Anybody use chicken systems Translator??

[Failed Muso]

It doesn't follow. Why does this behavior NOT occur to most (if not all) Translator users? It doesn't happen to us, at all, and it is never a common theme in our service calls.

Well, it does occur in a lot of people's experiences. It may not appear in your service calls, but it sure as hell appears here and on many other forums I have visited. How can you say "(does)NOT occur to most (if not all)" ?? It does occur !! Take your head out of the sand !

Translator may use certain features within a computer that are not set up right, or mechnically aren't right, or Translator is using files in a way that no other program uses them.

Then it is up to you and your programmers to address this issue so that Translator and it's offspring will work with as many set ups as possible. There is good, efficient code out there, especially within the open source community, that works on every computer it touches. If you want the kudos, glory and profit thats a good software house enjoys, you must be able to back that up with quality programming and customer support.

Again, the solution is to deal with them on a one-by-one basis, and we offered that to G+L, but he refused to identify himself or contact us after several times pleading with him. What does that tell you?

Well, it could tell you that he has got fed up with what support he has (or hasn't) already received and has decided to give up on a lost cause, but if it were me, I'd be pursuing you till I gained a successful conclusion or my money back.

Firstly, anyone who buys Translator knows what formats it supports for eah platform, its clear and we post big "CAREFULS" along the sales process. (Even if they miss them and buy it accidentally, they can call us and we can work something out.) MOST IMPORTANTLY: Anyone who buys Translator for what it doesn't support yet shouldn't have bought it, plain and simple.

Now, even if a customer buys Translator irregardless, we were offering a solution for right now; I was being constructive and positive. We include both platforms for people when they purchase the product, and there is a way with little or no investment that they can do what they want RIGHT NOW.

I certainly can't whip a Mac version that can do what they want RIGHT NOW, so I'm suggesting an easy - and IMHO very profitable - way of doing things.

I love using both platforms, there are certain Mac-only programs that I love, and there are certain PC programs and features that I prefer. Like I mentioned, a good PC can be purchased for $100 or so. I suggest it because it may be in the best interest of the questioner. If its not, then fine.

Who are "the Mac users"? Are they people because of their upbringing that they can only touch keyboards with COmmand and Apple keys on them? I have great respect for people and I assume they are capable.

I'm interested in solving problems, not criticizing or analyzing things. That's the solution for TODAY, and I suggested it. I don't consider using a PC temporarily for a "Mac User" a religious calamity; in fact I consider it advantageous for people to have both platforms to be most productive. Besides, translations are often a one-time only thing, so even free temporary use of a computer can work for some people.

Maybe I read that wrong but in a way you seem to lambast Mac users for using that format ? How can you assume that all Mac users also have a PC or easy access to one ? The reason Mac users buy Mac versions of software is to use on their Mac and not have to use a PC, therefore, if you provide a Mac version (however flawed) you cannot expect them to use a PC every time your software fails them. I can't believe you are saying that a Mac user of Translator should buy a $100 PC just to do a task that your software claims to do natively.

It seems to me that with Translator, you have attempted to make a piece of software that is all things to all people and does more than any other convertor on the market, and that in itself is an admirable thing. But what you cannot do is promise things that cannot be delivered, be it a current function or future function. You seem to be getting a lot of bad press in places like this and it saddens me because if what you did worked better, it would be great ! Maybe you have over-stretched yours and your customers expectations, and in doing so given yourself a bad image in the process.

It appears that you are also a tad over zealous when it comes to criticism. I have seen instances of threads being deleted whenever they appear to criticise you or your product. You explain this by saying you don't want all this stuff clogging up your forum and these are issues that should be dealt with via the appropriate customer service channels.

