Knock, knock

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

Mixcraft 5 has loads more settings than I've bothered looking at lol

Seems the same with StudioOne. I´ve started reading the manual (luckily I´ve got one in my own language) and some things I really have to get used to.
(E.g 1.:
StudioOne doesn´t use MIDI for MIDI. MIDI is an old standard and so they use "Control Link" which has better (sample exact) resolution.
E.g. 2.: They use software I/O ports, where most recording programs use hardware related to each recorded track.
Advantage is, that you can take your laptop with you to another recording studio, set the I/O ports accordingly to the new hardware - use different equipment for further recording there - and when you return home, you can go on working on your song as if you have never changed equipment, because StudioOne sets I/O ports correctly for your own equipment again.)

Well, I guess I will need some time to understand all this. LOL
I hope there will be some time left for me playing my guitar with all these things to read.
-------

I tested EasyAcc USB 3.0 Hub without extra 5V power - only connected to pc by one USB 3.0 cable with Audiobox plugged into the hub. Works well.:thum: No extra power needed.
So the Presonus Audiobox USB just didn´t like my USB 3.0 socket directly on my pc, but works well with a passive USB hub.
("Only" USB 2.0 should work, too. In case of distortion any hub should help.
-------

Hope I won´t regret that this year I ordered different cider (danish Sommersby cider by Carlsberg) for hot summertime evenings than last year. 2014 I ordered Strongbow apple/pear/black berry cider, but this year I didn´t buy because at amazon I can´t find black berry any more and the price of pear cider nearly has doubled, only apple is available at nearly its old price.
So sorry that good british products often get sold at high prices in my country. I really liked Strongbows. I even gave 72 (24 apple/pear/black berry for ~ 100 €) cans away as birthday presents for a friend, but I don´t want to spend 180 € this year and only get apple and pear.

This evening I´ll test one of each sort of the new danish brand. The price per liter is nearly the same (only a bit cheaper) as Strongbows´ price was in 2014. So, I hope that it won´t taste too bad, what cheaper drinks often tend to do. Amazon reviews were overall satisfied.
-------

Just interrupted my typing this post and played guitar for a few minutes. Sometimes my fingers work well, but the next moment they may as well not be reliable enough for acceptable performance. Well, rehearsing may help a bit.
Tried another recording with StudioOne + AudioBox. While my voice (microphone) seems clear enough, the guitar stell seems a bit distant and lacking treble. Maybe I´ll find a solution for this in the manual. But reading may take SOME time.
-------

By the way, STILL working on my song - hopefully it will be worth it!

Of course, it´s always worth it! Even if it wouldn´t sell as a record (nobody knows - maybe it would), it´s always worth making one´s own music, as long as it´s fun.
On top making music is a good help to stay fit in mind - keeps people´s brains healthy.



Making music maybe even protects from Alzheimer disease. So of course your song is worth going on, even if there were others who wouldn´t like it (but I think many people will).
-------

That´s why I should not stop playing guitar again as I did once before.
Hopefolly the cider won´t damage, what the music does good to me. LOL
-------

Yesterday, I spent much time on different tasks, though . Some phone calls, home duties + cutting some of my dreambox movies.

Needed to cut the movies (and more to come) because my harddrive by and by has got filled to more than 75% and there is so much rubbish in these recordings.
(With dreambox´s "virtual cut" I hid the rubbish - but it still cost HDD space.)

Learnt a new method yesterday to cut my movies without losing any information, as I usually had always done before. ( Before I only cut the ts-file and only stored the resulting cut ts-file on my NAS.)

Dreamboxes not only record the movie ts-file, but teletext and other accompanying metadata.
When only keeping the cut recorded movie (ts-file) and throwing away the other accompanying files (*.ap, *.sc, *.mehta, *.eit, *.cuts -file) one loses much information. But, when cutting the ts-file and then keeping the original accompanying files, at least the *ap, *.sc files won´t fit to the cut movie any more. (E.g. the overall length has changed - and information on that is inside *ap, *.sc files)

Had to write *.mehta, because, if I leave out the h it gets changed to *.**** by SU server.
(Mehta on dreambox is nothing bad or forbidden - maybe it´s somewhere else, though.)

Yesterday I found out, that my cutting program (TS-Doctor) can handle with this problem automatically.

I only had to download all existing files of my recordings into one folder, then cut the reording (ts-file) with TS-Doctor and let this program store the result in another folder. There to my surprise I found new *ap, *.sc + old *.mehta, *.eit files. (only the *.cuts file was missing, but it gets created automatically by dreambox, when playing a movie).

So then with free FTP program FileZilla I could delete all the old originally recorded (space wasting) files from my dreambox , then upload the new "cut" files instead and give them correct file rights (*eit needs 755 / the rest only 644).

My dreambox didn´t notice any difference (not even my VideoDB plugin), but I did.
The 9 cut recordings saved 10,5 GB of HDD space and there´s no more unwanted stuff in these movies.

I have lots more to cut. ...
Call me Hannibal Lecter from now on ...
-------

No upload today.
My post has too many bits and bytes, already.

Have a nice time and all the best (all) :thum:

 

[SassaFras]

Hi Franz,
Sorry I haven't been on here much - so busy with work, then tired when I get home. Hopefully do a bit more recording at the weekend

I tested EasyAcc USB 3.0 Hub without extra 5V power - only connected to pc by one USB 3.0 cable with Audiobox plugged into the hub. Works well.

That's great news - you're slowly working it all out then!

Never heard of Sommersby cider by Carlsberg - as for Strongbow, the apple cider is a good choice (don't think we can get the other flavours here in shops) I used to drink it, but swapped to Carlsberg lager nowadays

I'd like to get a Dreambox, but I hear it's internet based for (ahem, many channel options etc!) and my connection is rubbish where I am. For now I have a Technomate TM-5402 HD which has IPTV option...when I get round to it. I use an everyday router with dd-wrt software as an internet receiver - I love to dabble in that kind of thing

Just interrupted my typing this post and played guitar for a few minutes

Always nice to have a quick strum sometimes - I find when I'm really in the mood to play for a few minutes is the best time for song writing

So of course your song is worth going on, even if there were others who wouldn´t like it (but I think many people will).

Thanks, means a lot - will carry on with it - more work I put in, the better it will turn out (I hope)

Haha - cider will probably enhance the guitar playing - my Carlsberg does!

I liked the "How playing an instrument benefits your brain" very interesting. Reminds me of the school programmes we used to see when growing up!

Right off to work again now. Have a great day mate - speak soon, Kev

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

Sorry I haven't been on here much - so busy with work,

Don´t worry!

