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Re: Need alternative to Bias Peak

Subject: Re: Need alternative to Bias Peak
From: Walter Knapp <>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 19:11:17 -0400
Michael P. Moore wrote:
> Hello All:
>
> I have been working for a while transferring minidisc recordings we
> collected with a Portadisc to my mac using Peak.  I have then been
> naming regions on those files.  I was working really well as I could
> keep all the cuts in order and type a lot of the information right onto
> the file.  I have hit a snag.  There is some bug in the works.  Two
> minidiscs worked fine this way.  The third will not save new regions
> beyond a given point.
>
> I have tried to isolate where the problem is...either on the minidisc
> itself or in Peak.  I have tried re-recording the file onto the mac,
> but the same problem occurs.  It is also frustrating as the recording
> has to be done in real time, so it takes almost two hours.  The Peak
> tech support people have been great, but they can't figure out what is
> going on.
>
> At this point, I just want to get past all this.  I was wondering if=20
> anyone knows of a good audio editor that will allow me to make regions
> on large files.
>
> Any other guidance on my problem would be greatly accepted.  Sorry if
> this topic has been covered before.

I use Peak as my routine editor and input program. Not sure what the
problem you describe is as I have had no such problem. I bring in my
recordings track by track from the Portadisc, each track a separate file.

I'll be glad to try and sort out what the problem is. Peak marks regions
just fine for me. Are you trying to save too many regions? Maybe like
putting all tracks in one file and making the tracks regions? Which
seems pretty awkward to me. At least in my recording tracks on a
minidisc often have no relation to each other other than being
sequential in when they were recorded. So, each track on the minidisc
becomes a separate file in the mac. I've never found a lot of need to do
regions within those. Peak's region marking is noted in their user
manual as being unique to Peak and just a few file formats.

I use Jam for organizing and burning CD's, although Peak has become more
capable in this area. For Jam the files are CD by CD.

I also do not attempt to use Peak as a database for organizing all my
recordings. I use Filemaker pro for my database on my recordings, and do
not get into attaching the actual recordings to that. Again, I've enough
material now it's really not practical to keep it all organized in Peak,
or access it all from a filemaker database. Too many files, too much
disk space involved. Much easier to just keep a rack of CD's containing
it all.

The other program I use and can recommend is Spark XL. It's more
expensive than Peak ($599), but much better at handling filters, and
includes a good sonogram that can be used realtime while setting up
filters, a real help. As well as several other filters, all of which can
be used realtime. I don't tend to use it for routine input or simple
editing as it's a bit more awkward for that. It also does regions,
though I don't use regions with it. It has a whole section of capability
around mastering CD's that I pretty much ignore.

Spark XL info and site:
http://www.tcelectronic.com/SparkXL

I tend to think of the two as complementary, do different tasks.

Walt




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