KVR Audio

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:50 am

Oh, thanks Rob. I didn't know where this would fit in.

Maybe more people will test things with the sticky!

Brent

spacefox · Post by **spacefox** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:51 am

pHz wrote:had a quick trawl through the registry and couldnt find anything referring to tracktion that looked hugely important (im no registry expert though so take that with a pinch of salt) ...

... only thing that springs to mind is how tracktion will deal with registration (machine IDs and all that) if running from a removable drive ??? ... maybe thats something it writes to the registry ???

slainte rob

While T might be installed on a removable drive, it wouldn't be portable for the reason you mention: C/R protection scheme. Regardless of where it writes that info, it will have to be enabled to every computer you work at - so what is the point?
To be flash disk friendly, the app must have a simple protection scheme that isn't locked to any hardware. Unless it locks the app to this specific drive (a mix of C/R and a dongle - but without the hassle) it just wouldn't work. I expect this method to make an appearance, but only after drive are a bit faster.

Also - T writes to the Application Data folder and is not self contained.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:57 am

That's all very possible. I'm just trying it for the sake of trying it. I don't have any rights on this computer, and I was able to edit things and apply plugs and such. But again, it's just the demo version.

I wonder if this is the only external computer I would be working on, if the registration would work? Well, ONLY if that isn't written to the registry. But as Rob said, I fear that it will.

I'll have to check my T2 installation at home and do a total search to see where all the related files are. Is there any utility out there that keeps a log of all files accessed on the computer? Maybe I could run through a session in T2 and then look at some log.

If nothing else, maybe this will help devs to consider this option, as mobility is a very cool feature. I personally love working with EXT and Phrazor here at work.

Since this is a sticky, I will work on an updated first post with more information for each app, and more organized. Maybe tomorrow night at work.

Brent

spacefox · Post by **spacefox** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:00 am

aMUSEd wrote:This site specialises in adapting apps to run from USB without needing to write to your HD or registry:

http://portableapps.com/

maybe if you contact them they could help in adapting music apps too?

John T. Haller (the guy behind portableapps.com) does open source software. The apps probably contain changes in the original code and are certainly re-distributed with the launcher.

I guess one could make a launcher to make certain apps more portable. Like one that copies and deletes files and registry entries each time you launch/ exit. This won't help if you don't have admin right on the computer, but might be sufficient otherwise.
Also, such launcher can edit the VST plugins path (and other paths) at the launch, and make them relative to where the app is so we could use relative file paths. This assuming the path are stored in an accessible form, like an .ini file.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:05 am

Too bad there isn't a way to force a drive letter for a portable drive. Maybe there is and I don't know about it. Then it wouldn't have to be relative.

However, with apps like EXT, just as somebody else said, it doesn't scan and you can use search if you want.

So to define TRUE portability, you have to be able to fully use the software(not demo, as registration must work also), be allowed without admin rights when possible, and be able to select different drivers if needed. Do these sound like good guidelines?

Brent

spacefox · Post by **spacefox** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:05 am

koolkeys wrote:That's all very possible. I'm just trying it for the sake of trying it. I don't have any rights on this computer, and I was able to edit things and apply plugs and such. But again, it's just the demo version.

I wonder if this is the only external computer I would be working on, if the registration would work? Well, ONLY if that isn't written to the registry. But as Rob said, I fear that it will.

I'll have to check my T2 installation at home and do a total search to see where all the related files are. Is there any utility out there that keeps a log of all files accessed on the computer? Maybe I could run through a session in T2 and then look at some log.

If nothing else, maybe this will help devs to consider this option, as mobility is a very cool feature. I personally love working with EXT and Phrazor here at work.

Since this is a sticky, I will work on an updated first post with more information for each app, and more organized. Maybe tomorrow night at work.

Brent

I don't think T write anything to the registry. This is very cross-platform friendly way of doing things. AFAIK the application data folder is where the preferences are stored.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:14 am

Well, inside the install directory, there is a file called "CurrentUserSettings.trksettings". That sounds like the settings.

I don't know where the Application Data directory is here. Actually at home I don't have on either, even though apparently some programs use it. I have set it to view all files and folders, and done extensive searches. I can't find that folder!

But anyways, it looks like Tracktion doesn't use it. So maybe the registration is the only thing that is unknown? Maybe I'm missing something(probably).

Brent

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:15 am

Oh, and it wouldn't let me install Rewire. So that would be a limitation that some people couldn't use without administrator rights. But with them, it would have been installed.

Brent

snooty30 · Post by **snooty30** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:18 am

CMuzys works for me on a portable drive. I presume Muzys would as well.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:25 am

Fully workable? Was there anything special you had to do? Just making sure so I can note it when I add it.

If you have a chance, try installing it directly to a drive, or even with a user profile that doesn't have admin rights. That would be helpful if possible. If not, don't worry about it.

Thanks for letting me know!

Brent

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:28 am

koolkeys wrote:Too bad there isn't a way to force a drive letter for a portable drive. Maybe there is and I don't know about it. Then it wouldn't have to be relative.

However, with apps like EXT, just as somebody else said, it doesn't scan and you can use search if you want.

So to define TRUE portability, you have to be able to fully use the software(not demo, as registration must work also), be allowed without admin rights when possible, and be able to select different drivers if needed. Do these sound like good guidelines?

Brent

It should also not write personal data or settings to the host computer - temporary files like audio files (that may be too large for the USB drive) are OK but you should have control over where these are created.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:40 am

I think that is a good guideline. The goal is to be able to take your "studio" with you, and not alter the host computer in an unneeded way.

By the way, I just tested Wavosaur and it works perfect.

Wavepad requires Admin rights to be installed. So I will try installing it at home and transferring it. I also want to test Audacity, as it's pretty popular.

I'm trying to get a range of apps, and plenty of options in each category. This is actually fun, and gives me something to do at work when I'm bored! I should be busy here at the radio station, but I cheat and automate everything on these kinds of shifts, and then I can relax for a while!

Brent

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:42 am

Audacity works fine for me too.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:44 am

Hey! I was just getting ready to check that one! But there is even a download for those that are on restricted computers, so I was getting confident.

I'll add the updates now. Thanks for testing!

Brent

pHz · Post by **pHz** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:50 am

T2 again ... might run on a removable drive but ISNT portable ...

... to confirm what spacefox said in practical terms (i borked my T2 setup to test this BTW ... oh the sacrifice !!! ) it doesnt write registration details to the registry but DOES store them (using a file called 'settings') in the application data folder under documents and settings (even if you define a different temp folder PRIOR to unlocking) so presumably wont authorise without the right permissions ...

(testing further)

... yeah ... even if installed to a removable drive T2 looks to the 'host' PCs documents and settings directory for registration details ... absolute path rather than relative ...

... now to restore my T2 to its former glory ...

slainte

rob

List of apps that can run from a flash drive