Tracktion

[dcoates20]

Hey everyone. I am new to this forum and am accepting delivery of a new computer system tomorrow with the Vista OS. I am quite concerned that software and hardware support is not quite there yet. In the past, I have used the Layla 20 and Cool Edit Pro. Like many others in this forum, I am not sure where to go from here. Has anyone used Tracktion? I know that it is packaged with some of the newer Echo interfaces. I mostly multitrack by myself. I welcome any thoughts and will document my journey for all. Thanks in advance.

[passerby3141]

I have used Tracktion, I'm not sure it's ready for Vista though. I like Tracktion mostly because it's really straight-forward and easy to navigate and understand. I don't use it for recording anymore though, just monitoring my takes, it's pretty much just a VST host to me now. I use Sonar 6, which is ready for Vista BTW, for recording and mixing now.

You may have a hard time finding full support for Vista right now, very few companies seem to be in a rush to support it.

[dcoates20]

Thanks for your input. I may end up trying to get by with the software that came with my digitech gnx3000 for a while ( if it works)...I am not a very patient consumer though! Actually quite impulsive. Thanks again.

[passerby3141]

I am impulsive as well! I got Sonar right after I had upgraded to a dual core CPU, so I could take advantage of it. This site has a Vista forum, I'm sure you've noticed, that would be the best place to start looking for software and hardware you can use.

[dcoates20]

Thanks again for your response. I just had my cable modem installed and this system rocks! I installed Reason software 2.0 without a hitch and immediately updated to 2.5 with perfect results. My new system is also dual:

XPS 410
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.13GHz,1066 FSB), Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
XPS 410 Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.13GHz,1066 FSB)
memory 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Keyboard
Monitor 20 inch E207WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
Video Card 256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Floppy Drive and Media Reader 13 in 1 Media Card Reader

The SAGA continues!

[poorsod]

If only I could afford a computer as fast as that. Getting a new computer for me is a slow, rumbling process. Because several bits of it are all out of date, I have to upgrade the motherboard, processor and graphics card all together. The three most expensive components. Grr.

[dcoates20]

I have a plan...input is appreciated. If I buy the cakewalk sonar power studio 660, and if it will load on the vista os, then cakewalk has an free upgrade (through april 30th) to 6 studio edition. I'm not sure if studio 5 (included in the 660) will load properly and allow the upgrade.

[poorsod]

Do you mean:
Cakewalk will give you a free upgrade IF - and only if - you manage to load Studio 5 (included with Power Studio hardware) into Vista?
I would say it's probably not worth the risk since, if it doesn't work, you'll be left with an interface that does nothing because you don't have the software for it.
The odds of this scenario are quite high. SONAR 5 isn't supported for Vista.

[dcoates20]

Thanks...I was afraid of this. It would be nice to get a decent interface and software for the 4-600 range. My budget is running thin...zero percent from dell only lasts until 2008!

[dcoates20]

Here is the response from Cakewalk:

Thanks for contacting Cakewalk! You can install version 5 if you like,
however you may experience some issues with it recognizing your current
sound hardware drivers. We would recommend holding off on installing the
Power Studio hardware until the Vista drivers have been released.

Best Regards,

Josh King
Cakewalk Customer Service

[bob32069]

I just bought a very similar system from dell as you describe and have been struggling to figure out what DAW and interface to go with. I finally decided on a MOTU 8pre because all MOTU interfaces now have Vista drivers. As far as DAW, I am going to try out the free REAPER one:
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
It is shareware and only costs $40 to register it. It seems pretty powerful.
Good luck and keep me updated on any new Vista related news

Bob

[dcoates20]

Sounds like a good choice. I noticed that their "Ultralite wins top honors as Best Audio Interface" in Electronic Musician. I am about to order the Cake system..they are promising drivers by the end of april. They have answered several emails regarding upgrades, etc. I did receive my update for Reason (propellerhead). It arrived from Sweden in 3 days UPS! Seems to work fine but it awaits the midi interface.
David