GTP4 - Found innocent of all charges

I thought you guys might be interested in my experiences so far with GTP4. A long story but stay with it.

When GTP4 was released it was like a wish-list come true for me - everything I'd been looking for in DAW, and with an attractive upgrade price it was just too good to ignore.

The trouble was the specs required to run it - the minimum requirements were way over my computers specs. Well, I reasoned, most of that extra grunt is probably needed just to run Vista, it'll probably run ok on my current computer; if it doesn't then 'what the hell' I'm due an upgrade sometime soon anyway. So I ordered the software.

Delivery was prompt and I enthusiastically set about installing it on my old machine.

Cakewalk detected my previous version of GTP3 and decided that my new files had to go on the same drive as the previous software had used - despite the fact that you can choose which drive you install the 'program' to it then dumps all the demo material and StudioInstruments on your 'C' drive - you don't get a choice. Not good when, like me, you choose to run a relatively small boot drive. Even more annoying when you have a huge amount of capacity on an adjoining partition!

So I contact Cakewalks support - they were prompt enough in getting back to me, but again frustrating mainly due to the time difference between the USA and Australia - each communication was in effect taking 2 days to get to me. But I soldiered on.

"Why not install GTP4 without the sample media and without StudioInstruments" suggests helpful Cakewalk Support "and here's a link to a stand-alone version of StudioInstruments that you can install anywhere you like."

Great solution, just what I'd hoped for. So still fired with enthusiasm I downloaded the linked files.

Hmmmm - that downloaded rather quickly for files that were so big they were the cause of my installation problems. Oh I see - they haven't linked me to StudioInstruments but to some Sonar documentation!!!!

After another 2 days waiting came the apology and the link to the correct download for StudioInstruments.

No worries - at last I can try this new GTP4 version out. I download StudioInstruments - everything went smooth. Went through the installation procedure - you need a serial number (not surprisingly - the one that came with GTP4 didn't work on this stand alone version of StudioInstruments)

Another 2 day wait - (well 4 I think allowing for the weekend) - another apology from support and at last the correct serial number. YAY!!

Again went through the installation procedure - (by now I was getting pretty good at it) and was able to select that big vacant drive I wanted to use - sweet.

Except that the stand alone version of StudioInstruments insisted on dumping it's huge data files back on the 'C' drive irrespective of where you install it's program file.

Stuff it, by this time I'd had it. I decided to resize my boot drive to accommodate GTP4's rather unforgiving installation requirements (support suggested some registry tweaks to get the files to go where I wanted them but by this time I was starting to suspect information that came from Cakewalk Support and the volume resize seemed like the easier option).

OK - the boot drive was resized without incident. FINALLY managed to do a full install of GTP4. It ran but I could see my old processor was struggling. Trying to run a midi file at the same time as a wave file was too much for the old girl. Well, no complaints from me at this point - the specs said that you needed more grunt (though what the hell the software needs it for I don't know).

Sooooo - I went and got myself that new computer I was due for - My first laptop. An HP Core 2 Duo T9400/2.53 GHz Centrino 2, 4GB ram & 250GB hard drive. That'll work fine for sure?

Software loaded fine without incident - played a few sample files. All worked great.

Finally I was ready to actually record - I started with a basic midi drum track, edited it to what I wanted, cool..... then the midi slowed down as I was recording - stuttered and then the damn computer $hit itself and crashed!

Computer errors soon followed - including one that is usually associated with a lack of resources that stops Task Manager from popping up.

So I hunted around for all the little tips on how you set up your computer - disabled the built in soundcard; disabled power saving on the USB hubs. Set the drivers to ASIO instead of MME.

Rolled the system back 2 weeks using system restore - things seemed to settle down.

Tried another recording - dropout after about 40 seconds - more tweaks.

Finally managed to get the thing stable enough to record about 4 minutes of guitar over a midi beat without dropouts only to find that I can't save to Drive - disk full (250GB DiskDrive & one song, I don't think so).

I'm not beat yet - before I do a full re-install of Windows and GTP4 I thought I'd post this sorry tale for you guys to peck over.

Surely it shouldn't be this hard to record on a computer.

This software is going to be the death of me - I just know it!!

Well the wish list come true part was that it should all the things that I wished GTP3 would do but didn't - (Mainly midi drums). I really don't care what it's the same as yadda yadda yadda - Frankly I don't give a fig how Cakewalk markets it's products. I just wish they'd run a little smoother.

FYI - SHS7 upgrade $79. GTP4 upgrade $59 - and I really don't need that many tracks to say what I've gotta say.

I'm not interested in bagging this product (yet) - I'm just hoping to give a heads-up to others and hopefully get a little free advice?

Either I've got a bug in my operating system which I will eventually track down - or I wait patiently for the first "bug-fix" to be released - or I'm doing something dumb that someone here can help me with?

As for how much space was available on the disk - well a good couple of hundred GB.

run the DPC latency checker - see here for info on how to do it...chances are it's some wireless internet polling, or an issue with ur soundcard/IRQ conflict....

Sorry to hear all this Bill. I know how traumatic it is getting the recording gear to work as advertised . I've been through the same problem. Hang in there because the final outcome will be worth it. Good luck!

ORIGINAL: SteveStrummerUK


Are you using your TonePort Bill?


Sheesh - you seem to be in more of a state than your bloody cricket team

Yeah Steve - the toneport is running really well.

And now you bring up the cricket (talk about kicking a man when he's down ) - though it's a source of some amusement here in Oz that you guys think winning one test match at Lords in 75 years (and by some very unsportsmanlike fielding for that matter) is something to crow about . Ah well - enjoy it while you can mate - if past form is anything to go by it'll be the only Lords victory you see in your lifetime!!!!! I wonder if Ponting will survive though if he manages to lose the Ashes TWICE!!

