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Anybody still using Paris? [message #109658] Fri, 16 August 2019 17:56 Go to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
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Registered: April 2016
Location: Massachusetts
Junior Member
Hi, I was part of this group in the late 90s, used the Daw regularly until 2010 or so. Am I nuts to try to resurrect this system for non-midi multi track recording? I found the interface intuitive, and enjoyed editing with it. Thanks for any thoughts, with kind regards, Ben
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109659 is a reply to message #109658] Wed, 21 August 2019 15:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikeaudet   CANADA
Messages: 476
Registered: February 2009
Location: Canada
Senior Member
Hey, Ben,

I'm listening to some Tom Petty through my PARIS system right now (via Windows Media Player), and it just sounds so good. The detail, the size of the sound-field, the richness of the bass - it's incredible. Of course you you should resurrect your system for non-midi recording!

As for the size of the community, we're definitely a select group at this point. There's lots to be said about new hardware being smaller, more portable, and more convenient. It's also a lot of money for the good stuff, and history keeps repeating itself; I have no appetite for spending thousands on new hardware to just have it discontinued again anyway.

I also love that I can open a session I recorded in PARIS.exe 20 years ago, and it just works. Will Pro Tools be able to do that in 20 years? Will one have to rent it? How much will that cost? Will an iLok still work? Will Avid help with that? I don't like the odds. Stability has its pluses.

With ASIO driver, you can use Pro Tools or any other DAW if you want to as well.

One of the benefits of using a mature system like PARIS is that we all know how to use it. The news comes slowly and the questions are few. So, it may take some time to get a roll call.

Welcome back to the fold, if you decide to set your system back up. I'm super proud of the driver work I've done keeping PARIS viable on Windows 10 and new PCs. I'll be back working on more in September once the kids are back in school.

All the best,

Mike









Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109660 is a reply to message #109658] Sun, 25 August 2019 14:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne is currently offline  Wayne   UNITED STATES
Messages: 206
Registered: July 2008
Location: Las Vegas
Senior Member
Hi Ben,

Yep, been a Parisite since 1998 and still using.

I've got PT12 for sequencing and song builds which I then convert wave files to paf after stripping and render a mix. There is a noticeable warmth when doing this.

When recording full bands (16 tracks) I go directly to PARIS. Two reasons: 1. insanely low latency and 2. ease of use with the C16 using stock efx's. Most bands just use studio monitors for vocals because were filming at the same time but I've got 2 8ins and 1 8out in the MEC. The 8out is a great send out to my 6 channel headphone amp if were aiming for studio isolation. I use Mike's reverbs during mixdown.

Here is my website and YouTube channel. Almost all the band video audios were recorded in PARIS.

http://www.audio-audition.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/WC1U2ube

Wayne
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109661 is a reply to message #109660] Sat, 31 August 2019 03:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   NETHERLANDS
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Registered: April 2016
Location: Massachusetts
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I wanted to thank and apologize to you, Mike and Wayne, for my tardiness in responding to your kind and welcoming responses.
My attention has been diverted by our daughter's impending marriage at our yet unfinished home.

I have tried to resurrect my win98 based 3 card system, but it is no longer easily possible to test finctionality of the eds cards, which I hope are still functional before purchasing an expansion chasis to use with a new windows based system...if I may ask for your help, and chasis or motherboard suggestions?

Thanks again to you both!
Ben

Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109662 is a reply to message #109661] Sat, 31 August 2019 13:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerryg is currently offline  kerryg   
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Registered: February 2009
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Heya Ben! The cards don't degrade in storage and about the only thing that's likely to have happened is oxidation on the contacts, so just get a can of contact cleaner from your local electronics store and give them a spritz before plugging them in and they should work as well as they did back in the day.

Congratulations on the family's happy event, and welcome!


"... being bitter is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other guy to die..." - anon

[Updated on: Sat, 31 August 2019 13:24]

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Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109664 is a reply to message #109662] Sat, 31 August 2019 14:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   NETHERLANDS
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Thank you, relieved to hear! All best back at you! Ben
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109665 is a reply to message #109658] Mon, 02 September 2019 13:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SummingStrange is currently offline  SummingStrange   
Messages: 43
Registered: April 2017
Location: Downunder
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Yeah I'm relieved to hear that about the cards because I'm about to start using Paris for the first time! Renovations have really dragged out and my cards have sat in boxes for more than a year and a half.

Hope your system is coming together.

Cheers Raph
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109667 is a reply to message #109658] Mon, 02 September 2019 14:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ted Gerber is currently offline  Ted Gerber   CANADA
Messages: 705
Registered: January 2009
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Hey - yeah Paris is still viable. I'm using it again after trying other setups 3 different times.

