Filter
Top Products
23
PlugIns and other Goodies
The Web is full of DSP PlugIns, ranging from freeware to shareware to demos of high-end
packages. You’ll also find hundreds of virtual instruments in VSTi and DXi formats. While
many of these are of excellent sound and quality, it’s best to carefully consider before
you install. Do you really need 26 different reverb PlugIns, or ten different vocoders?
Before you install that third virtual Theremin, remember that a bigger plugs folder will
contribute to slowing down your system. Install what you’ll realistically use.
XP and Win2000 Resources
Stay Up to Date
If you’ve owned a computer for more than an hour you know that the world of software
development moves very quickly. While you need not sink neck deep into computer
geekdom, it’s a good idea to stay informed of new information, changes and updates in
your OS and your audio applications. Bookmark your software manufacturers’ websites
and visit them periodically. Most of the major programs also have users’ groups, where
you can read and participate in current discussion with others….many times these
groups are instrumental in discovering new issues and reporting them to the
manufacturers.
The Internet is also a vast resource for info on the various Windows operating systems.
Aside from Microsoft’s own Knowledge Base, you can find hundreds of sites dedicated to
Windows XP and Windows 2000. Some deal specifically with tips for audio optimization,
while others contain more general (but still very useful) information. Sites like XP-erience
(www.xp-erience.org
), Tweak XP (www.tweakxp.com) and Pure Performance
(www.pureperformance.com
) offer lots of tips on optimizing Windows for your particular
needs. Websites like Tom’s Hardware (www.tomshardware.com
) can keep you up to
date on the newest components, and excellent electronic newsletters like Woody’s
Windows Watch (www.woodyswatch.com
) provide useful and very timely info on issues
facing all Windows users. And if you’ve never checked out TechTV, they offer some
great programming on multimedia and audio applications. Bottom line…..a bit of effort
toward keeping yourself informed can save you some hair-pulling and nerves the first
time you can say “oh, yeah, I know what’s causing that….”
This article last updated 17 March 2002
Daniel Keller, TASCAM Sr. Product Specialist