Greetings,
1. I am using a demo of Tracktion that came with Computer Music Magazine. When I open any existing project (or library project, or anything) and play it, it sounds like everything is being passed through a vibrato & distortion unit.
Anyone else have this problem? - I am fairly sure Tracktion is not supposed to sound like this.
Even the simple piano samples sound terrible.
2. I can find no way to PLAY a midi clip. I can double click on a wave (and it all sounds like it's being passed through a vibrating distortion effect), but, sort of, hear it play... But can't do the same with a midi clip.
Just wondering why the same method of playing (double clicking) wasn't used for both types of clips.
Please understand this is the first time I use Tracktion, EVER.
Yours,
Thor
2 Absolute Newbie Questions
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- KVRer
- 14 posts since 18 Sep, 2004 from iceland
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- KVRist
- 482 posts since 2 Jun, 2004 from West Sussex, UK
Doesn't sound like a Tracktion problem to me.
Are you able to use any other music software? What is the set-up of your PC? (operating system, sound card etc.)
Are you able to use any other music software? What is the set-up of your PC? (operating system, sound card etc.)
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- KVRAF
- 3057 posts since 9 Apr, 2003
no idea about (1), but as for (2):
to get sound from a midi clip in Tracktion you have to route it into an instrument (add instrument at the right side of the track using the "new filter" button), and then use the play button at bottom right
btw, both instruments and effects are added using that "new filter" button
to get sound from a midi clip in Tracktion you have to route it into an instrument (add instrument at the right side of the track using the "new filter" button), and then use the play button at bottom right
btw, both instruments and effects are added using that "new filter" button
5 twelve
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 14 posts since 18 Sep, 2004 from iceland
Yep... oops, sorry should have specified!AgentX20 wrote:Doesn't sound like a Tracktion problem to me.
Are you able to use any other music software? What is the set-up of your PC? (operating system, sound card etc.)
Yep, I can use all other software, WinAmp, Medal of Honour, etc. The sound is fine on those.
Typical laptop setup:
Win Xp pro (newly updated to sp2)
2.8 ghz speed
1gb ram
5 gb free HD space (of 40)
DirectSound
I was meaning to copy the sound and put it online so you could also hear how it sounds, but most people will know how Vibrato and Distortion sounds, so perhaps no need.
About # 2...
Even after I SELECT a midi clip, if I press "PLAY" it plays the whole song. I guess one could SOLO the track and then PLAY, but I am sure there has to be an easier way to just hear one midi clip?
Yours,
Thor
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- KVRist
- 346 posts since 6 Sep, 2002 from Sydney, Ausralia
I'm guessing you only have a "gamer" soundcard like a Soundblaster, then? That's almost certainly what the problem is. You should look into getting a new driver for that card, preferably what's known as an ASIO driver. If you tell us specifically what soundcard you have, someone will be able to tell you where to get a driver.icelandknight wrote:DirectSound
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 14 posts since 18 Sep, 2004 from iceland
Now I'm a bit confused (as usual) - the sound card in this laptop is supposed to be "better than the average laptop card", or that's what the hype said. It does run everything from - CM (ComputerMuzy) to Cool Edit Pro, and WinAmp midi tracks, and numerous sample "trackers" etc. without any problem.Gwydi wrote:I'm guessing you only have a "gamer" soundcard like a Soundblaster, then? That's almost certainly what the problem is. You should look into getting a new driver for that card, preferably what's known as an ASIO driver. If you tell us specifically what soundcard you have, someone will be able to tell you where to get a driver.
Just checking the card: I went to the Control Pannel and did the "Add Hardware" to see what it would find... "The following hardware is installed on your computer:"
Avance AC97 Audio
Audio Codecs
Legacy Audio Drivers
I guess the Avance must be my sound card?
I have had very good success recording and editing in all applications with it in the past. Therefore I find Tracktion's "acting up" very strange.
Update: I have uninstalled and re-installed Tracktion, just in case that was the problem. Same result. I got to thinking perhaps the version distributed by the magazine might be at fault?
I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't just download a newer version of the Tracktion website? That might be one where any bugs have been eliminated?Tracktion Version 1.5.1.4 for Computer Music (built: 26 March 2004)
I'm on it now.
Yours,
Thor
http://music.download.com/image
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 14 posts since 18 Sep, 2004 from iceland
ps. I don't know if any of you have ever uninstalled Tracktion (or would ever want to!)...
... but then you've never seen that:
"Missing you already"
Message they included.
That's really cute!
Yours,
Thor
http://music.download.com/image
... but then you've never seen that:
"Missing you already"
Message they included.
That's really cute!
Yours,
Thor
http://music.download.com/image
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- KVRAF
- 2565 posts since 30 Mar, 2004 from Phoenix AZ USA
Hi
I know you do not want to hear this but:
"it is your Sound Card/Drivers."
Running WinAmp and Medal of Honour is not the same as running a semi-pro or pro audio application.
I have a very beefy computer but most of the pro audio software will not work on it.
On the other hand if I connect my Gina audio card to my first PC from 1995 that is a Pentium 100 I can run 42 tracks simultaneously without any problems.