Bill - it hasn't beaten me yet - though I can see a full rebuild on the horizon. [Waits patiently for pearls of wisdom from Doc before making the move]

Pete - thanks for chipping in mate - good to get your contribution out of the way early (though I may have been guilty of muttering "maybe old Petey was right all along" a few times during the last week or so )

And as far as omitted technical specs go - I am using XP pro (so far SP2 an attempt to upgrade[?] to SP3 after the above problems was abortive) - HDD 250 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm

Ooooh - Shiny new forum software

(Word of warning - previewing post wipes it - I'm having to retype this )

Thanks for you kind offer of support Doc - Yes we colonials do have to stick together (it's just a pity you guys don't play cricket )

Cakewalk may be entirely innocent - since my last post I've had no end of problems with this new laptop - I'm onto HP support as I type and am trying to rebuild this computer from the ground up.

When I get it running smoothly again I'll let you know how Cakewalk behaves and if necessary take you up your kind offer of assistance. Really - I just want to play guitar :(

Hi there Bill, I'm glad you got yourself up and running mate.
 
It seems that people either love or hate the new interface common to GT4, Home Studio 7 and Music Creator 5 - however, the GUI means nothing if the guts of the program don't measure up.
 
It would appear that everyone who has SONAR 8, GT4, HS7 and MC5 agrees that the new audio engine is much better than on previous versions.
 
Personally speaking, I don't think I would have gone down the SONAR route if GT4 had arrived beforehand - I think the introduction of MIDI compatibility has made it a very powerful product.
 
Speaking of that dreaded 4-letter word (!) - how are you getting on with the MIDI stuff Bill, especially the drums? I know you had some misgivings about the 'ethics' (for want of a better word) of using MIDI instruments.
 
Changing subject, you'll be happy to know that my 6-hours-a-day rain dancing ritual is continuing to prove successful. I intend to keep it up until your boys are on the plane home without that little urn
 
Catch you later mate
 
Steve
 

Thanks Steve - I'm loving the midi drums, since I "cheat" at drumming anyway (loops or midi) I have no scruples about it. The bass guitar I already have covered with the real thing, and the electric piano has a real naff James Blunt sound to it - But that damn string section keeps calling me (must resist!!!).

Good to see we actually have a competition on as far as the cricket goes - how many times can you easily beat the Poms before it gets boring? (Nah - I'm kidding, it never gets boring)

Doc - I should have spoken to you before. I have only ever had good experiences with HP on both Servers and desktops but this is my first ever foray into laptops (basically I don't like 'em but it has become a necessity). The unit itself seems ok - the problems so far seem to be with HP's software - very strange!!

Thanks CJ - early days yet but the HP has been behaving itself since I gave it a brain transplant!

If it slips back into it's evil ways I'll let you know!

Doc_Hollingsworth


Bill,

Me thinks that if it should suddenly take a turn for being evil, you should simply take it back to the retailer and beat him about the head with it.....

This isn't America Doc - we have laws against doing that sort of thing here (More's the pity)

Hey there Bill, I thought this might interest you...
 
I'm currently reading Geoff Boycott's book The Best XI in which he picks his best team or squad of all time for each of the Test playing nations.
 
He considers anyone from any era and his judgement takes into account the relative quality of the game at any particular time, including the pitches and the quality of the opposition. He also takes into account changes in the LBW and No Ball laws which over time have made a big difference to relative bowling and batting statistics.
 
All in all, it's a thoroughly good read if you can get hold of a copy.
 
In any case, I thought I'd show you his choice for the Aussies and the Poms; two big omissions for me from the Aussie list are Allan Border and Steve Waugh (also, maybe because the book was published in 2008, there's no mention of Ricky Ponting).
 

---

AUSTRALIA
 
SQUAD:

• Arthur Morris
• Victor Trumper
• The Don
• Greg Chappell
• Neil Harvey
• Keith Miller
• Adam Gilchrist
• Alan Davidson
• Dennis Lillee
• Glenn McGrath
• Ray Lindwall
• Shane Warne
• Tiger O'Reilly

RESERVES:

• Jeff Thomson
• Clarrie Grimmett
• Fred Spofforth
• Wally Grout
• Don Tallon
• Rod Marsh
• Ian Healy
• Bert Oldfield

---

ENGLAND
 
SQUAD:

• W.G.Grace
• Jack Hobbs
• Len Hutton
• Walter Hammond
• Denis Compton
• Ian Botham
• Alan Knott
• Sydney Barnes
• Fred Trueman
• Harold Larwood
• George Lohmann
• Brian Statham
• Wilfred Rhodes
• Jim Laker

---

 
 

Bill, are you speaking about those classic arguments that degrade into an all out brawl between both teams? But wouldn't that be expected from a bunch of Yanks?

About having a competing team. Well, we have that one worked out. Hire the best players from the best teams from around the world, and the best coaching and supporting staff. I mean, it's just about money, isn't it? We can buy our way to championship one way or the other.

Funny, that hasn't really worked for us in World Cup football (soccer). But we do have Beckham. I guess I am going to have to edumatate meself on the finer points of Cricket. There is something inherently wrong with that concept. I'm a bit troubled, really...... bohered actu.....Now why can't we use a round bat.....

He he - Mike Gatting -v- Sharoor Rana has some merit Bill

Something to do with CULTURE!!??

Bill, That would be entertaining. But likely it would be the mis-understanding between UK English and American English that would cause the ruckus and soon would result in a brawl.

And in the end we would all look back at it and have a good laugh.