I use Samplitude Pro for my mixing. I find it to be a very competent and good sounding tool for my audio mixing (not doing any midi work).

On location tracking I sometimes use Magix Audio Studio 10 (the version that is part of the package called Magix music Studio 10 deLuxe. To me it in every way looks like beeing exactly the same basic engine as Sam. The object handling is exactly the same and the VIP-s simply import straight into Sam. It does record 24 bit files, although max 48kHz. Many of the effects are cut-down versions of Sam with the same good sound. If you wish to you could run VST and DX effects. There is even Elastic Audio in there (not the full version). Of course a number of functions are left out, but what is there is a very capable package. It does burn CD-s from inside the app.

So I have no trouble in recommending it. Be sure however to get the "10" version or later, I am not quite sure what is sold in different markets in Europe.

Gunnar Hellquist

Have you seen Acid Music Studio 6?
-$69 US.
-Full ASIO support
-VST and DX support
-Very Good Time stretching/beat matching capabilities
-Simple 1 screen editing
-Some excellent CD burning Capability. Many features of which you would expect to find in a mastering software like Wavelab.
-Unlimited Audio and MIDI

Just a suggestion. I use it alongside Cubase. Cubase is still my main DAW but there are some things that just work better in Acid or me.

ghellquist wrote: Be sure however to get the "10" version or later, I am not quite sure what is sold in different markets in Europe.

Gunnar Hellquist

Thanks Gunnar. I just bought the 2005 version wich is in Europe the same as the 10 version in US. The new 2006 version seems to just add a few effects. It's more expansive.

hueseph wrote: Have you seen Acid Music Studio 6?

I downloaded the trial version. It seems to be really made for loops and midi. I disn't saw any crossfade. Wavelab is far really better for my use.

Jean-Marie

Absolutely. Acid is intended for loop based projects but also supports ASIO cards, VST and DX plugins. Of course it doesn't have all the functionality of Wavelab but for a beginner as you've stated you are it's more than sufficient and not nearly as expensive as Wavelab. We're talking 45 euros? as opposed to 400. Considering you plan on using Magix Audio Studio at about the same price, it's a bargain. Not to mention that because of VST and DX compatibility, you will not be confined to the limited effects/virtual instruments that come bundled with MAS. There are literally hundreds of free downloadable plugins for VST and DX software link removed

Take it from an old Magix user. I had it for about a month and couldn't stand the fact that I was limited as to what I was able to do and ended up purchasing Cubase VST 5 Standard. Only thing is Cubase VST 5 does not do time stretching/ beat matching. At least not as well as ACID does since they set the standard on the technology.

I can't tell you what to do with your money but I guarantee that if you do go with ACID, you will learn to appreciate it. Don't shut it down because it's not as pretty as magix. What it lacks in graphical appeal, it more than makes up for in functionality.

Hi hueseph.

I must say I am bit confused by your answer. Are you sure you have looked at the current Music Studio version? To me it looks like you are comparing to Music Maker, which is a totally different animal. That animal would more compare with Acid, and not be a winner.

Seriously, the sound part of Music Studio version 10 and later is quite good if you ask me, midi stinks as it is in a separate application. You can use that program instead of Wavelab for a lot of usage. It does support Vst and Dx plugins.

Gunnar

I've used Music studio and music maker. They're pretty. I admit I've only just seen the newest version of MMS. Some of the new features look nice. I always hated their time stretching. Visually it works well but the quality deteriorates quickly when changing tempos. I guess I'm biased. I was never able to make VST's work in MMS or MMM. Apparently there is only VSTi support but VST effects are not even a consideration. It's just my opinion but it seems to me they spent more time making it look nice than anything.

Guys,

I downloaded their Audio Cleaning Lab (trial version) based on all the positive statements about their products here. Have to say that the user interface on this product is totally incomprehensable. :? As a strong computer user (in the PC software business for more than 20 years), I'm not a novice and have adjusted to many products over the years. But I gave up on that one in about 30 minutes and uninstalled it. Nothing in it (tools, scrool bars, etc.) behaves in a standard way.

Are all their products like that? I downloaded the demo of Samplitude 8 (again, based on all the positives spoken about it in this forum), but have not installed it yet. If it's similar, I'll pass.

What's up?

Michael

One of the most compelling features of the Wavelab montage is its superb intuitive usability and ergonomics quite apart from the fact that it doesn't mess with the bits. I quickly dismiss software these days that has a bad UI that I cannot figure out in 10mins, no matter how "powerful" the reports are. Wavelab is probably more than you can afford, I guess its the same price as Samplitude. Have you tried the demo?

That's interesting, but I can say the same words about Samplitude editing, David. :wink: But I just don't use WaveLab so it's hard for me to judge. My personal favorites in terms of convenience for editing and general workflow are Samplitude (Sequoia) (surprise, surprise! :) ) and Pyramix.
As to the point, sometimes restoration software might be very difficult to figure out. And 30 min it's not that time that you have to spend to do that. I remember my first experience with Cedar Retouch. I spent about 8 hours, just trying to figure out what's going on there but then it was faster. And after Retouch it was much easier to get used to Algorithmix ReNovator. Not to mention that I'm still learning how to use NoNoise on Sonic Solutions after 5 months of everyday use.
Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with Cleaning Lab, so I can't give advice.

Regarding 30 minutes... I would certainly not expect to get the power of the product. But I should at least be able to figure out the basic behavior of the UI. I guess more specifically, when someone designs software for a PC and does not conform at all to the PC UI conventions, I'm probably not going there. :?

Michael