My final thoughts on ntrack

[Rusty K]

This is not meant to dis ntrack or anyone using it. It's an honest assessment of the program as I see it having used it for a year and a half. I might add that I have not used all of ntracks features like midi.

I purchased ntrack, when I decided to get into home recording, as a very inexpensive way to test the waters. The program fulfilled it's purpose in that respect so I can highly recommend it to anyone on a tight budget that wants to delve into recording at home.

After subsequently purchasing my 24bit LynxOne soundcard however, I upgraded to the 24bit version of the program. This, after having heard my card work with another program, was a mistake. Ntrack never gave me the fidelity that I now enjoy.

Ntrack stability problems with my system finally forced me to look at other alternatives. Like most folks I hate change. I hated the thought of having to change programs for financial reasons as well a the daunting task of learning how to get around another multitrack program.

Twelve days into another program and I'm beginning to fly.

I'm writing this to encourage anyone listening to check out other software just to see if your getting the full experience and pleasurable results you deserve. Everything depends of course on you and your needs and goals. One thing I've learned here at Homerecording.com is that everyone is different and what works for one may not work for all.

Take care and happy tracking,

Rusty K

[shackrock]

out of curiosity...what program are you using instead now?

ntrack has always been the simplest to learn for ameteours like me...ha

[Rusty K]

ntrack has always been the simplest to learn for ameteours like me...ha

Shackrock,

A month ago I would have agreed with you probably. I'm not so sure now.

To answer your question...Cool Edit.

As I said I have not checked out the midi functions so I have no basis for comparison there.

Rusty K

[benson812]

Cool edit is an audio editor rather than a multitrack proggie,so perhaps you've needed this all along.

I know ntrack causes problems for quite a few users,me included,but I find as long as i hit <save> every few minutes,I can get round it.Not perfect but ok.

I still work in 16bit so can't comment on the fidelity of 24bit,you sound like you're getting a marked improvement,is that the case?


Good luck with cool edit!

[laptoppop]

Actually, the latest version of Cool Edit Pro (2.0) is both an editor and a multitrack program. CEP does a number of things which help multitracking run well on lower end computers. For example, you can "lock" effects on channels -- this precomputes the effects, removing the CPU load. You can still adjust the volume of locked effects, just not the effect parameters.

I too am a N-Track refugee. I wanted N-Track to work, I really did. I even bought a different motherboard trying to get it to work. In the end, I just could not get the stability I need. It would be rock stable recording 8 channels at once, then I'd switch to one channel only and it would crash. I can't have that while I'm working with a band.

I'm settling in to my configuration now, and its been rock solid. I'm using a combination of Sonar2.1, CEP2, and Ozone2. I could have used just CEP2 with a bit more effort in terms of mixdown automation.

That being said, I do hear of some people who have managed to achieve good stable systems with N-Track, and I really like the N-Track boards and community, and wish it well. I just think Flavio should step back for a couple of releases and pound on stability.

-lee-

[shackrock]

i also just got cooledit...

i just with there was some sort of tutorial to watch to see how to get it all to work. ha.

[Rusty K]

shackrock,

Don't be intimidated. I'm not a computer geek and it's really not that hard to get around in. Do you have any tracks that you could import. Best way is to just jump in and start trying it out.

Just go the Insert on the menu bar and click wav from file.

Anyway if you have any questions I'll try to help. Also the syntrillium website has a fabulous forum where techs from CEP hang out too to help. Try it.


Rusty K

[Slackmaster2K]

...and then if you do have questions, remember that there is a Cool Edit forum just a few clicks down

Slackmaster 2000

[benson812]

Apologies Re:cool edit.

totally agree that Flavio should concentrate on getting the prog to work for everyone b4 worrying about more features.
As I said I too have my problems with it,and really if i could afford cubase would have no hesitation in changing,although like everyone else would be quite happy with ntrack,if i could make it work better.