Never heard of Sommersby cider by Carlsberg - as for Strongbow, the apple cider is a good choice

For me Strongbow apple cider = the better choice. It´s "dry" cider. Sommersby is a bit more sweet. Bearable, but I´d prefer less sugar and more alcohol instead.
The other flavours pear and black berry nearly compare (compared with apple they are a bit sweeter from both brands - Strongbow and Sommersby.)
When I´ll have drunk my stock of apple, I´ll reorder Strongbow apple again. (Maybe having gotten used to sweeter Sommersby cider, I´ll then write, thatStrongbow is too sour ... )
-------

I'd like to get a Dreambox, but I hear it's internet based for (ahem, many channel options etc!) and my connection is rubbish where I am.

Maybe I´m disappointing you, but I´m not using these internet options - except updating dreambox software and downloading weather information and database information (from TMDB, TVDB) for my recordings.
(Database info is for my VideoDB plugin that offers a gui for starting all movies in one´s homenetwork.
With this VideoDB plugin, I can play all the movies stored on my two dreamboxes + my NAS by clicking on the corresponding downloaded posters of the movies. (My added screenshot is spoiled a bit because the VideoDB gui has animation).

Of course it would be possible to have some IPTV internet options by installing the media portal plugin. (I haven´t)
This plugin offers a lot of legal and not so legal stuff, but I only know it from Youtube videos.

Don´t need the plugin, because I already nowadays don´t know when to watch what.
(I own an Amazon fire-tv box for about half a year and I only watched two movies up to now, although I could watch thousands of Amazon Prime Instant Videos for free.)

I even cancelled my pay-tv subscription for the middle of this year,
because I rarely watch anything there and
because they have started pairing smartcards with their own receivers (which customers get forced to use in future) and
because they have raised the amount of adverts to a degree that I often think, that I´m watching so called "free-tv" which I on purpose haven´t been watching any more for at least the last three years because I hate adverts and
because they have lowered bitrates to a degree that their "high definition" often is far away from blu-ray quality and
because only few of their movies are so called "blockbusters" and at the time, they broadcast them, I have already bought them as blu-rays.
(For my perhaps 20 homecinema days every year I buy 3D blu-rays anyway, because pay-tv´s "side by side 3D" often isn´t worth watching - especially not with polarized 3D glasses. In addition sound on blu-ray often is much better.)

Besides I found out, that many of my pay-tv´s (better, newer) 2D movies get shown one year later on our local television which as well doesn´t interrupt movies with adverts.
(Every household in my country MUST pay ~17,50 € per month for this state-controlled tv with 20 hdtv channels - it´s worth the money, especially if one uses a dreambox and controls epg data regularly for interesting broadcasts.
Many people in my country complain about having to pay for state-ccontrolled tv, but they forget that our so called additional "free-tv" gets paid by adverts and that overall they pay much more than 17,50 € for it every month when they buy the expensive advertized products.).

Dreamboxes are really helpful in finding nice broadcasts. EPG data for my local tv often lasts up to four weeks (screenshot - some other linux boxes may offer only two weeks epg data - but that´s still good enough) and with dreambox/linux box I can let the epg data get displayed alphabetically. (screenshots)
Then I can run through the epg of my local channels e.g. once per month and very easily find movies and more (broadcasted late at night) for recording them and watching them later and these broadcasts are often much better, much more up-to-date than the interrupted ones on free-tv.
(But our local channels - they offer less comedy than free-tv - I admit.)

internet based for (ahem, many channel options etc!

For some options (those options that need "softcams/emus" to watch encrypted channels) very probably soon their end may be near, anyway. ...

To sum up:
In most cases one can do without fast internet connection and still profit from linux/dreambox.
Fast internet is only necessary for media streaming (e.g. for my fire-tv box - or for media portal if I had installed it).
For firmware and VideoDB updates over the internet you don´t need a very fast connection and for networking at home (streaming media from dreambox to pc or tv) a 10/100 MBit connection, which most routers offer, is sufficient.
(Gigabit LAN in newer linux boxes is more fun when it comes to file transfer, though.)
Original dreambox is expensive, but often worth the price. If I wouldn´t want to spend so much money (maybe in future I think about it) the VU+ boxes (not much cheaper than dreambox) or the GigaBlu boxes would be my choice.

A Technomate TM 5402 HD (I watched some vids on YouTube) doesn´t offer all the freedom that the above mentioned boxes do, but as long as it has good picture/sound and receives the channels that you want, then it´s okay. What else do we need?
-------

I find when I'm really in the mood to play for a few minutes is the best time for song writing

Yes best time, when one is relaxed. Had a lot of work today and afterwards tried to force myself to play guitar for a while - didn´t work well.
Could have thrown away my guitar yesterday, anyway when (watching with dreambox on tv) listening to a recording (headphones on) of an Eric Clapton concert live at Basel (Switzerland). Compared with his guitar play, mine is rubbish. :mecry:

Found the concert on YouTube (My own recording yesterday was from tv channel, though):

Thanks, means a lot - will carry on with it - more work I put in, the better it will turn out (I hope)

Depends - some write the best stuff spontaneously and spoil it later with editing.
Hope, you won´t.
Whatever the result may be: if song no. 998 should not be a big hit, then song no. 999 may be. ... and music is good training for the brain.
-----

I upload one song of mine - useful as playback melody when you want to calm (s.b.) down. Or the opposite depending on one´s taste. _ LOL

Have a nice time and a wonderful weekend (all) :thum:

 

[SassaFras]

Hi Franz,

Ah - Sommersby sounds like Woodpecker that we have here - about 3% and quite sweet. Nice drink though.

Thanks for the information on the Dreambox - having read it, I may go for one as there seems loads of info on here about them. If I could pull in a better internet signal (which I'm working on via home-made antennas etc) then my TM is great for IPTV, as I did have it running before, but, as said, it kept freezing because of low bitrate.

Yes I agree - if you don't feel like playing, it's not worth forcing it.

I spen most of yesterday working on THAT song again...got a little further. Also invested in an HD video camera as plant to try producing video for a song - already have the "green-screen" backing to add moving backgrounds etc - just got to find some decent software for mixing it altogether.

I do like the way Clapton plays - that's the kind of style I'm comfortable with especially bluesy. (Don't put yourself down in comparison! - it makes a tiny bit of difference as he's using ££££s of super gear for his sound - I'm sure you'd be as good / better with the same set-up )

I produced one a few years back using a vhs tape camcorder - with fadey but reasonable results, so figure an HD camera will be much better. Time will tell I guess!

Thanks for the new song, I'll download it now and have a listen.

Hope you've had a nice weekend my friend. Speak soon! Kev :thum:

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

Didn´t have much cider the last days (some icecream instead ).

Woodpecker that we have here - about 3%

Only 3% - then I wouldn´t buy it.

