• Streaming audio recorder work just fine on Windows 7 and not required special Stereo Mix feature.
• Midi to Mp3 converter lets you edit MIDI files in wave editor
• Music key changer can adjust the pitch and tempo of audio files.
• Bpm calculator is an automatic beats per minute counter for MP3 and WAV files.

These days, nearly every organization uses computers, printers, fax machines, and other assets. In most organizations, the IT department (the department in charge of the organization’s computers and information processing) handles the assets.

The IT department must keep track of these machines. The IT department should know, for example:

• What software is installed on which computers.
• The license expiration dates for the software.
• All software available to the organization.
• How much paper is left in each printer.
• The hardware installed on each computer.
• A list of software/hardware suppliers.
• Each asset’s owner and users.
• Each asset’s physical location.
• Warranty expiration dates.
• Last maintenance dates.
• Any other information necessary for the organization.

If an organization owns only several assets, the IT department would be able to keep easy track of them. What about organization that own thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of assets?

To manage all this information, IT departments in large organization use asset management software. Good asset management software scans an organization’s network, providing IT the information it needs. IT managers can see information such as listed above without leaving their offices.

How Does Asset Management Software Work?

In large organizations, effective asset management software must retrieve assets’ information automatically. Simply listing data in a spreadsheet is insufficient. One cannot expect IT to manually list all assets, the assets’ details, and changes the assets go through.

Therefore, asset management software should do the following:

• Automatically detect assets on the organization’s internal network.
• Regularly scan the network for asset changes (such as changes in hardware and software).
• Provide whatever information IT managers require.
• Be able to answer specific queries, such as “How many assets are using Windows XP?”.

Some asset management software also allows IT to remote control assets. Thus, from his or her office, an IT manager can control a PC anywhere on the network. This can allow him or her to solve problems from afar.

Good asset management software is also effective, quick to set up and install, and easy to use.

Source: http://www.ilient.com/

Help Desk Software

“Help desk” refers to an organization’s system of dealing with service requests and error reports.

In small organizations, IT managers may simply receive phone calls about errors. In larger organizations, where errors are frequent, this becomes inefficient. For maximum efficiency, IT managers need to address problems based on priority, not whenever somebody calls.

Help desk software helps IT manage, sort, and deal with service requests using the most efficient methodology, resulting in lower overhead and higher end user satisfaction.

Internal Help Desk

In some organizations, IT managers will offer support for outside costumers. In others, IT provides support only to employees. Internal help desk serves only the organization itself.

Often, when using internal help desk, employees can submit service requests by logging into help desk software on their computers.

Life-Cycle of a Service Request

When a user needs help, he or she can submit a “service request” to the IT department, requesting assistance. A service request will go through various phases. As an example, we bring a possible life-cycle of a service request. Different cycles are possible, depending on the methodology used.

Phase 1: The user submits a service request. Often, the end user will be able to fill out various fields, such as urgency, category, description, and more.

The user submits a service request. Often, the end user will be able to fill out various fields, such as urgency, category, description, and more.Phase 2:The service request enters the system (often by entering a database in the organization’s network).

The service request enters the system (often by entering a database in the organization’s network).Phase 3:Rules are applied to the service request. Examples of rules:

Rules are applied to the service request. Examples of rules:If the request is from the accounting department, it automatically receives a priority of “low”.

If the request’s category is “hardware”, the due date should be a week from now.

If the priority is “highest”, the system should automatically email the CEO and SMS the IT administrators.

Phase 4:

The request is routed to the proper administrator. There are different ways to achieve this. Some help desk software offers rules to determine which administrator should achieve the request. For example, if a service request’s category is “network”, it can be automatically routed to the organization’s network expert. Alternatively, all service requests could be routed to an initial administrator or team. This first-level support can then reroute service requests as necessary.

Phase 5:

The proper administrator receives the request. He solves the end user’s problem or provides the support required.

Phase 6:

The administrator closes the service request.

Choose a Methodology

Before choosing which help desk software to use, choose a proper methodology. Different help desk applications offer different features. By knowing how you’ll work, you’ll know which software to use. Answering the following questions will help you decide.

Does your help desk offer internal support, costumer support, or both?

