As long as you've got an official version and not a cracked one, the software author would probably be happy to help you out.

: I have just one question... (excuse my bed english because i'm french..) I have a problem with the acoustica mp3 audio mixer.. Everytimes I try to use it, even if it's well install, it bugs... And I don't know what to do... If someone can help me !!!

are u doing the automation as part of the 'main automation' feature? if so have you placed a square in the playlist to startup the main automation sequence?

I really feel for you, my friend. When I had a PC, i discovered over time, with trial and error, that copyright protection schemes tend to cause a lot more trouble than they are worth. Usually data is saved in odd or dangerous ways in the PRAM (parameter RAM, reset by TechTool on Macs), or hidden on an lesser-known part of the hard drive. The hidden hard drive data is particularly dangerous, because it often involves basically LYING to you and the operating system about how much free space is left. Of course, the registry is also modified too, more than likely... and this rampant reliance on essentially a single uberfile for program settings is a nightmarish epidemic amongst PC programs.

Steinberg makes pretty good sounding software, but they aren't so bright about making it efficient. Consider Master Unit. Installing it adds some 100,000 registry entries or so... all for CD-ROM drive support. Given that the average computer only has one or two CD-ROM drives, this is totally redundant and destructive, this adding of dozens or hundreds of driver data to an already delicate and essential file.

If you take the time to really scour the internet for audio freeware, you'll discover that much of the best freeware does not use dongles, installers, VBRUN's, DLL's or registry entries. The best programs are self-contained and simple. Most Macintosh programs are self-contained, and similarly are a bit more stable when it comes programs spreading or NOT spreading their seeds all over your drive. For this reason, most professional recording studios rely upon Macs and NOT PC's to do audio. Furthermore, recording studios can't deal with losing hundreds of dollars of time over some stupid dongle or technical support's lack of knowledge. For that reason, most studios rely upon software from companies with extensively upper-class reputations. ProTools is made by DigiDesign which is a subsidiary of AVID. AVID, of course, is world-famous for their pioneering in video editing workstations. If you consider that Cubase is essentially a consumer tool and not a professional tool, you'll realize that you should probably give up your loyalty to Cubase.

I used to use Cubasis, and I had constant troubles with protected VST and DirectX plug-ins. The totally free ones worked okay, but the trial period ones would start to crash Cubasis. Other programs which used VST or DirectX plug-ins worked okay. AnalogBox and DDClip Pro worked just fine. I suggest that you keep using WaveLab but stop using Cubase. Maybe try Samplitude or DDClip or SoundSculptor or Tuareg or FruityLoops or MakingWaves or Deck III or something.

I find that it's good to always have a backup plan: Have at least 2 brands of each type of program: multitrack, editor, sequencer, CD-R, jukebox.

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You should seek the help of a local computer guru in person to fix up your system (defragment, kill viruses, fix disk errors, fix bad addresses, replace corrupted files).

If you have a mac, I can guarantee you that right now you have a corrupted preferences file. Technically, every time your computer crashes you need to run all of the fix-it programs after restarting.

Many times, you actually need an external hard drive or zip disk or CD-ROM to fix a bad system. This is because computers aren't very reliable at fixing themselves. Sooner or later they require outside assistance.

Go to the CD Burning section via the <a href="http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/">front page</a> of this site. Nero is great but you'll find a heap of free programs to burn those MP3s.

: I can´t find out which program I have to download to be able to burn my mp3´s on cd´s in mp3-format, as a backup...I hope someone can help me????

Register the software and you'll get a serial number!

: I recently downloaded Nero, but I can't use it because I need some kind of number. (think it was serial, but I'm not sure) Does anyone have it?

<a href="http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/TotalRecorder/">TotalRecorder</a> is a great program.

: What program would I use or how would I record songs coming from a streaming audio site?

A number of programs can go from wma to mp3. <a href="http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/AdvancedWMA/">Advanced WMA Workshop 1.55</a> is one such program. You'll find more at: <a href="http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/win95/FORMAT_CONVERTERS/">http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/win95/FORMAT_CONVERTERS/</a>

: I ripped of some songs through windows media player and they are in wma format now i want to burn an audio cd so the problem is no software is ready to convert wma and write the cd...... guys any ideas??????

It's a shame it's not working out with your tech man. Well, these problems happen quite often. Don't feel bad.

However...

I suggest that you get your engineer to save your tracks onto an ADAT tape (or DA-88 tape) so that you can take them to any PROFESSIONAL recording studio in the world for mixing; you won't even need a computer.

If you really like to do things the hard way though, then do this...

Save data for each song in its own folder. Save each track of each song as a 96kHz 24bit WAVE file. Make sure the file names are as short and simple as possible, hopefully using only 8 letters each. For example:

LOVER_01.WAV, LOVER_02,WAV
or LOVER_L1.WAV, LOVER_R1.WAV.

Also, be sure to keep written notes about any special considerations. That way, if you make a mistake saving, you'll know what to consider by just looking at your written notes.

Probably the original mix was recorded in this format: 48kHz (sampling rate) 24 bits (amplitude resolution). If your engineer is as stupid as you think, it was recorded at 44.1kHz and 16bits. If so, you can go ahead and just save your individual tracks in either of those two formats, but not both. I suggested 96kHz 24bits above, because it is a better quality format which is becoming more and more standard in the better sound programs. Also, if you choose to do any equalisation, the 96/24 format is more precise.

Good luck. Be sure that your recorded tracks are saved onto a CD as a Mac-compatible CD-ROM data disk, NOT as an audio CD. If he doesn't know how to do it, then save your files onto Iomega Zip disks for your Zip drive.

If your engineer has adaptec Toast (also known as Easy CD Creator), then he can save your files onto a CD-ROM for you. Get some extra copies just in case, and don't let him do any more processing of the audio before he saves the tracks.

I sure hope it works out for you. You deserve the best.

I'd say the obvious answer is right in front of you. If you know how to network both computers, it might be interesting to just copy from one machine to another. But I'd just burn to CD instead.

: I have bought a new computer and have about 1000 MP3 files on my old one. What's the easiest way to transfer them? I have a CD burner on both computers.

Uninstall it. Install the latest version. See what happens. That's what I'd do.

: When i click the musicmatch icon a box appears with the message this program has caused an illeagal operation and will be shut down.Can you help?