The reason is that all the audio processing is done inside the card, it has a DSP chip in it and requires nothing from the CPU.
On the other hand the regular Sound Cards rely totally on the CPU and also acts as a bottle neck if you try to use bit rates it can not handle.
That doesn't mean you can not make it work with your current card but if you are seriously considering making music on a laptop the first thing is to get a pro-audio card.
Now to some more practical suggestion.
Get an ASIO driver. I have no personal experience here but there is a generic driver out there that might work with your card.
I believe it's called ASIO4ALL or something like that.
Anybody knows the real name? Help.
Set the bit rate in Tracktion setting to 16 bit 44.1 Khz
Make sure latency is not set too low.
Just set it really high as a test and see if that helps.
Try to dedicate an IRQ to the soundcard.
Set the video settings to 16 bit (High Color)
not 32 bit (True Color)
There is much more but these should help.
Of course if you get a Pro-Audio card you will not have all these problems.
I know you do not want to hear this but:
"it is your Sound Card/Drivers."
Running WinAmp and Medal of Honour is not the same as running a semi-pro or pro audio application.
I have a very beefy computer but most of the pro audio software will not work on it.
On the other hand if I connect my Gina audio card to my first PC from 1995 that is a Pentium 100 I can run 42 tracks simultaneously without any problems.
The reason is that all the audio processing is done inside the card, it has a DSP chip in it and requires nothing from the CPU.
On the other hand the regular Sound Cards rely totally on the CPU and also acts as a bottle neck if you try to use bit rates it can not handle.
That doesn't mean you can not make it work with your current card but if you are seriously considering making music on a laptop the first thing is to get a pro-audio card.
Now to some more practical suggestion.
Get an ASIO driver. I have no personal experience here but there is a generic driver out there that might work with your card.
I believe it's called ASIO4ALL or something like that.
Anybody knows the real name? Help.
Set the bit rate in Tracktion setting to 16 bit 44.1 Khz
Make sure latency is not set too low.
Just set it really high as a test and see if that helps.
Try to dedicate an IRQ to the soundcard.
Set the video settings to 16 bit (High Color)
not 32 bit (True Color)
There is much more but these should help.
Of course if you get a Pro-Audio card you will not have all these problems.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 14 posts since 18 Sep, 2004 from iceland
WOOOOHOOO!!!
Ok, I HAVE been busy! - They say: Where there's a WILL there's a WAY! - and I'm NOT going to say you all didn't help! Cos you did!
Pat yourselves on the back, now... It's from me.
Ok, (hehe) I may be laughing NOW, but it wasn't funny, after all the great things one had heard about Tracktion, if it DIDN'T work on my beloved $3000 laptop!
After downloading and installing the ASIO4ALL from www.ASIO4ALL.com , of all places I got to fiddling with the SETTINGS window... and what do I see at the top?
"Wave Device" - DUH!
I needed to set that to DirectSound (of course - obvious when you know it, eh? ... eh? What? Am I alone here, now? We were all in this together, right? hehe... )
Anyway... holding my breath, I almost melted into the chair when I heard it playing CORRECTLY... *big*fat*sigh*
I didn't need the ASIO4ALL, but I have installed it, and have it in case I need it. - Though I still ahve NO idea what it does... Maybe later... THe main thisng is, Tracktion is playing the sounds right, now. PHEW!
All's well now.
Now I can finally start listening to the demo tracks... AND fiddling with some of this VST stuff I got WAY back in the beginning of this summer... Like Groove Agent, etc.
Now don't judge me too harshly, I bet there are loads of people like me out there... and if anything, consider that I am trying to find the ULTIMATE software that I can KNOW and LOVE... but I do have the following originals: Cubase SX (WAY too complicated for me, I also baught 4 books and 2 CD tutorials to try and get started with it. No go. Time & learning curve are stopping me), Cubasis (which came with my Tascam US428), and my Mbox came with ProTools... BUT... I feel they are ALL too complicated for me. Please consider my recording background comes from Fostex M80, X-15, and Tascam788.
I even have my old Atari with Steinberg 48 installed. - That I never learnt how to use.
Anyway, confessions over... I hope Tracktion will end up by living up to it's reputation as the "simplest", and only recording software I will ever need to know, love and use.
Right! Now that everything is working... I'm off to listen to the provided tunes! I donwloaded the latest DEMO version of Tracktion, so there could be no issue concerning THAT. - I can't wait to get started.
STEP BY STEP TUTORIALS ANYONE?
I also hope there will be lots of good people making on-line tutorials of how to do everything? - If not, I'll try to do my bit, with people like me in mind, who need that little bit of extra spoon feeding to get started, and get to terms with all the new stuff!
Yours,
Thor
Just for sun... I hear you ask:
"How bad did it sound before you switched it to DirectSound?"
Here you go:
http://thor.vefur.ir.is/mappa/music/tra ... roblem.mp3 (336 k)
Ok, I HAVE been busy! - They say: Where there's a WILL there's a WAY! - and I'm NOT going to say you all didn't help! Cos you did!