If you are only interested in internal help desk, you should use software especially designed for that purpose. Such software will often register users, so that administrators can view their details. It might also install software on end users’ computers, enabling them to easily submit service requests.

Should anyone be able to submit service requests, or only registered users?

By registering users, administrators can view their details.

Will end users submit service requests only from their offices, or also from trips/home/elsewhere?

If end users should be able to submit service requests from anywhere, web-based help desk software is a good idea. Such software often enables end users to log into the system over the internet, using a standard web browser.

If using web based software, do you want a hosted version, or an installed version?

Some web-based applications offer hosted versions. They will provide the server and database. The clients can log in using a browser.

Other organizations will prefer using their own server on their network, and using their own database to keep track of service requests.

When searching for help desk software, check if it offers an installed solution or a hosted solution.

What features do you require?

Help desk software can offer many features. Decide what features you need, and seek software the offers these features. Examples are:

Extensive communication abilities.

An easy way for end users to submit service requests.

The ability to list, sort, and search through submitted service requests.

Various information on each service request, such as due date, priority, location, category, and more.

Reporting capabilities on the state of the help desk.

A knowledgebase of important service requests.

Escalation rules.

Various rules for automatically establishing a service request’s priority, due date, responsible administrator, and more.

The ability to remote control a user’s computer, so that IT can fix the problem from afar. This option is usually found only in internal help desk.

Integrating Internal Help Desk

Good help desk software should be easy and quick to integrate.

First (if using an in-house solution), the help desk software will be installed on a server in the organization’s network. Some organizations will already be running databases, which the help desk software might connect to. Other organizations might use built-in databases provided by the software.

How to install the software widely varies between products.

Next, IT managers can manually register end users, or end users can register themselves. As a faster alternative, some help desk software connects to the LDAP/Active Directory, retrieves information about the organization’s users, and automatically registers them.

Some help desk software installs software on end users’ computers, which lets the users submit service requests using standard forms. In large organizations, it is unrealistic to expect each employee to install the software. Thus, an automatic deployment tool can be run from the server, which will scan the network and install the end user interface on each computer.

Using Help Desk

End users can now submit service requests. These requests will enter a database, and using their help desk software, IT managers can view them. Managers can now sort through requests, search for particular requests, and solve requests based on their priority, due date, or other parameters. The help desk becomes more efficient.

Source: http://www.ilient.com/

TRADITIONAL HELP DESK TOPOLOGY

• Traditionally calls are received by a helpdesk and passed through various support levels until resolved. Often referred to as first, second and third line support.
• This may require escalations to managers to ensure that Service Levels are achieved against customer expectations.
• Calls are received and logged. A ticket number is issued to uniquely identify the support log.
• The call is assigned to the appropriate person or team for resolution.
• During the life of a call there may be a number of actions required that need to be logged for example;
  • Attachments of further information, screen shots showing the problem, related documentation etc
  • A series of events often need to be managed –such as ringing back, sending email updates, obtaining more information, escalating, writing notes, arranging visits to resolve the issue.
  • Record of the resolutions and a knowledge base search to help resolve similar issues in the future.

THE ADVENT OF SOFTWARE

• Support services that rely on the personal touch alone can not guarantee or report on any service levels. Any records will be incomplete and cannot be relied upon.
• Support staff will be interrupted through out the day with support requests – this is stressful and an inefficient use of resources.
• Each requestor will expect immediate response as there is no evidence of the volume or severity of other outstanding support requests
• A formal helpdesk application allows the support department to record, track and resolve support requests in a controlled environment
• An Internet based helpdesk provides the mechanism to enhance the e-trade business process and provide after sales support and the opportunity to communicate with or promote directly to existing customers.
• Software allows the recording and association of the individual actions involved in the support process.
• Provides a knowledge base of past calls and their resolutions to assist with the support process going forward.
• An audit trail may be kept so that all actions are visibly documented. Some of these may be automated by the system.
• Helps identify trends or major issues for ongoing improvement of products and services.
• Without a formal logging system that contains all support requests it is hard for a manger to justify his departments costs or request additional resources.

