For musicians who use software to document, or write music - which program do you consider the best, and why?

I purchased Cakewalk Pro a few years ago, but have heard there are much better ones out there?

Share your thoughts on this, please?

I didn't know you made music Lav? Tell me more about it? Do you sing as well? I'm intrigued now.

Actually, I write poetry. My roomate is the one who actually went to school to learn how to compose...I didn't mean to give anyone the wrong impression.

I bought the software for him, not me - since I lack that knowledge...

I do not sing... goodness - don't you remember my low voice? :O



Taking this opportunity to give ya a hug

Theres Cubase but Im not conviced. Logic Audio is very nice but pro tools free is the best Ive used in terms of reliability

thecloud9mission said:

I've been orgnoted about Pro Tools... I am gonna look into it - of course it's WAY expensive, LOL... but thanks.

LaVisHh said:

ya can get it free from a website mentioned in the pro tools thread on here

thecloud9mission said:

Won't run on WindowsXP... but thanks, you have been so kind!

Cubase is very good, if you knwo how to use. I dunno how to use well, but i saw a guy dong wonders with it.

Cubase VST Score is the best, IMO. I've tried all programs and that's the most comfortable one.

Well I'm using Cubase VST 5.1 and find it to be the best, but it's all down to personal taste!

I can see why people are drawn to Pro Tools (but, the free version?? Are you able to do enough with that?) - but Pro Tools is really more about the hardware, the software is just about controlling the hardware - the s/ware on it's own is not really what it's about! Hence, it gets real expensive using Pro-Tools.

Most of the studios I've been 2 seem 2 use logic I've also seen Pro tools but logic seems 2 B the most popular...with great plug in compatablity.
I started out with cubase but logic is what I use now, it seems more professional, a good blend of midi & audio while pro tools is more directed twordz the audio market
P.S. Check out our recordings where we use Logic at
http://listen.to/dasilva
peace

purple 2 here composer of much music all I read is people posts and no one plays an instrument simply writing some lame words is not enough pick up an instrument and pull the sound out of your head and soul its more difficult you know! and if U do that youll never stop!

I've tried them all too, and nothing beats Digital Performer.
Peace, K

Oh, do stay away from the old versions of Cubase. Anything released before Nuendo and the new Cubase SX (so that's it for the Score and VST) isn't really usable anymore. Logic's really good (we're talking about the version 5.0 - the previous versions were great but suffered from the infamous one undo layer disease) and if you have the right system for it, Cakewalk SONAR 2 works extremely well. That's my own choice. Altough I also wrangle Logic and Nuendo at work. They're just far more expensive.

The Protools FREE isn't worth even checking out. Unless you have a huge collection of RTAS plug-ins... well, even in that case the file management is horrible. It's like lifted straight off the early 90s.

LaVisHh said:

At the time of its release it was the best you could think of. I would like to hear any reasoned arguments why there are better alternatives out there. Other than the most common of course: "It's yankee software". Bullshit, Cakewalk's still the best for managing audio clips and sheer audio recording. Also the editing on the new version combines all the best aspects of the other programs (Cubase SX is another really great in that area). You could probably upgrade to Cakewalk SONAR with a price cut-off. I'd recommend that. And a decent audio hardware system, not anything SB-related.

"Anything released before Nuendo and the new Cubase SX (so that's it for the Score and VST) isn't really usable anymore." - that's a joke, right?

Sure, anything before Cubase VST 5.0 might be little long in the tooth, but unusable??!! That's taking it a bit far. If its that crap, listen to anything done by the band I play in, Ozric Tentacles and tell me that VST can't cut it! It's as complex a sonic texture as you're ever likely to come across and is all done on that old dinosaur VST!!!

You play in Tentacles? Cool.

No, i was just saying that the programs have really improved over the past few years. The shift from the old Cubase to SX is a huge one. Of course you could be using the old n-Track for all that I care, I mean I still wrangle the old Opcode Studio Vision for my own amusement. A recorded signal is a recorded signal, sure. And in case anybody didn't get the point: the quality of the sequencer you are using - and moreover its price tag - has nothing to do with the quality of your music.

But the point is, why on earth spend money on an old copy, and further why advocate such, when you can buy the latest version with all the great thingamajiks. Unusable is a bit too strong a word, but you get the picture.

Hey, I even made myself a few tracks on the old Cubase a few weeks ago, but at least then I realized how much the platform has evolved with the newer versions. There's a HUGE difference, and yes the old Cubase seems kind of idiotic now compared to the new one. Basically they stole the user interface from Cakewalk, Logic and Protools and added their own touch and Voila! Cubase SX - the best pro-consumer level audio system out there was born.

Still hate Steinberg though.

Cool No worries, Nova. I hear what you are saying and, funnily enough, Ed Wynne (genius guitarist and Ozrics mainman - btw, it's great to see someone here recognises the name Ozric Tentacles!!) has just upgraded to SX and is having plenty of fun with it! Me, I have to stick with my 5.1 for the foreseeable future!

I'm not a full-time Tentacle (lol), but I do session with them and provide percussive support at some live gigs (see piccie on my profile!) - along with Prince, they were my heroes from the age of about 14, so to get the opportunity to play with them (as I have for the last 2 years) is (almost) as good as getting to play with the man himself!!

Mindflux said:

Right on.

