Talking about CREAMWARE - Please Help !

[yaribon]

Hi

Years ago I worked with the tripleDAT 16 bit ISA card (...) and the amazing Triple 3.06 recording software.

I have thousands of hours in TDM/TDS format .


What can you guys offer me in order to bring my old material to life?

I am interested of checking some possibilities:

1. Does the old Pulsar 2 support the TripleDat software 3.06 and TDM/TDS files.

2. Could the SONIC CORE Platforms help me ? Do they support the TripleDat software 3.06 ?

3. Is there any way of getting a program that converts TDM/TDS files to WAV
not via the a Hardware card system?

4. Is there a compatible modern software just like the good old TripleDat - same look and feel and capabilities? CutMaster XP ??? Is it availble today ? Where ?

5. Is there an adapter that connects the old ISA card to a modern PCI slot ?


(I would like to stress that my old mixes consist of at least 20-30 virtual tracks so to save my backups - any alternative must support that.)


Appreciating your help and time


Yaribon

[kylie]

1. Does the old Pulsar 2 support the TripleDat software 3.06 and TDM/TDS files.

the tripledat software was originally released for the triple boards only. later they released it as standalone plugin for the scope platform (was called triple plugin in the shop), but it runs on w98 only. they even offered an update or crossgrade for people who owned a triple board before, afair.
I can't tell if there are limitations compared to the original.

then they came up with a software called triple le (or xp), which runs as standalone software on xp as well, but is limited in track count and does not go beyond 48 khz.
it was available solo once, nowadays you can still get it bundled with a home card and the osiris plugin (they call it restore bundle) at SC.
thomann offers it, still, as software only.

2. Could the SONIC CORE Platforms help me ? Do they support the TripleDat software 3.06 ?

afair not anymore. I was told some months ago that they don't currently plan to develop tripledat any further, although, anything is possible.

3. Is there any way of getting a program that converts TDM/TDS files to WAV not via the a Hardware card system?

no idea.

4. Is there a compatible modern software just like the good old TripleDat - same look and feel and capabilities? CutMaster XP ??? Is it availble today ? Where ?

the cutmaster range has left the shop, too. SC still mentions it, nevertheless, in the broadcast section of their product line. make an inquiry.

5. Is there an adapter that connects the old ISA card to a modern PCI slot ?

no. but there are still (current) boards for industrial use that have ISA slots.

-greetings, markus-

[yaribon]

Thanks Markus and Stardust for your references!

Could the SONIC CORE Platforms help me ? Do they support the TripleDat software 3.06 ?

afraid not anymore. I was told some months ago that they don't currently plan to develop tripledat any further, although, anything is possible.

I understand from this following page that the SONIC CORE PLATFORM does support the TripleDat:
http://www.sonic-core.net/en/products/dsp6.html

and I quote "high-speed drivers for ASIO 2.0, DirectSound, MME, tripleDAT, GSIF, Sound Manager, OMS"

and again "Optional SONIC CORE plug-ins and software for 6 DSP/Project ...TripleDat Schnittsoftware, Measurment Tools...."

Did I get something wrong ???



One more question to get things clear:
Are you guys possitive that the TripleDat 3.06 runs on a Pulsar but not with XP (only w98) ??

Thanks so much!

[garyb]

yes. positive.

there is cutmaster, which is similar, but i'd use Cubase or Sonar or Samplitude or Reaper myself.

[astroman]

his point is

...I have thousands of hours in TDM/TDS format .
What can you guys offer me in order to bring my old material to life? ...

while the raw (Triple) recording format is somewhat similiar to .wav files, edited sessions are probably completely different as it's EDL based processing.

Imho you can only export the tracks by the TripleDat application (reading the cut-list)
in fact you can do this with the help of a Scope system into any Asio based recording application
I assume you still have that Triple board...
so get an Intel BX based mobo from eBay or wherever (just a few bucks if at all) which has PCI and ISA slots
install Win98 and TripleDat with the TripleBoard
plug in the DSP board and install Scope
download the Triple DSP plugin (or pick it from one of the universal install CDs/images)
you do not need a license key for the plugin as it will use the TripleBoard as a Dongle(!)