Source: http://www.help-desk-world.com/

1. Buy now?
2. Registration Screen on ‘Start-Up’.
3. No ‘Help’ files.
4. It’s a beta version, and all other apps on the site are shareware.
5. The PayPal banner takes up half the header on the page.
6. Favored freeware that does one thing very well and then quickly evolves
WAY beyond the scope of its original design.
7. It’s a professional-looking site. There’s only one app on the web site.
Let’s call it app “XYZ”. The author is “XYZ Software”. The web site is
www.XYZ.com.
8. It’s a professional looking site, but there’s no information about the
company/author(s).
9. The splash screen says “You have 30 free days remaining before you need
to upgrade the software” or “this version expires on mm/dd/yy”. (RegCool and
Microsoft Antispyware are both freeware, but their versions expire after a
time, so you have to download new ones. They are not shareware or trialware,
just freeware that expires, or expireware.)
10. The app is keyed registerware => total control of distribution => no
*usable* last freeware versions can be downloaded once the switch is made. .
.  I think that a *really* good indicator.
11. The web site says “This version is free for a limited time”. It may be
expireware, or if no expiration is built-into the program, the author may
only be making it available as freeware for, say, 1 month. Then he will
start charging for it, and you won’t be able to download it again unless you
buy the program or pay for a premium membership.
12. Free to download.
13. Free to try.
14. Free for personal or noncommercial use.
15. Addons, Upgrades, and/or Technical Support are only available to
registered users.
16. Each new free version has fewer and fewer features, and one day they
decide to do away with the free version completely (Everest Home Edition).
17. The web site clearly states “What new features would you like to see in
the next version of XYZ program?”, and there is a link underneath to a web
page or email address where you can submit your comments.

BATTS
Open source help desk software, designed for use from a Linux/Unix command line. Includes a full featured email interface for customers.

BugTracker.NET
BugTracker.NET is an open source, web based bug or issue tracker written using ASP.NET, C#, and Microsoft SQL Server/MSDE. Includes a screen capture utility that allows you to capture a screenshot, annotate it, and post it, with just a few clicks.

Bugzilla
A Perl based software bug tracking system which can also be used for help desk support. Used by the Mozilla Foundation, creators of FireFox.

DITrack
Software bug and ticket system designed to use Subversion as it’s backend database. Currently there is only a command line interface.

Double Choco Latte
A GNU Enterprise package that handles both call tracking and project management. It can be displayed inside of a phpGroupWare installation or be used stand-alone.

Eventum
An open source help desk software package from the creators of the MySQL database. PHP based and of course uses MySQL for it’s database.

Help Desk Lite
Very simple help desk software package for basic issue tracking. It provides two major functions, service ticket tracking and operator assignment.

Help Desk Reloaded
A PHP based help desk software system. Key features include trouble ticket prioritization, multiple customer support technicians, and search.

Helpdesk Issue Manager
Open source helpdesk software tool. Runs on PHP and PostgreSQL.

IssueTrackerProduct
Zope issue tracker which also handles software bugs. The primary focus is on email communication and request tracking and management.

itracker
Java based open source help desk application with an emphasis on modularity. It’s also provides i18n support.

JTrac
A Java based open source issue tracking system.

Liberum Help Desk
Web based help desk software package written in ASP and VBScript. Microsoft SQL Server or Access is required. Automatic case routing, email updates, and reporting.

MailManager
Email management software optimized for handling large volumes of support email.

Mantis
A PHP software bug tracking and issue tracking system.

One or Zero
Open source help desk software package optimized for task oriented help desks.

OpenHelpDesk
The purpose of the “openhelpdesk” project is, to provide an IT helpdesk solution. IT inventory can be tracked, and problems/requests from users can be managed. OpenHelpdesk features Voice, Video and “Powerfully Simple” searching.

OpenPsa
A full project system where the help desk component is just one aspect. Automatically integrates with Midgard CMS.

OS Ticket
OS Ticket is a lightweight ticking system designed to be easy to setup and use. It’s written mostly in PHP.

OTRS
A trouble ticket system to track telephone calls and e-mails. Designed to allow your support, sales, pre-sales, billing, internal IT, and helpdesk to operate in one system. OTRS is open sourced under the GPL and is written in Perl.

phpBugTracker
A web-based software bug tracker. The design focuses on separating the presentation, application, and database layers making customization easier.

