FWIW PRO TOOLS FREE!

http://www.digidesign.com/ptfree/

From what I have read 8 track versions of Pro Tools are being offered for free for Windows 98/ME and MAC OS9x.

I guess they are focussing on the newer OS's....8 tracks is fairly limited but free is free! I am downloading it now at 56k

Mainly using a stand alone DAW but this could be useful as I have some computer apps Echo Darla 24/96 A/D D/A, FL Studio and a few demo versions and VST plugins I have not learned to use yet....long FL Learning curve and limited computer time.

It's been available for a couple years, the concensus is that it's kinda buggy. It's worth playing with though if you just wanna get a general feel for ProTools.

Never knew that...I always thought the price of admission was upwards of $1,000 for the basic version.

Yeah, it's very buggy.

I downloaded it a long time ago and deleted it shortly after... It wasn't worth the time it took to download it! I couldn't even get it to playback a single wave file.

-tkr

quote:

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Originally posted by Scooter B:
Never knew that...I always thought the price of admission was upwards of $1,000 for the basic version.

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PT Free isn't 'admission', it isn't even a preview, it's kinda like a mud splattered flyer on the sidewalk.

quote:

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PT Free isn't 'admission', it isn't even a preview, it's kinda like a mud splattered flyer on the sidewalk.

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Well thanks for the heads up I guess I will just delete it before I waste any time on it...I already have enough issues with non buggy programs.

If you're looking for free, try out Mackie's Tracktion, which there giving away for free here:

http://www.guitarplayer.com/freetracktion.htm

Review at SoS: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Apr03/articles/rawtracktion.asp?session=9c094a12053fb75a0a5d473bee6780f3


It doesn't do everything (e.g., no external midi sync), but it does a lot well (so I've heard).

Thanks I'll read the review.

I already have several recording programs...FL Studio 5 update is downloading tonight and several demo versions that came with purchased gear.

Reason, Sonar and somehting that came with my Echo Darla 24/96 but my main recording is done on a Yamaha Aw16G stand alone.

My only real computer applications are for drums and keyboards through what I have and then into the G but I may get into to some mastering software on the PC someday.

I was just thinking the PT option would allow me to take something very easily and compatible into a real studio with out much fuss if I so desired someday...sound like the free PT is not going to be any good for that.

Thanks for the link, Fox.

I tried to get the ProTools free thing, won't work with XP or most new OSs.

ANd thanks for the MAckie thingy!

quote:

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Originally posted by j6p:
I tried to get the ProTools free thing, won't work with XP or most new OSs.

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I just tried installing it also and it says you need "Windows 98SE or higher" (that's funny, I thought XP was higher than 98 )... But you can right click the installation file, click the compatibility tab, and then where it says "run this program in compatibility mode for:" choose Windows 98 / ME and it'll install.

I haven't tried running the actual program yet, and you may have to do that for the Pro Tools exe file also. But it should work.... Or at least work as well as it would on a Win98 machine.... But that doesn't really say a whole lot!

-tkr

I looked at the sytem requirements, and in the second column it says not compatable with. XP is there.

Also it says problems with some VAIO computers. WHile I do have a soundcard, not just the Soundmax deal, this would be a headache.

Thanks for thinking of me though. I downloaded the free Mackie product, I may see how that works. I don't do much on the computer. Still using DA-88s. I know, I know.

Yep, you're right. I just tried running the program and it gave some weird error message and booted me out of the program.

That's strange though, because Windows XP can immitate older operating systems (like 95, 98/ME, 2000, etc.) for programs that won't work under XP... It can even immitate DOS invironments for those ancient programs, so I wonder why PTFree won't work under Windows 98 mode.... Quite odd indeed, I'll have to ask my computer teacher!

-tkr

He'll probably say "because it's a badly coded piece of crap"

quote:

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posted 12-03-04 10:49 AM
He'll probably say "because it's a badly coded piece of crap"

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Yeah after I found out from everyone this really was not worth downloading I thought about asking DOT to remove this thread but then again we can leave it up in case anyone does a search on it.

quote:

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Originally posted by vox:
He'll probably say "because it's a badly coded piece of crap"

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LOL! That's definitely the impression I got back when I tried it the first time in Win98SE.

-tkr

I tried this out several years ago and it continually locked up my system (win2000)

I have been with Cakewalk since Ver. 3 for Dos.

Paul