Scope will communicate with Triple via DDE, the plugin does nothing but transfer (upto) 16 channels of Triple into Scope. It does not contain any editing/recording facilities.
Now you can route those channels to (say) Asio Destinations and record with (say) Reaper
of course this will be a realtime process... but it requires very humble hardware resources

you might as well go the other way round and let Triple render each single track in .wav format, so you can import them into a 'modern' recording app.
in this case you'd rather want a powerful CPU and I'd suggest a Supermicro mobo with ISA slot and a 3GHZ P4 (or similiar)
(at least I only know of a socket 478 based one)

as you can see, your data isn't lost - but it's slightly inconvenient to move it into post-Win98-world
on the other hand - if you're familiar with Triple... why not stick with it under Win98 ?
it integrates fairly well with Scope, though it seems kind of bitchy the more 'modern' the hardware is.

cheers, Tom

[kylie]

I understand from this following page that the SONIC CORE PLATFORM does support the TripleDat:
http://www.sonic-core.net/en/products/dsp6.html

and again "Optional SONIC CORE plug-ins and software for 6 DSP/Project ...TripleDat Schnittsoftware, Measurment Tools...."

both pieces of software were available in the "old" yellowish CW shop. when SC set up their new shop pages, they disappeared.
they may tell you the software is optional, but at this time you just can't buy either the old 3.x or the LE version in the SC shop.
you CAN buy Triple LE at thomann (well, it's listed, so I assume that).
you can also buy the restore bundle at thomann and SC as well, which includes Triple LE.
but remember, it is a lite version, which may not fit your needs.

One more question to get things clear:
Are you guys possitive that the TripleDat 3.06 runs on a Pulsar but not with XP (only w98) ??

absolutely. I have both the 3.x plugin and Triple LE. both are standalone software not to be loaded while sfp is running. tripledat 3.x doesn't even install on win2k and up.
I have abandoned W98 meanwhile, so I didn't run it for years.

-greetings, markus-

[yaribon]

Thanks Tom and Markus!

download the Triple DSP plugin (or pick it from one of the universal install CDs/images)

Can you explain what you mean about the "universal install CDs/images"?
Where do I find these and what do I find there . . .

The realtime process you described sounds logical but . . . it's real(long)time . . .
I'd prefare your second suggestion.

I would like to sum up and check If I understood my possibilities:

1. "Modernize" my triple station and carry on from there.
To do so - Tom mentioned a Mobo with ISA slot.
Markus said that theyr'e some new Mobo's with ISA slots manufactured for industrial purposes.
If I get a new computer with one of these ISA mobo's + TripleBoard + software 3.06 + Win 98 : Is there any reason why this configaration shouldn't work ?

2. Alternatively, get a new computer stick Pulsar 2 Card in a PCI slot + Win 98 + Triple 3.06 original software (not the newer plugin):
is there any reason why this configaration shouldn't work ?

Is there anything better in using the newer plugin whitch I don't currently have?


I admire your knowledge guys. Thanks you all so much for your help!!!!

[kylie]

download the Triple DSP plugin (or pick it from one of the universal install CDs/images)

well, download the triple dat or the plugin from ftp://ftp.creamware.de/software/previous%20Versions/

you'll find both versions there (for ISA and the pulsar plugin). it's 4-6MB in size...

1. "Modernize" my triple station and carry on from there.
To do so - Tom mentioned a Mobo with ISA slot.
Markus said that theyr'e some new Mobo's with ISA slots manufactured for industrial purposes.
If I get a new computer with one of these ISA mobo's + TripleBoard + software 3.06 + Win 98 : Is there any reason why this configaration shouldn't work ?

it's difficult to say if you'll get win98 drivers for all that new (onboard) components and gfx card and...

2. Alternatively, get a new computer stick Pulsar 2 Card in a PCI slot + Win 98 + Triple 3.06 original software (not the newer plugin):
is there any reason why this configaration shouldn't work ?

