Studio 16 Version 3.0 January 26, 1994 =========================================================== This "Read_Me" file contains additional information and helpful hints that are not included in the manual. Contents: o High Performance Disk Operation o Studio 16 2.0 / 3.0 Compatability o Extra Utilities o If You Are Having Problems o Bug Reports / Enhancement Requests ----------------------------------------------------------- High Performance Disk Operation ------------------------------- Included with Studio 16 3.0 is the "BigBlocks" utility which can be used to vastly improve your disk performance. This utility and others are automatically installed into your Studio 16 "Extras" drawer by the installation procedure. We strongly recommend that you use the BigBlocks utility on all of the partitions you will be using for digital audio. BigBlocks greatly reduces disk seek times by increasing the partition's logical block size. This will allow you to play more tracks and reduce or eliminate the delays when playing ranges in the Editor or regions in the CueList. Once again, we strongly recommend that you use BigBlocks on your audio partitions. BigBlocks will automatically re-format each partition that is modified. If you already have data on your digital audio partitions and you want to keep it, then you MUST backup those partitions before using the BigBlocks utility. Using BigBlocks --------------- 1. Determine which partitions will be used for digital audio. 2. Make a backup of those partitions. 3. Double-click the BigBlocks icon in the Studio 16 "Extras" drawer. 4. A window will appear containing a list of partitions. Select the digital audio partitions from the list of partitions, then select the "Make Big Blocks" button. 5. A message will appear asking you to confirm the operation. If you have changed your mind and wish to abort the operation, select "No, Cancel" now; otherwise, select "Yes, Continue." 6. A second message will appear warning you that any data stored on the selected partitions will be lost. If you have not backed up these partitions, select "Cancel" now and go and back them up. Otherwise, select "Format Partition(s)" to perform the BigBlocks operation. 7. BigBlocks will modify the partitions you have selected to use a logical block size of 8192 bytes and then re-format each partition. 8. When the BigBlocks operation has completed, a message will appear asking you to finish all disk activity and reboot your system. Select "Reboot" to reset your computer. ----------------------------------------------------------- Studio 16 2.0 / 3.0 Compatability --------------------------------- If you have Studio 16 2.0 already installed on your system, you will be able to run either version 2.0 or 3.0 without having to do anything special. You will, of course, only be able to run one version at a time. If you are using third party software that interfaces to Studio 16, you may wish to contact the makers of the software regarding compatability with Studio 16 3.0. Not all third party programs currently work with 3.0. Due to the number of enhancements made in Studio 16 3.0, you may notice a decrease in the number of tracks you are able to play back simultaneously. This performance penalty is balanced out by the increase in performance due to the changes made by the BigBlocks utility. ----------------------------------------------------------- Extra Utilities --------------- Included with Studio 16 are several utility programs that you may find useful. These utilities are automatically installed in your Studio 16 "Extras" drawer by the installation procedure. Contents of the Studio 16 "Extras" drawer: o DiskSpeed (v4.2) - a utility written by Michael Sinz that measures hard disk performance. See the archive file "diskspeed.lha" for documentation and source code. o BigBlocks (v1.1) - a utility that improves hard disk performance by increasing a partition's logical block size. In addition to the files in the Studio 16 "Extras" drawer, the Studio 16 installation procedure will automatically update your HDToolBox (v40.4) and FastFileSystem (v40.1) files if earlier versions are detected. ----------------------------------------------------------- If You Are Having Problems -------------------------- We have designed Studio 16 3.0 to be easy to use and as intuitive as possible. If you are having a problem with Studio 16, try these steps before contacting our technical support staff: 1. Read the parts of the manual relating to the operation that you are having a problem with. 2. Read Chapter 7 - Trouble Shooting in the manual. 3. Read Appendix A - Technical Support in the manual. If you are unable to solve the problem, you may contact our technical support staff at (408) 374-4962. Most problems can be resolved quickly if you are prepared when you call us. You should be at your computer and have Studio 16 running when you call. To be assured of technical support, you must be registered. If you have not registered, please do so now. We will also need to know: o Your name. o The model and configuration of your computer system. (memory configuration, disk drives, hard disk, etc.) o The release version number of your copy of Studio 16. This information is displayed in the "About" window. o The version number of the Kickstart and Workbench that you are using. Choose "Version" or "About" from the "Workbench" menu on the Workbench screen. o The nature of the problem you are having. o Is the problem repeatable? If so, how? o What you have done to resolve the problem. ----------------------------------------------------------- Bug Reports / Enhancement Requests ---------------------------------- Finally, a small note about anomalies. Although we strive to release bug-free software, an occasional bug may slip by. If you happen to find a bug in the Studio16 3.0 software, please report it to us at the address below. We are also interested in your comments and suggestions for improving this software. Please send your comments and enhancement requests to: SunRize Industries Studio 16 Project Manager TEL: (408) 374-4962 2959 Winchester Blvd. FAX: (408) 374-4963 Second Floor Campbell, CA 95008 ----------------------------------------------------------- $VER: Studio16_Read_Me 3.0 (26.01.94) -----------------------------------------------------------