Here are some answers to frequently asked questions. We haven't had many questions yet, so it's a pretty short list.
Why won't DeKstasy allow me to import my MP3/AIFF/WAVE/AAC file?
Currently DeKstasy only accepts stereo audio files with a 44.1 kHz sample rate. If DeKstasy is not accepting
a stereo, 44.1 audio file in MP3, AAC (a.k.a. M4A), AIFF, or WAVE format, please send us an email describing the problem.
How well does DeKstasy run on a G3 mac?
DeKstasy does much better on a G4, but if you've got a G3, DeKstasy's performance depends on your processor speed. 333 MHz
is the practical minimum. With two tracks playing, your system will be slow but usable. It should be able to play four tracks
but the user interface and any other applications will become unbearably sluggish. As your G3 processor speed increases,
performance will naturally increase. In general, whether you've got a G3 or G4, you can improve DeKstasy's responsiveness
by turning off MIDI functionality in the Preferences window (verson 1.0.1 and up), and then restarting DeKstasy.
What's a good sound card to get?
Being on a relatively tight budget here at DeKstasy HQ, we don't have too many sound cards lying around. We've had a MOTU 828
(8 ins, 8 outs, s/pdif, optical, firewire) for over a year now, and it works pretty darn well. Of course, it's a little pricey
($800 US), requires external power, and is kind of heavy and bulky -- too big to fit in a record or laptop case. There are
several USB cards that are cheaper and more portable, but since we haven't actually used any, we can't recommend anything. We
do know, from user reports, that DeKstasy has problems recognizing more than 2 outputs on the Emagic EMI 2|6, and
completely fails to recognize the Roland UA-30 USB card. If we get a hold of these cards, we can fix the problem. And we will
post any user reports received here, so if your card works with DeKstasy, or if it doesn't, and it's not listed here,
let us know.
4/10/03: EMI 2|6 Update Jamie Allen reports the following: "If you use the Audio MIDI setup program that comes with OS X 10.2.4, you can get Dekstasy to recognise an EMI 2|6 nice and easy. I do it regularly."
I've managed to drag some mp3 files to the "Import" pane and now they show up in the list with an empty white progress bar and
status of "ready." They don't show up in the "Songs" pane. What do I do now?
On the Import pane, do >Action >Analyze BPM, then >Action >Add to Library. They should now appear in the Songs pane.
How do I use a cassette deck/turntable to import music?
OK, this is not covered in the docs...
1. Connect the output of your tape deck to some audio input on your computer (possibly your mic input)
2. Go to the import pane in DeKstasy
3. Choose "Record..." under the "Actions" menu within the import pane
4. When you play the casette deck/record, you should see the levels in the "Record" window moving... if not, you need to reconfigure your audio settings in the Audio Settings window (described in the docs)
5. When you are done recording all the tracks from the tape/record, they will either appear in the import pane or on your hard disk, depending on the setting of the save/import menu in the Record window