So far it all works great!

[Telepc]

Hi all. Here's today's update.

(I took the plunge and ordered an 002-R and other stuff--see other thread, but we're talking about my Gateway M-500 laptop)

Sadly, I have only one FW port in my external HD (Iogear "Ion", 160 Gb, 7200RPM), so I had to do it the WRONG way and plug my 002R into the computer, and the HD into the other FW port in the 002R.

Setup and install went flawlessly. Then I tried to load the demo song, pushed play, and "ERROR 90XX." Dang! (Sorry, can't remember the exact number... 9062 maybe?)

Then I remembered I hadn't yet let the computer download the latest firmware into the 002R, so I restarted PT and it popped that window up about the firmware again. I let it do its thing.

This time--success! The demo tune played perfectly.

Then I recorded a my own demo tune with about 6 tracks, then two overdubs. Perfection (and fun!!!)

Finally I did a DaveC. I got 18 tracks going at once, no flaws at all in close to two minutes of recording. I know this is probably on the low side compared to the newest, hippest Centrino stuff, but I was thrilled--considering I'm using the unapproved hookup for my HD. Also, my internal Firewire card is obviously just fine. Also, I don't know how much this means with DaveC, but I haven't installed my second RAM chip yet, so I'm only working at 512 Mb today.

I also did a D-verb test, and was able to get 12 instances of that going at once.

Finally I did a more real-world recording test and recorded 32 tracks (with no plugins on while recording) for 10+ minutes with no errors. Considering that for the immediate future I'll only be recording 16 tracks at once without plugs, then adding a few here and there at mixdown, I'm thrilled beyond words.

Final caveat to my happiness: if you read yesterdays thread you know I also got the dreaded Behringer ADA8000, and I have NOT hooked it up yet. I need to buy an ADAT cable, then I'll let you know.

[Telepc]

Oh, forgot to mention--on the DaveC, I left my CPU usage at 65% for the test--I hope that was right.

[Cliffy_Boy]

stay at 85%

[Telepc]

Oh, okay, thanks!

Would that increase my DaveC numbers?

[Cliffy_Boy]

Dunno. But it will increase your CPU usage

[Keith Owens]

CLIFFY,

Dunno. But it will increase your CPU usage

.......

[Telepc]

Did a small session today--imported a stereo jam track, then recorded a few guitar solo overdubs on it.

Added some plugs, did a little automation, then... yes... bounced to disc. No problem at all.

Now, I will note that I did have one major crash at the beginning of my session. After I imported the first audio track, set two to record (mic on amp and room mic) and hit record & play, it ran for about 2 seconds, then my FW drive just shut off completely and the whole thing went dead.

No idea what caused it--seems like it was a loss of connection between the 002R and the FW drive, no doubt because I'm using the unapproved method of FW drive-into-002R. After a reboot though, everything worked fine.