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I think Don Williams may have found the task to be much more than he anticipated.
The one time I met him he said the previous owners messed up the code really badly.
I want an update to Master Tracks Pro, and he said he needs to finish Encore first. I don't know if I can wait that long. But as long as I have a pre-Windows 10 computer still running, I can sequence backing tracks for my duo on the fastest MIDI sequencer I've ever tried. Since it has no audio, nothing but MIDI, the interface is clean, there are no menu->sub-menu->sub-sub menus to wait for. And the editing tools are great.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Bob, I meant to comment on this earlier in the thread. My version of Encore runs on Windows 10 and on Windows 11.
Of course, it still crashes if you look at it funny, but as long as I don't try to move text, I can live with it.
Problem is, I cannot make a definitive statement that Encore will work for you on Windows 10 or 11. I don't recall running it as compatible with Windows 7, but it's been many years and I may be wrong. Also, not only did I beta test for decades, but I briefly tried the version of Encore developed by the 'skunks', a small and highly capable bunch of Encore users disgruntled with the lack of developemnt and leadership at the time (around 2013 to 2016). I might be running one of their modified versions. My Help, About says Copyright 2014 and the build is Encore 5.0.4.795.130
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thanks, I may try again.
Win 10 has been updated quite a few times, and is now an updated 11, so it just might work.
Gigs slow down next month, so sooner or later I'll have time (I did 22 in March and 18 so far on the calendar this month). The 'season' is just about over, so I don't think it'll last much longer.
Meanwhile, I have an old ThinkPad running Win XP that is still working fine.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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When I think of ThinkPads, I think of you. 😎
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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They are bullet proof. I just retired one I bought in 2002. It still works, but it's very slow with modern apps. The one I'm using MTPro on has IBM and Lenovo logos on it.
On stage, where there is no room for a mouse, that little eraser head pointer works much better than the glide strip.
Unless they cheapen the product, I'm a faithful customer.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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It appears that Encore 6 may actually be available in a few months. The recent news from the developer indicates he decided to start over, after trying to work with old code. (To some here, this concept will sound like a familiar discussion). A 75% demo is hoped for by Thanksgiving, and a fully-functioning program early next year. We have been given false hope before, but this time feels different.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I want an update to Master Tracks Pro Don has stated that functionality is already in Overture but I don't believe that it will open your MTP files. I don't know if he is still working on the long awaited Overture 6 that should open older MTP and Encore files. Last we spoke, he was working on both but that was awhile back.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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I still use MTPro. Why?
Great editing features.
MIDI without the burden of audio makes everything availble with a drop down menu, instead of menu→submenu→submenu
I do all my MIDI work in MTPro, because it's great and I get my work done with more hands on the instrument and less time with my hands on the computer keyboard and mouse.
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Encore 6 has been postponed again until Winter 2025. We've been waiting since 2022 and most of us are quite patient because at least in my case with many hundreds of old scores, it will be worth the wait.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Hi Matt,
Where did you get the information, that it is postponed?
It is winter (in the northern hemisphere) and it is 2025, so I think we will see Encore 6 (at least a pre-release) soon...
regards
Johannes
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Hi. The promised date has moved many times, not steadily. The next-to-last post from the developer on the Encore user forum said a working model would be available Thanksgiving 2024. The developer’s most recent post said winter 2025 (which I think qualifies as a postponement) and that’s what is on the website. For the first time in years, the expected date is still in the future.
Does that help?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Hi Matt,
Thanks!
I know, that the promised date has moved many times, but as long as Encore 5 is running fine with Windows 11, there is no hurry for me and for all Windows users (who have Encore 5.0.4.875)...
And, as long as Don is always posting some updates, we can see, that he is sill working on Encore 6.
Have a nice day!
Johannes
p.s.: Some of Don's Updates are not very clear to see in the PassportMusic forum, as Don many times just update his post from November last year (title: "thanksgiving-update")...
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Don and I are trying to work out the logistics of the release including exactly what feature set should/shouldn't be included.
I'm pushing for some functionality to be promised in a free update but not rolled out immediately in an effort to get it out the door as soon as possible so that users can look at it during the trial period.
An update to Overture 5 will follow that can open Encore 5/6 files.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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I would like a new Master Tracks Pro, and when I met Don, he told me he might do that after Encore.
I still use MTPro, but it doesn't function as well for me on Win11, so I have it on an old XP computer.
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Mike, that’s great you are involved. Your ideas sound good to me. I won’t post here anymore, since you are on the case!
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Its just about working in Windows 11 but not reliable and occasionally crashing.
Half a lifetime of work invested in Encore files.
From a dedicated Encore user - please release Encore 6 as soon as possible!
Don't let us down now!
Grateful thanks in anticipation.!
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The most recent promise for Encore 6 is this winter. We’ll see.
Encore 5 actually runs for me in Windows 11 exactly the same as it did 12 years ago (the last update) in Windows 7. Same bugginess; no better, no worse. If you don’t try to move text or boxes, you can generally get work done.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
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Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
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