Easy PYRO question

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BigPapaFly

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I'm dumping my songs into PYRO, using the EQ and volume boost, and I can't figure out how to-- once I've enhanced the track-- save it as a valid mp3 file. I "save" as audi file to the designated folder and I get a song that claims to have the properties of a real mp3 (i.e. 7.8 MB...et al) but the song doesn't play.

What gives?

Thank you for any help.
 
I've never used Pyro, but is there an "Export" option?

"Save" and "Save As.." usually only saves the settings of the program.
 
Pyro 2004

I use Pyro 2004 to transfer my older homemade music from cassette to computer (then to CD)

...for the most part I like the program, though I find than if I try to do noise reduction, fade outs, EQ, effects, and maximize all at once on one file the program consistanly locks up. I tried reinstalling the program, but had the same results. Through trial and error I found that I could get the results I wanted without locking up the program by editing it in two steps: after initially recording the file I will (if appropriate) apply noise reduction, fade-in/out, and EQ...then I will save that file (usually as wav)...clear the file out...and start again with the tweaked file, sometimes adding (just a bit) of effects and then maximizing. At that point I have 3 files (the initatial that is automatically saved when recorded, the tweaked file, and the tweaked "twice" file) I eventually delete the early generation files, and keep the "evolved" song.

Now getting to your question...the problem you are describing sounds like something buggy...the process of saving and opening songs is pretty strait-forward in Pyro. You could try reinstalling the program and see if that takes care of your problem. I don't think you will lose any of your saved files (althought you could burn any keepers to CD to be safe).
 
Mawtangent,

Thanks for responding...but I don't think it's a bug in the program. My experience tells me its almost always user ignornace (when it comes to me).

I'm ripping from cd's into mp3, then dragging the file into the Arranging Pane and adding EQ, etc...After that, it seems like I need to "record" the enhanced track, but I don't see how. What I think happens is that I merely "save" the parameters and NOT the actual track. It seems like what I'm doing is like putting a CD in my stereo, messing with the EQ and volume boost, then "saving" the parameter settings on my stereo, then taking the cd out and expecting to hear to changes on another stereo. At some poijt in the process I need to make a pass and record the song with the added effects.

...don't know how. Maybe by clarifying my question you can help me. Thanks again. I pretty much got pyro so that I could enhace my mp3's.
 
Steps I take to save songs.

I have used Pyro 2003 (it is still on my Dad's computer at his house on the other side of town)...I am now using Pyro 2004, but I think it worked about the same (as far as recording and saving at least) (2004 added an effect plugin and more features as far as volume control) ...anyway I will walk through the steps that I go through to record and save a song to wav or MP3 (this is in Pyro 2004)...I hope this is helpful (I know some of this will be stuff you already know, but I am trying to cover all my bases)...after choosing the record window, the program forces you write a name in the box before you can engage the record. I write a name and push "record", I then start the cassette player (which is pluged into the line-in of the computer), when the song is over I click on "stop"...I now have a visual representation of the song (the deal that resembles the picture of a heartbeat on a monitor, exept much denser)...I usually edit this file (like I described before), doing a fade-in and fade-out (this diminishes the obviousness (or suddeness) of the cassette hiss, for one thing) and EQ. THEN I click on "SAVE"...I am given the choice of saving a "project" or saving an "audio file"...I choose "audio file"...then a new window opens up showing a folder with files I have saved before (listed in aphebetical order)...the program will not allow me to overwrite (using the same name I chose when I set the program up to record) (I think Pyro 2003 will allow you to overwrite the initial file) so I usually use the same name but put a "2" after it...If, at this point, I simply push "save" (or it might be "ok") the file will be saved as a wav file...If I want it saved as an MP3 I have to click on an arrow below the box (which probably says "wav" and it drops down and shows that you can choose MP3, which opens another little window that gives you different choices as far as what size MP3 you want to create...after making a chose (and probably clicking on "save" or "ok") the file is saved into the folder that I initially opened when I very first chose "save" and "audio file"...When I do this the program goes through the motion of saving (with a rectangle box filling, going from white to blue)...after that I can click on "open" and find the file in that folder (I find that clearing out the initial file (the heartbeat looking thing) often will prevent confusion as to what file I am opening)...when you open an MP3 the program must turn it back into a wav file in order to see, hear, or edit it, but then you can once again save it as MP3 (I usually stay with wav files until I get to my final version, since wav is supposed to be better quality and the program has to turn an MP3 into wav to play or edit it anyway) (I delete any early versions of wav file when they are no longer needed because they are like 5-10 larger than an MP3)...I hope this has not been a waste of time as far as your problem...I really don't know what else to tell you...I am pretty much a technophobe myself and was pleasently surprised that I could use Pyro right off the bat...that is why I thought it just might need reinstalling. I would like to know if you solve your problem and I would be happy to try to answer any more questions...
 
