Try before you buy

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you install and try the product in trial mode before ordering. This will help you decide if the product meets your expectations. Trial mode does not timeout. Some program function is disabled in trial mode, but you will get the general feel of the program. You will not have to reinstall, if you decide to purchase -- just enter your order activation code and you will have access to the full function.

Before you install

Pre-requisites: Make sure you have the minimum configuration (see program prerequistes). If you do not have the correct levels of DirectX and .Net Framework, Sound Mill will likely not start.

Step 1. Download/install the program

Download the installer file to your PC or laptop, then double click on the installer file to install the program. It should install over the previous version with no problems.

If you are upgrading to a new version or release, and experience a problem. Try uninstalling the previous version then retry. Use Add or Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel to remove an old version.

You may receive a Windows security warning when you click the installer link. This is a standard Windows warning for downloads without digital signatures which our products do not carry.

Step 2. Activation

After installation, you need to Activate the program with the activation code to unlock all the features. You will receive an order confirmation email from Breakthru Software with this code.

How to activate

Note that if you are using a Firewall, you will need to allow Sound Mill to access the Internet one time for Activation.

Start the program and go to menu item Help -- Activate . Copy and paste (Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V ) the Activation code into the activation dialog, then press OK. Please be patient. Activation can take up to a minute to complete depending on Internet traffic load. When activation succeeds, close and restart the program.

What if the program will not start after installation?

If the program fails to start and you do not get an error message, it probably could not find one or more of the program prerequistes. You can try starting the program in Test mode which will display a helpful error message.

Starting the program in Test mode

1.  Open a Command Prompt window by going to Start -- All Programs -- Accessories -- Command Prompt .
2.  Change directory* to the program install location. Type CD "C:\Program Files\Breakthru Software\Sound Mill"
3.  Now run the program in Test mode. Type SoundMill.exe TESTMODE

You should get a dialog box with an error message. You can copy the error message to the Windows clipboard by doing CTRL-A then CTRL-C (select all, copy). Then paste it into a post to the Sound Mill Users Forum or an email.

* - Note that the double quotes in the CD command are required whenever there are spaces in the folder (directory) names.