What kind of "disadvantage" do you think you'll get? The advantage of each is its way of working. The slight industry advantage of PT is that the project format is portable between studios. Since you're not planning on sending them off to another studio, I don't think that part's an issue. The advantage of Tracktion is simply its way of working-- and if you like its way of working, why switch for this kind of project?

Use what works for you and what you're familiar with. Using ProTools won't give you a better sounding album. Not to mention it costs money.

In terms of portability, Tracktion 2 can output broadcast wav files, which means that even though the entire project (eg. effects and non-destructive editing) aren't instantly transferrable, any tracks rendered to .wav will line up correctly on his PT timeline (PT will import broadcast wav files).

I dunno. If it's a matter of getting paying clients and you own a proper studio, sometimes it's best to just go with industry standard and use a full PT rig (a different beast than PT LE). Even there, I wish it wasn't the case. Seems silly to give Digidesign a virtual monopoly just because it's "the thing" to have, but I do understand the power of the integrated hardware/software solution.

Back to the point at hand, though-- the recording itself will not be inferior. The mixing will come down to your own ear and know-how.

Really, what it comes down to is: what compelling reason do you have to make the switch? Just your friend and industry stooges who think PT is a 'better' tool? It's just PT LE... they were sure smart in marketing that thing... they get to put the "Pro Tools" name on a nothing-special piece of software. ;)

As for Cubase... meh. It's Cubase. It's a cool program and without it we wouldn't have the same home-and-project studio industry that we now get to be a part of. But it's certainly nothing you "need" to have. Tracktion and Cubase are right in the same league when it comes to "power"... they are both flexible in different ways (Tracktion with its semi-modular racks environment, Cubase with its traditional "mixer" and neat external hardware delay compensation for people who use those features). Both are more well-rounded than PT LE, in my opinion.

I ramble... when all I really needed to ask was asked already: What real reason do you have for switching besides some peer pressure?

Greg

Thanks for the response Greg! It does seem silly to make a switch based on what other people "think". I've always been opposed to that sort of ideal my whole life, why switch now. I very much like the idea of small companies who produce superior products for cheaper. Come to think of it, my whole studio is kind of based around that principal, I mean I got an AMD processor which beats the pants of the big boy intel, and the Mackie guys sure seem to set the industry trends for those bigger corporations.

So if it sounds like Traction 2 is at no technological diffenerence for sounds quality than I think I shall stay with it. I really do like the way it is organized.
Ok, well time for dinner, talk to yall latter.

Thanks for the response Greg! It does seem silly to make a switch based on what other people "think". I've always been opposed to that sort of ideal my whole life, why switch now. I very much like the idea of small companies who produce superior products for cheaper. Come to think of it, my whole studio is kind of based around that principal, I mean I got an AMD processor which beats the pants of the big boy intel, and the Mackie guys sure seem to set the industry trends for those bigger corporations.

So if it sounds like Traction 2 is at no technological diffenerence for sounds quality than I think I shall stay with it. I really do like the way it is organized.
Ok, well time for dinner, talk to yall latter.

There's chatter on the KVR forum about Tracktion 3 being released before long. I have T2 and use it to edit & comp tracks done on my Mackie SDR, then render files to mix in Sonar. The only times I've done any tracking in T2, the biggest stumbling point was not being able to punch on the fly. Hopefully this will be addressed in T3.