Concern about UltraDAW

Off-Topic
1

I’m aware there’s an existing thread, however I think based on the experience I’ve had so far, the fact that that thread is locked and the developer continued to urge people to “not talk about the software here” seems strange to me.

So, to be clear, I am not trying to cause alarm and accuse the developer of malicious intent. But I am here to raise awareness and document my experience so far, so anyone else may also proceed with caution about this software, as I have decided not to even run the executable on my PC yet at this point after the experience I have had so far.

So what actually happened?

An old tracking friend of mine (Shoutout you know who you are, the dude who always sends me links to plugins on sale) mentioned UltraDAW to me and I looked at it and I was like “Holy shit, this is like Renoise but with full audio tracks, what I’ve always wanted!”. So I was understandably excited about the software. I also read his intro/manifesto and really resonated with that. I also thought the other software he developed sounded interesting.

So I actually decided to try his sample browser Wavetronic first, and it was flagged by Windows Defender on my Windows 10 install (This was last week, I’ve actually since wiped my system drive and installed Windows 11 finally). I attempted to send the developer a detailed email explaining that this happened, so he would be aware of the situation. However the email never went through.

Again, I am not accusing anyone of any wrongdoing, but right now there are some unsolved mysteries surrounding this and personally I do not feel comfortable running any executables from this developer until there are some explanations.

For full transparency and documentation, I will paste my email to him below, and I will also include parts of the mail delivery subsystem delays and failures.

Initial email from me to UltraDAW developer:

Re: Wavetronic was flagged by Windows Defender

organicio@gmail.com Thu, Jun 5, 2:39 PM (5 days ago)

to software

Sorry, I hit send too soon! I discovered your software today. As a long time tracker/Renoise user but who is also working with lots of audio tracks lately, I’ve been wanting something like UltraDAW for a long time. I’m also interested in Wavetronic and maybe the other tools as well. I was going to try Wavetronic, but it was flagged by Windows Defender as possible malware. Here is the screenshot:

unnamed

I thought it would be important to tell you. I doubt you’re trying to give us malware, but it’s still concerning for the average user and should probably be avoided if possible.

Once I get a chance to test out UltraDAW, if the workflow is as smooth as it looks like it’s going to be from the screenshots, I will definitely be contributing $ to the project. I 100% support something like this, it’s been needed for ages and there’s no better time than right now!

Keep up the great work
-Scott

Mail delivery subsystem info:

image
image1498×727 57.9 KB

image
image1499×700 57.7 KB

image
image1518×731 54.6 KB

1 Like
2

That is not strange at all. The thread was locked because it’s about competing software.

This made me curious, so I checked the Wavetronic zip on VirusTotal. A few heuristics pick it up, nothing conclusive. The software strikes me as quite eccentric, with pretty much everything written from scratch, so this does not surprise me. It certainly could be malicious, but I personally believe that other explanations are more likely.

I noticed the mak-sa site doesn’t even have SSL certs setup, so I’m going to assume the email issue is just poor admin.

If you had a GitHub account I’m sure he’d be open to receiving an issue there.

3

This is nonsense and selfishness. For example, elektron actively supports other hardware and software manufacturers, and the same m8 tracker has a permanent thread with discussions.
The Renoise forum looks like a bastion, as a result, the project becomes obsolete and the community simply leaves without waiting for an answer.

4

In this particular case it was the author of a project intended to replace Renoise, advertising their project on the Renoise forum. I’m not saying it was right or wrong to lock the thread, but this seems a little different than the instances you mention.

5

Dude, forget it, if you see it that way, ok.

6

Why can’t we all just get along? :cry:

But seriously though y’all. The way I see it… Trackers came from the demoscene, and the evolution of ideas has always been borrowing from previous iterations and changing them.

I was debating whether to put my own commentary after that, but I think I’m just gonna leave it at that for now. Regardless, I just want some answers re: UltraDAW before I start using it. It looks great, but I’ve also got a wonderful workflow with Renoise + Reaper together, so it’s not like I “need” to “fix” something. So I’m proceeding with caution.

7

I tried to explain in the original thread why I locked that thread. It’s always great to see other tracker projects - that’s good for Renoise too, and I’m happy to see them here in this forum as well. After all, trackers are a very small niche, so people who use and create them should stick together.

However, it’s a bit strange to beta test other software here. That doesn’t belong here but should be done in a place where the other software is being discussed and developed. I’m totally fine with announcements, though.

Also not trying to shut up anyone and anything here as long as things are discussed in a politely manner.

5 Likes
8

Hello there. It’s an author of Ultradaw. Sorry, but i dont read all messages in this thread, only first. Yes, here a some troubles - some web email services wont pass my emails. I don’t have time to deal with this. Yes, windows defender take warning about my software - i dont know why, Kaspersky Antivirus tells me it’s OK.

Regarding “Bastion”, etc., I think the authors of Renoise are right. They didn’t kill the UltraDaw thread, they just asked not to turn the forum into a detailed discussion of the beta version of my product. And I understand them very well. That’s why I created an account on github GitHub - AudioDeveloper/UltraDaw: UltraDaw is modern, fast and compact DAW with Tracker editing mode and live triggers and also a product page on KVR https://www.kvraudio.com/product/ultradaw-by-maksanet

2 Likes
9

I completely agree

10

Apologies if I misrepresented the situation, the main purpose of my post was to provide some counterpoint to the alarmism of the OP. I’m glad to see that the attitude towards other projects is as welcoming as it is. :slight_smile:

11

I was just trying to raise a yellow flag :sweat_smile:

1 Like
12

Just check