Request Tracker
RT is an open source ticket tracking tool. It’s primary interface is email with a web back end for administrators. RT has been under development since 1996.

Roundup
A simple issue tracking system with command line, web and email interfaces. Also includes many other modules such as todo lists and sales lead tracking.

Savane
Savane is a Web-based Libre Software hosting system. It includes issue tracking, project member management by roles and individual account maintenance. The issue tracking handles bugs, tasks, support, news and documentation management.

Sinergia
Sinergia is a open source framework for creating customized help desk applications written in C# .NET 3.0. It provides a base on which you can develop your own web based help desk solution.

Subissue
Uses the Subversion version control system to store issues within your software code repository. Uses the subversion client, but a web based interface is in progress.

SugarCRM Open Source
The open source version of it’s commercial counterpart. Mostly a CRM system, but it can also handle light help desk duties.

Trac
Minimalistic web based project management and bug tracking tool. Trac also includes wiki functionality. Written in Python.

Trouble Ticket Express
Web based CGI help desk system. Both MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server supported.

ZenTrack
Zentrack is a help desk, bug tracking, and project management system.

ZwikiTracker
Every ticket in this system is a wiki page. Must integrate with a Zwiki to function.

Compiled By http://www.opensourcehelpdesklist.com/

Vista’s installation process does not use an ‘installer’ and the install DVD is actually a preinstalled copy of Windows that simply gets decompressed onto a PC. Pritchard said that the DVDs installs a Windows Imaging (.WIM) file, which is basically the operating system folders wrapped up in an image file.

While users might think they are doing an install, what they are actually doing is grabbing the install.wim and executing that as an upgrade or clean install. Pritchard admitted that this meant that there was a bigger risk for malware to be injected into pirated Vista install DVDs.

The only way around this is to not have pirated DVDs and to know where you got your disk from, he said.

The pirates could easily have installed malware into the install files of Windows XP, but they didn’t. µ

L’INQ
APC Magazine

So, for all your fashion slave needs, look to Apple in January. If you want something that you will not be mocked for by people who did not drop out of art school, get one of these.

By theinquirer

(Specially written for Lumières Dans La Nuit and for Flying Saucer Review.) (Translated from author’s original text by Gordon Creighton.)

[Literally within less than a week after I had jotted down my revised thoughts on Roswell and Colonel Philip Corso (see Editorial), I was amazed to receive the following astonishing document from FSR's old friend and ally, Dr. Pierre Guérin, one of France's most distinguished astronomers, for many years actively engaged at the Pic du Midi Observatory in the Pyrenees and at the famous Institut d' Astrophysique de Paris. In view of his eminence in his profession and his great knowledge and experience, I would suggest that we take very careful note of what Dr. Guérin now has to say. Dr. Guérin tells me that the article is appearing not only in Lumières Dans La Nuit, but also on the French Internet, and he has expressed the hope that FSR may be able to get my translation of it onto the English-language Internet too. G.C.]

As we all know, “Area 51″ (otherwise called Groom Lake, in Nevada) is the most famous of the ultra-secret military bases of the United States.

Its existence is not officially recognized. The security perimeter around it has recently again been enlarged with a view to discouraging the efforts of curiosity-seekers equipped with binoculars or super-telescopic lenses who might be hoping to see UFOs flying there.

And in fact eyewitnesses have indeed, at night, seen strange luminous and silent craft flying there and executing trajectories that could not be the trajectories of aeroplanes.

We know of several cases of people who have apparently been subjected to brainwashing before they could go out from Groom Lake. In particular we will cite the cases of an RAF pilot who was in Nevada for training, and who inadvertently landed on the Groom Lake Base, and of an electrical engineer (Bob Lazar) who had been engaged to work there temporarily in secret Air Force hangars situated in the same zone.

Lazar, conscious of the absurdity of certain recollections that he had retained from his time there, stated that he had been ordered to work on repairing a UFO that had been recovered, and that as working equipment they had given him an ordinary electronic voltmeter without furnishing him with any sensible explanation, and that he had been able to have, and carry around with him, with impunity, a piece of the heavy transuranian Element 115 (unknown on Earth) serving as a base for the craft’s anti-gravitational (?) engine.

