Drivers

[sOUNDmAN]

I've been an m-audio user for many many years, and that is all about to end if I cant get vista64bit drivers for my delta. Its been 3 months since I signed up for the beta program, and I havent heard a peep from m-audio.
Not even a 'sorry, we dont want your help'. Nothing!
I'm a starving musician and really dont have the money to go buy another soundcard, but this is rediculous. Why are m-audio users always last to get drivers? I think someone needs to show the back of their hand to the driver development department.
I had to dualboot my system with Vista32 so I can still work on projects until the day finally comes when its released. My friend is building a DAW and asked if he should get the same card. But since he also bought vista64 ( his ram isnt warrantied on 32bit systems), I told him probably not. There is no driver, as usual.
After waiting months and months last year to finally be able to record in vista32, here I am waiting again for m-audio to GET WITH THE PROGRAM, and put out drivers for my OS.
Can anyone shed any light on why this is always such a mission?
Is there a time frame for when we should expect a driver for vista64?
Can I send a little money to someone for the beta driver?
Id like to just focus on my music and let the rest of this business just work, the way it use to be.
Oh how I miss my Voyetra Sequencer Plus Gold. DOS was so simple!
Someone please tell me some positive news on this matter.

[ElectricWag]

I also applied for 64bit beta drivers and got no response. Been waiting too long to hear and have started shopping. Even if you wanted to buy M-Audio again... is there anything to buy for Vista64????

[adamh]

I was quite disappointed to find that there is no Vista64 support for the Delta series. I've been without a recording interface for a few months now, trying to wait out the beta process, but it seems like I'm going to have to look elsewhere for a new interface.

[Beta Admin]

Hi sOUNDmAN & ElectricWag,

I'm William, Beta Administrator for M-Audio. We're always interested in adding experienced users to our Beta projects. I was unable to find either of your applications in my database using the email address you've provided here. We may be able to resolve this offline. Please contact me at betaadmin@m-audio.com.

Best regards,
WM

M-Audio Beta Sign-Up Page:
http://m-audio/index.php?do=support.betaprogram

[Hugh_]

I applied for the beta-scheme within a day or so of its announcement; I was rather expecting to be turned down as to be honest I have little to contribute to any beta-testing scheme other than checking that the limited facilities of the card that I use are stable on my system.

However 6 weeks later I got an email asking for some more information etc. etc. with a link to (or attached, I can't remember) T's and C's which I felt were over the top in terms of what theoretically M-Audio could ask you to do, so I didn't agree to them. Instead chosing to hope that a public beta would be available in the not to distance future.

I don't really know why I've posted all of that, as all I'm really seeking is whether there is any light at the end of the tunnel with regards to a public beta or full version of the drivers being made available in the not to distant future. If not, in practise what do M-Audio expect from their private beta testers?

Thanks
Hugh

[Beta Admin]

Firstly, we announced the formation of a private beta well before we began granting access to the forum. The purpose of this was to allow time to accumulate quality testers. Six weeks response time is unusual but there have been instances where we were not able to be quite as responsive as we would like.

Secondly, the test was implemented largely to weed out the folks who were simply looking for free plug-Ins and such.

Participation, Compensation & Credits:

All individuals who are active in the testing process will receive shipping software.

Another little bonus that you will get for actively participating is that your name might appear in the credits list. Over all, in order for your name to be considered for the list, you must have posted bugs. That said however, I must add that quality of the bug will also be taken into consideration.

“Active Testing” is:

1. Downloading and testing new builds as they become available. Testing on an old build, comfortable though it may be, does not provide us with current information. In fact, it is usually detrimental to the project if we are chasing out of date bugs.

2. Post bugs using the appropriate format.

3. If you cannot find new bugs, try to reproduce someone else's and post your findings.

4. If you become busy and do not have time to test, please contact me.

***Individuals who do not participate in testing will not receive shipping software. Those who are not active may not be asked to participate in future testing.***

"Active testing" is NOT:

1. Testing quietly and posting something every couple of weeks on the forum because everything is fine on your system. I can't guess what's going on at your studio. All I have as a benchmark is what I read from you on the forum. The more you interact with me and in the conferences, the more I know what's going on in your world.

2. Making feature requests and suggestions on how to better improve the software/hardware. Yes, this is important and appreciated, and there are feature request conferences (discussion conference) available for this purpose, but this is not a requirement for beta testing.

Bugs Fixes, Enhancement Requests

Please keep in mind that posts during a project for enhancements or feature requests may not make it in to the release you are testing. We have lists and lists of feature requests that our Product Management Department reviews with each new release (which includes new features requested by internal folks as well as external folks). We do our best to fix any reported bugs during the testing cycle, but there are times when we must instead note the bug in a ReadMe document due to time constraints (normally during the last couple of weeks in the cycle aka “Mad Max” phase).

Common Courtesy

The private is not the place to “flame” M-Audio, Digidesign or Avid. We hope that you have a genuine interest in helping us ship products that rock. You have access to pre-release products and at times direct interaction with the developers that work on the specific project you are testing. Of course, there can and will be times when testers get into heated debates over a feature or lack thereof or the deferral of a bug fix, these happen internally as well, however, we ask that you remain professional in your posts. Disrespectful posts to the private forum can be cause for removal from the Beta Program.

Last, but not least...

As the Beta Administrator, I act as the liaison between you and the M-Audio folks. If you are having problems with the forum, wonder how to do something on the forum, have questions about beta testing, a pressing issue, etc. feel free to contact me. That is my purpose and why I am here.

Thanks,
WM

[Hugh_]

Will,

Thanks for the reply (especially at this time of night!); my post wasn't designed to get at you or M-Audio of any of its sister companies, meerly to inform people in a similar position to that that I am in what others have experienced, sorry if this is the not the forums intended purpose.

As I had suspected having read the T's & C's I am clearly not what M-Audio are after in a beta-tester, as my use of the card is purely as a leisure pursuit every now and then and mainly as a high quality playback device!

At this (early?) stage of beta-testing, is there any indication of likely timeframes for a first public release, even if thats as vague as weeks/months/quarters etc. as appropriate?

Thanks
Hugh

[Beta Admin]

Hopefully my tone wasn't defensive Hugh. The release of these drivers is obviously one of our highest priorities. If you're interested, please contact me at betaadmin@m-audio.com to discuss possibly expediting access to the Beta.

[kulddy]

to a full version of XP PRO. I had upgraded to a Vista Pro 64 bit from the Media Center 2005 I was running. Now with the XP PRO and Office Professional 2007 everything runs along ok. And as for Windows 7? Well Vista seems tohave been like Windows ME (my enema), nothing can be done with it just like my useless Windows Media Center Edition.
kooldaddy