Is there anything better in using the newer plugin whitch I don't currently have?

to make that clear: the old tripledat 3.06 software for triple boards (ISA) does not work (afair) with pulsar cards. that's why the triple plugin (afair the same version 3.0x) was released. but probably the keys from your old tripledat don't work here, and that's why there was a crossgrade once in the shop for previous owners of triple boards. others had to pay more. unless you have valid keys for the triple plugin (not xp/le) you most probably won't be able to run it. I can't tell if SC still issues keys for the triple plugin to users of the old triple boards. it's not in the shop, so one could assume no, but maybe it's worth asking them.

but still you may have a problem getting drivers for win98 for your "new" computer. perhaps you'll better buy a refurbished system from the good old days where win98 drivers were around, just to convert your old recordings, with your old triple board..?!

-greetings, markus-

[astroman]

to comprehend this a little further...
to run TripleDat at all, you'll have to stick with Win 98
the only ('modern') mobos with Win98 support are socket 478 based, i.e. a Pentium 4 is the most you may plug in
any DualCore etc requires at least Win2K, under which Triple will not run - so you can forget about all those

considering the fact that a Pentium 4 is a pretty lame beast compared to it's predecessors, in particular the Tualatin, you won't gain much anyway by the P4's higher clockrate.
So a 'classic' socket 370 based Tualatin board looks like the 'optimal' solution under such restrictions.

As I have to reconfigure my system anyway (back to the ASUS TUSL2c with a P3 Tualatin at 1.2G), I can make a benchmark about how long it takes to render an idividual track to disk.
Triple is fairly slow when encoding into mp3, but as this isn't required in this case, there might be an advantage over realtime playback. On the other hand if you have to repeat that process 16 times (max number of tracks a project can have), I'm not entirely sure it really will be faster...

cheers, Tom

[krizrox]

I think Marcus is right. You might want to simply buy an old refurb PC that was Win98/ME capable and run your 3DAT on that. Probably the cheapest solution in the long run.

My studio started out with 3DAT. Good times. Good times The first DAW I ever owned.

[Franky]

[...I have thousands of hours in TDM/TDS format .
What can you guys offer me in order to bring my old material to life? ..]

Hi there!

There has definetely been a small piece of software for transforming TDM./TDS into .WAV (and maybe other formats) in the 90ties. I`d have it somewhere...

Was nice and easy, though with SW-key. If still searching, gimme feedback. We`ll handle that.

Best

[yaribon]

Dear Franky,

I've come up in the meantime with some possibile sollutions with the help of the the great guys here and Sonic-Core.

But . . .
This transforming software you have - is exactly what I've been lookin' for - for years.

You're an angel man !

Waiting to see this piece of magic.

Yaribon

[kylie]

I've come up in the meantime with some possibile sollutions with the help of the the great guys here and Sonic-Core.

would be interesting to know. just for the reference, in case this question pops up again, somewhere in the future.

This transforming software you have - is exactly what I've been lookin' for - for years.

dito.

-greetings, markus-

[Franky]

Wow, You´re fast in hunting old 3Dat-fellers!!!

As I said before: It has to be somewhere. But, "somewhere" is a larger area than my desk.
I`ll do my best and convince u that it really exists.
I even sold it a couple of times when I was a smaller CW-dealer long time ago.

I just ordered the 3Dat PlugIn version/ Key for SFP/ SCOPE before they quit supporting...
Huh...seems to fade...

Need to get away from my old machines some time in the future, I think.
We all share the same probs.

Still, I nearly make my living out of this great WYSIWIG-program, producing special word and e-learning contents with excessive amounts of pieces and cutting.

I own Tdat16, Triple Board2, EasyCut XP, Pulsars and A16.
For me still a "must have".

Afaik the PlugIn version is the same as the original besides the CD-burning-option.
You are not able to burn right away from the arranger.
If You use it for music/ vocal production surely a bigger effort working inside the SFP after all.
But, I´m only relying on the manual. Time will tell.

I`ll be back soon.

Greetz
Frank

[yaribon]

would be interesting to know. just for the reference, in case this question pops up again, somewhere in the future.

Sure thing Markus.
I planed doing it off course - just so busy lately.
I'll gather up the information and drop it all down here in a short time.

Thanks to you all again
Yaribon

[kylie]

great. thanks for your efforts.

