I think this is very unfortunate.
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately with an earlier standalone version (can’t remember which one off the top of my head, but before multiple outputs were implemented, and before loading of mlr loops was broken). Sum is an extraordinary tool, not just an introductory app. Sum allows me to do things I can’t even do with terms in live, and far more easily. With all the modulation possibilities offered by beams, i think it is quite a comprehensive tool. I’ve been running a single mono out through a series of moogerfoogers, and the results please me very much. I just wish there was a sum version with multiple outputs in which mlr still worked for loading external loops, so I could route individual parts through separate effects chains (external or in live).
I would love to see sum updated to fix the file loading issue in mlr, and also allow midi mapping of parameters in the synth. Or, a second beams page that offers sliders to control various synth parameters. These features would make sum an even more versatile tool for both beginners and advanced users. There’s simply nothing else like it! I’ve even considered purchasing the full max crossgrade just to learn enough to add these features to sum myself (I have no experience with max currently). Sum is a composing and performance tool to which I would like to dedicate myself.
Regardless of the original intent of sum, and perhaps because of the way it has been “marketed,” it is too often overlooked as a simplistic starter tool. This it is not! Please don’t abandon sum!