Pat yourselves on the back, now... It's from me.
Ok, (hehe) I may be laughing NOW, but it wasn't funny, after all the great things one had heard about Tracktion, if it DIDN'T work on my beloved $3000 laptop!
After downloading and installing the ASIO4ALL from www.ASIO4ALL.com , of all places
I got to fiddling with the SETTINGS window... and what do I see at the top?"Wave Device" - DUH!
I needed to set that to DirectSound (of course - obvious when you know it, eh? ... eh? What? Am I alone here, now? We were all in this together, right? hehe... )
Anyway... holding my breath, I almost melted into the chair when I heard it playing CORRECTLY... *big*fat*sigh*
I didn't need the ASIO4ALL, but I have installed it, and have it in case I need it. - Though I still ahve NO idea what it does... Maybe later... THe main thisng is, Tracktion is playing the sounds right, now. PHEW!
All's well now.
Now I can finally start listening to the demo tracks... AND fiddling with some of this VST stuff I got WAY back in the beginning of this summer... Like Groove Agent, etc.
Now don't judge me too harshly, I bet there are loads of people like me out there... and if anything, consider that I am trying to find the ULTIMATE software that I can KNOW and LOVE... but I do have the following originals: Cubase SX (WAY too complicated for me, I also baught 4 books and 2 CD tutorials to try and get started with it. No go. Time & learning curve are stopping me), Cubasis (which came with my Tascam US428), and my Mbox came with ProTools... BUT... I feel they are ALL too complicated for me. Please consider my recording background comes from Fostex M80, X-15, and Tascam788.
I even have my old Atari with Steinberg 48 installed. - That I never learnt how to use.
Anyway, confessions over... I hope Tracktion will end up by living up to it's reputation as the "simplest", and only recording software I will ever need to know, love and use.
Right! Now that everything is working... I'm off to listen to the provided tunes! I donwloaded the latest DEMO version of Tracktion, so there could be no issue concerning THAT. - I can't wait to get started.
STEP BY STEP TUTORIALS ANYONE?
I also hope there will be lots of good people making on-line tutorials of how to do everything? - If not, I'll try to do my bit, with people like me in mind, who need that little bit of extra spoon feeding to get started, and get to terms with all the new stuff!
Yours,
Thor
Just for sun... I hear you ask:
"How bad did it sound before you switched it to DirectSound?"
Here you go:
http://thor.vefur.ir.is/mappa/music/tra ... roblem.mp3 (336 k)
http://music.download.com/image
If good people do nothing, the bad people win.
If good people do nothing, the bad people win.
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- KVRist
- 482 posts since 2 Jun, 2004 from West Sussex, UK
You can find some excellent Tracktion guides / tutorials at: http://www.adbe.org/guides/.
Tracktion is built in a way that really aids productivity, and helps you concentrate less on trying to manage the software, and more on making music. This is mainly due to only having one window to view.
Good luck!
Tracktion is built in a way that really aids productivity, and helps you concentrate less on trying to manage the software, and more on making music. This is mainly due to only having one window to view.
Good luck!
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- KVRAF
- 6740 posts since 25 Mar, 2002 from sheffield, england
Glad you're up & running 
ASIO drivers allow soft synth plug-ins to be played in "real-time" (ie: with a latency of 10ms or less) from a MIDI keyboard.. other types of drivers will all result in a noticeable delay between pressing the key & hearing the note.
You may not have noticed this if you have no keyboard connected, as Tracktion is clever enough to compensate for the delay when playing back pre-recorded MIDI clips.
LATENCY!!icelandknight wrote:Anyway... holding my breath, I almost melted into the chair when I heard it playing CORRECTLY... *big*fat*sigh*
I didn't need the ASIO4ALL, but I have installed it, and have it in case I need it. - Though I still ahve NO idea what it does... Maybe later...
ASIO drivers allow soft synth plug-ins to be played in "real-time" (ie: with a latency of 10ms or less) from a MIDI keyboard.. other types of drivers will all result in a noticeable delay between pressing the key & hearing the note.
You may not have noticed this if you have no keyboard connected, as Tracktion is clever enough to compensate for the delay when playing back pre-recorded MIDI clips.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 14 posts since 18 Sep, 2004 from iceland
Many thanks for this! I'm there NOW, and reading away! ... and thanks to Platinumears for the info... - In fact (hehe) the FIRST thing www.adbe.org deals with in their Tracktion Guide is -settings- and "latency".AgentX20 wrote:You can find some excellent Tracktion guides / tutorials at: http://www.adbe.org/guides/.
I think the speed of my laptop helps in this case. Ok, it IS 2 years old, but still going strong for all my music purposes (so far).
I do have a few dektop PCs (4 and 12 Macs - *sigh* yep, with all my old 4 and 8 track recording equipment, I could definately set up a museum in the future!) but they are older and slower, so I use the laptop most.
Excellent link! Thanks!
Yours,
Thor
http://music.download.com/image
If good people do nothing, the bad people win.
If good people do nothing, the bad people win.