COMMON COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAW...
AND THEIR IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS!

Unfortunately no application is perfect - all software has limitations which more often than not the end user wishes were not there.  Since SAW is not an exception to this I thought it would be nice to compile a list of the common complaints about SAWStudio that have come up in the past year and give some immediate solutions/ workarounds/ hopes for future developments or thoughts about why the complaint isn't really as critical as initially thought so that people can get the most possible out of there SAW systems. Please note that when I write "SAW" in this post that I am referring to the current version (3.4b) of SAWStudio or SAWStudioLite only. 

You might be wondering - "TSM is a reseller of this software - why would they want to point out it's downsides?"  The answer is that as you glance down this list you'll find that in each case what people have noted as drawbacks are very easily remedied - and by making this list public we hope to provide something other companies rarely do - a completely open evaluation of the software - in an effort to make sure all the users of it get the absolute most out of the experience of using it.  

Please check back here occasionally as this will page is planned to be updated with more workarounds or new information as it develops. 

THE COMPLAINTS:
II) SAW's dithering sounds inferior to the dithering included in other apps.
III) SAW does not open or save files in any other format other than .wav.
IV) SAW doesn't support importing / exporting EDL's to/from other applications.
V) SAW can not load VST plugins which do not have their own gui.
VI) SAW does not support DX plugin automation.
VII) SAW doesn't support VST plugin automation.
VIII) SAW does not include a Reverb plugin.
IX) SAW does not include native CD burning support.
X) SAW is not compatible with all VSTi's
XI) SAW's graphics are ugly
XII) SAW's MTC does not work with MIDI Yoke.
XIII) SAW is too expensive. 

II) SAW's dithering sounds inferior to the dithering included in other apps.
the problem:  SAW's current dithering implementation - which afaik uses the same algorithms as found in SAWPro - applies the same noise to both L & R channels - and does not feature more advanced noise shaping - such as what is found in the POW-r or UV22 algorithms offered with other programs. The result is that when converting from 24 bit to 16 bit the stereo image can collapse and some of the details in the room ambience and reverb tails is not perceived as detailed as when using other dithering algorithms.

the solutions:
There are two different ways to get around this problem:
1) use a stand alone 3rd party word length converter with high quality dithering algorithms
2) use a 3rd party VST or DX dithering plug-in within SAW

Recommended standalone converters are:
Sonic Foundry Batch Converter 5 - $105  
Sounds Logical ReSample - $29 -  the FIR dithering option on this sounds excellent - but processes very slowly (there are a number of algorithms that process much faster on it though)

note that these are also all useful as SRC converters - so one purchase gets you more functions!

Recommended DX plugins are:
Waves L1 Ultramaximizer - $300 direct  - this features Waves IDR dithering - which sounds very good to my ear. As a "bonus" - and the real reason anyone would want to purchase it - the L1 is an excellent sounding peak limiter
Izotope Ozone 2 - $200  - this is an incredibly full featured mastering plugin with tons of dithering options available
Sonic Foundry Dither - $200 - this is a DX plugin included among a number of others when you purchase CD Architect 5.0

MDA also has a freeware VST dithering plugin that I have not tested - it is available as part of an extensive VST plugin suite at http://www.dancetech.com/file-library/PLUGIN/mda_vst_fx_win.zip
Note that this plugin does not have a gui so you will need a wrapper such as Spinaudio's VST Skin Rack in order to use it.

III) SAW does not open or save files in any other format other than .wav
the problem:  Sometimes a sessions may require us to open mp3 or AIFF files (or numerous other formats) for editing - and we're often wish to be able to save to these formats also for use in other DAW's or for internet distribution or broadcast - but SAW can not open or save file formats other than wav

the solutions:
To save SAW files in the mp3 & Ogg Vorbis formats there is an excellent SAW native plugin from JMS Audioware - LACE - that uses the LAME, Blade and Ogg codecs directly in the SAW environment.
It is freeware downloadable from: http://www.jms-audioware.com/progs/lace_beta6.exe

To save files in Windows Media formats there are freeware encoders available at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp

To save files in Real Media formats there is a freeware encoder available at:
http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/basic.html

To import and export files as time stamped Broadcast Wave Files (bwf) SAWStudio users can use Rail Rogut Software's SS BWF Helper - $45.

To open and save files for nearly every possible other format the following stand alone utilities are recommended:
Sonic Foundry Batch Converter 5 - $105 
FMJSoft Awave Audio - $50 shareware 

Note that these also do higher quality SRC & dithering than SAW - so one purchase gets you lots of functions!