Somersby: all flavours 4.5 %.
Strongbow: apple 5% / pear 4.8% / black fruit 4%

Ingredients of all brands nearly the same.
The companies all work with flavours, colours and sugar. Fully natural cider you can nearly only get DIY homemade (applejuice + perhaps some sugar + yeast).

Not (really) very much difference between the brands.
But I like the dryer taste of Strongbow apple. Pear and blackfruit are sweeter, anyway.
---

Just tried my Roland keyboard with StudioOne (MIDI connection).
Found a video that shows, how easily it can be used.




Works well with my Roland E96.
Recorded two tracks with different sounds as a test. (Organ + Synthesizer). One can later change instruments and let the organ track get played back e.g. with guitar sound.
Haven´t yet tried to let StudioOne play back sound with my keyboard´s inbuilt instruments - only used the keyboard´s keys to input data into the windows software.
Haven´t yet tried provided audio loops as well.
So still very much to learn.

My keyboard play is terrible. ...
My guitar play doesnt´improve too much, as well.
-------

Also invested in an HD video camera as plant to try producing video for a song - already have the "green-screen" backing to add moving backgrounds etc - just got to find some decent software for mixing it altogether.

So, you´re very busy, too.
If only I knew a good and affordable (maybe free) video editing software.
(I only cut my tv recordings - add no effects and not even add menus, if I burn anything onto discs.)

I just googled a little bit.
Maybe Cyberlink PowerDirector would do? Offers lots of effects - including chroma key (green-/blue- screen) and isn´t too expensive compared to pro software like camtasia. The 59.99 ￡ version should do.
Maybe you get some impression of it with the following video?
(No greenscreen shown.)




But I can´t really recommend anything. Never went deep into video editing.

working on THAT song again

that´s good
- but if you start video editing ...

(the YouTube with PowerDirector 13 example above doesn´t give the impression that editing is done on the fly).

so figure an HD camera will be much better

of course - digital editing + picture quality has much improved over the years.


---

I'm sure you'd be as good / better with the same set-up

you must/should have been flushing when writing this ...

I´d say:
With Clapton´s set-up I´d play better than I actually do with mine, but with my set-up he´d still play better than I would do with his. :mecry:
(My fingerpicking still only a shade of my former abilities.)
-------

Now my pc game is waiting for me.
(after a cup of coffee)
Was playing it for hours until nearly close to midnight the last three days. Always couldn´t stop. Fed my outdoor cat in the darkest nights and then had late supper afterwards.
Today probably the same. (Guess I´ll see the finale tonight. Must be very close to it.)

Hope you´re successful with your song and with video editing and you hopefully find a suitable software.
Have a nice time (all) :thum:

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

yesterday I bought "MP3 Converter for StudioOne Artist" for 5,59 €.
Didn´t know, this addon was available until I got a mail with the offer.
(50% off - April special offer for some Presonus products)

Now I can import your MP3 song in StudioOne - work on it and export it as MP3 - just like in audacity.
Yesterday I only tried import, + adding a track, etc. - worked well.

But I haven´t exported anything, yet.
Still have to learn how to easily export a whole song. Until now I always only marked all tracks with my mouse and then chose "export soundmix". Can´t be the intended method.
Yesterday I watched a tutorial video in which export was done differently.
Don´t remember the episode (I watched the first 17 up to now)



On the "project page" of StudioOne one can add songs and then chose an option/click on a button "digital release" or whatever it´s called (I´m using the wrong MS Windows account at the moment for looking this up).
There one gets options to just e.g. export MP3 to one´s pc, to upload/publish songs on Nimbit (cloud/shop - where you can sell your music or give it away for free) or even to burn a redbook audio cd, etc..
Haven´t tried the "project page" of StudioOne up to now. Maybe this afternoon. There´s so much to explore. ...

Hope you´re busily working on your song (and video).

Have a nice sunday (all). :thum:

 

[SassaFras]

Hi Franz,

Sorry for the late reply - my family are going through medical problems so with work too, not much time to spare on the internet at the moment, but when I do get on, I put you first
Really enjoyed Peaceful Dreams - must say it's one of my faves of yours now and I play it often as it helps me relax, so thankyou

I bought an HD camera to begin recording a video to one of my old songs, but sadly it was rubbish for the job (Polaroid id1880) so got my money back and according to Google, it's better to spend an extra £20 on a Canon....you live and learn!

Thanks for the info on Cyberlink - I'll have to look into it and see if it's not too complicated - but about £60 her so could be a good investment - maybe I'll see if I can get a "trial" version and see if I can work it first lol couldn't see the video you posted on it.

Only 3% - then I wouldn´t buy it.

lol yes I agree there - my Carlsberg is only 3.8% but I only drink weekends...and like to sip on it from midday onwards (so get through a few!)

Strangely enough after you mentioned it, I saw an advert for Sommersby on tv the other day so now available here at 4.5%...not a cider drinker but may try it.

My keyboard play is terrible. ...
My guitar play doesnt´improve too much, as well.

Well I strongly disagree there!

I personally don't think Clapton is anything special - just one of the first guitarists in the 60's with a new sound - Jimmi Hendrix would blow him away in my opinion. My two faves of all time have to be Ritchie Blackmore and Brian May.

yesterday I bought "MP3 Converter for StudioOne Artist" for 5,59 €.

That's good news!

Here is the latest update of my song called "Mover of Shadows" - no idea what it means, but just came to me as a title one day!

All the very best Franz (and to your cat) Speak soon my friend

 

[SassaFras]

Here it is - must say it's becoming my obsession now! still a looong way to go - and vocals to be added.

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all) ,

my family are going through medical problems

.
Sorry to hear about.
Family comes first and of course I understand. Don´t worry. Post here when you´ve got spare time and when you like to write s.th., but never do, when you feel urged to.
-------

The YouTube Code of a Cyberlink Power Director video in my posting above must have been incorrect.
(I don´t control anymore if a video works, because on SU pages videos get played back with Shockwave Flash and I switched off Flash in my webbrowser - Flash had too many security issues the last times - now I watch YouTube videos as HTML5. So I normally don´t see, if a video is not working. Just turned Flash back on temporarily for a test and noticed the empty framefor the missing video in my older posting where I usually only would see a grey placeholder with Flash being disabled.)

I know from version comparison on Cyberlink Homepage that all versions support chroma key = greenscreen function, but it´s not shown in the video, which was recorded during a live Webinar for live audience and was broadcasted live in english and german language.
Luckily the video in my post above didn´t work because I first had only found the german version, but now I hope you can watch the english version.

maybe I'll see if I can get a "trial" version and see if I can work it first lol

Found a link.
Here you may download a 30 days trial version
Version comparison here.

it's better to spend an extra £20 on a Canon....you live and learn!

We´re all apprentices for lifetime.
Good luck for the Canon cam.:thum:

Zitat:
My keyboard play is terrible. ...
My guitar play doesnt´improve too much, as well.
Well I strongly disagree there!

