TrackManager Software for ADAT and DA-88
January 18, 1996
At the 1996 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, Creative Input released their TrackManager software, a professional track sheet database for users of modular digital multitrack recorders (MDMs). The program, which operates on both Macintosh and Windows based PC computers, is designed to help organize recording sessions and save on paper work at the same time. Two versions are available: ADAT TrackManager for ADAT users, and DA-88 TrackManager for DA-88 users.
Users can view and edit 8, 16, 24, or 32 tracks at a time, and can enter for each track a name and miscellaneous comments (useful for patch names, effects used, etc.). Additionally, users can enter all the relevant data for as many songs as they wish (only limited by hard disk space) such as: song name, date, artist, client, producer, engineer, second engineer, sample rate, key signature, tempo, and tape format. A scrollable "Comments" field stores up to 64k of text. When the start and end time locations of a song are entered, TrackManager automatically indicates the total length of the song. SMPTE start time and format can also be indicated. One of the more important fields available, the "Tape Set No.", helps users batch multiple tapes recorded on different machines for the same session (Example: the user would have 3 separate tapes for 24 tracks of audio-8 tracks each; these tapes would share the same Tape Set number to indicate they go together).
TrackManager can print song lists, track sheets and VHS cassette labels (both face and spine) using Avery labels. When printing labels, the Tape Set No. is provided to help keep track of which tapes go together. Labels also indicate song name, sample rate and other useful information.
Up to 10 "locate points" can be entered and named for each song. TrackManager will calculate the "relative time" equivalents for each locate point, based on the "Locate O" position. There's also a "BPM (beats-per-minute) to mS (millisecond) converter" utility built-in, which displays standard note values in milliseconds based on a user-defined tempo. This is useful for setting delay times to create rhythmic audio effects. And context-sensitive online help is also provided, guiding the user through all features using clear and easy to understand language.
TrackManager was designed using Claris FileMaker Pro software, the leading database application for Macintosh and Windows computers. The intuitive user-interface incorporates a simple "point-and-click" design that is so easy to understand, it makes reading a manual unnecessary.
FileMaker Pro's powerful built-in search engine makes it easy and fast to look up information based on single or multiple criteria A runtime-only version of FileMaker Pro is available at extra cost for users who do not already own the commercial version of FileMaker Pro.
ADAT TrackManager and DA-88 TrackManager are available now for Macintosh and Windows at a suggested retail price of $29.00 US (requires FileMaker Pro 2.1 or higher). A runtime-only version of FileMaker is bundled with TrackManager for $59.00 US. For more information, contact Creative Input at (800)839-4678.
Creative Input is a proud member of both the ADAT Third-Party Developers Group and the Claris Solutions Alliance. |