]]> http://alltomp3.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=15 0 http://alltomp3.com/blog/?p=14 http://alltomp3.com/blog/?p=14#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2006 00:33:27 +0000 Administrator http://alltomp3.com/blog/?p=14 http://www.abyssmedia.com/

Long time ago, in pre-digital era, we have only one, but really universal method to record any sound we ever can hear, named tape-recorder. The method was quite dumb, but very reliable: after pushing Record button it has recorded really *anything*. And what we have now, with our cool-almighty-smart-digital computers? Have you software, which can with record equal success: you voice; sound from internet-radio you are listening; your lovely song from film you have seen on DVD or through TV-tuner; full sounds from game you are playing now; and so on? No? So, do you want to have such cool software? Do you want to have software helping you to digitize your old good LPs and tape cassettes? Do you want to have this software being cheap, small, fast and reliable? If you’ve answered «yes» to any of the question, you would necessarily love i-Sound WMA MP3 Recorder!

  
In fact, the best of i-Sound Recorder you can receive on needs to record sound with questionable quality: the software has very serious possibilities of filtering on low and high frequences. The former would help you make more celar the sound recorded from simple home microphone; the latter is a must when you are digitizing you old LPs. Moreover, for microphone recoring the software has lovely option of «Voice activation», and on LP digitizing auto-dividing tracks on silence can be very helpful.

Canadian Press

As far as Hawking is concerned, planet earth one way or another will meet its destruction. The way forward, however, is not to go boldly forth and meet alien civilizations a la Star Trek.
In Hawking’s future, humans will become space pioneers who tame and inhabit suitable planets outside our solar system, much like the Firefly series which features a team of space rebels aboard the space ship Serenity who make a living trading contraband between the outer colonies of a loosely knit federation of planets.

There are no alien civilizations, just an authoritarian central government and no mention is made of what became of Earth other than it is where everything started. Oh yes, and everybody speaks both English and Chinese because the US and China were the two surviving superpowers.
Hawking has not said whether his vision is inspired by Firefly but the space ship Serenity doesn’t feature a faster than light warp drive, just plain old rocket propulsion. According to Hawking, if we can harness the power of anti-matter for our rocket propulsion, we could reach near light speeds, taking us to the nearest star system within six years. Hawking doesn’t say it but, according to Einstein, six years may seem like just six weeks to those on board the space ship because of the time contraction effects that occur at near light speeds.
What Hawking also doesn’t say is that the nearest star system probably doesn’t have any planets that can support human life. Earth is pretty special in that regard, so the nearest star system with inhabitable planets could be hundreds or thousands of years away even at near light speeds.
In the Firefly series, they solve that problem by turning uninhabitable planets into Earth clones using a process called terra forming. Unfortunately, at present, us humans can’t even keep our own atmosphere under control let alone tame the atmosphere of another planet.
Thus, for the time being at least, if we are to colonize another planet, we may have to content ourselves with a future more like that of Governor Arnie’s Total Recall, where humans live in domed cities on planets like Mars. First, however, we really should finish the international space station and hope like crazy that nuclear war doesn’t break out, a new ice age doesn’t sweep the planet or an asteroid doesn’t bring on an extinction level event.

http://www.itwire.com.au/

Together, the two companies are aiming to accelerate the market uptake of mobile broadband and multimedia services usage, through a more convenient and attractive experience for consumers and enterprises.

Both companies will work together on integrating solutions for mobile operators for both enterprises and consumers using the mobile PC. This includes a convenient, fast and seamless broadband experience, a secure and fully managed PC environment – improving enterprise IT efficiency, next generation high definition multimedia communication, entertainment and web services on the move.

These integrated solutions will be based on Ericsson’s HSPA platform for mobile broadband and IMS platform for convergence with Intel’s Mobile technology.

The collaboration also includes marketing and technology enabling programs for independent software vendors (ISVs) to develop, validate and bring to market multimedia applications for mobile networks. In order to speed up time to market for new applications the two companies will provide the software community with development tools, early access to systems, training and validation support at global solution centers.

Ericsson will demonstrate mobile broadband and IMS-based services on mobile PCs powered by HSPA and Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology during ITU Telecom World 2006, which will take place in Hong Kong on December 4-8.