Have you ever wondered why Microsoft don't have a public forum ? Or Adobe ? Or NI ? Because they would constantly have to deal with loads of negativity and it isn't in their interests to do so. Therefore places like KvR and others exist to fulfil this need. If you have a problem with Kontakt, you deal with them via their customer service via email or phone. You don't see NI challenging upset customers here. Sure, they probably observe, and they may even learn from them, but if you have an issue, you have correct channels. You, on the other hand, set up a forum and then censor anything you don't like, which gives the user the impression you have something to hide.

It really does seem to me that you want to please all of the people all of the time, and whilst this is laudable, it is impossible to do. Maybe you should focus on what you do best, do it well and build on that.

It's a shame as I believe you are commited to being the best at what you do but have overstretched yourself and also your users expectations.

[chickeneps]

Well, it does occur in a lot of people's experiences. It may not appear in your service calls, but it sure as hell appears here and on many other forums I have visited. How can you say "(does)NOT occur to most (if not all)" ??

What would be a more reliable source of knowing if this is a common issue - the company that makes the software, who would get the complaints directly, or forums where the users don't have to qualify themselves and perhaps even are using cracks?

Honestly, any system crash issues I've never seen even on forums. Perhaps it's one person that posted 10 or so times, I dunno.

Translator has been on the market for many years, if this was the case, we'd fix it immediately. I would think that's sort of obvious. But anyone can say anything on the Internet.

Translator may use certain features within a computer that are not set up right, or mechnically aren't right, or Translator is using files in a way that no other program uses them.

Then it is up to you and your programmers to address this issue so that Translator and it's offspring will work with as many set ups as possible.

Absolutely, you hit it right on the head. We do so. You are assuming that this is common, it's not at all.

Again, the solution is to deal with them on a one-by-one basis, and we offered that to G+L, but he refused to identify himself or contact us after several times pleading with him. What does that tell you?

Well, it could tell you that he has got fed up with what support he has (or hasn't) already received and has decided to give up on a lost cause, but if it were me, I'd be pursuing you till I gained a successful conclusion or my money back.

Right - I would too, but for some reason G+L stays anonymous. These things always perplex me, too.

Maybe I read that wrong but in a way you seem to lambast Mac users for using that format?

No, not at all. Reread my post. I simply suggest that getting access to a PC, even if borrowing one, could solve their immediate problems. I may say that there's not many "Mac-only" users, but I'm just stating a fact. It's not a value judgement.

How can you assume that all Mac users also have a PC or easy access to one?

We get 10 or so phone calls a day, we've been around 18 years, and we aggressively survey and ask questions. We also keep up on surveys done by MI mags, talk to them personally, advise writers, and on and on. It's not an assumption, it's fact.

Easy access to a PC is a given, there's million within your own city block. You can buy on for cheap, and actually I'm installing a free PC emulator on my Mac right now.

The reason Mac users buy Mac versions of software is to use on their Mac and not have to use a PC, therefore, if you provide a Mac version (however flawed) you cannot expect them to use a PC every time your software fails them.

I don't know where "fails them" comes into it. The point is that if they Translator for something it doesn't do, I don't know why they bought it in the first place. Even if they did buy it under false impressions, they can talk to us about it. But they shouldn't keep the software and get all up in arms about what it can't do, when it wasn't there in the first place.

I can't believe you are saying that a Mac user of Translator should buy a $100 PC just to do a task that your software claims to do natively.

Please reread my posts. We DO NOT claim that Translator Mac converts things that it does not.

It seems to me that with Translator, you have attempted to make a piece of software that is all things to all people and does more than any other convertor on the market, and that in itself is an admirable thing. But what you cannot do is promise things that cannot be delivered

Please reread my post. We do not promise things that cannot be delivered, despite what people might claim here. Anyone can say anything on the Internet.

It appears that you are also a tad over zealous when it comes to criticism. I have seen instances of threads being deleted whenever they appear to criticise you or your product.

Please reread the posts... I do - and not often - delete posts on my forum that I pay for - it is private and NOT for consumer reports or analysis or anything else. There are public forums that do a fine job for that, as we are demonstrating here.

