Spin Doctor Help, Please

[WminLV]

I am a new Spin Doctor user and finding it extremely UNuser-friendly. I don't think I'm dumb. I'm not a computer-savvy person but I can follow instructions. There aren't any step-by-step ones for Spin Doctor.

 

I want to copy LPs and cassettes into Spin Doctor, clean them up and burn the results to a CD-R. I managed to fiigure out how to do it, including separating the tracks. Then I went to the Filters area and cleaned up the recordings. But when I sent the file to Toast, the filters had not been applied, the recordings were as noisy as before I started.

 

I went back to Filters and in the "Apply" area selected "All Tracks." But when I clicked on "Apply" it took me to a new page, in the top line showing "Untitled Recording aif," and the second line showing "Toast Titanium." But when I click on""Save," nothing happens. What am I missing? I can't figure it out.

 

I would like to hear from someone off-list who is very familiar with Spin Doctor 5 who would be willing to help/answer questions to get me through this so I can work this program without going CRAZY!!! I've worked on this all day and at about to go over the edge!!!!

 

my email address is preeo@prodigy.net.

 

Thank you, ANYone, who can help me!!

 

 

[tsantee]

I can assure you, I *have been* trying different recordings. I've "started over" more times than I can count. As I've said, *it won't save*, no matter what I try. *That* has been the problem since the start. IT WON'T SAVE. *Every time* I try to save, I get that dumb drop-down menu, and it's "bonk," "bonk," "bonk." IT WON'T SAVE. I'm not blaming you for not trying to help, I appreciate the time you've spent. I *have* tried your suggestions, but...IT JUST WON'T SAVE.

 

Hasn't anyone out there had this problem? I would LIKE it to be something I'm doing wrong, but...what is that??????? I've done everything that's been suggested but it *isn't* saving.

I get it that you're hearing "bonks". I, too, heard plenty of them trying to troubleshoot a workaround. The only thing that worked for me was choosing Save as Copy as... after completing the recording and then opening that copy to work on. If you aren't able to save a copy then the only thing I can think of is to use something else to record the AIFF audio and then open that file in Spin Doctor for track marking and filtering. Until you have a file name show up in the blow window near the top, you can't do squat with the audio in Spin Doctor.

[tsantee]

xx x x x x x x x x x

 

Thanks, DG. But no understand. "Mark at least one track" where? "Mark" it how?

 

You mean input one track (from the recording I'm working on), "mark it" (??) and then continue with the remainder of the tracks? If I "Save" that first track, how do the rest get with that one? What if I were only doing a single track, say a 45 record?

 

I had previously downloaded the Tutorial you referenced, and followed what it said to do, but that's where I ran into this problem.

This version of Spin Doctor has a huge bug related to saving its files. And it needs to save the files in order to apply the filters. So I'm sure that others are encountering this madness.

 

When the waveform is displayed at the end of recording, Spin Doctor may automatically create tracks if you are using the default preferences. I don't use that default and always mark my tracks manually. This is done by clicking and dragging on the lower waveform. It doesn't matter what you mark because they disappear when you choose Save from the File menu (part of the bug). However, if you choose Save with no tracks listed the file becomes unreadable (another part of the bug).

 

So presuming you see tracks listed in Spin Doctor, choose Save. After saving you should see your saved file name above the top waveform. Once you see that you should be able to Apply the filters.

[WminLV]

I get it that you're hearing "bonks". I, too, heard plenty of them trying to troubleshoot a workaround. The only thing that worked for me was choosing Save as Copy as... after completing the recording and then opening that copy to work on. If you aren't able to save a copy then the only thing I can think of is to use something else to record the AIFF audio and then open that file in Spin Doctor for track marking and filtering. Until you have a file name show up in the blow window near the top, you can't do squat with the audio in Spin Doctor.

 

When I started this thread, I confessed I wasn't computer-savvy. So what would that "something else" be, and what IS an "AIFF audio"?

 

I bought Toast 9/Spin Doctor because -- as I said -- I wanted to transfer and clean-up LPs/cassettes, which was *supposed to be* "simple" with this program. But it isn't, because it won't work *as it should*. It wouldn't "Save" anything from the first time I loaded and tried to use itme, and it won't "Save" *anything *in spite of all the suggestions (thank you) I have tried.