The problem I have with your explanation-- and by the way, thank you for taking so much time to help me-- is that you are actually "recoding audio" using the line in on your pc. Maybe you could try this:

Drag an exisiting mp3 into the arranging pane. Then apply distinct eq and volume boost and effects, to an absurd degree so that you can really tell that it's a different version of the original mp3. Then try to "save as audio file" the supposedly "new" version of the pre-existing mp3.

Tell me what happensIf it works. Because I am not actually recording audio. I'm trying to drag an MP3 into that pane, manipulate it, and save the manipulated mp3.

Thanks a bunch for you help. I'm going to save your explanation so that if and when I "record audio" I'll have your answer on file. But I think you can see the difference in process.

Anyway, I hope you'll try just to drag an MP3 and manipulate it and see how it saves.

Thanks again.
 
What version of Pyro do you have?

What version of Pyro do you have? I have Pyro 2004 on my computer which looks a bit different from Pyro 2003. I am assuming that you have an older version than Pyro 2004, since you did not mention FX (but I am not sure). If you have Pyro 2003 or older I will go through the steps you described above using that version (Pyro 2003 is on my dad's computer at his home) and give you the results (since that version should be more similar to what you have)...

Still, the steps I attempted to describe to you should apply to your situation (minus the initial recording of the song to the computer)...that is why I am still leaning toward a bug...especially after I encountered inexplictable program lockups with Pyro 2004 (which I described earlier, and for which I had to develope a "work-around" strategy, because reinstalling it did not improve the situation.)
 
cool, I caught you home on a Sunday...anyway...I have 2004 Version 3.0.169. I bought it off the website at a discount ($30)...
 
Steps to edit, save, and retrieve an MP3 in Pyro 2004

I got Pyro 2004 for 25 or 30 dollars direct off the Cakewalk website about three months ago...anyway...pardon the obvious steps, but sometimes the most simplist thing can be the problem...I (moments ago) just did the following...

After double-clicking on the icon from my desktop, I got to the "start" window...I chose "edit an audio file and apply effects"...the next window shows (on the top half) the contents of the folder where I have filed my songs...I click and drag an mp3 down to the bottom-half of the window (I believe you called this the "arranging frame"...I applied too much FX, wacky EQ and maximization (the song is really messed up)...I choose "save" from the group of buttons immediatly above the arranging frame, a box drops down letting me choose "save as audio file"...a new, smaller window opens up where I am to write a new file name in a box (beside the words "file name")...below this are the words "save as type" with a box beside it showing "wav" as the default...I drop this box down by clicking the arrow and choose "mp3" from the pull-down menu, then I click on the "save" button...a new box opens up letting me choose the kp/s size (and also encoding speed)...I choose 192 Kp/s and let it remain on slow (better) encoding, then press "ok"...now the program goes back to the "edit an audio file and apply effects" window (the window containing a list of song files at the top and the arranging window at the bottom), there is a rectangular box in the lower left-hand corner that gradually goes from being filled with white color to blue color (showing me that the edited file is being saved as the newly named file)...at this point I clear the arranging frame mostly to prevent any confusion as to what file I am dealing with...I do this by pushing "new" (from the chose of buttons immediatly above the arranging frame and choosing "no" (as in no, I do not want to save any changes,...I don't know why the program asks this because I just saved the new edited file...I guess this is a safety precaution in case you try to close an edited file absent-mindedly)...now I can find my newly edited, newly named song file from among those aphebetically listed at the top of the window...I click and drag the new file (I called it "weird") into the arranging window....I play it and it is the big mess that I created earlier...
 
