Download of the Month: Internet TapeDeck

Aug 1, 2000 12:00 PM, By Roger Maycock

           
 

Internet TapeDeck from recordLab (www.recordlab.com) is a comprehensive multitrack recording application available as a free download. Designed for Windows 9.x operating systems, Internet TapeDeck is an 8-track system with support for multiple sound cards-including those with multichannel capability.

The main screen is laid out like a portable cassette multitrack recorder, with the mixer to the left and the stereo bus and effects sends/returns to the right. At the top of the screen are the File icons (New, Open, and Save), the transport keys, and a position display with indicators for punching in and out.

Collapsible mixer sections conserve onscreen real estate. The position and transport controls are movable and dockable.

You can name each of the mixer's channel strips, which include a trim pot, pan pot, fader, and 3-band EQ as well as two postfader effects sends that are capable of accommodating multiple effects chains. The channel strips also have Mute, Solo, and Arm buttons and a peak-level meter that changes color according to the track's status.

The Master section contains two effects returns, each with return enable/disable, volume, pan, and solo. The FX window lets you keep track of your effects assignments. As you might expect, you get a master stereo-bus gain fader with an associated VU meter. Output formats include WAV and Windows Media audio.

In addition to the 3-band EQ, Internet TapeDeck ships with a basic reverb developed by 3Com, recordLab's partner. Forthcoming effects include a multiband EQ, a flanger, a chorus, and an enhanced reverb. The application also accepts DirectX plug-ins.