I do not delete negative posts that are helpful to other people, or have information that people would find useful.

This has been stated many times over.

You explain this by saying you don't want all this stuff clogging up your forum and these are issues that should be dealt with via the appropriate customer service channels.

Have you ever wondered why Microsoft don't have a public forum ? Or Adobe ? Or NI ?

Actually NI does, check it out. Flames galore.

Because they would constantly have to deal with loads of negativity and it isn't in their interests to do so. Therefore places like KvR and others exist to fulfil this need. If you have a problem with Kontakt, you deal with them via their customer service via email or phone. You don't see NI challenging upset customers here.

Check out NI's forum at their site.

Sure, they probably observe, and they may even learn from them, but if you have an issue, you have correct channels. You, on the other hand, set up a forum and then censor anything you don't like, which gives the user the impression you have something to hide.

Please reread the posts...

When I delete a post on my forum, I ALWAYS PM the person, tell them why I did it, and proceed to fully help him in any of his/her concerns.

I delete posts every so often not to hide anything, but to foster accurate and complete information. This thread has mountains of incomplete and inaccurate inforation. I've spent plenty of time straightening them out. On my forum, it's easier to sanitize things without having to explain myself many times.

Anyone can get a straight scoop from us if they would just call or email.

The only reason this was even brought up was via inaccurate information from a person who was generally wrong on a mountain of other things and completely misrepresented us on a number of occasions.

It really does seem to me that you want to please all of the people all of the time, and whilst this is laudable, it is impossible to do. Maybe you should focus on what you do best, do it well and build on that.

That's probably good advice.

[G&L_player]

Translator may use certain features within a computer that are not set up right, or mechnically aren't right, or Translator is using files in a way that no other program uses them.

There's always the possibilty that there may be a config problem with any machine. In fact, it's almost expected that one will point out to another their (better) way of doing something. Ergo, this remark is simply a generalism, simply put.

To state that Translator is so unique that it is using files "in a way that no other program uses them," is like an accountant hiding monies in the cost of goods sold.

Again, the solution is to deal with them on a one-by-one basis, and we offered that to G+L, but he refused to identify himself or contact us after several times pleading with him. What does that tell you?

I was going to stay out of this one, Chicken-man, but you persist on steering events in the direction of your business interests, which is a problem if there's more to it than what you describe. More precisely, I mentioned that I was fed up with tech support to the extent that I have no expectations and no confidence in your product. Everytime I use it, I wonder if it will work properly; will it complete all of the samples; and if it might crash my box, again, and again. What don't you understand? I've never run a VST/VST and/or music application as buggy as Translator. I am miffed that you allowed particular versions to circulate as long as you did, while acknowledging the shortcomings. No application should disrupt the integrity of the system! Good God, man, you had one version that created multiple instances of itself, until the system resources were depleted! I remember getting a work-around to this, that didn't work. So, I waited for the next version (many months later), which crashed in the middle of translations. If I had 20 files to translate, I could bet that 3-5 of them would freeze my system, which can be VERY frustrating. Not only would I not complete my translations, I'd go through a bunch of restarts.

[chickeneps]

Again, I can't comment because I have absolutely no idea who you are. I've asked you countless amount of times, but you never have let me know, publicly or privately. Like I said before, I don't undersatnd that.

It matters because I can trace your support issues and perhaps help. (I don't care WHOM you are, I just want to get to the bottom of your issues.)

As I've mentioned many times before, what you exhibit is not common for the program at all. That's good news, because the solution is likely very easy. But again, I have no idea what you are doing, what formats you are doing it to, what version you are working on, etc. So I can't really be helpful here.

Chicken Systems not only supports and writes Translator, we convert many commercial libraries for developers. That means we use the program CONSTANTLY, in bulk, with single files, the works. We convert into many formats, test them one by one and have a very clear understanding what Translator does well and what it doesn't. We run Translator just like you do - but don't experience what you are experiencing. It would drive us NUTS if it did.