 

I *was* able to make a CD-R from Toast for the tracks I was working on, but the "Filters" didn't transfer. Can I use this CD-R as the "AIFF" to re-load the tracks into Spin Doctor, and if so, how do I do it? *Simple* explanation, please! I *can* understand step-by-step, but *not* computer "jargon/shortcuts."

 

I do have the same tracks in my iTunes Library, can I download those into Spin Doctor to clean them, and how? (SIMPLE explanation, please!)

 

It's difficult to believe others haven't had this "Save" problem since it is clearly some bug in the program, and even harder to think it hasn't been fixed already.

 

[tsantee]

When I started this thread, I confessed I wasn't computer-savvy. So what would that "something else" be, and what IS an "AIFF audio"?

 

I bought Toast 9/Spin Doctor because -- as I said -- I wanted to transfer and clean-up LPs/cassettes, which was *supposed to be* "simple" with this program. But it isn't, because it won't work *as it should*. It wouldn't "Save" anything from the first time I loaded and tried to use itme, and it won't "Save" *anything *in spite of all the suggestions (thank you) I have tried.

 

I *was* able to make a CD-R from Toast for the tracks I was working on, but the "Filters" didn't transfer. Can I use this CD-R as the "AIFF" to re-load the tracks into Spin Doctor, and if so, how do I do it? *Simple* explanation, please! I *can* understand step-by-step, but *not* computer "jargon/shortcuts."

 

I do have the same tracks in my iTunes Library, can I download those into Spin Doctor to clean them, and how? (SIMPLE explanation, please!)

 

It's difficult to believe others haven't had this "Save" problem since it is clearly some bug in the program, and even harder to think it hasn't been fixed already.

AIFF is uncompressed audio, whereas MP3 and AAC are compressed audio. Spin Doctor can only apply filters to uncompressed audio.

 

You can convert MP3, AAC and some other compressed audio formats to AIFF using Toast's Convert window. Drag in the compressed audio tracks to the Audio Files setting and click the red button. Choose AIFF as the convert option.

 

In Spin Doctor you can open a saved audio file by choosing Open an Existing Audio File in the startup window.

 

There are several ways to capture audio on the Mac. I'm not supposed to describe applications in the Roxio forums that duplicate Spin Doctor's audio capture, but since you can't get Spin Doctor to do this task I'll point out that QuickTime Pro and possibly Final Vinyl from Giffin Technology could be good alternatives for getting AIFF audio tracks imported to your Mac.

 

 

 

[WminLV]

AIFF is uncompressed audio, whereas MP3 and AAC are compressed audio. Spin Doctor can only apply filters to uncompressed audio.

 

You can convert MP3, AAC and some other compressed audio formats to AIFF using Toast's Convert window. Drag in the compressed audio tracks to the Audio Files setting and click the red button. Choose AIFF as the convert option.

 

In Spin Doctor you can open a saved audio file by choosing Open an Existing Audio File in the startup window.

 

There are several ways to capture audio on the Mac. I'm not supposed to describe applications in the Roxio forums that duplicate Spin Doctor's audio capture, but since you can't get Spin Doctor to do this task I'll point out that QuickTime Pro and possibly Final Vinyl from Giffin Technology could be good alternatives for getting AIFF audio tracks imported to your Mac.

 

Thank you, DG. I will (try to) give these options a whirl and see if I can get them to work. To be redundant, what a shame this Spin Doctor bug hasn't been fixed, because it defeats the purpose of buying it. I sure couldn't recommend it.

 

[WminLV]

This version of Spin Doctor has a huge bug related to saving its files. And it needs to save the files in order to apply the filters. So I'm sure that others are encountering this madness.

 

When the waveform is displayed at the end of recording, Spin Doctor may automatically create tracks if you are using the default preferences. I don't use that default and always mark my tracks manually. This is done by clicking and dragging on the lower waveform. It doesn't matter what you mark because they disappear when you choose Save from the File menu (part of the bug). However, if you choose Save with no tracks listed the file becomes unreadable (another part of the bug).