The converters are remarkably good. I wouldn't say they're as detailed and "pristine" as my Metric Halo ULN-8's but together with the analog circuits the MEC and I/O cards have a ton of vibe.

I generally try to edit in Studio 1 or Harrison Mixbus, mainly for drum alignment (deeper resolution for lining up waveforms) and region gain editing (I do a lot of that), and while Paris' Gain change function in the Editor window was ground breaking at the time, it can't compete with the simplicity of dragging on a handle to change gain on a section of the waveform.

BUT - the headroom and width, plus the softer transient treatment (totally subjective) makes it remarkable. Even today.

Hope things go well

Ted
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109668 is a reply to message #109667] Tue, 03 September 2019 04:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
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Registered: April 2016
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So nice to hear, Thanks Ted!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109669 is a reply to message #109665] Tue, 03 September 2019 04:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
Messages: 15
Registered: April 2016
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Thanks Ralph, seems like builds that take a bit are more easy to troubleshoot cause there's less of it...hope it goes well!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109670 is a reply to message #109658] Tue, 03 September 2019 12:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SummingStrange is currently offline  SummingStrange   
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Thanks for the kind words gents, I'm looking forward to getting the system up and running.

Ted your comments about the sound quality make me pretty excited to hear it!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109671 is a reply to message #109670] Tue, 03 September 2019 13:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikeaudet   CANADA
Messages: 476
Registered: February 2009
Location: Canada
Senior Member
If you need an expansion chassis, Kim W. found the OEM of the Virtua Via chassis in this thread:

http://paris.kerrygalloway.com/index.php?t=msg&goto=1084 97&S=9990b76b476a454e8243f8c3574ea13f&srch=virtua#ms g_108497

Just scroll down until you see all his links.

All the best,

Mike
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109672 is a reply to message #109671] Tue, 03 September 2019 14:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikeaudet   CANADA
Messages: 476
Registered: February 2009
Location: Canada
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On the subject of the PARIS sound, someone who worked at Ensoniq told me that the man who designed the PARIS analog circuitry was like a mad scientist of audio. He would buy every keyboard/sound module that came out, listen to it, and then take it apart to find out exactly why is sounded the way it did. He then took everything he learned and designed the Ensoniq hardware, including PARIS.
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109673 is a reply to message #109671] Wed, 04 September 2019 02:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
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Registered: April 2016
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Much thanks Mike! Do pcie to full width pci risers have any value?
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109674 is a reply to message #109672] Wed, 04 September 2019 02:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
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Ah,I thought it was only Stephen and Edmund who developed PARIS, thanks!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109675 is a reply to message #109673] Wed, 04 September 2019 04:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikeaudet   CANADA
Messages: 476
Registered: February 2009
Location: Canada
Senior Member
One PARIS user tried the cheap riser cards and had to abandon the plan. If I remember right, one card worked, but not two, even when an expansion chassis was attached to the riser. I wouldn't trust it.

But on the other hand, they are so cheap that you could try it to see if you have better luck. Just make sure it has a PCIe connector attached. The EDS cards draw around 20 watts each.
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109676 is a reply to message #109675] Wed, 04 September 2019 09:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
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Once again Mike, thanks for sharing your experience and expertise!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109677 is a reply to message #109672] Wed, 04 September 2019 14:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SummingStrange is currently offline  SummingStrange   
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mikeaudet wrote on Tue, 03 September 2019 15:28
On the subject of the PARIS sound, someone who worked at Ensoniq told me that the man who designed the PARIS analog circuitry was like a mad scientist of audio. He would buy every keyboard/sound module that came out, listen to it, and then take it apart to find out exactly why is sounded the way it did. He then took everything he learned and designed the Ensoniq hardware, including PARIS.


Brilliant! Love that people do stuff like that, and I hope that there are still some places where this sort of thing goes on. You're almost in that category yourself Mike!

And yes, the external chassis is the future for Paris, EDS cards and MECS.
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109687 is a reply to message #109658] Sun, 08 September 2019 12:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kim W. is currently offline  Kim W.   UNITED KINGDOM
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Still using it, and still loving it!
Mike and others have helped keep it alive. Sonically, it's THE BOMB. Midi? forget it. I have a separate comp running Cubase via ADAT sync and an RME multiface. Works for me when I need MIDI Vsti's.
Kim W.
BTW, You'll need Mikes driver package available at ensoniq.ca. Whilst you are there, treat yourself to some of his plugins. The reverbs in particular are STELLAR! Some of the old freebies by Chuck Duffy are also very good. Have fun!

[Updated on: Sun, 08 September 2019 12:18]

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Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109690 is a reply to message #109687] Mon, 09 September 2019 11:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
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Thank you!!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109709 is a reply to message #109690] Tue, 08 October 2019 19:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
Messages: 15
Registered: April 2016
Location: Massachusetts
Junior Member
I am up and running with 2 cards on an Asus p8p67 running windows 10. Haven't tried anything further than getting the software to run, but tomorrow I hope to start working with files, and doing tests to see what I can get for track counts etc.

I anticipate snafus along the way, and certainly as well, memory lapses from my days of using the system on a daily basis starting some 20 years ago.

Frankly, I am a bit stunned to get this thing going again, and am excited! Big thanks to everyone here, especially impressed, heck awestruck with Mike for keeping this system going.

[Updated on: Tue, 08 October 2019 19:31]

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Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109712 is a reply to message #109709] Fri, 11 October 2019 14:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SummingStrange is currently offline  SummingStrange   
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Benazure wrote on Tue, 08 October 2019 20:29
I am up and running with 2 cards on an Asus p8p67 running windows 10.

Great stuff - Many congratulations!
My PC is also up and running now. I put Windows 7 on it because that's what I had. I'll be interested to see how you go with Win10.
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109713 is a reply to message #109712] Fri, 11 October 2019 14:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikeaudet   CANADA
Messages: 476
Registered: February 2009
Location: Canada
Senior Member
With the latest drivers (and Secure boot disabled), PARIS should run equally well under Windows 10 and Windows 7. Microsoft changed something in Windows 10 that broke the way PARIS increased the priority of it's main buffer switch thread. But, I found another way to set it's priority to 31 under Windows 10 as part of the 64 bit ASIO project.

All the best,

Mike
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109714 is a reply to message #109713] Fri, 11 October 2019 21:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SummingStrange is currently offline  SummingStrange   
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mikeaudet wrote on Fri, 11 October 2019 15:32
With the latest drivers (and Secure boot disabled), PARIS should run equally well under Windows 10 and Windows 7. Microsoft changed something in Windows 10 that broke the way PARIS increased the priority of it's main buffer switch thread. But, I found another way to set it's priority to 31 under Windows 10 as part of the 64 bit ASIO project.

All the best,

Mike

Is that the ASIO driver you're referring to? I will be downloading both your drivers once the PC has been finalised (bios settings, fan setup and cabling still needs to be done).

One issue I could have with Windows 10 is that my Motherboard only has drivers up to Win8 for things like the LAN interface, and I don't know if those drivers would be suitable for Win10.
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109715 is a reply to message #109714] Sat, 12 October 2019 11:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
Messages: 15
Registered: April 2016
Location: Massachusetts
Junior Member
Windows 10, for my install, just installed Paris, no muss, no fuss...seems to run just fine so far...good luck with your usage!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109716 is a reply to message #109658] Sun, 13 October 2019 07:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rich.Kelley is currently offline  Rich.Kelley   UNITED STATES
Messages: 98
Registered: August 2009
Member
Yep. Still using it. 4 card system on XP. I'm about to embark on a system upgrade.
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109717 is a reply to message #109716] Sun, 13 October 2019 14:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
Messages: 15
Registered: April 2016
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Junior Member
Should work with an expansion chassis...I got an Asus MB with 3 serial PCI slots, but am only using 2 cards at the moment. One thing that interests me is the VST jbridge wrapper for using 32 bit plugs in a 64 bit host...has anybody tried this? Any reports gratefully welcomed!
Good luck with your new build, Rich!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109718 is a reply to message #109717] Mon, 14 October 2019 07:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikeaudet   CANADA
Messages: 476
Registered: February 2009
Location: Canada
Senior Member
I've only tried it briefly. My UAD 1 plugins are 32 bit, and you have to set JBridge to run them in the same process, but they work without any additional wrapping. I wrapped my 64 bit Lexicon PCM reverbs and they worked fine.

JBridge has a good demo here: https://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/

I corresponded a bit with the developer, and he seems like a great guy.

I hope this helps.

Mike
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109719 is a reply to message #109718] Mon, 14 October 2019 08:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Benazure is currently offline  Benazure   UNITED STATES
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Registered: April 2016
Location: Massachusetts
Junior Member
Thanks Mike, I've downloaded the demo, but haven't had sucess yet in using it. All best!
Re: Anybody still using Paris? [message #109720 is a reply to message #109719] Mon, 14 October 2019 08:54 Go to previous message
mikeaudet   CANADA
Messages: 476
Registered: February 2009
Location: Canada
Senior Member
I just did a little more experimenting. Removing a plugin during playback causes PARIS to lock up unless "use dirty close" is selected in the jBridge settings. This has to be set for each plugin.

Here's a screen shot of my settings.

index.php?t=getfile&id=1146&private=0
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