What do you mean there are rules?

I’ve been writing music for awhile now, most of it will never see the light of day. Some comments I’ve received recently though have made me feel the necessity for this post.

First comment: “You’re music is all over the place and doesn’t follow the rules” Short answer: good. More detailed answer: I took music classes while in school so I was taught basic music theory. I understand it to some degree and could probably write by the rules if I really wanted to but, I don’t wanna!

Second comment: “I think your music sucks” My answer: That’s alright, I didn’t write it for you. My music is first and foremost written as my own personal worship of God. I enjoy it too. If somewhere along the line someone else likes it then that’s great too. It’s also a vehicle to give me the chance to share my personal testimony. When you come to see me, be prepared to dance, worship God, and find out just how messed up I used to be(and some would say I still am).

Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

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Ch ch ch changes

This blog has been through so many changes. I have used it to talk tech and talk photography, talk about the weather and about my walk with God. It has been used to talk about whatever passing fancy I may have at the time.

At one time I tried to spin off some things onto other blogs but that didn’t work out very well for me. I just couldn’t keep up with all my blogs and social media sites. I was thinking about doing it again, but then…

Nope, I’m just going to use this blog for all my different interests and try to categorize everything better so people can find what they want to make fun of easier.

Since it’s 2013 lets start it off right and lets have some fun!

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All better

Well they bandaged the server all up and so far so good. I hope you all have a merry Christmas and a joyous new year!

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Sorry if I disappear!

Sorry if my website disappears on you. My hosting company moved me to a new “improved” server and it really is horrible. Site has been down more than up. Hopefully they will get it fixed soon or I will need to find a new hosting company.

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Well, thats odd

Still haven’t finished my Christmas shopping, should be done by the 27th or so.

I have been working up some new songs, one of which I posted to m Reverb Nation account. Along with that, I’ve been working on some stuff to do live. I realized that since I can’t dance I need to do something besides just stand there and push buttons. Unfortunately all I came up with is some special sets that make me push more buttons so, yeah!

Anyway, I think between the music and my testimony I have a fairly solid live show. Here’s the kicker though, I’m not doing this to gain fans or even please myself. I am doing it all for God, if someone somewhere finds it pleasing then that’s a bonus.

I’m just here to plant seeds the only way I know how. :)

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:3 NLT)

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Time flies

I am looking at my calendar and can’t believe this year is almost over. Christmas will be here soon and I have no shopping done. I’ve spent so much time building up my music equipment and software that I haven’t had any time to so anything else.
I have no idea what anybody wants or what to get them! Can we call off Christmas?

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Review of Sony Acid Music Studio 9

I recently upgraded from Music Studio 6 to version 9. While it is prettier and it is faster, it has also been dumbed down. I purchased the upgraded version expecting more stability and more features. At least it was stable. In version 6 I was able to select and use 2 midi input devices, they have removed this ability, according to them since version 7, which made it a big disappointment to me.
I guess they just want to drive people towards their more expensive pro version, unfortunately they had to resort to this to do it.
They could have left this and I’m sure other features alone and instead amped up the pro version, which is what most software companies do.
Is this good software, yes as long as you have not purchased a version prior to 7 and gotten used to having certain features.
Would I recommend it, not to anyone who’s serious about their music.
Bottom line, if you have version 6 or older, don’t upgrade, you’ll be disappointed!

Below is the conversation I had with their “support”

Hi Jeffery,Thank you for your reply.

I have asked the Development team about this issue and they believe the decision was likely made to simplify MIDI routing for the Music Studio line. The ability to choose more than one MIDI input has not been a feature in ACID Music Studio since 7.0. Unfortunately, it was a decision made long enough ago that there are very few people who remember the exact reasoning behind it.

Again, I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this issue may have caused.

If you still have a follow-up question on this particular incident, please feel free to update it. If you have a completely different question, please create a new incident.

Sincerely,

Jacob C.
Customer Service
Sony Creative Software Inc

Thank you for allowing us to serve you! Click the following link to save 20% on your next Sony Creative Software webstore purchase:

Customer Jeffery Allen via CSS Web 11/06/2012 04:48 PM
It worked in music studio 6 so you’re telling me that the upgrade was actually a downgrade and that I spent that money to get features taken away?
Response Jacob C. via Email 11/06/2012 04:29 PM

Hi Jeffery,I apologize for the delay in response and thank you for your patience.

Unfortunately, it looks like the reason you cannot select both devices at once for MIDI input is because that is not a feature available in ACID Music Studio 9.0.

It is, however, available in ACID Pro 7.

I apologize for any confusion and inconvenience this may have caused.

If you still have a follow-up question on this particular incident, please feel free to update it. If you have a completely different question, please create a new incident.