You only heard what I could play years ago. I never uploaded what I can play now* - and that´s not much any more - really! (*except the short little guitar recording with my new AudioBox - the sample with the distant sound lacking some trebble).

Really enjoyed Peaceful Dreams

Good, if you like it. It´s a song I can listen to, when I need some relief (recorded it when I was very ill and close to death).

my Carlsberg is only 3.8%

:mecry:

Strangely enough after you mentioned it, I saw an advert for Sommersby on tv the other day so now available here at 4.5%...not a cider drinker but may try it.

My witchcraft sent those adverts onto your tv. LOL
Wasn´t cider drinker until last year, too, but then I tried it and liked it. Drinking beer often only made me more thirsty than before on hot sommerdays. (But I still drink beer from time to time - if, then mostly with 5,5 %).

I personally don't think Clapton is anything special - just one of the first guitarists in the 60's with a new sound - Jimmi Hendrix would blow him away in my opinion. My two faves of all time have to be Ritchie Blackmore and Brian May.

Guess it all depends on the kind of music they (have to) play. They all are/were able to play some special goodies of their own that the others wouldn´t do as well. They all are guitar gods and masters in their own universe.

Will download "Mover of Shadows" now and only listen later, although I´m curious. (Must hurry now: my post writing got interrupted first by a long phone call and shortly after the phone call had ended, my doorbell rang ... Now finally time for breakfast at 2:30 pm.)

Have a good time (all):thum:

 

[SassaFras]

Hi Franz,

Thanks for the free trial link - I'll download and see how I get on.

Wow, didn't realise Peaceful Dreams had such a powerful story behind it.

As for the medical problems, all I can say is "parents" and "cancer" so hard to concentrate on anything at the moment.

Yes, I agree with your views on guitarists - they all have different styles and I guess we all prefer different playing styles to others.

Anyway, I'll catch you soon my friend - am going to continue writing / recording for just therapeutic needs at the moment!

Have a great day (and all)

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

First: "Mover of Shadows" well done.
Some nice sounds effects in it and on first listening to it I was very surprised, when it was over, that I had lasted 2:48 mins. Some recordings on the market - some hits - take about 3 mins and they often seem much longer to me. Don´t know, what it is in your song that causes this effect on my perception. ...

Haven´t yet started spoiling your recording with my StudioOne and haven´t even played a single note on my guitar the last days, because I was busily working on figuring out, how to setup a raspberry pi2 (made in UK) with OpenElec as media center.
(Bought one this Tuesday.)
-----

Well, the RPi2 is running now, after I installed the rpi2 circuit board into a suitable case and installed the OpenElec (~150 MB mini Linux with Kodi media center software) 5.08 image file with Win32DiskImager onto a microSD card.
Network access works and now I can stream all my movies just like with my dreamboxes.
Many movies got already correctly recognized by the database, but there will be a lot of work left (cutting and/or renaming of my recordings) to find them all in the posterwall. (they´re all in a playlist, already - I can access all - but not all of them have posters and wallpapers, yet).

Had to learn a lot. Today I implemented two bought license keys (for hardware decoding of MPEG2/VC-1). Haven´t yet tested, if they work.

Now I´m fiddling out how to play Blu-rays directly from an attached USB blu-ray disc writer.
I´ll have to learn "putty" (client for telnet/SSH connection with e.g. rpi2) in order to reach my blu-ray aim.

I didn´t manage to get access rights to some folders on my microSD Flash card when using a Knoppix Live CD. (Although I know username/password of rpi2 OpenELEC - Knoppix just doesn´t ask me for this, when I try to create a folder .MakeMKV inside the folder "userdata".) That´s why I want to try to create it via SSH connection with putty.exe.

My head is drowsy now already, because I had only few time to relax.
I hope, the rpi2 is worth the effort. If it does all that I want, then it´s a nice tiny little affordable media center with 1080p video /7.1 sound support (for 4K it´s too slow.)

For more comfort I would still have to buy another license (MakeMKV lifetime license costs 60 € - the free beta licenses always only work for two months).
--
Tv-recordings (IPTV, maybe from USB DVB stick, too) are possible, too. I haven´t yet enabled the PVR function, though.

(RPi2 cost me ~115 € up to now: 44 € the rpi2 card / 25 € suitable luxury aluminium case/ 14€ microSD card/ 15 € USB remote control/ 3 € heat sinks/ 15 € power supply, 5 € licenses. It´s possible to build the RPi2 for less: e.g. if built with case+power supply+heat sinks - all three as a set for 14 €)

Bought it, because my Philips Blu-ray player starts having issues and I therefore wanted to try s.th. new and less restricted for blu-ray playback. With free MakeMKV, of course one could copy Blu-rays (e.g. MKV backups of own discs on harddrives), but I don´t want to rip all my discs to hdd. I just want to play the main movie from disc (3D, 1080p, 7.1). Luckily there´s a MakeMKV plugin available for Kodi media center just for this purpose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPQbt7z_R3M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjfvOxZzqsQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNxN92QjnR0



All in a surprisingly tiny little box - size like a deck of playing cards.
Hope I didn´t bore you with this.
-------

As for the medical problems, all I can say is "parents" and "cancer" so hard to concentrate on anything at the moment.

I can imagine.
I hope for you that all will get well. Never lose hope!
Sometimes destiny decides to give us humans lessons which we may survive (or not) - sometimes, to our own surprise, with more luck than expected.
My parents already died May 2002 (late effects of a stroke)/ July 2004 (late effects of heart weakness/thrombosis) - we all fear the loss, I know, because we all hope to keep our beloved ones with us as long as possible.

So, I wish you and your parents good luck to go on and still spend a further long future together. :thum:

Wow, didn't realise Peaceful Dreams had such a powerful story behind it.

Maybe one day I´ll explain to you in a pm..
---

My guitar and keyboard will have to wait one or two days and today I very probably even won´t get on with my raspberry pi2 blu-ray support (it´s already late - 7 pm - don´t want to have such a late supper "after midnight" as yesterday, again).
Did only have breakfast today. Now time for coffee. ...
---

Don´t forget working on your song!
(especially - if it helps you to keep your mind off of terrible thoughts)
I looking foward to listen to it.

I uploaded another 20 year old keyboard song of mine. Bit jazzy with trumpet/trombone and a bit sad (if one feels sad).:mecry:


Have a good time (all). :thum:

 

[SassaFras]

Hi Franz,

I didn't realise the song was already 2+ minutes long! Have added a little more today, but the direction it's going in, I think it will be about 4+ minutes and in the style of "hard rock" Already thought how the vocals will sound aka Foo Fighters...bit heavy for me, but I tend to let the style of song just lead me where it takes me lol

Feel free to add ideas to my song as to be honest, bit fed up that it's turning into grunge...never mind...can always write another.

