Any Tracktion 4 Users Out There?

I just found out about Tracktion 4.

Tracktion 4 is another DAW. It is one of the many digital audio workstations that are out there. So why mention it here? Didn't I recently talk about my love for FL Studio? Sure. It doesn't hurt to look around, does it?

I found out about Tracktion 4 while looking at Behringer's website. I noticed that some of their products included a DAW. Behringer chose Tracktion 4. I was curious. Of course I hopped over to the Tracktion 4 website. I search sites fast, and quickly noticed that Tracktion 4 is inexpensive (I hate to use cheap). The price of $59.99 seems pretty low compared to numerous other DAW's available. For instance, FL Studio Producer Edition is $199.00, and Pro tools 11 is $699.00. I am a basement creator/producer, so my budget is very limited. $59.00 is tempting.

I headed straight for the Videos area. The SWA COMPLETE TRACKTION TUTORIALS area in particular was very enlightening. Within minutes of watching the excellent videos, I became very impressed with Tracktion 4. It all looked so user-friendly, bright (Damn but FL Studio is dark), and packed with great features. I became aware rather quickly that Tracktion 4 is not a toy. It seems to be a working marriage between software that is laid out smartly, making it easy to use, and software that is very capable of great music. Much of it just seems to make sense.

Tracktion 4 is quite different from FL Studio. The layout is all there, right in front of you. Users don't have to jump between modes. In fact it appears that much, if not all of Tracktion 4 can be used with a single monitor. I know I can use a single monitor with FL Studio, but two monitors is far better when something such as the size of the Playlist is considered.

One of the first positive features was the Settings tab. It just seems right. It is a logical arrangement of feature controls cleverly disguised as an easy interface. While viewing most of the videos, I was surprised at just how powerful Tracktion 4 appears. The Edit screen, Mixer, and Automation, among others, are a offering a new approach to music creation that is very appealing to me. I couldn't help but frequently find my self thinking how this would just how smart it all seems. Much of the way Tracktion 4 assists a user in creating songs is very different from what I am used to, but is just makes sense. I recommend you check out the videos, as it is very apparent that I can't accurately describe all the great elements of Tracktion 4.

I couldn't wait to try it. I downloaded their demo. The Tracktion 4 demo is free to use without a time restriction. As they put it, "Unlike most audio program demos that “time out” after 30 days, ours last indefinitely, with the only demo restriction being a small burst of “white noise” overlaid on your song’s audio every few seconds. This approach lets you take as long as you need to evaluate Tracktion.".

I had only a short time to check the demo out, but am happy with it so far. I checked out the Settings tab for myself, and was pleased to find that I could configure my audio devices quickly, but was more impressed to find how easy it was to create aliases for them. I have numerous inputs and outputs, so I find this very helpful, especially when some of the devices have rather archaic names. In addition, setting a colour schemee was very easy. I love it. One of my pet peeves of some DAW software is that they look so dark, especially FL Studio. I know I can adjust FL Studio's look a bit, and even find some skins, but frankly, they suck. I had Tracktion 4 looking bright and beautiful in seconds. There were a number of schemes to choose from, and users can even share their own custom schemes. Very cool indeed.

Admittedly, this isn't an in-depth review. I need to venture further and try Tracktion 4 out a lot more. I can't wait to continue. So ...    see you later. I am off to make some noise.

As always, spelling and grammar are for wizards. Please excuse errors.

I Simply Love FL Studio

After a few years of using FL Studio, I have come to the conclusion that it is the best digital audio workstation (DAW) for me.

I am still a beginner with this wonderful software, and as a result my music is basic, unpolished, and not ready for human consumption. The thing is, I don't care. I can't stop creating tracks. It's like therapy. I get into it, and hours pass. It seems that every time I use it I just feel better. I get lost in it.

FL Studio is feature packed. there are so many great features to use, far more than I can take advantage of. I am continually finding new things to make my tracks better, and easier to create. I guess that until recently, I never really gave it much thought, but I have used Fl Studio for a long time. It was called Fruity Loops back when I first tried it. I never did like that name, as it made the software sound immature and unprofessional, which it isn't.

