Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I need some feedback here.

I bought the dtxpress to fill out my home recording
studio - but still have issues. I'm trying to record
real time midi drums, real guitar, real bass, to hard disk.

Is anyone in the group using audio/midi software on a PC?
I'm trying to find out what's works best, what quirks, etc.

system:
AMD k6-2 400
96 meg pc100 ram
2 20-gig udma 66 ide drives
Amptron PM-585 MB
Creative Ensoniq Audio PCI

note: I have read many reports that much software that
relies on Direct X only works well with Genuine INTEL
chipsets/processors,
so ultimately I may have to get another system.

So far I've tested a few.

NTRACK STUDIO: 
pros:
I can get 26 mono 44k tracks without effects.
cost $35 bucks
cons:
Crashes under many configurations, most stable on NT.
Midi support is unstable - drops notes - difficult to edit.
Heavy crashes under windows 98 first edition.
Support only answers questions they know the answer to.

Quartz Audio Master 2000:
pros:
Extremely stable under win98,NT.
Musician friendly interface ( looks and acts like a traditional studio )
cons:
Sometimes can be a resource hog when many audio tracks exists.
I can get about 12 mono tracks before latency occurs.

Cake Walk:
pros:
it's popular?
cons:
I couldn't get it to stay running more than
5 minutes on many different configurations.
( haven't tested on NT )

We have just recorded a CD using Cubase VST and Soundforge - the odd crash but stable enough to get lots of work done - see www.projectsys.demon.co.uk

A powerful machine with lots!!! of RAM runs Cubase VST well, once set-up correctly (which can be a pain) - it needs a 'friendly' sound card and at least 128Mb for decent reliability, but works very well otherwise. Support from Steinberg is naff, but there is lots of info on the Cubase newsgroup.

There are some CDs around with non dongle versions if you want to try before buy. Make sure you try version 3.551 or above, or VST/24.

Your HD drives are well fast enough for lots of audio but its the sound card that really matters (I notice you have a PCI card which helps a lot). Although do not allow PCI sound and graphics cards to share IRQs. Windows 98 is fine (forget NT for home use). Use an external mixer for monitoring and then latency never becomes a problem. Good luck.

Paul Brow
Principal Learning Officer
p.brow@...

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Ken Anthony [SMTP:info@...]
> Sent:	Sunday, February 27, 2000 7:47 PM
> To:	DTXpress@onelist.com
> Subject:	[DTXpress] midi sequencer software
> 
> From: Ken Anthony <info@...>
> 
> I need some feedback here.
> 
> I bought the dtxpress to fill out my home recording
> studio - but still have issues. I'm trying to record
> real time midi drums, real guitar, real bass, to hard disk.
> 
> Is anyone in the group using audio/midi software on a PC?
> I'm trying to find out what's works best, what quirks, etc.
> 
> system:
> AMD k6-2 400
> 96 meg pc100 ram
> 2 20-gig udma 66 ide drives
> Amptron PM-585 MB
> Creative Ensoniq Audio PCI
> 
> note: I have read many reports that much software that
> relies on Direct X only works well with Genuine INTEL
> chipsets/processors,
> so ultimately I may have to get another system.
> 
> So far I've tested a few.
> 
> NTRACK STUDIO: 
> pros:
> I can get 26 mono 44k tracks without effects.
> cost $35 bucks
> cons:
> Crashes under many configurations, most stable on NT.
> Midi support is unstable - drops notes - difficult to edit.
> Heavy crashes under windows 98 first edition.
> Support only answers questions they know the answer to.
> 
> Quartz Audio Master 2000:
> pros:
> Extremely stable under win98,NT.
> Musician friendly interface ( looks and acts like a traditional studio )
> cons:
> Sometimes can be a resource hog when many audio tracks exists.
> I can get about 12 mono tracks before latency occurs.
> 
> Cake Walk:
> pros:
> it's popular?
> cons:
> I couldn't get it to stay running more than
> 5 minutes on many different configurations.
> ( haven't tested on NT )
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Click here to get a FREE headset and a FREE CD while supplies last.
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> 
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>   Post message: DTXpress@onelist.com
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> 
> Shortcut URL to this page:
>   http://www.onelist.com/community/DTXpress