Raspberry Pi - yes, I've heard about those - a very basic computer that you can "add" to. I used to program a bit on my ZX Spectrum in "Basic" language - seems like a lot of work to build something up, although having said that, I'm addicted to building wifi antennas for my router using DD-WRT software. I could easily spend a few £££s buying the gear I need, but enjoy trying to build something home-made instead :thum:

Thankyou for your thoughts regarding my parents. I just enjoy each day I have with them now and also so sorry for the loss of yours.

Yes I would be privileged to hear your story behind Peaceful Dreams.

Cannot download your latest song at the moment as my internet connection is rubbish (probably due to my latest home made antenna) but will do so as soon as I can.

Take care my friend,

Speak soon. Kev :thum:

 

[SassaFras]

*Update* just downloaded Jazzferry and been listening to it about 5 times while laying on the couch...great stuff and very relaxing. Thanks Franz - class as usual

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

took me some time to answer, because whenever I wanted to do s.th. the last days, my telephone or doorbell rang.
In addition many weather changes (today we´ll predictably get both the same day: hot first, then thunder and lightning with cold + hailstorm) make me very weak. Had only few sleep and suppers at midnight.
This morning I was so tired that, after my clock radio had woken me up, I turned round in bed and slept another three and a half hours. Bit dizzy, now...

Good to hear, you liked Jazzferry.
If only I could still play as I could years (ages) ago. ...
Touched my guitar only for a few minutes. Always have to play very slowly in order to get to results. I´m the true Mr. Slowhand - LOL.

Even worked with StudioOne, yesterday. Start disliking the program. Will really have to go through all tutorials to know how it works.
I imported your "Mover of Shadows" yesterday and wanted to give it some more dirty sound and some more kind of stereo depth. So, I applied some effects (compressor, phaser, british 2x12 amplifier) on it and it sounded nicely when I played it back (nearly killed my ears - with headphones on my head).
Two stupid things:
a- I would have liked to apply some of the effects for only some beats, not the whole song, but whenever I marked some beats on the track with your song and then dragged and dropped the wanted effect onto your track, the effect always applied for all and not for only the marked area.
b- When I exported the whole, I always got error messages of the kind: Clipping error - your song exceeds the volume level for +12 dB.
(so it´s too loud and not within the limits that allow playback without distortion.)
I don´t know how to change this. The "level meter" of the track doesn´t show me during playback that the song is too loud. No red signal visible that you usually get, when recording too loudly.
Why can´t it just work WYHIWYG (What you hear is what you get)?
I must find a setting to fix this somehow or I will never be able to use the nice effects that come with StudioOne or to level sound output correctly.
Maybe if I find a way, then I will get better recordings from my guitar, as well (Not sounding dull, lacking treble any more). There probably exists a "master mixer" somwhere to do this job - I only guess.

I used to program a bit on my ZX Spectrum in "Basic" language

I can remember having done somthing like this for a while, too. (At least sometimes I wrote some lines with: IF, THEN, GOTO, END, CLR, RUN, etc. )

Those were the old days, when we all still ran (MS) DOS on our pcs.
(I started with DOS on a lururious pc that had an incredibly large 20 MB ! harddrive inside - the 10 MB hdd came with the standard version of that pc model)
Then even those not programming BASIC had to edit files like autoexec.bat and config.sys in order to let the computer load their hardware drivers (for mouse, keyboard, etc.) in an optimized succession in order not to use up too much of the short 640 kb RAM, that was reserved for this purpose.
The first versions of MS Windows still needed this manual help by the user to run properly. Nowadays RAM usage is controlled fully automatic by Windows/MacOs/Linux - no user help needed. Glad I don´t have to worry about this any more.

I'm addicted to building wifi antennas for my router using DD-WRT software.

I was only once close to building a dvb-t antenna myself, but for a neighbour - because dvb-t reception is very weak, where I live - due to some big hills around our road.
I wouldn´t dare to play around with my router (inside a Fritz!Box 7390) using 3rd party firmware (e.g. "Freetz" for Fritz!Box), because the Fritz!Box is kind of one in all (router, dsl-modem, fax, DECT telephone base, answering machine, NAS, network printer port, etc.).
If I damage this box, not only my internet connection will get broken, but my telephones will be dead, etc..
I would always buy a Fritz!Box like mine again, though. It just gives you lot of control to nearly everything concerning network, internet and telephone in your home. (E.g. block unwanted phone callers, mute your telephones when you want to sleep, but allow wanted phone numbers to come through, etc. --- looong list ...)

But I understand that it´s fun fiddling to improve functions. (Had to look up DD-WRT - found it on wikipedia - looks interesting - but with me being 80% disabled it´s too risky to play around with my main connections to the world. My old cell phone without internet connection - no smartphone - is not a comparable replacement in emergency situations. )


But for heaven´s sake

Cannot download your latest song at the moment as my internet connection is rubbish (probably due to my latest home made antenna) but will do so as soon as I can.

what kind of internet connection do you have if 11 MB take long time for download?


When I download 11 MB, it takes one or two seconds. Last week I downloaded the .ISO file for a new Knoppix (Live Linux) CD, that was 4 GB big. ...
What kind of antenna were you talking about?
WLAN (home connection) / LTE (public internet) ?
I get my DSL 16000 internet connection wired. Telephone + internet come through my telephone line. A tiny little "splitter" box then seperates telephone from dsl. So I´ve got two cables and both of them I plug into the Fritz!Box.
I only rarely use WLAN at home. In most cases I´m using LAN connection. (Long flat network cable lying under my carpet).
I have gigabit LAN for my NAS and for my pc (then I can transfer files with 113 mb/s between pc hdd and NAS hdd) and have 10/100MB connections for my dreamboxes, the rpi2 and others (FTP file transfer then only has 12 mb/s).
I only sometimes use wifi connection for a tv set in my sleeping room, for my older,second pc and my old Macbook.
(Won´t buy a MAC again - much too expensive for what you get and I don´t like working with MacOS.)
-------

The RPi2 and Blu-ray: :mecry:
Now I found out that the so called MakeMKV plugin for Raspberry Pi2 is "only" a script that gives you a frontend for setting up where your full version of MakeMKV is located.
Means: If one builds an rpi2 based htpc, playback of bought blu-rays will only work if you have MakeMKV installed on a second device.
This is, because MakeMKV nowadays is only running on devices with Intel/AMD cpu. (RPi2 has an ARM cpu).
So one needs to install MakeMKV under Windows/Linux on an Intel/AMD device and then can let the rpi2 access it over the network. You can then either play back your "Avatar", "Hobbit" or else original blu-ray inserted in a USB blu-ray device directly connected to the rpi2 or you can use the blu-ray device in your pc.
So one always needs to run the rpi2 plus a pc at the same time in order to play back copy protected blu-rays (unprotected blu-rays you can always play with rpi2 + USB disc writer alone).
It wouldn´t be a problem to produce unprotected blu-rays, but I don´t want to backup my discs - too much work and not legal anyway.

