XP and Win2000 Resources. Tascam Computer, Computer Hardware

PlugIns and other Goodies

The Web is full of DSP PlugIns, ranging from freeware to shareware to demos of high-end packages. You’ll also find hundreds of virtual instruments in VSTi and DXi formats. While many of these are of excellent sound and quality, it’s best to carefully consider before you install. Do you really need 26 different reverb PlugIns, or ten different vocoders?

Before you install that third virtual Theremin, remember that a bigger plugs folder will contribute to slowing down your system. Install what you’ll realistically use.

XP and Win2000 Resources

Stay Up to Date

If you’ve owned a computer for more than an hour you know that the world of software development moves very quickly. While you need not sink neck deep into computer geekdom, it’s a good idea to stay informed of new information, changes and updates in your OS and your audio applications. Bookmark your software manufacturers’ websites and visit them periodically. Most of the major programs also have users’ groups, where you can read and participate in current discussion with others….many times these groups are instrumental in discovering new issues and reporting them to the manufacturers.

The Internet is also a vast resource for info on the various Windows operating systems.

Aside from Microsoft’s own Knowledge Base, you can find hundreds of sites dedicated to

Windows XP and Windows 2000. Some deal specifically with tips for audio optimization, while others contain more general (but still very useful) information. Sites like XP-erience

( www.xp-erience.org

), Tweak XP ( www.tweakxp.com

) and Pure Performance

( www.pureperformance.com

) offer lots of tips on optimizing Windows for your particular needs. Websites like Tom’s Hardware ( www.tomshardware.com

) can keep you up to date on the newest components, and excellent electronic newsletters like Woody’s

Windows Watch ( www.woodyswatch.com

) provide useful and very timely info on issues facing all Windows users. And if you’ve never checked out TechTV, they offer some great programming on multimedia and audio applications. Bottom line…..a bit of effort toward keeping yourself informed can save you some hair-pulling and nerves the first time you can say “oh, yeah, I know what’s causing that….”

This article last updated 17 March 2002

Daniel Keller, TASCAM Sr. Product Specialist

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