Windows Audio Processing/Recording Software?

[Wrecked944]

When I recently "upgraded" to Win2000, I found I was no longer able to run Cakewalk and all of the other relatively intuitive audio software products I had come to love. So I went out and downloaded/bought some of the latest and greatest CRAP that is now available. WTF? It seems audio software has gone straight into the toilet. So without breaking the bank, can anyone tell me where I can find the following:

1) MIDI file editor that uses standard music notation for those of us who can actually read music
2) WAV file editor that does pitchshifting, vocoder, parametric EQ, compression, file type conversions, etc etc
3) A multitrack mixing application that has the look and feel of a physical mixing board (along with reverbs, EQ's etc etc)

Is this possible anymore or do I need to revert to f*cking overpriced Play School apps with horrible interfaces? I don't want to spend thousands for ProTools. But Jesus, if it is the only viable option, then I guess I'll do it.

[HelmetHead]

I'm confused...you just "upgraded" to windows 2000? I run xp on all my machines and cakewalk runs perfect. What version of cakewalk were you running, and what OS did you upgrade to windows 2000 from? If your computer will run Win2K why not just run XP?

Helmethead

[HardDrive]

I'm pretty sure we can get Cakewalk running. Does it fail to start?

Check out the low end versions of cubase. A bit involved for my taste, but I use it for recording.

[Drew001]

Originally Posted by JanusCole

I don't want to spend thousands for ProTools. But Jesus, if it is the only viable option, then I guess I'll do it.

An Mbox2 starts at $329
If you don't need to lock to timecode or picture, Pro Tools LE should work fine for your needs.

[Wrecked944]

I was running Win98 until recently. I hate Microsoft and will only "upgrade" when I absolutely have no choice. If my system works and is stable, why ask for trouble, right?

As for Cakewalk, I was running version 7 and it choked on Win2000. I don't even think they sell Cakewalk any more. So I am SOL. I was using an excellent MIDI editor that used music notation. It was called "Noteworthy" composer. but it also chokes on WIN2000.

Oh yeah, now I remember why I hate "upgarding" my Windows OS. It is because "upgrading" my system usually means replacing my existing (and perfectly functional) software that won't function under the "upgraded" OS. F*cking Microsoft.

Regarding ProTools LE, where can I get a copy and will it run on WIN 2000?

[id10t]

Hey, as long as you are changing, either change to a Linux system (I just checked and there's lots of MIDI stuff available) or spend the $ and go to Mac.

As a bonus, most Win98 apps work great with Wine, so you could maybe keep using your existing apps until you are comfy with new ones...

www.ubuntu.com

[Wrecked944]

Thanks for all of the advice. I finally managed to download a working version of "Noteworthy Composer". It cost me an additional $40 to get a version that works for Win2000. But whatever. At least it works. So I can edit MIDI files using music notation.

I tried to download the "free" version of Pro Tools Le. But, of course, it doesn't work for Win 2000. It works for Win 98, Win ME, and Win 95. But it won't work on anything based on Win NT (like 2000). And blowing hundreds of dollars just to pay for the privilege of having an "upgraded" OS really burns me.

I've considered going to Linux. I understand there is a Linux distro designed specifically for audio production. But I'm not sure I trust an untested Linux distro.

This is such a cluster f*ck.