Patrick Mannion, Mobile Handset DesignLine

The transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea to states or non-state entities would be considered a grave threat to the United States, and we would hold North Korea fully accountable of the consequences of such action.” According to the Associated Press, the Bush administration plans to strike back at Kim by denying luxuries to the reportedly hedonistic North Korean leader and his political allies through trade sanctions. The list of items to be banned reportedly includes artwork, cognac, cigarettes, expensive cars, Rolex watches, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, personal watercraft, musical instruments, sports equipment, Segway scooters, and personal electronics, such as iPods and plasma televisions. Officials at the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control were unable to immediately confirm or deny the existence of any such list.

Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek

But that’s exactly what it is. Since 1952, when Ian Fleming published the first Bond book, the British spy has been the focus of novels, the occasional obscure radio and TV production, a few “unofficial” feature films, and 21 movies produced by EON Productions, spearheaded by Barbara Broccoli, who took over the business after her father, Albert (”Cubby”), passed away in 1996. And while Bond may be pure entertainment and a pop icon to most, at the risk of sucking all the joy out of one of Hollywood’s most enduring adventure heroes, he’s no different than Goodyear snow tires or Folgers coffee: Bond is a brand.

He (the character) is also an entrepreneur, at least in spirit. His salary comes from his Majesty’s Secret Service, but on the rare occasion a world scandal erupts, forcing his employer to drop him from payroll, he’s worked for himself until he dispatches with the bad guys and gets back in his company’s good graces. He also has a business mindset, frequently networking and making deals, to either prevent himself from getting killed or to save the world.

Business Lesson #1:Every product or service reinvents itself–or should.
Sure, there are probably exceptions, but generally, even if a product is perfect, “Sometimes you change the packaging,” says customer service guru Paul Kowal of Kowal & Associates Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in customer service call centers.

“Aunt Jemima is probably the classic example,” says Kowal, explaining that while the recipes for the pancake mixes and syrups don’t likely change much from year to year, the visual image of Aunt Jemima “has been updated three or four times over the years to look more appealing to a younger audience.”

The important thing for a business owner to know is how to reinvent oneself–that’s where the James Bond franchise has been very successful. Many fans, for instance, think of Roger Moore’s light-hearted touch as the ultimate Bond; others feel those years were a dark period in the series. Regardless, all the films have had a very successful run because the films follow what could be called the “movement and time formula,” says Michael Lovas, founder of AboutPeople, a consulting firm that focuses on helping companies and individuals more thoroughly understand, attract and connect with their A-level clients.

“Movement and time,” says Lovas, repeating the two hallmarks that every entrepreneur should remember when reinventing their product or service. “What stays the same with Bond? Mainly movement,” says Lovas. “Hot chicks, action, danger, gadgets–they’re in every book and film. What changes? Time. Everything’s up to date. None of the films are period pieces based in the past.

“In your own business, use the same formula,” Lovas suggests. “What needs to remain the same? Movement–quality service, personal touch, quick response. And what changes? Anything that can date your products and services, or show them to be out of date.”

Business Lesson #2: Never forget your core customers.
Film producer Barbara Broccoli told IF Magazine that when they were planning this film, they thought a lot about the last film, Die Another Day, and what was wrong with it. While hugely successful, the producers felt it had reached a point where things were getting out of hand–for instance, Bond drove in an invisible car. They wanted to bring the franchise back to the gritty sensibility that the books and, to some extent, the early films had displayed.

“We felt the world had changed,” Broccoli said. “The world was much more serious, and we were trying to figure out where to go.”

Nevertheless, Broccoli didn’t try to completely reinvent Bond, destroying everything that everyone loved about him and completely starting over. And that’s a good thing, as far as Peter Shankman is concerned. Shankman is the CEO of full-service PR firm The Geek Factory, and author of the just released, Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts That Work—And Why Your Company Needs Them.

“Remember that your fans have made you what you are,” says Shankman, offering advice to any entrepreneur rethinking their product or service. “Never forget about them. When you’re reinventing yourself, do so with them in mind. Bond’s gun might get smaller and more accurate, but he still sleeps with it under his pillow.”