(And like I've said many times before, your report does not have a comparison with anything else that has been reported. Again, that's good for you - it's probably easy to take care of for you. But you have to contact us so we can look at your specific info.)

That's one way we test Translator. We also have a regressive testing routine, where every format gets tested on a regular basis and we keep records of it.

Simply fill out a Bug Report www.chickensys.com/translator/bugreports - (it's working now after our server problems), submit a source file and briefly describe the problem. The log file (apilog.txt in the Translator folder) is helpful too.

Best to call though, takes less time and is more effective.

If you really want it to work, if you need help, just contact us. We don't bite. =) (My kids do, but I don't. Actually, I do bite my kids on occasion.)

We have a non-biting Toll Free number you can call - 800-877-6377. Doors open, just walk in.

[bro. miles]

If someone buys a program based on what the company says it will do, who's fault is that?

Most people, if they do make the mistake of getting Translator .

Previous message from Rubber Chicken edited to reflect my experience as a paying customer.

[chickeneps]

But you don't own Translator; you own Translator SoundFont Edition, which converts only to SoundFonts, a fact that you frequently omit.

[Artgiver]

Translator does what i need it to do - translate formats accurately. I've been working with audio software for about 12 yrs and can assure you that, imho, Translater is the best converter out there, period. Once you learn it (e.g. aspi, etc), test it, and convert with it, you realize the others, although good at translating SOME formats, can't translate the MAJOR formats as well. I've a ear like a dog (at least my band members say so ) and i can hear the differences between Translators convertions and others like Akai's & Extreme SC. I'ld rather use software a little harder to learn and have better translations than to have software that was 'user friendly' yet didn't translate as well. Thanx Garth for the detailed convertion coding you did within Translator!

Tim

[bro. miles]

But you don't own Translator; you own Translator SoundFont Edition, which converts only to SoundFonts, a fact that you frequently omit.

True, and that's all I expected it to do. Unfortunately it failed to perform even that subset of functions as advertised.

[Artgiver]

The SoundFonts Ed was the first product i bought from CS. It worked fine for me.

[bro. miles]

Glad to hear it worked well for you. What formats did you convert from? The first product I bought from CS was Ensoniq MIDI Disk Tools which worked flawlessly.

[Cryogenic]

Defective user, as most issues like this on kvr.
Nothing will stop these idiots, ever. It could be any issuse, any program, any forum. They're just a (sad) part of the internet.

[Artgiver]

What formats did you convert from? The first product I bought from CS was Ensoniq MIDI Disk Tools which worked flawlessly.

It was Ultimate String Collection in the Roland format. That's good the Ensoniq
apps worked out. Everyones computer setup is different in regard to the 'combination' or recipe if you will of hardware and software. How they all work in tandum with each other can cause SO many problems. It's kinda like women, you hate 'em but you can't leave 'em (sorry girls, it worked well for the allegory ).

Tim

[Vertizon]

I don't understand all this Garth Bashing and Translator bashing.
Garth has been great to me personally, but maybe he becomes Satan with others. ( I doubt it, but I'm open minded) As for Translator. It has always done everything I've asked it to do, and Beautifully! Maybe I'm just not pushing it hard enaough, but I go to and from Roland, Ensoniq, Akai, Acid, Halion and Giga and I've never had a problem. It has frozen exactly TWICE, and that was because I was online with 6 windows open and had about 16 different things going on at one time including Sonar, Fruity Loops and Saw, which was just a stupid thing to do, and I only did that because I was well.....stupid!

[Artgiver]

yeah i think we're all guilty of being 'stupid'!
very few like to admit that though ..ya know Vern!

[bro. miles]

Defective user, as most issues like this on kvr.
Nothing will stop these idiots, ever. It could be any issuse, any program, any forum. They're just a (sad) part of the internet.

It's wonderful to know that there are people so intelligent that every piece of software works perfectly for them, with the possible exception of their spell checker.