IV) SAW doesn't support importing / exporting EDL's to/from other applications
the problem:  A lot of sessions are started using one application and continued at another studio using a different DAW - most commonly Pro Tools. SAW does not support natively any way of importing or exporting edl's to/from other applications.

the solutions:
There are 2 stand alone 3rd party utilities that allow SAW to import and export files or edls.
1) SS BWF Helper - $45 - from Rail Rogut Software is a utility to import and export time stamped BWF files in and out of SAW Studio. This allows the SAW user to share time stamped bwf (Broadcast Wave Files) with other apps that also support them - such as Pro Tools, Steinberg Nuendo & Cakewalk Sonar - allowing sessions to be easily ported from one app to another with region positions in tact.

2) EDL Convert Pro v.3  - from Cui Bono Soft ($199) allows Samplitude, Vegas, Cool Edit Pro, Wavelab, SADiE3 & 4, Sonic Studio, Discreet edit, AES31 & OMFI edls to be imported and exported by SAWStudio or SAWPro. 

V) SAW can not load VST plugins which do not have their own gui (aka "editorless" VST plugins).
the problem: There's a ton of freeware and older commercial VST plugins without gui's - such as the Vintage Power Pack or those by MDA or Frasier - that are very useful - that can't be loaded into SAWStudio.

the solutions:
1) Spin Audio's VST Skin Rack - $25 - offers an excellent wrapper that lets you create customized gui's for any editorless VST plugin - which can then be loaded in SAWStudio.

2) if you also have SAWPro download the JMS FX32 Linker SAWStudio plugin from http://www.jms- audioware.com/progs/fx32b06.exe - freeware.
After you have installed this copy the FX_VSTLinker.dll from your SAWPro folder and place it inside the FX32 folder that is found inside your Native_Plugins folder (which is found inside of your SAWStudio folder). This will allow you to use the old SAWPro VST Linker as a native SAWStudio plugin so that you can load editorless VST Plugins.

VI) SAW does not support DX plugin automation.
the problem: While SAW supports extensive Native plugin automation it does not support DX automation, with the exception of bypassing or un-bypassing the plugin (and there currently are not any plans by RML Labs to change this afaik).

the solutions:
There are a couple workarounds that while not being optimal at least offer some form of basic automation.
The first is to place the effect in an aux channel so that the level and panning of the effect can be automated. 
The second is to load a number of the same plugin into the track - each with its own settings - and then automate the bypasses on and off for each so that in essence different settings are being automated.

VII) SAW doesn't support VST plugin automation
the problem:  While SAW supports extensive Native plugin automation it does not support VST plugin automation, with the exception of bypassing or un-bypassing the plugin (and there currently are not any plans by RML Labs to change this afaik).

the solutions:
See the basic solutions offered for DX plugins above. 
There is also another possible solution:
Spin Audio's ASIO FX Processor - $40 - allows you to load a chain of VST plugins into a virtual real time fx rack that can be automated by a midi sequencer.
By usings SAW's virtual routing it is possible to send signal to the ASIO FX Processor from an aux channel - which can then be routed back to one of SAW's inputs. The Soundscape Mixtreme is recommended for this at it has low latency ASIO 2.0 drivers needed by the ASIO FX Processor and extensive virtual routing abilities allowing this to be streamlined. In this way VST plugins could be automated and have the results either played back for mixdown on
an external console - or recorded back in SAW.

VIII) SAW does not include a Reverb plugin
the problem: although an excellent sounding Reverb plug-in, the Reverberator, is available from RML Labs it is not automatable (or even by-passable - so it has to placed in an aux channel for any form of automation) and it costs an additional $150.

the solution:
Download the excellent JMS Audioware SAWStudio Freeverb from http://www.jms-audioware.com/progs/fvss12.exe - and as the name says - it is freeware.
It is an implementation of Jezar's excellent Freeverb algorithm - and is fully automatable.

SAW can also load VST & DX reverb plug-ins - many of which are readily available on the internet as freeware. 

IX) SAW does not include native CD burning support.
the problem: SAW does not include any way to burn an audio CD directly from SAW

the solutions:  
Download the JMS Audioware Cue Sheet Generator (SAWStudio Native plugin) from
http://www.jms-audioware.com/progs/cuegenerator17.exe - $50 -
and Exact Audio Copy from http://www.exactaudiocopy.de - freeware (which is also perhaps the best CD audio ripper out there imho). 
This will allow you to generate a Cue Sheet directly in the SAW environment and then burn the CD-R from Exact Audio Copy - allowing quick and easy setup of an audio CD right from SAW.