Okay, now we're getting somewhere (maybe.) I did, and have done in the past, EXACTLY what you just described. I don't usually drag the manipulated file into the arranging pane to listen to it. I go to my MP3 folder to which I've saved the file. In this case I did exactly what you did and dragged it into the arranging pane, thinking it would play there but not play on Window Media Player when opened from the MP3 folder.

NOPE. Not on Windows Media Player and not even in the Cakewalk arranging pane. I'm always in denial that my software is not working properly, assuming what is almost always the case- that it is user error. So before you say I have a bad Cakewalk maybe there's something else?

Can I go to Cakewalk.com, give them my purchase order number, S/N, activation number etc...and download a new version? If you have nothing for me other than the bad software answer, I guess I should say that I've had a few kinks when trying to burn cd's.

The thing about "user error" is that this software is sooo easy to use. There really doesn't seem to be a lot of room for mistakes. Still, maybe there is some option somewhere that I haven't clicked?

btw, you rock for all your help. Thanks again.
 
Pyro Reply

I will go ahead and throw this in...I can open up my file folder (inwhich I have both wav and mp3 files) from my desktop, by chosing "start" in the bottom left-hand corner and then clicking on the folder name (which I think is in a prominent place because it is used often), (This is without opening up Pyro) and when I click on a song file it plays using Microsoft Media Player, eventhough I made the file in Pyro...so I guess what I am saying is that once you have a file saved and named (as wav or mp3) that it should be no problem to play it in Media Player...

I really am nowhere near being an expert but I don't think any CD burner glitches should be causing your problem...

About dealing with Cakewalk...you might want to try this first...it may just be a 50/50 chance of solving your problem but it should only take 10 minutes to try...a computer geek told me to reinstall the program, which caused me anxiety, I was afraid I would lose the program altogether if I started messing around with it (since I didn't have it on disk and Cakewalks proceedures with the access numbers, etc. is a big pain, so I wanted to avoid having to call them and explain that I had lost the program) ...my computer geek friend pointed out that when I initially downloaded the program that an installation icon was created and that I had to click on that installation program to finish the installation...he told me to completely remove Pyro from my computer (but to leave the installation icon intact)...I went to add/remove programs and deleted Pyro...then I went back and clicked on the installation program icon and reinstalled it (I was pleasently surprised that my song files, which, as a precaution I had saved to CD, where not even deleted while doing this procedure)...you should be able to do the same thing as long as you still have the installation icon (which is different than the program itself) on your desktop...ONE PRECAUTION: YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR SERIAL NUMBER AND MP3 ACTIVATION CODE TO GET THE PROGRAM TO WORK AFTER YOU REINSTALL (come to think of it, did you enter the mp3 activation code when you first installed the program, this could be your problem...I had forgotten that I had to do that, I just looked at some notes that I wrote down when I got the program and saw it)...I don't want to suggets that you do the abobe and have you mess everything up (this is my disclaimer) but I did this and it didn't hurt anything...I was just back where I started...

If you do the above (or if you chose not to) I think at this point you can feel justified in calling Cakewalk and saying that you have done everything in your power to save edited mp3s and that you believe something is wrong with the program and the person on the phone will probably be a jerk, but you should eventually get the help you need...
 
yes, I was required to enter the activation code already...so here I go with remove program....I'll let ya know later.

Ty
 
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