-greetings, markus-

[Franky]

One should read thoroughly before hitting the knob. effort: off, advantage: on

Frank

[kylie]

One should read thoroughly before hitting the knob. effort: off, advantage: on

I already started wondering what I did wrong by thanking for you efforts (because sooner or later something like this happens to all non-native speakers), but then, it wasn't even me...

[next to nothing]

http://www.extranslator.com/

Only a partial solution, but this one claims to import Creamware .tds files (feature added Nov. 07 )
Demo is available, and the software is cheap.

I dont know tdat details, but if tdS is stereo and tdM is mono, i guess you could email the developer to add tdm support as i cant see it being too much trouble.

Good luck, please post your findings if you try this method.

[yaribon]

Summing up the issue for the sake of those stuck just like I was . . .

• 1. Read suggestions offered above. It's great for backround, ideas, configurations and fill-up.

• 2. Using Triple Board. Get an ISA slot motherboard (used today for industrial purpuses), install Win98 and tell us if it works... There will most probably be problems with the drivers for the new components, so the older the machine - the better chances you have. Good luck.

• 3.The TripleDAT plugin is available at Sonic-core for 98 Euro.
  Works only with Win 98.
  Works on any of the Creamware and probably SC boards.
  Identical to the classic Triple (256 tracks, burning from arranger) and includes the Osiris (not Osiris XP).
  Here again, there may be a problem getting win98 drivers for your modern computer.
  Better off getting an older refurbished system. See recommended configurations above.

• 4. For those who want to revive material (tdm/tds/arg files) or work on a software which has the TripleDAT general feel on an XP system - here's what you're lookin' for.
  Most of these following products don't appear on the Online Sonic-core shop but even so they are available for purchase.
  
  a. CUTmaster XP: 3 DSP board (990 euro); CUTmaster pro 32: 6 DSP board (1,540 euro); CUTmaster XXL: 14 DSP board (2,092 euro);
  Limited to 24 Multi-Tracks only. When loading old arrangements, all those tracks from track 25 onwards will be neglected.
  
  b. Scope REstore (focussed on Denoising.with Osiris XP): 3 DSP board (670 euro).
  Includes the Triple LE (named also Triple XP): Limited to 8 Multi-Tracks only. When loading old arrangements, all those tracks from track 9 onwards will be neglected.
  
  c. Scope FX (for mastering): 6 DSP board. (670 euro).
  Includes the Triple LE (see above)
  
  All of these systems:
• have a completely different effect section/handling than the classic Triple (so what! We Tdat adicts have to advance sometime, don't we. . .).
• Burning with NERO.
  
  There is a possibility for purchasing plugins only, without the boards.
  CUTmaster XXL (798 euro), Scope REstore (598 euro), Scope FX (598 euro), Triple LE (150 euro), Osiris XP (515 euro).
  These Plugins support even the old Creamware boards (Pulsar ect.) and Win98.
  
  If anyone is interested in the specifications of these systems/plugins make contact and I'll send information via mail.
  
  For any more information, contact the Sonic-Core Dealers Ralph or Brigit

• 5. For those who love the Triple ergonomics, look, operation and burning - there is a very similiar software for WIn XP named Trackcaster.
  http://www.drenkelfort.com/en/products/trackcaster.html
  
  Checked it out. Nice. Cost starting from 385 EURO.
  They claim the software reads tds/tdm files and Triple arrangers. Tried that out - but it didn't work. The manager, Holger - very friendly guy - promised that his programmers will check it out. Still hasn't got back to me.

• 6. Fresh news:
  For those who are stuck with tdm/tds files but don't really have any special sentiments towards the old TripleDat and do not want to deal with it no more...
  
  a. Frank is trying to find "somewhere" a little piece of software that converts these files to wav. I hope he finds it before you guys read this.
  
  b. Likewise, "next to nothing" offered a link to a software that converts multiple formats (80-120 euro).
  http://www.extranslator.com/
  The Demo version identified and converted only tds (stereo) files but not the tdm (mono) ones. I sent a mail on that matter. The problem can be solved via Sound Forge and Wavelab "raw file import". If interested I'll send more information via mail.

Hope that helps.
Your'e free to ask questions. They might bring up more information.

Yaribon.