Another solution is to use a 3rd party standalone app dedicated to CD burning.
The following are recommended (although there are numerous others which I have not tested) : 
Steinberg's Wavelab 4 -  - approx $400 - it includes excellent audio editing & dithering features also
Sonic Foundry CD Architect 5 - $200 - also includes numerous useful DX plugins - including dither, peak limiter, and a multiband compressor.
Ahead Nero Burning Rom - $49 - also excellent for creating CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-Extra & other formats

X) SAW is not compatible with all VSTi's
under construction

XI)  SAW's graphics are ugly
the problem:  for those who like the blandish looks of "Windows Standards" - SAW looks like the town it was made in - bright, flashy & gaudy

the solutions: Luckily RML Labs has provided alterantives to the default - skins called "Shades" that completely change its look and are loadable with a single click.
I have "Contemporary" set as my default - and find both the Pewter & Classic shades also preferable to the "Vintage" default. 
These are downloadable at http://www.sawstudio.com/SAWStudioShades.htm

For those who wish to customize the look of SAW even further there is a tool that allows the user to edit the bitmaps which make up the SAW skin to create their own custom Shade. 
Download Restorator - http://www.bome.com/Restorator/ - open a shade.shd file with it and then open the individual bitmaps with a graphics editor such as Photoshop and retouch them to your hearts content, resave the shd file and voila - your done. Warning: depending on how far you want to go with this - it could involve LOTS of work! Please post your results if you create a new shade!

David Hayes has generously made two shades ("Dave Contemporary" & "Woodgrain") that he created by modifying the Contemporary shade available for download at his site - http://www.dhayes.com

XII) SAW can not send MTC correctly through MIDI-OX or other virtual MIDI ports.
the problem: While SAW can easily generate Midi Time Code so that other apps can slave to its timing, the MTC it generates is not orthodox so that it MIDI-OX reads it incorrectly as sysex messages.  Because of this sequencers such as Cakewalk and Logic will not sync to SAW's MTC when it is sent through a virtual midi port such as MIDI Yoke.

the solutions:
Set SAW's MTC to go out to a physical midi port - and loop a midi cable back to the midi in port that your midi sequencer is set to read MTC from - the app will then read the MTC correctly and be able to sync to SAW. 

For apps that can detect and slave MIDI Clock / SPP (such as Synapse Audio's Orion Platinum, Ableton Live, and Propellerhead's Reason) download the JMS Audioware Metronome 1.4 plug-in from http://www.jms-audioware.com/progs/ssclk14.exe - this can then be configure to send MIDI Clock directly from SAW's tempo map. 

XIII) SAW is too expensive
the problem: SAW costs $2000 for the full version and $900 for the Lite version - while the closest competitors with most similar products (some of which offer features that SAW doesn't have) - are less - i.e Samplitude 7 is $1000 and Nuendo 1.5 is $850 street price. 

the solution:
Well this isn't really a solution - just a response.

In comparison to other native DAW software's SAW offers much greater stability and a quicker to respond, more "hardware" like feel.  To us, this is the most important factor in deciding what DAW application to use, and offsets any bell or whistle or price point the competition has.

With the 2.7 update the new TCP/IP functions offer a powerful way to link multiple SAWStudio workstations for the purpose of sharing the CPU load, or controlling a Master machine from multiple remote locations. A simple Ethernet 100 base-T network running the TCP/IP protocol is all that's needed. One machine is designated as the Host/Master machine, and up to eight additional machines may be connected as Slaves or Remotes.
When you purchase SAW you are given a single site license that allows you to link up to 9 computers within a single studio complex.
For those who are interested in building a Super DAW such as this the overall price needs to be considered in this light. I.e - the real price of SAWStudioLite run on 2 computers is $600 per computer (less than either of the other closest competing apps) - or $400 between 3 DAWs (i,e. the price for a single copy of Cakewalks Sonar 2.1 XL) with resulting power that far exceeds any of those apps. In another words - you get what you pay for!!

If you strongly feel that the SAW product line is still expensive and have anecdotes regarding loss of a potential SAW user who chose a different product due to price point one thing is to send Bob Lentini an email explaining this - I believe if he receives enough proof that he is losing substantial income that it is possible (although not likely) that he would consider lowering the price.

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