So, one day I will have to build a new Intel/AMD based htpc. Then one can have all in one machine (with standalone blu-ray player).
There are some nice htpc cases on the market that would look good in a living room.
(But first I´ll try what I can do with my rpi2 - tomorrow, not today - had to order a new external USB blu-ray disc writer because mine got busted.)

Too much text.
Hope you´re getting on with your song (4+ instead of 12 min opera) and did you already download/try Cyberlink PowerDirector?

The best for you and family (especially your parents) and for all who read here, too :thum:

 

[SassaFras]

Hi Franz,
Just typed in a full response to your last message, then the internet crashed! So will re-type tomorrow - sending this just so you know I'm still about - all the best my friend

Kev.

 

[SassaFras]

Morning Franz,

Hope you're feeling ok today

I´m the true Mr. Slowhand

Lol yes, I bet Clapton borrowed your style!

Sorry to hear you're not getting on with Studio One - although understand how you feel - I try to keep my Mixcraft settings as simple as possible, otherwise there's some pretty "colourful" language can be heard from my house!

I'm honoured to hear you've been experimenting with Mover of Shadows - looking forward to hearing it. I got a little more done yesterday, then after weeks of work, found I'd accidentally deleted some important track files luckily I found I'd recorded back-up files otherwise all those weeks would have been a waste of time. Must be more careful!

I can remember having done somthing like this for a while, too. (At least sometimes I wrote some lines with: IF, THEN, GOTO, END, CLR, RUN, etc. )

I remember buying Spectrum magazines where you'd spend hours typing out pages of text to run a game - only to press "Run" and half the screen would load - the games they printed never worked, but was fun trying!

What kind of antenna were you talking about?

The "antenna" at the moment is a router using 3rd party software to turn it into a receiver. Most of the time it's very slow, but depending on weather conditions, it'll link to a Hotspot (AP) at around 8mbs which downloads say 11mb in about 2 seconds...but that's rare! I'm not connected to the phone line as it's an extra £20 a month for something I wouldn't use (I just take my mobile with me at £10 a month) but I pay BT Internet £15 a month to receive the internet from their wireless access points. It's cheaper and works ok this way. As soon as I've "adapted" my router with more powerful antennas, I think I should have a really good set-up. If I were to use the phone line service for internet at extra cost, even then the top speed is 2mbs here!

Sounds like you enjoy building your own stuff too with the rpi2. Hope that all works out for you - I'd enjoy tampering about with such things if I had the time, but weekends are just for this damn song at the moment! lol.

Yes, I tried Powerdirector on a free trial but unfortunately it's a bit too cpu-sapping for my core-i3 laptop, so will look for something lighter. Thanks for the link though

Thanks for your kind thoughts regarding my family - they're slowly getting there

Take care my friend - speak soon!

Kev

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

then the internet crashed! So will re-type tomorrow

Seems, we were both lucky with our computers. (irony)


Computer:
I applied a software update (for a registry cleaning tool - my 2014 version to new version "X") on my two pcs.
First I experienced a license problem on my pc No.1.
My full "lifetime" license for up to five pcs didn´t get recognized and the software turned into a trial version.
This problem was fixed by the manufacturer´s support within few hours with an updated software version.

Then I backed up my pc with Acronis (full system/hdd image) and afterwards tried the new registry software and all went well.

Big problems came with pc No.2, though.
I forgot to fully back up my system on pc No.2 before installing and using the new registry cleaning software there and my last Paragon backup image was only from february. ...
(my lazyness - my fault )

After cleaning and compressing the registry with the new registry tool, my pc rebooted with my admin desktop completely destroyed.
All my program icons were missing and the task bar was empty - not even "explorer" icon existed.
Only three Windows system icons were left on the desktop.
("this pc"/"WastePaperBasket"/"system control")

One autostart program popped up and complained about the missing folder: C:\windows\desktop\sytem32\config]systemprofile\desktop
and it really had got deleted.
(I could find out by starting Windows task-manager with CTRL+ALT*DEL and typing File/New Task/explorer.exe).
In explorer I started (right mousecklick "as admin") my desatrous registry cleaning tool again and let it restore what it had backed up, before ruining the admin account, but this didn´t restore the admin account well. Some program icons returned, some not, some programs worked, some not.

Because my Paragon backup was so old, I first tried to repair Windows by creating a new admin account, but the new admin didn´t get all the rights that the old one had had.

So, finally - the second day - I restored my Paragon february backup and updated Windows, Antivirus, Flash, Java, Webbrowser, Mail, and all other programs.

In addition I mailed with the company that makes the registry cleaning software (they usually answer very quickly) and they advised me to send them logfiles and backup copies.
During tests - in order to create logfiles - I accidentally ruined my system once more, (only one mousecklick too many) but this time I possessed a newly made fresh, Paragon backup, created before the test - that could restore my system within 30 mins perfectly well.



Well I haven´t yet got an answer about what to do now.
Luckily old 2014 version of my registry tool can co-exist with the new "version X" - killer - tool. So I can use that one, until the company tells me what to do or after they release a new fixed version.
------

This all happened just at a time, when due to heavy backpain I couldn´t move or sit and slept in my living room chair for two nights.

Why do I write all these looooong explanations?


Guess how much I touched my guitar this week ...

Music:

But I watched some more helpful YouTube tutorials on Studio One at the beginning of this week and tried them.
Some questions I got answered.
(E.g. There´s a help button for beginners in the program - when this button is activated, StudioOne shows hints in a permanently displayed "help bar".
It will take some more time to find out all, but I hope I will get to know how to use the program sooner or later. (I´m spoiled by audacity).

I'm honoured to hear you've been experimenting with Mover of Shadows - looking forward to hearing it.

For heaven´s sake, Kevin - you needn´t feel honoured. I´m just only an amateur musician - not even a good one - who even doesn´t get to new results, as it seems. ...

I still haven´t solved the problem that the sound gets overdriven/oversteered, when I apply effects to your song.
I didn´t change notes, cut out or insert anything, but only applied compressor, flanger, guitar amplifier simulations etc. to the imported audio track as a whole and this made the sound of the song somewhat "dirtier", "heavier" and a bit more panoramic.

But what´s the use, if it only sounds well in my headphones when I play it back with StudioOne and then get´s overdriven when exporting it to mp3 or wav?
(StudioOne warns, "12 dB too loud - shall I delete the song?", but doesn´t tell me, how to change the song´s export settings for a correct mp3 result with 0 dB too loud.)
There must be some kind of master mixer somewhere to control the output. I just only haven´t found it, yet.
-------

Lol yes, I bet Clapton borrowed your style!