 

So presuming you see tracks listed in Spin Doctor, choose Save. After saving you should see your saved file name above the top waveform. Once you see that you should be able to Apply the filters.

 

Sorry, I still can't get this to work.

 

To begin with, when I finish trecording a track and click the "Finish" Button, I am *not* seeing a horizontal wavelength track. Instead, I see a horizontal line with peaks and valleys of solid black going up and down.

 

I marked a section of the track, then from "File" clicked "Save." That brought up a drop-down screen, the first line of which says "Save as Unidentified Recording.aif," and a line below that saying "Toast 9 Tintanium." But if I click the "Save" button at the bottom, all it does is "bonk" (beep?) at me, and it does NOTHING and the file goes NOWHERE.

 

So now what?

 

When I first loaded the Toast 9 disc, I got a message about updates being available, which I then downloaded. So I (assume) I have whatever the most recent updates to Toast 9 and Spin Doctor 65 are.

 

This is so FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

That Spin Doctor line in the previous post should be "5" not "65," sorry.

[WminLV]

Thank you, DG. I will (try to) give these options a whirl and see if I can get them to work. To be redundant, what a shame this Spin Doctor bug hasn't been fixed, because it defeats the purpose of buying it. I sure couldn't recommend it.

 

Spin Doctor is working! I contacted Tech Support and received this response:

 

"I believe a permissions repair, in your Disk Utility application, will help this issue.

 

1. In your Applications folder open 'Utilities' and find 'Disk Utility'(open it)

2. Click on your Hard Drive

3. Click Repair Permissions"

 

I followed these instructions, and I can now transfer the cleaned and finished tracks to Toast to burn them to a CD!

 

YAY!!!!!

 

 

[tsantee]

Sorry, I still can't get this to work.

 

To begin with, when I finish trecording a track and click the "Finish" Button, I am *not* seeing a horizontal wavelength track. Instead, I see a horizontal line with peaks and valleys of solid black going up and down.

 

I marked a section of the track, then from "File" clicked "Save." That brought up a drop-down screen, the first line of which says "Save as Unidentified Recording.aif," and a line below that saying "Toast 9 Tintanium." But if I click the "Save" button at the bottom, all it does is "bonk" (beep?) at me, and it does NOTHING and the file goes NOWHERE.

 

So now what?

 

When I first loaded the Toast 9 disc, I got a message about updates being available, which I then downloaded. So I (assume) I have whatever the most recent updates to Toast 9 and Spin Doctor 65 are.

 

This is so FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

That Spin Doctor line in the previous post should be "5" not "65," sorry.

You are in the Toast 10 forum so I presumed you are using the version of Spin Doctor bundled with Toast 10. There is a different version for Toast 9 and an update to it is now available as a separate download at Roxio's software updates site. Give that a try. I'll move this thread to the Toast 9 forum.

[WminLV]

You are in the Toast 10 forum so I presumed you are using the version of Spin Doctor bundled with Toast 10. There is a different version for Toast 9 and an update to it is now available as a separate download at Roxio's software updates site. Give that a try. I'll move this thread to the Toast 9 forum.

 

Sorry, I couldn't find a Toast 9 when I started this thread.

 

But as I said in the previous post, I *did* download the Toast 9 Update as well as Spin Doctor 5 Update when I was prompted to do so after loading the Toast CD disc for the first time. However, all the agove *still* applies, it *isn't* working as you have described it should be. The file won't "Save," as described it only "bonks" ("beeps") whenever I try to.

 

So...?????

[tsantee]

Sorry, I couldn't find a Toast 9 when I started this thread.

 

But as I said in the previous post, I *did* download the Toast 9 Update as well as Spin Doctor 5 Update when I was prompted to do so after loading the Toast CD disc for the first time. However, all the agove *still* applies, it *isn't* working as you have described it should be. The file won't "Save," as described it only "bonks" ("beeps") whenever I try to.

 

So...?????

I was hoping you would find a solution and tell me about it.

 

Okay. You know you still haven't saved the file "properly" until you see the name of your saved file in the thin blue window near the top where you also see Elapsed time xxxx (start xxx; end xxx). My guess is yours still says Untitled Recording even though the heading at the very top says the name of your saved file.

