appreciated. Contact Info. |
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| Q: |
What do the development tools offer? |
| A: |
The Software Development Kit (SDK) provides you with all the tools you will need to create, share, save, and store your own effects and patches for the Chimera. Currently, this involves effect creation in C and graphical patch creation. Mode is committed to making it easier for you to create effects. Tools that will make it easier for effect creation are in development. |
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| Q: |
What kind of computer do I need to run the development tools? |
| A: |
OS Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/XP Professional
Processor 166 MHz or higher
Available Memory 32 MB or more
Hard Disk 30 MB or more
Display 800 x 600 or more, High Colour (16 bit) |
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| Q: |
Are there Macintosh/Linux versions of the development tools? |
| A: |
Currently no - but if there is enough interest we will push to develop an OSX/Linux version in time for commercial release. Please Contact us if this is of interest to you. |
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| Q: |
Where can I test the Chimera? |
| A: |
Demo videos and audio samples of the Chimera will be available on the Demo Page.
Mode offers a 15-day money back guarantee, so demo the Chimera and the MESCOL Client Software for yourself risk free. |
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| Q: |
Where can I test the MESCOL Client Software? |
| A: |
Demo videos of the MESCOL Workshop and MESCOL Online will be posted on the Demo Page. Because the MESCOL Workshop and MESCOL Online need the Chimera to function we cannot offer a software demo download.
Finally, Mode offers a 15-day money back guarantee, so demo the Chimera and MESCOL Client Software for yourself risk free. |
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| Q: |
What technical support will be available? |
| A: |
There are a variety of sources of technical support that will be available to MESCOL Members:
-ONLINE MANUAL/DEMOS
-MESCOL ONLINE
-SOFTWARE UPDATES
-CONTACT US |
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