Hi Ken,
I think that the notion that software works best only on intel machines is
no longer true, esp. with the AMD series out now.  Older Cyrix chips--yes,
there were problems.
Regarding sequencers--if you want reliable performance you need to let those
budget seqs go by and get either Cakewalk, Cubase or Logic.  I wrote a
comparision review on my website if anyone is interested,

Best,

Rich
Unique Sample CD Roms and SoundFonts
   Main site:  http://www.tweakheadz.com
  MP3 files:  http://www.mp3.com/tweakheadz

>
> Is anyone in the group using audio/midi software on a PC?
> I'm trying to find out what's works best, what quirks, etc.
>
> system:
> AMD k6-2 400
> 96 meg pc100 ram
> 2 20-gig udma 66 ide drives
> Amptron PM-585 MB
> Creative Ensoniq Audio PCI
>

Hi all,
I've seen many basic (and complex) questions on the list about midi
sequencer/recording softwear (several from myself) and wanted to make sure
that those of you who are new to this world know that there are a few good
resources out there that I have found, besides this list:

1) http://www.tweakheadz.com/Sequencer2.html: Rich's review of the three
main sequencers out there. Very informative, no matter what level you are
at. I still haven't decided what to buy, but this will help me.

2) digital musician magazine: On newstands now (in USA, at least). Worth
purchasing if only for the rather incredible demo cd that is enclosed. I had
trouble finding demo's on the web so this was a valuable find. It's trial
versions include Cubase VST, Cakewalk Pro Audio, and many more too numerous
to mention. Sequencers, synthesizers, you name it. Try before you buy. The
editorial content's pretty good as well. Also comes with the Roland/Edirol
catalog. 75 pages of computer music hardware and softwear. Really cool stuff
(most of which I'll never need or buy, but fun to fantasize).

3) Make Music Now! magazine (from Keyboard Magazine): Not sure anyone could
actually "make music now!" after reading this, but some good basic info
nonetheless. "Remixing 101", "Turn Your Computer into a Synthesizer!" (not
sure this one warranted the "!" but...), "Recording a Song in 7 Easy Steps".
You get the idea. Good for a complete novice like myself.

With all the talk about midi and recording lately on the list, the above
stuff can bring you up to speed.
Later,
Rick


-----Original Message-----
From: Rich <rich@...>
To: DTXpress@onelist.com <DTXpress@onelist.com>
Date: Monday, February 28, 2000 4:40 AM
Subject: Re: [DTXpress] midi sequencer software


>From: "Rich" <rich@...>
>
>Hi Ken,
>I think that the notion that software works best only on intel machines is
>no longer true, esp. with the AMD series out now.  Older Cyrix chips--yes,
>there were problems.
>Regarding sequencers--if you want reliable performance you need to let
those

>budget seqs go by and get either Cakewalk, Cubase or Logic.  I wrote a
>comparision review on my website if anyone is interested,
>
>Best,
>
>Rich
>Unique Sample CD Roms and SoundFonts
>   Main site:  http://www.tweakheadz.com
>  MP3 files:  http://www.mp3.com/tweakheadz
>
>>
>> Is anyone in the group using audio/midi software on a PC?
>> I'm trying to find out what's works best, what quirks, etc.
>>
>> system:
>> AMD k6-2 400
>> 96 meg pc100 ram
>> 2 20-gig udma 66 ide drives
>> Amptron PM-585 MB
>> Creative Ensoniq Audio PCI
>>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Yes, I want Free PC long distance and a Free 100-song MP3 CD!
>Click here to get a FREE headset and a FREE CD while supplies last.
>http://click.egroups.com/1/1985/1/_/643449/_/951741246/
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Community email addresses:
>  Post message: DTXpress@onelist.com
>  Subscribe:    DTXpress-subscribe@onelist.com
>  Unsubscribe:  DTXpress-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>  List owner:   DTXpress-owner@onelist.com
>
>Shortcut URL to this page:
>  http://www.onelist.com/community/DTXpress
>
>