How long do we have to wait for a bug free Mastertracks 6.8?

[Hotch]

HI,

The beta will not be available until summer of 2010 with hopes of a winter 2010 release. We are gutting much of the old code that has original bugs that no one has ever been able to solve (over 20 developers have tried).

[dcben]

Whatever. I'll believe it when I see it.

[comcents]

Gads what a disappointment!!!!

Maybe it's just me - but that was like sticking a large steak under the nose of a hungry lion - then bashing me over the head with a skillet when I foolishly reached for it.

What the hell is he talking about you ask?

I - like many people - had totally given up on a new version of MTP. Years of broken promises, and such. When I move from Mac to PC - I purchased a "new" version of MTP - only to find (like everyone else here) that 6.8x was far from ready for prime time. After much frustration - I finally located and purchased a copy of 6.5 - and have been happily using it since. Oh, sure - the short file names are a PITA - and there are other issues - but at least it does what I need - and quite well thankyouverymuch!.

Then just a bit ago- the steak hit my cage door: An email from none other than hotch@gvox.com!!!! Could this be the long-promised update to MTP???? I mean - after all these years - something???

Oh - wait - what's this?

Quote the email:

"Encore 5.0.2 Build 557r4 French -Update Install
Hi Guys,
We received another update of the translation from Nor.
Now, the instructions:
After you have installed 557r3 from the previous post (download, extract
files, run installer)
Go to Drive:Program Files/ Encore-5.0.2.557/Check For Updates"

end quote...

ENCORE????!!!! WTF??? I haven't owed Encore since Passport was still around (just didn't have the power we needed - that's when we not only became a Finale user - but dealer as well).

So why am I receiving a notice about a program I don't own, couldn't care less about... and it just opens old wounds and pours in salt???

Shheeesh.

Catching up with the posts here since my last visit (more than a year ago) - I see not much has changed - just another promise (and like dcben - I'll believe it when I see it).

I also see some suggestions about adding audio... I just have to laugh at that - we can't get a program that *just works* - and there's talk of adding audio??? If I want mixed audio and midi - I have Audition for that... when I want a Butt-Kicking sequencer- I fire up MTP.... I would like one that doesn't mangle file names - but that's minor and I can live with it.

Back to my MTP 6.5....

[twofordinner]

We will see if indeed the promises of a new release happen this year. We are supposed to be seeing betas by summer (big time frame there), and they have left themselves plenty of wiggle room for more of the same BS they are famous for. I'd love to be more positive about this but we have been let down so many times. Prove me wrong.....

[mitchwalcott]

Hello everyone,

I contacted Dave Kusek, dkusek@berkleemusic.com, back in August of 2009. He originally wrote Trax for Passport Designs, which later became MasterTracks Pro. I was curious if there was a way for me to purchase the source code for Trax, without violating any laws he had with GVOX. He wrote back and only said "Sorry Mitch."

So, I am in a similar situation as the rest of you. So far, this has been my best solution:

I run a dual boot system. I use Ubuntu Linux for my everyday needs, which is great due to its stability and lack of virus concerns. I then use Windows XP for just MasterTracks Pro version 6.53 and Ableton Live version 8.0.10. I keep Windows XP off any networks to avoid any spyware or virus issues.

I have come to the conclusion that we cannot rely on GVOX to give us a stable version of MasterTracks Pro. The reality is that even if they do a complete re-write of the code, they probably will not keep it up to date. For example, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X will continue to have service pack related updates. When this happens, third party software programs generally need a revision for complete compatibility. (The programmers at Ableton are very good about this.)

Thus, I decided to use MasterTracks Pro 6.53 (written by Passport Designs) on WIndows XP, service pack 2. I did not install any updates to Windows XP, but simply used the CD-ROM to install the operating system. I then un-installed various things, like Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, etc, in order to save hard drive space.

So, while I am very upset that GVOX cannot provide updates and support in a timely manner, I can at least rely on my copy from Passport Designs. I can take the MIDI files from MasterTracks Pro and import them into Ableton Live, or GarageBand on my iBook. This allows me to take advantage of the virtual instruments that these programs have.

Everyone here has a different setup scenario. I would suggest that if you have the ability to use an old Passport Designs version of MasterTracks Pro, go for it.

Lastly, to help you all cope with the frustrations of this situation, feel free to download my binaural nature recordings from my web site: http://www.mitchwalcott.com

Take care everyone,

Mitch Walcott

[jtcraig]

Hey folks, for anyone who is using mtp 6.5 on windows xp, what are you using for a midi interface? This has allways been my problem. I am still stuck using windows 98 because my older midiman portman 2x4 only has win 98 drivers and none were writen for xp. I have never been able to get my maudio midisport 4x4 to work correctly either, it is usb. Will play midi fine but will not record correctly. Anyone?