Of course!
If it wasn´t that I often get backpain, I would do his stage gigs and get all the money, ... but his back is just much more stable than mine and therefore he does my job.
LOL
-------


Programming:

I remember buying Spectrum magazines where you'd spend hours typing out pages of text to run a game - only to press "Run" and half the screen would load - the games they printed never worked, but was fun trying!

I wasn´t that good and enthusiastic, but programmed some calculation formulas (Chemistry, etc.).

As for gaming:
I once had a program to create simple comuter games with. (Easy point and click ones).
Then later (just for myself) I created some DOOM levels with level editor, later I tried the Thief 3 editor and created a level there, but already stopped it, when only three guards were patrolling, a secret room got established, some doors could be lockpicked, etc... Creating levels is just so very time consuming.

I downloaded level editor for the free DOOM3 based community game "The Dark Mod" last year already, but Norton Internet Security set the files in quarantine, considering them to be dangerous.
No probs with the game itself, though. I´ve got it installed on 2 pcs and still play it sometimes.
If you like stealth/thief like games and you´d like to download:
www.thedarkmod.com
Should run well on your core i3 if your graphics adapter is strong enough.

But is it strong enough, if ...

Powerdirector on a free trial but unfortunately it's a bit too cpu-sapping

maybe gpu instead of cpu could be responsible?

(I guess you could be right with cpu, but I´m very surpised, because core i3 is modern powerful cpu. Sorry to hear. :mecry: I would understand with Atom, Celeron, Pentium, maybe older core2Duo.)


One nice "The Dark Mod" example is level "Requiem" (There are lots more of freely downloadable levels)


3D gameplay starts at ~2:20 after 2D story intro.
-------

Internet/Telephone:

I just take my mobile with me at £10 a month)

Due to your job, you need a cell phone, of course.
I´ve only got a prepaid SIM card, because I rarely use a cell phone outside the house. Most of the time I´m at home.

Therefore I´ve got Internet DSL 16000 + Telephone Flatrate (all cabled) - two telephone lines with three phone/fax numbers - this I may change to VOIP 1 line with 3 numbers sooner or later - then Internet + phone will get cheaper). Costs me nearly 40 € per month, nowadays and I may reduce that to 30 €.

Wireless (LTE) internet like yours they don´t yet offer in my country for long. They introduced it only few years ago and cable was the only possibility when I installed my lines years ago.
Nowadays I wouldn´t change to wireless LTE, because it´s not much cheaper than cable here, but in many areas it has much lower performance.

it'll link to a Hotspot (AP) at around 8mbs which downloads say 11mb in about 2 seconds

that´s not bad for wireless!
(depends on how crowded an area is, because LTE consumers have to share bandwidth - the more users, the lower - and antenna optimization could of course give you advantage)
Often I don´t get more - depends on the server one is conncted to for download. Some good ones offer full speed. Then I may get my normal ~15+ mbs download. My upload is always maximum only 1mbs, though.)
-------

RPi2: Gave up thoughts to playback copy protected Blu-rays with it. Found out, this only works with Blurays up to end of year 2014 and only on older OpenELEC 4.xx not on new ver. 5..
I will only playback self recorded discs (from tv) with MKV, TS, MP4, etc. files) with my disc writer.
Astonishingly the HDMI CEC function of my RPi2 suddenly works. Don´t know why.
Now I can use the remote control of my tv set to control the RPi2 (although the HDMI cable is not connected directly to the tv - signal loops through 7.1 AV-Receiver).
Why did I spend 15 € on a USB remote?

Thanks for your kind thoughts regarding my family - they're slowly getting there

Wonderful! Hope so.:thum:
Health is a most precious gift - we all learn, when we lose it.
-----

Now my back and your eyes ache (reading so much).
Will try StudioOne with Mover of Shadows again and hopefully find out about correct export.

Have a nice sunday (all) :thum:

 

[SassaFras]

Hi Franz,

Oh dear, sorry to hear about your registry cleaning problems. I'm on Win7 at the moment, but to be honest, have never used the registry cleaner, compress or defrag.

I tend to go to "command" prompt and run chdsk /f /r occasionally.

I find this removes any unwanted junk and gets the pc running more efficiently too.

So sorry to hear you've been in pain Hope you're not too bad now.

Re Studio One, that sounds promising - step by step with a help button

I tend to use Youtube a lot for tutorials - very useful

I still haven´t solved the problem that the sound gets overdriven/oversteered

Interesting - I wonder if it's because I've already added effects to some of the tracks via Mixcraft?

Not really into gaming, but was wondering if the level editor for Doom3 is really a virus? My Panda Antivirus sometimes mistakes things as dangerous when not, but easy to tell the program that the particular file is safe, then it allows it to run ok. Had that problem with a .dll file when installing Mixcraft - kept getting quarantined until I told it that it was safe

If my gpu isn't good enough, then not much I can do as it's built into the laptop. Just wish I could remember an older program I used with xp for video editing...ran well with good results...may come back to me!

Re Internet / phone: yes, that's one thing I would love to get - Cable. Not available here in my area at the moment though, otherwise I would definitely go for it!

All the best my friend.

Kev :thum:

 

[ararat]

Hi Kevin (and all)

nice to read some new lines from you.

Yes, registry cleaning can sometimes be hazardous, but usually I make a complete system backup before.

E.g. nice free tool for complete backup of your computer, is:
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/

You can very easily create a bootable emergency disc with the installed program and make regular full backups (if you don´t forget to do - like I did:mecry on e.g. an external USB harddrive or even burnt onto discs (DVDs/BDs). In emergency cases you boot your laptop from the emergency disc and restore your pc within minutes.
Everybody should use such a program (On my first pc I´m using Acronis backup, which does the same, but is full version and more comfartable to use. Full version of Paragon is more comfortable, too, but Free version is good enough for second pc.)


Windows 7/8 pcs (not all) offer a similar backup software function built in, already. Then you don´t even need Paragon.
Backup Windows 7 image:
Create bootable system repair disc:

-------


My registry cleaning tool has meanwhile got a hotfix and now doesn´t harm pcs anymore.

But I have to disappoint you:

I tend to go to "command" prompt and run chdsk /f /roccasionally.

I find this removes any unwanted junk and gets the pc running more efficiently too.

