sick of n-tracks

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roy/Keys
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Roy/Keys

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Been trying to get n-tracks up a running and its one big pain.Entered registration codes and still get "evaluation"message, resulting in phantom notes.Also the users manual sucks.Anyone know of a good, user friendly, recording program that does'nt break the bank,?
 
you will find it very hard to beat powertracks that i use.
49 bucks. 48 tracks of both audio and midi.
demo at pgmusic.com. read the heyheymymy thread.
and you can read how i helped him set it up.
i have to say though ntrack is a good program.
but so is powertracks with its own advantages over many much more expensive programs. but be willing to spend some time understanding its features because the feature set is very extensive.
search under my name for tips ive posted on setting it up. powertracks has several advantages.very detailed audiomultitracking/midi editing/notation, lots of built in effects thus saving buying plug ins.
and the new vocal harmony feature. i could go into details here more but space is limited on a bbs. just try the demo.
also look at band in a box from same company. a usefull songwriters tool.
if you have specific technical questions just ask.
 
this may not be absolutly technical but, is the user's manual more how-to?I found that n-tracks tells you to do something, but is skimpy on details. Thanks
 
Cakewalk Home Studio 2 - practically the same thing as Sonar 3 for under $100.
 
roy. got lots of friends down your way.
i miss blomedon beach. down there last summer.
the best thing is to go to the pg site and read, read,read.
yes it covers , at least mine does anyway..a lot of newbie stuff.
also includes a video in detail for newbies. if you talk to users like myself you will hear a common thread. a lot of respect for the programming team that produces ptpa and the company. and its very honest way it treats its users.
for example some other packages can charge hundreds in upgrades,
my version last upgrade cost my wife 29 bucks. she normally includes it as a stocking stuffer for christmas.
but - let me caution you ptpa (powertracks) can be as simple or as advanced as you wish. ive never outgrown it. but ..if your looking for
something that writes instant hits for you. no such thing exists.
a lot of newbies spend hundreds and thousands on software more expensive than ptpa. whereas they could have saved tons of money by getting ptpa and focusing on learning the art of audio engineering.
i find a lot of newbies are not willing to put in the work/hours to track songs.
basically songs are work. but there are features in ptpa to help become more productive like the drum pattern maker, the in depth midi features (more so than n track). and the built in effects to name a few.
but YOU have to put in the effort to write good songs and track them well and produce them. and this is true whatever you buy.
peace. and just try the demo. lots to learn.
 
Manning, aren't you suppose to stop the spamming? I'd hate to see you bounced off the BBS.
 
Roy,
That's a shame you are having such a difficult time with n-track. It's by far one of the easiest programs I've ever used.
Any rate, I would contact Flavio via the Feedback Form and let him know of your issues.
The problems with registration codes stems from the boneheads out there that like to share codes with the other POS's that don't want to pay.
Flavio is a kind man, he will get you straightened out.
I'll agree that the manual leaves a bit to be desired, but the FASoft Forum and AudioMinds are valuable resources for those who require further assistance.
If n-Track truly ends up not being your cup of tea, good luck with whatever other program you choose to use. They all have their own learning curve.
 
noisedude..... i dont know how i can be more accomodating.
roy keys asked for an alternative that was affordable.
i responded with what i use.
morningstar, and another couple of people (obviously using competitive products to what i use)
awhile back asked me to refer newbies and folks like roy to use the search under my name feature of this bbs.
so i did that to keep morningstar etc happy. however then other people complained heavily to me it was too much hassle
to use the search feature. so - i'm damned if i do and damned if i dont.
i just have no idea why a few people on here want to supress
my posts/suggestions. other than the fact they are using competitors products.
and are concerned about the high value for money of the product that i use.
so i'm just going to carry on posting what i feel are the correct recommendations in my heart.
particularly as ive tried so many products myself.

roy keys. just try lots of demos of competing products and see what
makes you happy. like i did.
peace.
 
Powertracks rocks!

Well, not totally. BUT I've been using Cubase for awhile now, so it was kind like going from a Porche to a Yugo for me. Yes Manning, I did try the demo but not intensively as I'm busy recording in Cubase right now. I think for people just entering the fray of recording, PT is a good introduction. Of course, there are other options in the price range to: Magix Studio Deluxe, etc. I certainly wouldn't infer that Cubase is the only option for everyone (I say this because I think I'm getting "lumped" into the other "couple people" that Manning is referring to). As a matter of fact, I don't think I EVER SAID THAT CUBASE WAS THE BEST OPTION FOR RECORDING AUDIO
FOR EVERYONE. It's the best option for me!

In this case, Roy/Keys was asking for alternatives. PT would be just that and it wouldn't break the bank.

Well, that's it for now.
 
