Too obvious to see?

[LI Slim]

I've pretty much understood everything so far, laying down tracks, playing with the plug-ins, etc. But there are two basic (one extremely basic) things that I don't see. They are:

1. How do I close a .sng file other than by closing N-Track altogether? Is that the only way?

2. I'm recording one track at a time. The manual suggests that when I do so I record in mono. But when I'm finished, how does it get into stereo? Say, for example, I want some harmonies panned out - do I record these in stereo or can I pan them out later?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Slackmaster2K]

1. Any reason why you need to close? Exiting, opening another project, and starting new project will close the current project (prompting you to save).

2. The tracks are in mono, but that doesn't mean that the mix is in mono. Have you ever used a 4 track machine or any tape multitracker? It's the same deal really. When you record onto track 1 on your cassette tape, you're recording in mono, but you're still mixing stereo.

Use stereo/mono wisely. If your source is stereo, use stereo. If your source is mono, use mono. (also recall that stereo can really just be thought of as two mono tracks...in fact you can split a stereo track to two mono tracks in n-Track...this is how you can record two tracks at once with a regular soundcard)

Just practice...keep at it. The more you get used to how this stuff works the more obvious it all becomes! Good Luck!

Slackmaster 2000

 

[LI Slim]

when all else fails........

Read the instructions.


Thanks, Slack. No, there's no reason why I would need to close. It just felt strange not being able to do it. Actually, the only reason would be to open a new file, and by reading the instructions I just noticed that the "new document" toolbar button automatically closes the existing .sng file.

It also looks from the manual like I will be able to adjust pan settings for each track either before (using the "pan slider") or during the mixdown (using the "mixdown while playing" function). Does that seem right?

But now I have another question. I'm using an Aardvark Direct Pro, which is 24-bit. When I chose my settings in the N-track settings box I had a choice of 16 bit, 24 bit, 24 bit unpacked and 24 bit unpacked left justify. "24 bit" didn't work. I selected "24 bit unpacked left justify", and that seems to work fine. Is this correct?

 

[Tom Hicks]

N-track is regestered stock for (I believe)16 bit for $35 and 24 bit for another fin.Did you pay for the full regestered 24 bit version?Or regester 16 bit? Or are you using the demo?
Panning is done via the onboard mixer,so even your mono tracks can be placed in the stereo soundfield.
Tom

 

[LI Slim]

Tom, it was $39 for 16 bit and $59 for the 24 bit and I sprung for the 24 bit (since I have a 24 bit soundcard - Aardvark Direct Pro).

So is the panning function is accessed by the volume button on the toolbar? I haven't gotten there yet but that's what the manual seems to say.

What about this unpacked left justify stuff, do you understand that?

Thank you kind sir.

 

[Tom Hicks]

I'm just a humble 16 bit hobbiest,so I have no experience with the 24 bit settings.The discussion board at http://fasoft.com can give you lots more detailed info.
As to the panning,open the mixer from the button on the menu bar.The "pan pot" button is located just under the individual faders.
regards
Tom

 

[Slackmaster2K]

LI, it sounds like you might be using an older version of n-Track? Do should be able to access mixing and effect controls for each track without using that big mixer. There should be three controls on the far left side of each track...M, S, and >>>.

Clicking "M" will mute the track, "S" will solo the track, and ">>>" will bring up the volume/pan/effects controls for that track. It's super easy.

You can also draw panning envelopes by changing your pointer to the envelope tool (the button that looks like a ramp) and selecting panning. Each track will now have a straight line through its middle, which you can adjust any way you choose using the mouse...hence you "draw" the panning right on the track. This is very much like automation, except you don't create the pan effect in realtime.

You really need to just start using this software. I've been able to use Vegas for a time now and while I was impressed with it at first, I must say that n-Track is actually suprising me. It's so damn simple and has so many options. If you think, "i wonder if I can....", then you probably can

Slackmaster 2000

 

[LI Slim]

I have it, Slack. I just hadn't gotten there yet in learning the various functions. You're right that I just need to spend more time learning it (and therefore not ask as many dumb questions). Now all I have to do is quit my job and leave my family................hell, why not, after all, it's for the music.

 

[Slackmaster2K]

I understand where you're coming from man. Time is a precious commodity. And you shouldn't stop asking questions! My point is simply that using n-Track is the absolute best way to get a feel for its use...there will be some very perplexing things to sort out once you figure out the basics...trust me

I downloaded 2.2 last night...I've been using 2.1.4 for the longest time...man...flavio is really packing in the features and it appears to be pretty stable...at least on 2K.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[LI Slim]

Slack, it seems to be working perfectly so far with my Windows 98 as well. I don't have much to compare it to but it seems to me that Flavio is a freaking genius. I see people complaining on other threads that they can't do this and they can't do that but with N-track it always seems to be right there. It's almost scarey -- combined with the Aardvark Direct Pro, which is designed to solve everything in advance and be an all-in-one interface, this computer recording stuff actually seems to be working. I played a demo song I recorded and mixed all told in about 3 hours for my wife and she told me it sounded better than the demos I'd recorded at a studio. God bless America, Dragon and Flavio.

BTW, Tom, I followed your suggestion to check the Fasoft site bulletin board, and sure enough, somebody reported that Flavio had advised him to use "24 bit unpacked left justified" with the Aardvark Direct Pro. I had fortuitously chosen that one anyway, but it's nice to know the thing won't blow up or something because I did.