I first learned my way around computer recording with N-Track. To me, it was a fairly intuitive program, and I liked how you could organize your files and projects as you go. It even has a proprietary project file you could zip everything up into.

After a version upgrade to 4.something or other, I stopped using it because of the following problems (if my memory serves me)

1.Quirkiness recording at higher sample rate and bit depth with ASIO drivers
2.Recorded tracks playing back out of sync...having to offset them to correct it
3.Having to shut the program down without saving due to an error
4.Saves sometimes didn't "take"
5.Wasn't able to figure out if I could use Virtual instruments like "Trilogy" and quantize them to the beat.
6.Hung up with minimal effects and tracks

I replaced it with Sonar HS2, which I'm not really all that crazy about. It seems to be more stable than N-Track, but I don't enjoy using it as much.

I have purified my laptop with a new hard drive format and installation of XP SP2, and I'm debating whether to reinstall Cakewalk, N-Track or Adobe Audition 1.5

Any of you guys experienced similar issues with N-Track? Is there a rock solid earlier version that I should use? Or does the latest version 5 seem super stable?

Thanks!

Tracy

Try Reaper, it is a far superior program to N-Track.

-tkr

Done! Thanks, TKR, and Lance. I'm digging the low CPU load I'm reading about from users of this program.

Hey Wretch - there's a few of us n-Track users lurking around....

I never had a problem with n-Track, even version 4. I started with 3.3 and I'm now on version 5. I think I've had excellent results with n-Track for the following reasons:

1) I don't use the MIDI function except with version 5 to record a drum click track. I use the program to record and mix recorded tracks like a tape machine.
2) I record at 24/44.1. I tried recording at higher sample rates but I couldn't hear any advantage.
3) I use a Delta 1010 and a Delta 66 which have mature solid drivers. I also use the WDM drivers instead of ASIO which have been more stable and reliable for me.
4) When I built the computer I'm now using n-Track with I researched what worked best and built a system with those components.
5) I haven't upgraded to the new versions of n-Track until Flavio had time to work out most of the bugs.

Tekker says that Reaper is "far superior" to n-Track but I downloaded Reaper, tried it out, and I can't see how it's particularly better. It does have some neat routing options but I guess I've never needed that capability (or don't know that I need it). It's interesting that Reaper has gotten so much buzz but for what I do n-Track so far works better for me. I've also read some Reaper horror stories so I don't think that program is the magic bullet. I haven't looked at Reaper on over a year so I may download the newest version and give it another look but Version 5 of n-Track has several features that I've been wanting and it is working great.

Version 5 of n-Track does use more CPU resources so I'm now assembling the parts for a new system. I'm going to go with an Athlon X2 6000 this time which should be plenty of horsepower. I can't blame n-Track for the whole problem, though, because I just got Vintage Warmer and that puppy is definitely a CPU hog.

Before people automatically jump on the Reaper bandwagon I really suggest that they look at n-Track and compare the two. They are both amazing programs for the cost.

quote:

I haven't looked at Reaper on over a year so I may download the newest version and give it another look

Ah, that explains it. You really gotta keep current on Reaper updates, otherwise you really can't say you've used it.

I first heard of Reaper it had only been out for 8 months and didn't like Reaper either at that time (a little over a year ago), but Reaper is updated on a daily basis and it has grown immensely since then.

-tkr

quote:

I never had a problem with n-Track, even version 4. I started with 3.3 and I'm now on version 5.

I never had problems until my second version 4 update. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but it didn't help. There was probably some other issue on my computer that affected N-track...rather than the program itself.

quote:

1) I don't use the MIDI function except with version 5 to record a drum click track. I use the program to record and mix recorded tracks like a tape machine.
2) I record at 24/44.1. I tried recording at higher sample rates but I couldn't hear any advantage.
3) I use a Delta 1010 and a Delta 66 which have mature solid drivers. I also use the WDM drivers instead of ASIO which have been more stable and reliable for me.
4) When I built the computer I'm now using n-Track with I researched what worked best and built a system with those components.
5) I haven't upgraded to the new versions of n-Track until Flavio had time to work out most of the bugs.

I got very little 24 bit recording done before the program started wigging out. What research did you do? Is the component list on the Fasoft FAQ, or in the forums?
I'm going to give Reaper a fair shake. If it doesn't work out, I'll probably just go back to Sonar Home Studio, since I at least know my way around it. If I were to go back to N-Track, it would likely be version 3.3, which I believe will limit me to 16 bit. I was relatively fast and efficient with N-Track. It's a shame I had so many problems. If I had any confidence I could get a stable 24 bit version, I might give it another chance.