 

I've played around with this and have found a workaround, although there may be other ways to do this too. My workaround is to choose Save a Copy as... from the File menu. When the copy is saved control click on it in the Finder and choose Open with... QuickTime Player to check that the file indeed opens and plays. Assuming it does, go back to Spin Doctor and choose Open Audio File... and choose the copy you saved. Go ahead and let Spin Doctor delete the original. Now you'll see the file name in that blue window and everything should work from here on out.

 

If you find a different way to get to that result, let me know.

[WminLV]

I was hoping you would find a solution and tell me about it.

 

Okay. You know you still haven't saved the file "properly" until you see the name of your saved file in the thin blue window near the top where you also see Elapsed time xxxx (start xxx; end xxx). My guess is yours still says Untitled Recording even though the heading at the very top says the name of your saved file.

 

I've played around with this and have found a workaround, although there may be other ways to do this too. My workaround is to choose Save a Copy as... from the File menu. When the copy is saved control click on it in the Finder and choose Open with... QuickTime Player to check that the file indeed opens and plays. Assuming it does, go back to Spin Doctor and choose Open Audio File... and choose the copy you saved. Go ahead and let Spin Doctor delete the original. Now you'll see the file name in that blue window and everything should work from here on out.

 

If you find a different way to get to that result, let me know.

 

The problem is, I can't get it to "Save" *anything*.

 

After I have marked the track, I cliked on "File" (at the very top of the Mac screen, in Toast), and choose "Save." Then that blasted drop down window described above comes up, where it says "Untitled Recording.aif" in the first line of the window. I've tried leaving it as is and tried changing it, but it does NO GOOD. When I click in that window's "Save" all it does is "bonk" ("beep") and DOES NOTHING!!! I also tried "Save as....," as well as "Save a Copy As...",same result -- *same window* *always* comes up but it WON'T "Save." And the line at the top of the waveform window ALWAYS says "Unidentified Recording."

 

I have confirmed that I'm working in Toast 9.0.4 and Spin Doctor 5.0.4.706, the most recent updates.

[tsantee]

The problem is, I can't get it to "Save" *anything*.

 

After I have marked the track, I cliked on "File" (at the very top of the Mac screen, in Toast), and choose "Save." Then that blasted drop down window described above comes up, where it says "Untitled Recording.aif" in the first line of the window. I've tried leaving it as is and tried changing it, but it does NO GOOD. When I click in that window's "Save" all it does is "bonk" ("beep") and DOES NOTHING!!! I also tried "Save as....," as well as "Save a Copy As...",same result -- *same window* *always* comes up but it WON'T "Save." And the line at the top of the waveform window ALWAYS says "Unidentified Recording."

 

I have confirmed that I'm working in Toast 9.0.4 and Spin Doctor 5.0.4.706, the most recent updates.

Once the save has been screwed up (by the application, not by you) the file is worthless. You need to start from scratch with a new recording and then follow the workaround where you Save a Copy As.. the first step. I'm sorry that I don't have this all figured out because it doesn't make sense to me either. I suggest you do some experimenting with one-minute captures until you can see how to get it to work.

[bearh8r]

I am in the process of trying the workaround of marking a track and then saving the file. I hope it works. I have had two other maddening problems: 1) frequently, when I am sliding the track pointer back and forth to find a specific spot on the track where I want to mark a start or finish, the application crashes, 2) another issue occurs when importing songs to iTunes. CD Spin Doctor brings in two files, one an AIFF and the other an M4A. The AIFF is considerably larger, so I end up deleting those manually from my iTunes library. Any workarounds for those bugs?

 

Also, is there a way to cause Gracenote ID to do a better job of identifying albums and tracks? So far, I have been less than impressed with its ability to reliably do this. I have gone to their site to verify that they have the albums that I have imported, and they do have them, so the database should contain all the right songs.

 

Previously, I used Toast 8, which is no longer supported. It had a version of CD Spin Doctor that worked great. Because I bought a new iMac, I was forced to "upgrade" to Toast 10. That's when my real problems started. I had to spend another $100 because the old version no longer worked with my new OS 10.5.6. One step forward, two steps back.