Are there better alternatives? Sure. I don't care.

There are a shitload of videos out there that offer tutorials and guidance on how to use Fl Studio. As a beginner I found that many people offered videos aimed at those that are just starting. Searching for just FL Studio in Youtube resulted in over 1.5 million results.

If you are curious to try it, go to Image Line and grab the demo. It has everything.

I am going to attack my 1983 Goldwing!

I have thought about it for months. I am going to grab the necessary tools and pull all of the fairings and luggage off my 1983 Goldwing Interstate. I will remove all the extra bars as well. The seat has to go too. Hell, kiss those handlebars goodbye too. Why stop there? The exhaust is ugly too. It's going!

Why?

I am going to turn into into a mean machine. I hope to end up with a bobbed/fighter look. New bars, new stops and signals, custom (read as cheap) exhaust, custom seat pans and seat, and front fender, etc.

This will take a lot of time. But what the hell? I think a clean look on a meaty opposed four engine based bike will look great, weigh much less, and handle better.

This submission of mine sucks without photos doesn't it?

Hello Linux Mint

I have used Linux based distributions for many years. I have taken breaks from it (and Windows too for that matter), but always seem to go back to Linux after some time. Recently I installed Linux Mint. I was hoping for a Linux distribution that was very easy to install, very functional and good looking. This is exactly what Linux Mint is.

Much the same as I have done on my Windows laptop before, I now surf the web, check emails, mess with photo images, download torrents, and play music and videos. Of course I can do serious stuff too such as website editing, FTP, and remote server maintenance. I can even access the Windows computers around the house to easily copy and paste files.

I have tried numerous Linux distributions before, such as Debian, Red Hat, Slackware, and Suse. I really like Linux Mint. If you are considering giving Linux a try, definitely give Linux Mint a shot first. It even comes with choices to give it a different look and desktop functionality.

Tammy and I must be sharing a midlife crisis

click for a larger image

First it was me with the 1983 Goldwing Interstate, followed a few weeks later with Tammy's first bike, a Kawasaki KZ550. The KZ550 is perfect for a new rider like Tammy. Both bikes are obviously old, but they are in great shape.

I haven't rode in decades, so we both need to practice. Of course I tried them both out. The Interstate is definitely bigger than anything I have rode before, and a little bit of a challenge. The KZ is nice and light, making my re-entry into riding a real pleasure.

Amazon S3 Client Rant

I'm ranting. You've been warned.

WTF? I decided to stop using Amazon's S3 (Simple Storage Service). For me it was mostly used for archiving important files, and occasionally syncing a few dynamic files. I found it awkward to use and lacking in features offered by other companies offering me my own little space in the "Cloud".

The problem? I have to pull everything off of S3 and place it on my system, so I can upload it to the new company later. Sounds easy doesn't it.I am patient. I'll just download all the files (gigs of it). Ya right! It couldn't be that simple.

In the past I purchased two commercially offered clients to use the S3 service. I'll just use them.

1. Bucket Explorer (No link, they suck)

I went online and grabbed the latest version, since I haven't used Bucket Explorer in a while. I quickly found out that the new version won't accept my key (I paid for it). I guess updates aren't free. Okay, fair enough. Good thing I still have the old version's setup file handy. WTF? It won't let me use my old version because it says it is too old. Thanks Bucket Explorer. Paying for software and not being able to use it is just wrong. Dicks.

2. Jungle Disk (Again no link for them either)

That's it! Jungle Disk has lifetime updates. Yippee. I grabbed the latest and install with my auth/key. It actually let me.  Start 'er up! Okay, so I connect to a bucket, and use "Restore Files". Cool. Pick a destination - check. Select files and folders to restore - check. I realize it takes a while, so I leave it running all night.