+1 for Reaper. Be aware that on the surface the program is fairly intuitive, and in terms of routing, it can do things that no other program is capable of. At this point dozens of Sonar and Cubase users have moved over to Reaper. But Reaper can very quickly become incredibly deep and complex which makes it daunting for a lot of folks. The dizzying update schedule makes this even more of a challenge for me.

quote:

Ah, that explains it. You really gotta keep current on Reaper updates, otherwise you really can't say you've used it.

Have you tried version 5 of n-Track?

quote:

I got very little 24 bit recording done before the program started wigging out. What research did you do? Is the component list on the Fasoft FAQ, or in the forums?

I did a search on the n-Track forum and there was also some good info on configurations on the Audiominds forum when it started. Ialso looked on the digi forum to see what was on there. The components in my computer aren't even available now but I used a ASUS A7N8X Delux Mobo, Athlon 2200 processor, and nVidea graphics card (5200 I think). For my next system I'm going with an ASUS M2NPV-VM mobo and an Athlon X2 6000. I've researched this MOBO and it appears to be particularly dependable. The big thing in motherboards is the chip set and the nForce chip set on this board is quite commonly used for audio applications.

Also, one of the reasons I went with the M-Audio cards is because they have a reputation for being so reliable.

quote:

If I were to go back to N-Track, it would likely be version 3.3, which I believe will limit me to 16 bit.

I have the 24 bit version of 3.3 so I know it comes that way.

The improvements in n-Track Version 5 are significant. For me it's worth building a new computer to be able to more efficiently use the new version and some of the piggish plugins I've got. I'm currently mixing two projects for a total of 19 songs and I'm coninuously amazed at how good this program is. I think that most people who swear by Reaper have never looked at n-Track or are judging it from old versions. I'm not trying to promote n-Track particularly but I just think that it deserves equal consideration with Reaper.

quote:

Originally posted by 8th_note:

quote:

Ah, that explains it. You really gotta keep current on Reaper updates, otherwise you really can't say you've used it.

Have you tried version 5 of n-Track?

I have now. I had v4 before, but I downloaded the latest version and after testing it out for a while (and reading through the help file), I can say that it didn't really impress me anymore than v4 did.

-tkr

quote:

I have now. I had v4 before, but I downloaded the latest version and after testing it out for a while (and reading through the help file), I can say that it didn't really impress me anymore than v4 did.

I used N-Track from 98-2006, but not on a dedicated system. I think all my questions about someone else's experiences have been answered. I didn't mean to start a Reaper VS n-track thread. I'm going to give Reaper a shot, though, since I have nothing to lose. If I don't like it, I can always fall back on Sonar or try N-track again on a computer only used for audio.

Hey Tracy make sure to check out the user guide and the forums. Especially the forums! Honestly I hated the way I was introduced to reaper. I didn't even consider it or look at it, for that matter, for almost a year. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way alot of people are introduced to reaper. The fact is it ran flawlessly on my 1.3ghz P4 "off the shelf" dell for eight solid months. So I've been pretty much sold on it since the first month. So if you're starting over or disatisfied with what you've used give it a shot. That's the beauty of a unexpiring un crippled demo. I do, however, need to correct Tekker on one point. The update schedule has in fact slowed to once or twice a week since the Mac port hit full swing.

Lance

P.S. Tracy, look forward to seeing you on the forums.

Just recorded my first tune with Reaper. I like it WAY better than Sonar Home Studio. It is much more stable than N-Track ever was for me...although not quite as intuitive to use. I also upgraded my Firewire card to a Lacie, which is recommended by RME for their Fireface line. I think this is the first time in forever I ever got through a whole tune without a glich...no shut downs, no rebooting, no lag time, no pops, clicks, drop outs...etc.

Good for you! Glad to hear it's going well so far. Hve you downloaded the user guide?

Lance

Yes, but I've only looked at the tutorial videos. I went ahead and ordered a hard copy of the user guide.

Cool! Another thing, I've mentioned these elsewhere, unless you have a bunch of plugins already you should check out the stillwell audio plugs. The're really good and the Non-commercial reaper only versions are only $25. Enjoy!!
lance

Awesome, congrats!

quote:

Originally posted by wretchasketch:
...although not quite as intuitive to use.

As with anything new, that'll change the more you use it. This was exactly the opposite for me, N-Track seemed very unintuitive and awkward (even just for simple editing) because I wasn't used to it. I think that learning Reaper would be Cakewalk (pardon the pun ) after using N-Track.

-tkr

I read the discussion with interest as an N-Track user. Intrigued I read some about Reaper and downloded it.
Interestingly I had a recording session that evening and for the first set N-Track let me down placing big Xs in three tracks. I don't know what the problem was but the level meters were active.
Second set I struggled to get Reaper to recognise the 6 tracks I wanted recorded but managed and presto the second set recorded fine.
I am a convert :-)