which software?

[mmente]

What software would be a good place to start, but at the same time be something that will last?

Protools? Sonar? Cakewalk? Acid?

Thanks.

[ola]

Start with downloading a demo version of N-Track from fasoft.com. It probably all you'll ever need and it's only $50 or so for the full version.

[SPINSTERWUN]

Like ola said.

Download the demo versions of as many program as you would like to try.

Then, try to figure out which program you are most comfortable with using.

All, or should I say most programs have "hard to grasp" learning curve, but...YOU, must make a commitment to learn at least one of them FULLY.

spin

[Carter Simcoe]

I love my Sonar but if I was just starting out right now I would probablly get a new copy of Pro Audio 9 off Ebay. They are going pretty cheap and you can upgrade to Sonar later if you want

[mmente]

Yeah, I was starting to think the same thing. I've heard a lot of good stuff, and at the same time, it seems like I'd probably be able to get the most support/help from people using Cakewalk, just cuz of its widespread use.

Can Cakewalk or Sonar create music of loops, as easily as Acid can?

Thanks.

[Carter Simcoe]

First off Cakewalk is a company and Sonar is their latest product, they also made Pro Audio 9 before the release of sonar. Anyway, Pro Audio 9 is not much use for looping but Sonar's looping is so easy a monkey could do it. I have never used acid but I have heard alot of people say Sonar makes it just as easy.

[mmente]

Thanks for the info

[Wallycleaver]

What are you looking to do?
Home use? N-track rocks! Affordable and high quality
Project studio? Pro Tools rocks! Powerfull and you can take the tracks to many many places and mix them.
Sequncing? Acid or cubase and many others rock!

[rjt]

The question of software kind of depends on what you want to do. The software I use frequently is Cake pro audio 9, now Sonar, Acid pro 2.0, Cool Edit Pro, Sound Forge 5 and Vegas audio 2. There are lots of other great programs (like n-tracks) that other folks use. They are ALL good for different things. Are you someone who is mainly going to use loops, need to edit audio data a lot, plan to mostly work with guitar/vocals, want to record a band, sequence midi tracks or ???? Do you have a powerful fast computer or something more modest? Do you want to make CD demos to get signed or mess around with your creative side? Do you have free standing synth modules, soundfonts or are software synths and samplers your big thing? How good is your soundcard? Most importlant.... how do you like to work? If these questions seem daunting, it is because music and computurs offer lots of great options right now. Download demos, read about the programs, look at the computer specs (keep in mind these are minimums--if it says it requires 32 mgs of ram, you will probably be better off with at least 64 etc). Spend a little time with the demos. Also, some music stores have software up and running and you can check those out. Enjoy!!

[mmente]

How does Sonar's looping capability to Acids? Will I really need both?

Thanks.