]]> http://alltomp3.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=8 1 http://alltomp3.com/blog/?p=7 http://alltomp3.com/blog/?p=7#comments Sun, 03 Dec 2006 22:54:05 +0000 Administrator http://alltomp3.com/blog/?p=7 www.abyssmedia.com/audioretoucher/ 

There are songs with which you just can’t catch up, no matter what you have tried and how hard have you forced you voice or limbs, if playing an instrument. Whether tuned in a different key (be that the instrument/s or even the throat, ha-ha-ha!) or playing at non-human speeds, these songs just won’t let themselves studied at home. And just when you were about to utter the final bad words before you gave up and throw away some things, discs or instruments or even both, someone rings in and tells you that the troubles are over and you’ll be studying no matter which part in no time, at the speed you like and rather tuning the song so it matches your key. Of course, some popped-out eyes are due but…is it true? It is, because that someone is me and I’m going to tell you about an extremely nice software, the AudioRetoucher.

What it this and what does it do? 

In short and professional terms, the AudioRetoucher is a pitchshifter, dead and simple. In other words, it is a software that gradually reads chucks of audio data in a file and lets them play according to an algorithm you will specify. Don’t look in surprise, this algorithm I am speaking about is automated and for you it is translated in one or more slide bars; basically, this software re-samples the audio strip, preserving or altering the amplitude modulation, rates and everything which goes with any digital audio, so it produces a (sometimes totally) different output file. The main idea is that using a software like AudioRetoucher on the songs you want to jam along with, you will be able to slow them down up to 50% so you can keep up with them or even alter the key in which a certain song has been composed and recorded, so it matches with the key your voice is in or the tuning of your instrument.

The Looks 

I’ll be very honest while saying that AudioRetoucher is one of the best-looking pitchshifting softwares I have ever met, looking even better than DirectX plugins I have paid for. A simple single window with no less than 5 slide bars and this without counting in the volume and the seek bar. Clean and very visible buttons for the Open and Save commands, as well as for Exit, in which I was really delighted to see one of the hugest VU-meter bridges I have worked with so far in a software: a really beautiful 34-band meter, with colors ranging from almost white light pink (for low values) to fiery-bright red (for close-to-clip) levels. This picture is completed with large and handy Play, Pause and Stop buttons controlling the playback of the file you are currently processing.

The Works

Well, it is only here where the “professional” is to be seen. Those who have worked with pitch-tools before know that, usually, this effect is split in two: pitch and stretch, as there is absolutely no physical way to separate these two. Well, here you have the possibility to control absolutely everything that derives from pitching, as you have different sliders for Pitch, Tempo and Pitch Scale. Even further, the creators of the AudioRetoucher have also thought of how the sound suffers from being altered by means of pitching: raising the pitch and tempo tends to cutoff low frequencies while pitching down or slowing the tempo will surely eliminate a lot of highs. Well, now you can decrease the amount of degradation your audio might suffer, by simply adjusting the 2 additional slide bars, one for treble and the other for bass; and believe me they really do a hell of a job: be very carefully when using them, as you can jump in no time from audio which sounds OK to ear-bleeding high-hissing notes or to earthquake-rumbling muffled and extremely bassy sounds. So, beware! The VU-meter isn’t there just for fun; you can actually get real time info on how the sound behaves via this very visual way; you can even “tune” your audio, so it won’t clip. Finally, after you have reached the processing-grade required by your needs, just push Save (not in the unregistered version, which doesn’t allow this) and on you go to start practicing, remaining to frown only in creativity and hard exercise.

The Good

A very good and reliable professional software whose use will surely provide best coverage for the certain needs it responds to. What I liked most was that I was able to control both parameters pitchshifting implies, all from one single location and with minimal effort.

The Bad

For those who will like this software – as I am sure there will be lots of them – remember it’s a pro-grade software, therefore, the price is a bit high If it worked with more file formats and also supported drag and drop and it would have been perfect.

The Truth

First of all, give it a try and then speak: you’ll agree with me, I just know it. It is rather rarely when I see and like a software this way…AudioRetoucher is definitely an extremely good tool in audio editing and this is why it gets a Excellent mark from me.

By: Florin Tibu, Editor, Software Reviews, Softpedia