That´s not the same.
The chkdsk command doesn´t remove/clean anything at all. It checks a harddrive for faulty clusters and with added options (/f = repair faults and /r = restore data) in most cases can repair the drive.
Chkdsk doesn´t lay hands on windows registry at all. It´s comparable to clicking with right mouse onto a harddrive letter in windows explorer, selecting properties/tools/fault inspection ("fault inspection" I only translated from my language - maybe it´s called different in english Windows).
-------

One commandline command I´m still using sometimes, is
sfc /scannow

Checks if all windows system files still exist and are flawless. If found, Windows 8 replaces damaged files with stored backup files from harddrive, Windows 7 asks you to insert your original Windows setup disk, in case a file needs to get replaced.
-------

Cleaning:
We all install programs from time to time, are not satisfied with some and deinstall them again. In most cases these programs leave remains on our computers, only few programs deinstall themselves 100%.
If you look e.g. in windows explorer through your folders:

C:\ programs
C:\ programs (x86) - exists only on 64 Bit Windows and there contains 32 Bit programs
C:\ ProgramData
C:\users\%username%\Appdata\local
C:\users\%username%\Appdata\roaming
(maybe few others, too)

you may find some folders or files with names of already deleted programs.
In most cases not only theses folders/files still exist, but also their relating registry entries as well.

They sum up after long usage of Windows and slow down our system unnecessarily. Some old registry entries may even interfere with programs that we´re still using and may let them work incorrectly.

I clean my registry regularly. In most cases, I use the automatic functions of my cleaning software. Sometimes I do (more risky) manual cleaning, though and search for deinstalled programs myself and first* delete their remained folders and second* their registry entries.

Why do I write this all?
(Not because I want to be so damn clever, but to perhaps help you get a faster pc. Maybe (hopefully) video editing would run better then.)

A free tool for cleaning a pc (including registry) e.g is CCleaner.
https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

One normally won´t harm ones pc with CCleaner, running the default settings.
If before usage you first back up your pc with Paragon Free it wouldn´t even matter if anything went wrong. You could just restore your pc to it´s former state.

Important though for good cleaning*:
If one doesn´t first manually remove remained folders of (self known/recognized) deinstalled programs, then the automatic of registry cleaning programs won´t remove related registry entries.
-------

If my gpu isn't good enough, then not much I can do as it's built into the laptop.

Yes, sad, but true.
If your laptop has core i3 cpu then probably your gpu may accordingly be sufficient for multimedia purposes. But I´m not 100% sure about how much performance professional video editing needs - I guess it´s much more than for just video cutting or playing, because new rendering has to be done.

Perhaps you could do some optimization of your system?
(do registry cleaning, switch off unnecessary windows services and autostart programs, replace laptop hdd by ssd (will make the laptop MUCH faster), get more RAM, etc.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9Zx4suyd2w
http://www.optimize-yourpc.com/video-editing.html

Enough pc - enough windows!
-------

So sorry to hear you've been in pain Hope you're not too bad now.

Comes and goes since I had my dorsal vertebrae broken due to osteoporosis. Last week I only nedded 3 x 600 mg Ibuprofene to deal with the pain, but in some cases (last time in August 2014) I need to take opiate.
Luckily no pill necessary today any more.
(By the way: The best for your parents!)

Zitat:
I still haven´t solved the problem that the sound gets overdriven/oversteered
Interesting - I wonder if it's because I've already added effects to some of the tracks via Mixcraft?

Interesting idea.
I should test to import your song - not doing the slightest change to it and then export it again. If it´s too loud then, then it may (but needn´t) be oversteered in your file already.
But I guess not. Your song plays back well with mediaplayers and with StudioOne and nowhere sounds oversteered. The exported files that I made (with effects applied) all sounded oversteered in Mediaplayer (but not in StudioOne).
If only I hadn´t had back pain, too many phone calls and too many other things to do, then I would know better perhaps..
(At least I touched my guitar for a few minutes the other day.)
-------

Bit disappointed about my RPi2 projects now.

1) Playing Blu-ray with MakeMKV plugin:
a) Always connection to pc with installed MakeMKV necessary.
b) Works only with OpenELEC 4.x not with my 5.08
c) Works only with Blu-Ray discs up to October 2014

So no real replacement for standalone Blu-ray Player.

2) Amazon Prime Instant Video on RPi2
(Tested it yesterday - even had the movielist loaded, already, but)

a) Amazon changed some things in April 2015. The movies therefore won´t play unless you replace a *.py file by a new one.
(I could have done this, but for download would have had to register first on one more board - ... one can´t be in too many ... - and always read there to keep up to date)
b) The movie posters didn´t display the Prime Instant Video banner - one doesn´t know then if one can watch for free or one has to pay.
c) One has to change Amazon Prime settings from Microsoft Silverlight (better performance) to Adobe Flash Player in order to work with Raspberry Pi.

(All this does my Amazon Fire TV box much better and I got it even cheaper than the Raspberry Pi2)

3)
Can only get the RPi2 to play either 7.1 PCM on my AV-receiver. (Passthrough option)
Or 2.0 on tv.

My standalone Blu-ray Player sends 7.1 to AV-Receiver and if I swith the receiver off, the HDMI signal goes through to my tv and then you can watch movie with sound. If I switch off my AV-receiver with Raspberry connected instead, the tv still gets video, but without sound. One then has to change sound settings in RPi2 and reboot the device, if one wants to hear sound without the AV-receiver running.

Owning two dreamboxes 8000 and an Amazon Fire TV box, the RPi2 is not too useful for me. I could only profit, if I copied my legally bought Blu-ray discs (illegaly removing copy protection) in order to play them back from harddrive with 7.1 sound, that my dreambox 8000 would perhaps not play. That´s not what I intended. I only wanted playback of Blu-ray discs.

But the RPi2 is a nice little box for people to play with and play movies with. So many affordable possibilities to use it for (if one doesn´t already have better) - e.g. it´s even possible to connect a USB DVB-S2 tuner and then receive and record satellite programs (to attached USB hdd).
-------


Hope your song is going on well. Guess you´re busy this time of the year, though.
Attach one old song of mine (with some faults).

Have a nice time (all)! :thum:

 

[ararat]

Hi, Kevin (and all)

Now I can assure you:
Your song didn´t get oversteered by Mixcraft.

Importing it into and exporting it from StudioOne doesn´t lead to distorted audio. No alert "x dB too loud" has been given.

Now I found the audio fader/slider to reduce audio output volume in StudioOne´s mixer.

So I just even managed exporting your song WITH two little changes.
You´ll definitely find (maybe like or not like) them, when listening.
Only two little spots - a few seconds changed by two different effects.

I didn´t do the whole thing correctly, because I reduced the overall loudness of your song (main fader in mixer) a bit in order to reduce oversteered parts.
I still need to learn how to use the mixer better, to only reduce loudness only for selected parts oof a song.
But I think I probably already know, how to do it - because I already split your song for the uplaoded sample into three separate tracks and these should be controllable separately (have their own volume fader/slider).

Perhaps you would like to try the free version of StudioOne one day, too?
(One can do a lot with a song.)

Have a nice time (all) :thum: