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Breakaway R.I.P?

C

ChiefOperator

I like to look into the software from time-to-time to see if there is anything new. There isn't and, in fact, the website shows a server error. I know that Leif has mentioned several times that new versions will be released, but those dates come and go.

Now, I see a post that asks Leif about the status of his software, but he hasn't replied. I realize Leif is working on Omnia and LA projects and those take priority obviously. But has the Breakaway concept started its slow death gurgle?

-CO
 
I didn't want to raise that exact question, but I fear Breakaway will go down the same path Octimax went and will end up as abandoneware.
Leif doesn't respond to any of the questions being raised about the future of Breakaway and hasn't visited the forum since oktober 2012. The fast majority of BBP or BL users seem to perfectly understand it if Leif would be busy with other (moneymaking) projects. But the lack of any answer whatsoever is not taken well. Especially because Leif seems to be online at FaceBook pretty often.

Although I'm in the process of replacing BBP with a DSPXtra for FM use I will keep using BL for streaming purposes. Still love it :)
 
Thanks. Unless we hear otherwise, new purchasers should probably assume that the current Breakaway version is, in effect, V1 and not expect a V2.

-CO
 
Somewhat related; three months ago the software just stopped working on me. I speak of the $29 basic version, several emails were traded back and forth with several attempts to walk me through a clean instillation but they failed. I was given a refund even though they didn't have to do that, which was nice. I just miss how it made my audio sound, especially for my Live365 station. FYI, the issue with it not re-installing is that the program reaches the final step in "safe" mode but the first buffer option is grayed out and the program stops cold at that point. I miss it.

I have gone nuts trying to replace it for my streaming audio. Stereotool uses way too much CPU unless I seriously reduce the quality. I even tracked down EnergizeII and Sound Solution, both of which are no longer officially available but several weeks of trying to tweak one or the other has come up short of the kind of sound I was used to with Breakaway. Leif and everyone else associated with the site are good people, but yeah, one does have to wonder where it all goes from here. I mean, the update was first promised for late summer 2011. Sigh.
 
Considering the current version of BBP sofware works fine for many people, I would assume the problem has to be related to the computer, operating system or sound card.

I use the same version everyone else is. I set my hardware up per Leif's published suggestions and using SSDs in my computers. After getting them set up and sounding the way I want, I've had zero problems with them. My oldest one has been running 24/7 since late '09.

Leif had a pretty clear view of what he wanted to accomplish. We were his beta-testers and our reward is a very good software-based processor, offered us for a fraction of what it should cost. One has only to read the Stereo Tool forums to see what kind of feeding frenzy erupts when the design engineer puts his product online for the public to comment on. Some people are never satisfied, or insist on near-daily updates.

As has been mentioned here, Leif has been preoccupied with other ventures, yet there is someone minding the store. The current version has not been updated recently, granted, but you could say the same thing about the DSPXtra firmware. I like the Ariane front end in that box, but I'm not a fan of their clipper... too much grunge for my ears.
 
Depending on how "mission critical" your computer is I always found a strategy that works quite well. Perform a clean install, load all updates and install only the program(s) you need. Make a backup image and use that to restore the box when it suffers from bit rot.

I've read too many times where people would make a single computer do automation and stream encoding. Personally I think that's looking for trouble and if you can find a box to run BBP solo that would probably lessen any potential headache.
 
I have images of all my machines... AudioVaults, Encoders, Servers.

My method is this...

1. A folder for each machine.
2. A clean image (OS & Drivers Only).
3. A Full Image (All Software Working).

For AudioVaults, I use Second Copy to go out each night and back up my Ini's and XML files for each workstation.

In a disaster, I can reimage the workstation, run Windows Update, then replace Ini's/XML files.

I developed this over time. I have also leaned heavily on SSD's and try to avoid RAID or anything that needs a driver to reimage. I keep it simple. The only thing that has a RAID array is my AV File Servers, but they boot from SSD, so they can be reimaged without anything special.
 
I hope that the V2 comes along as promised but am thankful for what I have. I just hope that the 'activate your license' system continues to work--computers croak and it's sometimes necessary to move BBP to another machine. Leif did tell me a few years ago that if the day comes when he abandons BBP, provisions would be made to keep all existing licenses usable indefinitely.

That said...I have never messed with Stereo Tool. Is there any shot that it will become what V2 of BBP could have been?
 
Who knows? All i can say is Stereo Tool looks like it has seen some GUI improvement since I demoed it a few years back.

Anyone prefer Stereo Tool over BBP? Is it as stable as BBP?
 
I look at it like this... Breakaway is a great value. Especially for streaming processing. If it never gets updated, that product is still worth 5 times it's price, as is.
 
I guess I'd better do some imaging of my drive with Breakaway.

I'm still very, very satisfied , and have no issues with the time latency now.

I accept the tradeoff for superior audio.

Worth 5 times what I paid? Every bit of that, maybe more.
 
Latency is probably the biggest real problem with Breakaway, but this exists, to one degree or another, in all fully-digital processors, no?

If you can put together an analog-processed program output for your headphones, Breakaway sounds even better in its "phase linear" mode. The delay is way out there though.

If you don't have a separate input selector for your headphones, you can consider one of those Henry or Broadcast Tools relay boxes that can switch your headphone feed away from your air monitor when you turn the mic on. That keeps the studio speakers on the transmitter, should it quit on you.
 
I take delay for the best processing in any circumstance. When Orban came out with the MX presets... I was all over that. I have low latency for all the monitors. I want quality for the sound.

For me, if Breakaway or Stereo Tool gave me some kind of 'Super' mode with 3-5 seconds of latency and it gave me great on air... I'd be all over that.
 
Grounded Grid said:
Latency is probably the biggest real problem with Breakaway, but this exists, to one degree or another, in all fully-digital processors, no?

If you can put together an analog-processed program output for your headphones, Breakaway sounds even better in its "phase linear" mode. The delay is way out there though.

If you don't have a separate input selector for your headphones, you can consider one of those Henry or Broadcast Tools relay boxes that can switch your headphone feed away from your air monitor when you turn the mic on. That keeps the studio speakers on the transmitter, should it quit on you.
Click to expand...

With ASIO, the latency is hardly noticeable. We use it with great results.

Brian
 
Has anyone following this post ran BBP and the current Stereo Tool on the same Marian Trace Alpha sound card? If so, what are your observations regarding the tightness of the peak control? In my case, the transmitter is a BW 1 watt exciter board (an exciter known for having no overshoots) & the monitor is an Inovonics 530. I notice a repeatable difference but that's all I'm saying for now.
 
BobOnTheJob said:
Has anyone following this post ran BBP and the current Stereo Tool on the same Marian Trace Alpha sound card? If so, what are your observations regarding the tightness of the peak control? In my case, the transmitter is a BW 1 watt exciter board (an exciter known for having no overshoots) & the monitor is an Inovonics 530. I notice a repeatable difference but that's all I'm saying for now.
Click to expand...
BBP is a bit tighter. At least, that's my experience.
 
richard.vanderveen said:
BobOnTheJob said:
Has anyone following this post ran BBP and the current Stereo Tool on the same Marian Trace Alpha sound card? If so, what are your observations regarding the tightness of the peak control? In my case, the transmitter is a BW 1 watt exciter board (an exciter known for having no overshoots) & the monitor is an Inovonics 530. I notice a repeatable difference but that's all I'm saying for now.
Click to expand...
BBP is a bit tighter. At least, that's my experience.
Click to expand...
Mine is the opposite. BBP lets 2-3% above average peaks slip by but my ST install is the LED meter equivalent of the proverbial stuck needle.
 
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