If only mu copy of el' cheapo SONAR2 wouldn't crash everytime I try to import 48kHz loops to it... it's my damn SiS -motherboard that causes it, I'm pretty sure. So it's always a matter of finding non-conflicting computer hardware to match the software too. And this my friends, can be truly painstaking. I can tell you.

No, all the mentioned programs have their flaws, but I think with the latest versions you just can't go wrong. Of course Nuendo is 900£ so I think a little cosideration before purchasing might come certainly handy. You'll get the Digi001 for the same price. Read my lips: Cubase SX. Altough its user interface looks so horrible to me I don't know whether to record music or take a fantasy submarine ride with it! (just personal opinion of course)

It's actually been a while since I've heard your band, but inspired by this I'll go listening again. But first I'll stick in that Tricky EP that I just bought 15 minutes ago. "Mission Accomplished" - didn't catch it the first time.

In all honesty, these Sequencing applications do all the same thing anyway but they all have their own individual way's about doing them.

:I: started off using Cubase on an ST and OctaMED on the Amiga (the latter reigned supreme for all my early Drum 'n' Bass ventures)

but :I: couldn't stand early versions of Logic for the Mac.
When Logic 4.1 was released, :I: was instantly converted...

Logic's user interface has a sense of practicality and :I: don't get this 'painting by numbers with all their pretty colours' feel about it (won't B naming names!)

That's just my , :I: saw Cakewalk and thought nothing of it (although Sonar seems pretty good) and Cubase SX is mightily impressive (:I: guess the code rewrite made an impression.).

If there ain't no renegotiation with Emagic by the time Logic 6 comes out, it may B hightime 2 leave my custom-built machine 2 do video and purchase a G4 (although at the time of writing, :I: have no intention whatsoever of considering a !!!)

'dre

[This message was edited Thu Oct 31 6:57:31 PST 2002 by DreZone]
[This message was edited Thu Oct 31 6:58:27 PST 2002 by DreZone]

I'd recommend "The Hidden Step" for your aural pleasure, which is the latest studio album (though, there is a new album due in the New Year). Also, check out the new live album, recorded in earlier this year and released a couple of months ago - its called "Live at the Pongmaster's Ball" and showcases the bands amazing and legendary live performance abilities!

Just to whet your appetite, here is a review of the live album from Record Collector (UK);

"It isnt going too far to say that the Ozrics on stage is almost a religious experience for many people. If you're already a fan of the extended live mega jams of prog acts such as YES, ELP and the various incarnations of HAWKWIND, you'll be familliar with the art of taking in two hours of almost surreally far out noises. But, if you're used to the quickfire in and out of standard rock, this in-concert double album should be an education! The last decade or so has seen Ed Wynne's crew move away from their crusty, murkily recorded roots and attain a crisp, digitally polished sound that is, quite frankly, to die for. And older songs (The Throbbe, Sploosh, Erpland) and newies(Pyramidion) benefit. The other tentacular strength is the way that the players complement each other so expertly, and while Wynnes spiralling lead guitar (one part Eddie Van Halen to three parts Robert Fripp) and the keyboard wibblings of Seaweed are obvious highlights (see Oakum), the rhythm section is truly awesome. If you cant see them in the flesh, get this instead. Bands like the Ozrics are few and far between - a neo-psychedelic masterpiece...by JOEL MCIVER"

and, just for good measure, the good ol' NME said, "Much more than just a homage to those hippy bands of the 70's; they are actually doing FOR REAL what those bands gave the impression of being but never really were."

I look forward to hearing what you think!

Mindflux said:

So you are trying to make me buy everything you guys have ever released?

No really, all it takes is a trip to an old friend's house.

Oh, the good 'ol NME, you just can't hate 'em, can you? Even if they'd pour piss mixed with syrup on your new armani shirt you'd still be considering them your best friend...

Hey, I'd give anything for a positive review on NME.

I really appreciate all the help from everyone... Thank you!

Novabreaker said:[quote]

Mindflux said:

So you are trying to make me buy everything you guys have ever released?

Haha - lol!! Nooo, if I was trying to do that, you'd have 20 albums to buy!!!

As a youngster, I used to love the NME - I thought it was great. These days, I don't have much time for them - objectivity seems to have gone out the window in favour of what is approachinh tabloid journalism. I just put the NME quote up because I was amazed they actually said something positive about the Ozrics. There once was a time, back in '96, when the Ozrics, on their own label, no press or advertising, no videos, no promotion, no anything, still broke in to the Top 40 Album charts (incredible really) and they were the darlings of the NME, even getting on the cover twice. It didn't take long for that flirtation to turn sour tho...

So, is there any way I can get to hear some of your stuff - I'm intrigued.

Cubase SX. It's just great!

MissCute said:

I agreee, I fuckin hate cubase but I love the new version

.
[This message was edited Sat Mar 15 9:40:33 PST 2003 by daysofwild]

check out homerecording.com, there are a lot of interesting threads on message boards about various recording hardware and software. You can pretty much get the pros and cons on all those programs and more if u read thru their SEARCHABLE forums.

I use CoolEdit Pro and Acid 2.0. Work well for me

Check it out, especially "Yellowchickadee..."
[This message was edited Thu Feb 6 10:48:59 PST 2003 by TreeDog]

daysofwild said:

Theres a lot of new features & the layout is totally different this time but I feel that they've actually ironed out a few of the age old cubase problems