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warble. youve had your say , so i'm going to have mine.
when i tried cubase over many versions heres what i found...
1. pricey.
2. difficult to navigate round features. the midi i found particularly difficult to use.
3. the mixer while cute i found difficult on my eyes and cluttered.
4. making people put a dongle in their usb port.
yes - cubase is a good package. but i found with a steep learning curve.
for me , it was - to use your car analogy, going from a nice easy to use car
(maybe with not every frill) to a highly complex car to figure out how to use all the controls.

roy should just try them all, and decide which fits his needs best.
just my 2 cents.
 
Fair enough! But, if you've been using Powertracks for awhile, how can you fairly judge Cubase - which is now on version 3? The last demo they had was version 1. It's evolved, and you really need to spend some decent time with it to get a grasp on it. I can't argue that PT is certainly easier for "newbies". Cubase can be pricey, but I think they have good price points for varying use needs - SE, SL and SX. SE is only $100 (or less).

Seeing as this thread isn't about Cubase, I'll leave it at that.
 
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if you really want to be one of the coolest members here you will be like us elite and get sonar 3. not only can you make music with it like any other program but you will also be welcomed in the coveted "cakewalk forum" and the infamous "hey moskus" thread.
 
minofifa said:
if you really want to be one of the coolest members here you will be like us elite and get sonar 3. not only can you make music with it like any other program but you will also be welcomed in the coveted "cakewalk forum" and the infamous "hey moskus" thread.
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Ya know, I like Sonar 3 too. A friend uses it in his studio and LOVES it. I downloaded the demo of Sonar 4, and it's pretty cool. Most people find these more pricey programs "cluttered", but for me, I've been able to get into a good groove and my workflow is great. When you think about it, things really are laid out nicely in both Sonar and Cubase - and users will back this statement up.
 
Ya know, I like Sonar 3 too. A friend uses it in his studio and LOVES it. I downloaded the demo of Sonar 4, and it's pretty cool. Most people find these more pricey programs "cluttered", but for me, I've been able to get into a good groove and my workflow is great. When you think about it, things really are laid out nicely in both Sonar and Cubase - and users will back this statement up.
Click to expand...

that's just the trade off that people are going to have to deal with. if you want tons of features, there are going to be a lot of buttons and graphs and visuals to learn. when you are conforatable with everything then the power of these more expensive programs really is seen. For sure somebody starting out with recording is gonna make a better recording with cool edit than nuendo just because it is easier to learn and get around. but when you learn the shortcut keys, templates and layouts, the workflow is increased.

not knocking cool edit though. the chaper programs are still awsome. I still use cool edit a lot to edit each wav before i mix them in sonar. but i'll stop my rant now, my coffee had something slimy in it so better go check that out.
 
oh yeah, one more thing.

let's be honest, it doesn't matter if you have the most expensive software and best computer if you don't know what you are doing. Manning would probably mix a better song with his PG than i would with sonar mainly because this is what he does, he has a lot more experience than myself. I got sonar because i find it easy to use, it has all the features you could ask for, it is one of the most popular pieces of software and there is a lot of support for it.
 
Thanks everyone

Thanks for all the input.I was'nt looking for a program that would do all the work for me , but I did want one that tells me how to go about utilizing any suggestions they make.I found that n-tracks would tell me to check the recording vu meters, but neglect to tell me that you have to close the playback meters to call them up.Simple , yes, when you know how, but I dislike wasting an hour finding this out.I tried customer support, and got a form letter that did'nt adress the issue I was writing about.I'm going with ptpa, and see how it works.Also, I do think theres a difference between honest advice, and spamming.Manning 1, if your ever down this way,get in touch and we'll give you the two cent tour.Thanks again everyone. Roy
 
I can't believe I'm doing this, but I've got to defend Manning1 here.

I agree he's frequently over the top with his constant effort to foist PG (I wish people wouldn't abbreviate it "PT" since then it looks like Pro Tools) upon everyone who posts here (hey, it doesn't sound like much of a defense so far, huh?), but you really can't fault him for suggesting it as an alternative to N-Tracks. It's in the same price range and it's a valid option for this person. (See, that's a defense, isn't it? ;) )

Since several people have spoken of SONAR, what about Cakewalk Home Studio? It's a lower cost alternative, still in the family, has many features and an upgrade path to SONAR when, and if, the time comes.

Ted
 
tedluk said:
Since several people have spoken of SONAR, what about Cakewalk Home Studio? It's a lower cost alternative, still in the family, has many features and an upgrade path to SONAR when, and if, the time comes.

Ted
Click to expand...

Do people just read over what I post?

Cakewalk Home Studio 2 - practically the same thing as Sonar 3 for under $100.
Click to expand...

Starting off with HS2 and upgrading to Sonar is cheaper than buying Sonar in the first place.
 
brzilian said:
Do people just read over what I post?
Click to expand...

My bad. I was thinking that post was in a different thread for some reason. :o


Ted
 
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