I wake up to check it. Done. Wow! Let's see.... WTF? It only grabbed a few folders. Maybe I made a mistake. So I try again and select some of the folders that didn't transfer (at all). Click Restore... WTF? It's done in just minutes. That is not right. It seems while looking over the "Restore Files" interface, that Jungle Disk thinks many of my folders on S3 are empty. I quickly check (worried) with good old S3Fox (for Firefox) and find that all the files are actually still there. What the Hell Jungle Disk?  I adjusted Jungle Disk Desktop's "Restore Files" multiple times by selecting different backup dates, even though they are all the same for months, hoping that will work. WTF? The software still thinks the folders are empty.  How hard can this be? Screw this.


So what does a guy have to do? Download the free (there is a faster Pro version) of S3 Browser.

All I had to do is select one or more folders (wow, they are there) and download them to any destination folder. How hard was that Jungle Disk? I didn't have to set anything up, or adjust shit at all. It was super easy. Lesson learned? Just because you paid for software doesn't mean it is superior to free.

Ranting over.

I Cut the Cord

I am a Cord Cutter. Apparently that is a name given to those that have decide to say goodbye to cable or satellite TV.

I start to realize that I was spending too much money on Satellite TV, while having to scroll through piles of crappy shows and bullshit movies. I had most of the channels such as HBO, Movie Central, Encore Avenue, etc. The problem was that the movies were stale, not much was new A lot of network TV is horrible. No offense to anyone, but Glee, seriously? "Hey look, Dancing with Nobodies is on!"

So I did a little research and found that I can watch movies, watch many of my favorite shows, enjoy excellent online music stations, and even check out some great new video over the Internet. More research prompted me to investigate the Boxee Box.  I went for it. I called up my satellite provider and cancelled. The next day I picked up a new Boxee Box. Here is an obligatory picture;

It is a cute little bugger. This thing is tiny. It's a bit wider than a slice of Texas Toast, and just about as tall as a jumbo coffee. Hookup and setup were a breeze. There isn't much to it. Connect the supplied HDMI cable to your TV, plug in your USB storage device ( a hard drive full of video in my case) and plug in the power cord. I powered it up and simply followed the setup.

I was very impressed. It looks great and is easy to use. The tiny fan inside is audible, but not when you are enjoying TV, so I can forgive that small distraction.

There must be a hangup right? Nothing is perfect. Boxee Box for Canadians is a little lacking. The content is not the same as the content enjoyed by U.S. citizens. Perhaps the big broadcasters and providers don't like America's friendly neighbour. In any case, I needed to make some changes.

After some online reading, I realized I could easily set up a VPN to work with Boxee. It's is a whopping $8 a month. Now I can get the additional programming. I could even try out Netflix US. Netflix Canada sucks in comparison.

Now I have pile of great shows to watch, excellent music to match my tastes (thanks Pandora), and easy access to my external hard drive. It couldn't get any better.

Or could it?

Yes, it gets better. I have easily set it all up so that I can now add files to my external drive over my network from my PC or laptop. I can even access my Boxee Box via its own webpage.

Is there a hitch? yes. My plans to watch less TV will be a challenge, but going from $88 a month to $15 sure makes me feel better about my latest decision.

I am alive....

I haven't updated this area in ages.  New things have been happening, but I guess I was too lazy to update a simple web area. I have a few new things to share. I have decided to take up guitar and bass. I have also decided to dump satellite TV. Oh ya, I am older. I made it 46 years.

I can't wait anymore...

I ordered a Epiphone Les Paul Special II on December 3rd 2010 from a local shop. Damn I am getting anxious. It will be a glossy black, which they refer to as Ebony. I also ordered a Line 6 Pocket Pod recently so I can practice comfortably on the couch with headphones.

As soon as I get it, I will post a few pics.

I have the Minecraft bug.

I have played the excellent game of Minecraft for a week now, and am entirely hooked. I have built up a little base in what appears to be a massive map. I have read that it could be as large as Earth (wow) Is anyone crazy enough to try and explore it all.
Each map is random. So everybody's environment is different. It is a huge somewhat silly looking sandbox game. Play it in Peaceful mode, or try Survival against a host of enemies. Careful, some enemies explode.

Here's a recent overview map I created of my Minecraft I explored so far.