US-122 and powertracks

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SilverCarvin

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I saw lots of these type of thread titles when I searched, but didn't see any like this so here goes....Does anyone use a US-122 with powertracks? Are they compatible? It seems like this is a pretty reasonable beginning unit for the price, and I think I'm going to go with it, but I'm thinking of getting powertracks as well and wasn't sure if they went together. I know that the 122 comes with software packaged in with it, do you have to use it? I've read that sometimes a PC won't read the USB connection to the unit w/o the software installed or some nonsense, didn't seem to make a lot of sense,but I thought I'd ask if anyone had a problem like that....thanks!

Matt
 
I don't see why the Tascam US-122 wouldn't be compatible. It sets up like a soundcard, yes?

You could always pose the question at PG Music's forum.

Alas, if you want to use a control surface, PowerTracks dosen't support any yet.

I've been pushing for such support for years.

Carl
 
What's a control surface? I'm new at this....you mean like a midi keyboard controller?
 
Kind of--a control surface is a device that allows you to adjust the software's sliders on hardware rather than screen.

It's basically a mixing board you plug in the computer that controls's the software mixer.

In fact, even if the software doesn't support it yet, you may want to check out the US-224. It's selling for the same price as the US-122 on Zsounds.com, and it has a built in control surface.
 
Huh, that makes sense...I'll check out the 224. Do you have any experience with powertracks? If so, how do you like it?

thanks,
Matt
 
carvin. ive been a powertracks user for years and love it.
however usb audio devices are a seperate issue. on some pc's they work fine and on others people have had problems.
you might want to ask folks on the powertracks forum at pg their feelings on these usb devices. or do a real live test. most people there seem happy with maudio delta sound cards. it IS important for powertracks or any other software to run smoothly that the sound solution DRIVERS work well.
and the delta pci sound cards have been proven in this area.peace.
 
Yup, I remember that you are a big powertracks advocate. Good to know,maybe I can pick your brain after I get up and running. :)

I posted over at pgmusic, thanks for the tip. Do you find that not being able to manually control the virtual faders is a large setback (see above)?
 
carvin. re mouse control. never been a problem for me.
this topic has been discussed extensively on the pg forums including feedback from the pg tek types. my understanding from reading on this issue is its not a simple programming issue and relates to the fact that each manufacturer of a control surface has different implementations.
so the programmers probably have to do something for each one.
probably they are worried as well about bloat in the application.
one of the reasons i like it is ease of use, and all the features i need it does.
as well as the fact it runs on less than stellar machines. i was surprised to learn recently someone running it on an pld p3 . really surprised me.
if you want tricks in the future - just ask. i have loads of them ive accumulated over the last few years. also be aware apparently some users have now found a way to run softsynths apparently in real time.
but be aware these can bog down a less than stellar system.
if you want to save computer resources and you have a slower machine
midi tracks are less taxing on a pc than audio tracks.
it would help - in order to advise you further if you stated your pc config in some detail. peace.
 
Software synths in real-time? How else would you be running them?
 
Manning, my pc is as follows
Emachines T2200
Windows XP home, service pack 2 (standard ed.)
100 GB HD
512 MB DDR Ram
3D S3 Pro Savage8
3 1394 Ports, 6 USB ports
40x CD-RW
DVD Drive

After I get powertracks, I'll let you know what ?s I have. What would you suggest with the above setup, most of my tracking will be digital audio with a drum machine and maybe some small keyboard/midi parts.

Thanks for the help everyone! :)
Matt
 
If your US-122 comes packaged with Cubase use that software. It's better software than powertracks.
 
carvin. my suggestion would be a second hard drive on its own channel.
keep your current drive for windows. whichever software you end up using
i recommend 2 drives. on the subject of which is better you might want
to ask users on the pg forum who have used both cubase and powertracks
as to which they prefer.they have also used many other packages and many even own protools and many others. you might get some interesting answers.i know which i prefer. but you form your own opinion by trying both out and comparing. peace.
ps - carvin. i left a message for you over on the pg forum.
 
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carvin after you visit pg and asked those that have used both, you should go to a cubase forum and ask everyone there that has used both also. Better yet you should just try them both out for yourself and decide for yourself but my bet is that you will find cubase a much better program.
 
Yeah thats the thing, there seems to be so many options. Cubase is something I haven't looked into at all, but I'll check it out, along with the million or so other programs out there (or so it seems like)

Thanks everyone

manning1 check pg post
 
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