 

I love my iMac, but CD Spin Doctor 6.0.1 doesn't.

[tsantee]

I'll check what happens when I apply filters. In the meanwhile, this tutorial may be of help. It refers to the version bundled with Toast 9 but there are a lot of similarities.

[WminLV]

Once the save has been screwed up (by the application, not by you) the file is worthless. You need to start from scratch with a new recording and then follow the workaround where you Save a Copy As.. the first step. I'm sorry that I don't have this all figured out because it doesn't make sense to me either. I suggest you do some experimenting with one-minute captures until you can see how to get it to work.

 

 

I can assure you, I *have been* trying different recordings. I've "started over" more times than I can count. As I've said, *it won't save*, no matter what I try. *That* has been the problem since the start. IT WON'T SAVE. *Every time* I try to save, I get that dumb drop-down menu, and it's "bonk," "bonk," "bonk." IT WON'T SAVE. I'm not blaming you for not trying to help, I appreciate the time you've spent. I *have* tried your suggestions, but...IT JUST WON'T SAVE.

 

Hasn't anyone out there had this problem? I would LIKE it to be something I'm doing wrong, but...what is that??????? I've done everything that's been suggested but it *isn't* saving.

 

[tsantee]

Here's what I've figured out so far. You need to be working from a saved version of the audio file. However, do not choose Save after finishing a recording! This is one of Spin Doctor's arsenal of bugs. Before choosing Save after completing a recording mark at least one track. It doesn't matter where. Then choose save. From this point you should be working with a file that shows the saved name in the Spin Doctor window.

 

Now you can mark your actual tracks and apply filters.

[tsantee]

I am in the process of trying the workaround of marking a track and then saving the file. I hope it works. I have had two other maddening problems: 1) frequently, when I am sliding the track pointer back and forth to find a specific spot on the track where I want to mark a start or finish, the application crashes, 2) another issue occurs when importing songs to iTunes. CD Spin Doctor brings in two files, one an AIFF and the other an M4A. The AIFF is considerably larger, so I end up deleting those manually from my iTunes library. Any workarounds for those bugs?

 

Also, is there a way to cause Gracenote ID to do a better job of identifying albums and tracks? So far, I have been less than impressed with its ability to reliably do this. I have gone to their site to verify that they have the albums that I have imported, and they do have them, so the database should contain all the right songs.

 

Previously, I used Toast 8, which is no longer supported. It had a version of CD Spin Doctor that worked great. Because I bought a new iMac, I was forced to "upgrade" to Toast 10. That's when my real problems started. I had to spend another $100 because the old version no longer worked with my new OS 10.5.6. One step forward, two steps back.

 

I love my iMac, but CD Spin Doctor 6.0.1 doesn't.

The only encouragement I can offer is I very much hope Roxio and Deepsea Software are working feverishly on these issues and will provide a bug-fix update very soon. I also hope they feel embarrassed we've had to wait this long. I haven't had this version crash while working on a "properly" saved file. Crashes like you describe used to be common but I haven't noticed that in the last couple versions. The double files going to iTunes is a new issue with this version. The only workaround I can think of is to first send the tracks to Toast's Convert window and then have Toast send it to iTunes in the format you want.

 

I believe Toast 8.0.4 works with OS 10.5.6. I don't know if that's the case for the version of Spin Doctor that was bundled with Toast 8. Did you ever give it a try?

[WminLV]

Here's what I've figured out so far. You need to be working from a saved version of the audio file. However, do not choose Save after finishing a recording! This is one of Spin Doctor's arsenal of bugs. Before choosing Save after completing a recording mark at least one track. It doesn't matter where. Then choose save. From this point you should be working with a file that shows the saved name in the Spin Doctor window.

 

Now you can mark your actual tracks and apply filters.

 

xx x x x x x x x x x

 

Thanks, DG. But no understand. "Mark at least one track" where? "Mark" it how?

 

You mean input one track (from the recording I'm working on), "mark it" (??) and then continue with the remainder of the tracks? If I "Save" that first track, how do the rest get with that one? What if I were only doing a single track, say a 45 record?

 

I had previously downloaded the Tutorial you referenced, and followed what it said to do, but that's where I ran into this problem.