Sincerely,

Jacob C.
Customer Service
Sony Creative Software Inc

Thank you for allowing us to serve you! Click the following link to save 20% on your next Sony Creative Software webstore purchase:

Customer Jeffery Allen via CSS Web 10/30/2012 12:07 PM
And there is where the problem lies, I am not able to check them both. If I check the nanokontrol it deselects the lpk25 keyboard!
Response Jacob C. via Email 10/30/2012 08:44 AM

Hi Jeffery,Thank you for writing back.

From the Options menu, choose Preferences, in the Make these devices available for MIDI input box, select the check box for the port where your MIDI device is connected. In your image attachment, your nanoKONTROL needs to have the Hardware Port checkbox checked.

If you still have a follow-up question on this particular incident, please feel free to update it. If you have a completely different question, please create a new incident.

Sincerely,

Jacob C.
Customer Service
Sony Creative Software Inc
www.sonycreativesoftware.com

Thank you for allowing us to serve you! Click the following link to save 20% on your next Sony Creative Software webstore purchase:

Customer Jeffery Allen via CSS Web 10/29/2012 10:48 PM
I am still unable to use both devices. I have went through all the settings that you suggested. I am using and Akai LPK25 and a Korg nanokontrol. In version 6 I was able to use the Akai for my keyboard input and the Korg to control settings like volume at the same time. Since upgrading to version 9 I am unable to select both in the midi input box, only one or the other.(see attached image) I would like to be able to use both as it greatly speeds up the recording and mixing process. thank you for your time, hope you are able to help.
Response Jacob C. via Email 10/29/2012 04:58 PM

Hi Jeffery,Thank you for contacting Sony Creative Software. I apologize for the lengthy response time to your technical support inquiry. We have been experiencing an increase in support demands from new product launches and we have fallen a bit behind on service requests. We have been working diligently to answer as many emails as possible and I hope you understand and sincerely appreciate your patience.

With regard to your issue, we’re going to assume that you have properly connected the device to the computer’s sound card or USB port.

First, go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sounds. Once here, click the Sound listing. Click to the Recording Tab in the Sound Window You should see your device is ready to record if a green check mark should appear next to it. If you don’t see the device, this might be a good indication that you need to update the driver, or check your connections. Visit the sound card manufacture’s website for updates and information about how to deploy the update.

Once all this is set, you can go into the Software and go to Options > Preferences > Audio or Audio Device. In here, make sure the correct audio device is selected.

Then, inside ACID, go to Options > Preferences > MIDI and make sure that your device shows for both MIDI input, and MIDI track playback (make sure to check the box here as well).

Once this is set go to Insert > MIDI track. Drag your MIDI track to resize it and see all of the options on the track. On the track itself you can click on the MIDI Input to select your current device. Then click the MIDI Output to select the VST or other Soft Synth that you want to use.

After setting all of these options, press the “Arm for Record” button on the MIDI track, then press the Master record button or press Control+R to start recording MIDI data.

I will go ahead and close (move to solved) the other incidents you have started as they are all about the same issue. This does not mean that we believe this issue to be resolved, but it avoids confusion and repetition of answers if we keep single issues in one email thread.

If you still have a follow-up question on this particular incident, please feel free to update it. If you have a completely different question, please create a new incident.

Sincerely,

Jacob C.
Customer Service
Sony Creative Software Inc
www.sonycreativesoftware.com

Thank you for allowing us to serve you! Click the following link to save 20% on your next Sony Creative Software webstore purchase:

Customer Jeffery Allen via CSS Web 10/25/2012 04:07 PM

By the way, this statement on your site is a lie!Thanks for submitting your question. Use this reference number for follow up:

A member of our support team will get back to you soon.

If you need to update your question, click the Your Account tab and select the question to open and update it.

Customer Jeffery Allen via CSS Web 10/25/2012 04:06 PM
Get you to answer my questions? I am having an issue with my upgrade, as you can see in my previous two questions but no one seems to want to answer. I really like the Acid product but this issue is a game changer. I hate the idea of switching software and having to learn a new system so I would very much appreciate it if someone would please answer my question!
If I do not receive a reply within the next 48 hours I will consider that as your desire to not help me which will cause me to change my initial review of your software and to stop recommending it to anyone else as I don’t want your bad reputation tarnishing mine.Thanks,
Jeff Allen
midisettings

This is the offending setting

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Making me crazy! **UPDATED**

Sometimes I just can’t win. Upgraded my software for my music and when I did it made some of my equipment not work the way it should. Have tried to get support from the maker(Sony Creative Software). Guess what, they have not answered any of my help requests. I spent my money on their software and now they treat me like crap.
So boo to Sony and their crappy tech support team.

***UPDATE: Someone from Sony finally got back to me, I’m guessing he has no clue about the software though as he keeps telling me settings to set that I have already explained to him will not allow me to set. I check one check box and the other un-checks itself. GAH. Hire some real tech people Sony!

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