If it works for what you're doing, you know it well, and love it...why change? I've been a Logic user for a long time now. When I built-up my new studio, I thought about going the ProTools route. After all, it is the industry "standard" (whatever that means!). I found, for my applications, Logic would do just about anything PT would do and, most importantly for me, I'm not locked into 10 g's worth of hardware. Use what's best for you, your clients won't mind what you use as long as you give them a good finished product. Sure, I've had "artists" turn me down after they found out I don't have PT, but IMO that's what gives them those apostrophes. 8-)

backinthelab wrote: If it works for what you're doing, you know it well, and love it...why change? I've been a Logic user for a long time now. When I built-up my new studio, I thought about going the ProTools route. After all, it is the industry "standard" (whatever that means!). I found, for my applications, Logic would do just about anything PT would do and, most importantly for me, I'm not locked into 10 g's worth of hardware. Use what's best for you, your clients won't mind what you use as long as you give them a good finished product. Sure, I've had "artists" turn me down after they found out I don't have PT, but IMO that's what gives them those apostrophes. 8-)

I want to change because I'm starting to advantages of other programs. Features that Ableton Live doesn't have. Things like Cubase's notation capabilities, Sonar's clip-by-clip effects, and Pro Tools' superior MIDI functionality. It's about find the software that works best for me, and not settling on the first program I come by. It's about possible quality improvements, based on better algorithms used by said programs. It's about streamlining my workflow with more effecient features, so that I get things done faster. And it's about exploring the possibilities so that I can make better decisions, and possibly utilize the strengths of many applications to provide a better result.

backinthelab wrote: If it works for what you're doing, you know it well, and love it...why change? I've been a Logic user for a long time now. When I built-up my new studio, I thought about going the ProTools route. After all, it is the industry "standard" (whatever that means!). I found, for my applications, Logic would do just about anything PT would do and, most importantly for me, I'm not locked into 10 g's worth of hardware. Use what's best for you, your clients won't mind what you use as long as you give them a good finished product. Sure, I've had "artists" turn me down after they found out I don't have PT, but IMO that's what gives them those apostrophes. 8-)

I want to change because I'm starting to advantages of other programs. Features that Ableton Live doesn't have. Things like Cubase's notation capabilities, Sonar's clip-by-clip effects, and Pro Tools' superior MIDI functionality.

It's about finding the software that works best for me, and not settling on the first program I come by. It's about possible quality improvements, based on better algorithms used by said programs. It's about streamlining my workflow with more effecient features, so that I get things done faster. It's about exploring the possibilities so that I can make better decisions. And it's about possibly utilizing the strengths of many applications to provide a better end result.

Hey there, it sounds like you are on the right track and have the right ideas.

If it were me, I'd get demo versions of the programs you are considering and see which ones appeal to you.

It's true that Pro Tools is the most popular software, but the other programs you mention are similar, and in some ways better. But it's hard to go wrong with Pro Tools, since so many people are using it. Compatibility will be better for you, as well as "peer to peer tech support."

But understand that unless you are prepared to spend many thousands (tens of thousands?) you are getting a stripped down version of Pro Tools. That said, if you can't produce music with Pro Tools MPowered, then let's just say the problem isn't with the software....

I'd also strongly consider having strong plugins, EQs and compressors especially.

Make sure what you end up with is capable of ReWire, so that way you can run Ableton Live from inside the new DAW software.

JWL wrote: Hey there, it sounds like you are on the right track and have the right ideas.

If it were me, I'd get demo versions of the programs you are considering and see which ones appeal to you.

It's true that Pro Tools is the most popular software, but the other programs you mention are similar, and in some ways better. But it's hard to go wrong with Pro Tools, since so many people are using it. Compatibility will be better for you, as well as "peer to peer tech support."

But understand that unless you are prepared to spend many thousands (tens of thousands?) you are getting a stripped down version of Pro Tools. That said, if you can't produce music with Pro Tools MPowered, then let's just say the problem isn't with the software....

I'd also strongly consider having strong plugins, EQs and compressors especially.

Make sure what you end up with is capable of ReWire, so that way you can run Ableton Live from inside the new DAW software.

