Jim, I downloaded the manual, it took forever. I have a slow DSL Lite connection because I'm about 3 miles from the end of the fiber optics. So when it finally downloaded, I double-clicked to open, and Adobe informed me it was corrupted and wouldn't open.

With >2,000 pages, I wouldn't attempt to print it out. The toner and paper cost would be prohibitive. So the on-line link you provided should work fine for what I need. (Thanks)

I'm still using Master Tracks Pro for MIDI and Power Tracks Pro for Audio, but PTPro has been orphaned so I feel I need something new.

I tried a demo of Cubase and it froze my computer (Cubase LE) and I downloaded Cakewalk. I won't be installing it until after the busy tourist season is over, we have plenty of gigs and we always need new songs. I can work with MTPro very fast and until the gigs slow down I need a very fast interface so I can focus on very fine music.

I thought I could look through the manual and get some head start pointers, but the on-line one should be good enough for that.

Passport, the makers of Master Tracks Pro was purchased by Microsoft many years ago to use their technology in Power Point.

MTPro and Encore were not of interest to MS so they were purchased by GVox in I think the early 2000s and GVox did nothing but introduce a few bugs.

Then one of the GVox guys bought both Encore and MTPro, changed the name back to Passport and I think had good intentions but it's been 10 years with no support.

MTPro doesn't work at its best in Win10, and I know some day it will no longer work, so I need to learn to use something else. Power Tracks has no way to manipulate the groove, so it's out, Cubase is out, and that pretty much leaves Cakewalk.

I hate to lose MTPro. Being that it's MIDI only (no audio), it means no sub-menus or sub-sub menus. Every dialog box I need is available with one click of the menu, and everything pops up fast. It has all the MIDI editing features one could ask for too. But everything has its expiration date, and MTPro has already passed its 'best used by' date.

So come the summer slow season, I'll be digging into Cakewalk.

I registered on the Cakewalk forum, and they seem to be friendly so I'm sure if I need help, I'll get it there. I foresee no problems working with the DAW, just understanding the interface and working efficiently with it.

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Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
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