James

[mitchwalcott]

Hi James,

I am using both an M-Audio Keystation 49e and an M-Audio MIDISPORT Uno USB. The driver I am using is version: 4.2.0.3v4

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=sup ... 783&dl=yes

So far from all of my testing, both units work very well with MTPro 6.53. Do you know what driver version you are using in Windows XP for your MIDISPORT 4x4? Version 4.3.00 is listed on the M-Audio site as being the latest version for the MIDISPORT 4x4. If this is what you are already using, then I would suggest trying out version 4.2.0.3v4 to see if it works.

However, the MIDISPORT 4x4 Anniversary Edition does list a newer driver version, which may work for the older MIDISPORT 4x4. It is version 5.10.00.5125v4.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=sup ... 964&dl=yes

Good luck,

Mitch

[Mario]

Hi at all,

I’m a user of MasterTracksPro since 1993. At that time I bought version 6.01 from Passport.
Over the years I love this software because that is the easiest to use MIDI-sequencer I know.

Now I’m a little bit surprised about the statements of apparently disappointed user.
Nonetheless I bought now the version 6.8.4 because I need MasterTracksPro running on 32-bit operating systems.

My first impression is it works as always and I think I need more time to evaluate the described bugs.
If a proper working is impossible with version 6.8.4 than I can do my work with the older version as well.

In the meantime I will look forward to a bug free version of MasterTracksPro because I trust in GVOX.

[twofordinner]

Mario, welcome to the forum. We are all looking forward to the next release.......

[notes_norton]

Hey folks, for anyone who is using mtp 6.5 on windows xp, what are you using for a midi interface? <...>

James

I'm using various Edirol USB->MIDI interfaces (UM-1, UM-1SX, SD-90), they all work with 6.5 and XP.

I've been an MTPro fan since version 2 for the Atari, version 1 for the PC and I forget which version for my old Mac Classic. As long as Passport owned it, it has been virtually bug free. As soon as GVox bought it, it went into the toilet and hasn't come out in well over 5 years. That's a long time to wait for a bug fix.

I still do not want to complicate the interface with audio. The strength of MTPro is its simplicity, it's ease of use, its intuitiveness (is that a word?). Complicating it with mixers, audio editing tools, plug-ins, and the like will only create the need for drop down menus with cascading sub-menus, and that is exactly what I do not want. If I wanted that, I could use my old version of Cakewalk.

The fact that there are no sub-menus makes MTPro extremely fast to use. Less time is spent with the mouse in hand, and more time is spent making music.

I've just about given up hope on a bug free MTPro for Windows. I'll believe it when I see it.

Until then, it's 6.5 with short file names.

Sadly,
Notes ♫

[Mario]

The strength of MTPro is its simplicity, it's ease of use, its intuitiveness (is that a word?). Complicating it with mixers, audio editing tools, plug-ins, and the like will only create the need for drop down menus with cascading sub-menus, and that is exactly what I do not want.
The fact that there are no sub-menus makes MTPro extremely fast to use. Less time is spent with the mouse in hand, and more time is spent making music.

I agree with that. I couldn't get used with Cakewalk & co.

I've just about given up hope on a bug free MTPro for Windows. I'll believe it when I see it.

Until then, it's 6.5 with short file names.

Sadly,
Notes ♫

Poor notes, I'll believe GVOX will introduce a bug-free version till summer 2010. I hope so!

Until then, it's 6.01 in my case.

[notes_norton]

I'll believe GVOX will introduce a bug-free version till summer 2010. I hope so!

I hope so, too. But many dates have been promised and they have come and gone so I'm not holding my breath.

Also, they should offer it free to those who have paid for the buggy 6.8 that we cannot use because it is lame.

Notes ♫

[Mario]

Also, they should offer it free to those who have paid for the buggy 6.8 that we cannot use because it is lame.

Notes ♫

I take it that GVOX offer it for free. At least for people who have paid for the MTPRO 6.8.

As I wrote in my post above, I need this 6.8 because my old 6.01 didn't run properly on a 32bit operating system.
Furthermore the more files you've got the easier is to admin it with longer file names. My two cents worth

Curently we can work with MTPRO only with the MTPRO extension xxx.mts. Is that right?

[notes_norton]

I'd appreciate longer file names and MSB/LSB in the patch selection box. Everything else in 6.5 is OK with me.

Of course I can think of other options I'd like, but those are what I need.

Notes ♫

[jtcraig]

OK Richard we are well into the summer of 2010 and we haven't seen a beta version yet. How are things coming along with our Mastertracks pro? Cheers

james