Good advice. Thanks. I just got done with 2 hours worth of research and right now I'm leaning more toward Sonar and Cubase, but haven't cancelled out Pro Tools either. I know Pro Tools is the "industry standard", but the general consensus is that Sonar and Cubase have better user interfaces, and some additional features that Pro Tools does not offer. I'm going to spend the rest of the weekend watching tutorial videos, reading articles, and checking out the demo versions.

You make a valid point about ReWire. I know pretty much everything I need to know about Ableton, so I definitely want that ability.

Keep the advice coming guys. This is good stuff, and I'm sure that it'll help others as well.

mmm, Sonar.

I like the sonitus:fx plugins that come with sonar. Simple, CPU-friendly, and really, really good sounding. And Lexicon Pantheon sounds quite good too.

I use Nuendo, and really like it, the only complaint is how quickly he CPU power gets eaten up, I need to uprade my CPU to accomidate this. Other than that it is a really solid program, and I love it.

I use Adobe Audition, which I love since its original inception as Cool Edit 1.53, for over 10 years now. I also love Sony's Vegas.

I'm not a fool who tools with Pro Tools.

Bottom line is, you probably won't find a single piece of software that does everything you want it to do. That's why most of us have more than one piece of software. A virtual necessity. Wow! A computer terminology statement.

A girl without a tool
Ms. Remy Ann David

Well, time to round up the usual suspects. :wink:

Don't forget to check out Magix's all in one audio software: Samplitude and/or Sequoia. For my money, the best there is, for many reasons. (It's a PC app, though, no Mac version.)

I am currently using Cubase and is awesome and like Ms. Remy said:

"Bottom line is, you probably won't find a single piece of software that does everything you want it to do"

I also use other sorts of software to perform different applications that Cubase wont do well or may not have available.

Zoro.
http://www.produccionestecate.com

JoeH wrote: Well, time to round up the usual suspects. :wink:

Don't forget to check out Magix's all in one audio software: Samplitude and/or Sequoia. For my money, the best there is, for many reasons. (It's a PC app, though, no Mac version.)

I used to use Magix a few years back. It's a good program, with a great user interface, but not nearly as powerful as I'm looking for.

I'm still planning on checking out Samplitude, Sequoia, and a bunch of other applications, but I've pretty much narrowed my new main application down to two.

Cubase and Sonar.

Both of these programs get extremely high marks from pretty much every resource I've come accross. I spent literally the whole weekend researching (talking to people online, posting on forums, watching instructional videos, browsing online tutorials, and reading PDF files) and both of those applications have tons of the features I was looking for, and look far better than Pro Tools.

I'm going to be downloading the demos when I get home from work.

Right now I'm reading the Cubase Manual. Unfortunately Sonar doesn't have a PDF manual because a hard copy comes with the program. That's too bad, I would have liked to read through it prior to my purchase. Oh well, no big deal. I can wait, if that's the program I decide on. Plus, it'd be nice to have a hard copy for reference.

I may not have been clear in my post; Magix does make a "consumer" user-frienly inexpensive software package that sells in the CompUSA stores, etc.

However, Magix is the parent company/makers of Sampliude/Sequoia. THAT's the real package you'll want to check out. Sequoia is the top end product, with Samplitude just a step lower, with a few less features. For the most part, you may find everything you need with Samplitude, at least for starters.

JoeH wrote: I may not have been clear in my post; Magix does make a "consumer" user-frienly inexpensive software package that sells in the CompUSA stores, etc.

However, Magix is the parent company/makers of Sampliude/Sequoia. THAT's the real package you'll want to check out. Sequoia is the top end product, with Samplitude just a step lower, with a few less features. For the most part, you may find everything you need with Samplitude, at least for starters.

Ah, I see. Yeah, I thought you were talking about the small app. I'm definitely going to be checking out Samplitude and Sequoia, though.

Hello all,

Just signed up from Irvine, CA

Great advice.

I have been using Cubase SX since 2002 and love it.

What sold me on it was...

I had some tracks that were recorded with Cool Edit Pro/Adobe Audition

& decided to master them with Cubase SX.

I noticed the difference right away, a very polished sound.

You will not be sorry if you buy Cubase SX.

I have both SX and Audition on 3 PC's.

Glad to be a part of recording . org

Salute 8)