audio desk... should i upgrade? to what?

[mattyN]

i bought an 828mk2 recently and set it up w/ a new powerbook.

i really like the audio desk UI (very intuitive) but i think i will eventually want to upgrade to some more sophisticated software (assuming i figure out what the hell i'm doing )

digital performer seems like the obvious choice. i assume the interface will be more or less the same as audio desk (seeing as they're made by the same company).

nonetheless, i am experiencing serious indecision.

what software would you recommend for a newbie who is looking to get serious but would like to keep the learning curve gradual?

or should i just stick with audiodesk?

ps - my drummer works at mackie and is pushing tracktion on me.

(my machine: pb g4 1.67ghz 1.5m ram OS10.4)

 

[ssscientist]

ps - my drummer works at mackie and is pushing tracktion on me.

Tracktion gets my vote. It's easy to use and T2 comes with TONS of plugins, both VST fx and VSTi's. And the Mackie compressors it comes with rank among the best I've used. It's all on one screen, dead easy to learn and the results can be as professional as any other audio/midi recording package - including 'protools' (ick).

 

[Hard2Hear]

If youre using an 828 and you kinda like AudioDesk, the logical upgrade is to Digital Performer. I love Digital Performer myself. There is a studio I work in that uses it and it's a really great and powerful program. I use Sonar on my PC at home, but there are several things I like about DP even better. There is nothing that DP can't do. There are several things it does that even Pro Tools can't do as well. Its editing is great, and the interface is easy.

H2H

 

[mattyN]

interesting that i got one vote for each piece of software mentioned...

goes to show that the adage is true: "you need to try different software and see what works for you."

nonetheless, if other folks have opinions on what is the best "semi-pro" tracking software for the mac... i'd love to hear 'em.

 

[RhythmRmixd]

2 votes for Digital Performer. I've used DP for about 5 years, started with DP3, upgraded to DP 4.5 when it released, and wouldn't change one thing I've done to this point. And since you have an 828, you have the ease of knowing that you're using two MOTU products that are 100% compatible with one another. Your 828 audio interface will allow you to use all the nice audio processing plug ins that DP ships with, running off the Motu Audio System (MAS). Digital Performer is a great sequencer for a good price, and once you learn all the ins and outs, which might take a little while, you'll be greatful you did.

 

[Dr_simon]

I have 2x 828s, audio desk and logic pro. Since upgrading the Tiger Im having some real stability issues with Logic. It is also a hideous program to learn !

I think Im swapping over to DP at the earliest opportunity !!

 

[ssscientist]

if other folks have opinions on what is the best "semi-pro" tracking software for the mac... i'd love to hear 'em.

If I had known you were looking for 'semi-pro' I would have stayed out of this thread. Tracktion is professional level software and so is DP.

 

[mattyN]

If I had known you were looking for 'semi-pro' I would have stayed out of this thread. Tracktion is professional level software and so is DP.

fine. i want "pro" software then... infact i want !!!!!SUPER MEGA PRO!!!!!

ah, semantics...

more specifically i want

1) software w/ an easy to learn UI (some DP users seem to say its easy... many non-DP users say its interface is a nightmare. from what i can gather the new "consolidated window" feature in DP makes the UI much better)

2) software that runs well on my laptop: powerbook G4, 1.67ghz, 1.5 mb of RAM

3) software that i can run whether or not i have my 828 hooked up via firewire. right now audio desk won't do squat w/o the 828 plugged in. i'm trying to figure out how to make it work w/ my computers sound card.

 

[RhythmRmixd]

Will you be doing any MIDI work at all? Most sequencers are going to require that you have a soundcard or audio interface connected to your labtop to do hard disk recording. DP can run stand alone with no hardware if you have it set on "midi only" mode, but if your recording live signals from instruments and/or mics, your going to need your 828 to accomplish that, as well as if you'll be using the software processing plugs that DP comes with (and any others you may run under the MAS engine).

I do lots of MIDI sequencing w/ software instruments and a few hardware sound modules, which is one of the biggest reasons I've found DP to be so beneficial, but if you're trying to record a band or something of that nature, there are many other good options out there that might suit your needs better. Not to say that DP can't get the job done for you just fine.

As far as ease of use with the UI, and running well on Macintosh, DP ranks right up there near the top, IMOO.

 

[mattyN]

Will you be doing any MIDI work at all? Most sequencers are going to require that you have a soundcard or audio interface connected to your labtop to do hard disk recording.

i am not wanting to record w/out the 828 - but i would like to be to take my laptop wherever i like to edit, mix and master...

i think Audio Desk simply requires the hardware component be connected to do much of anything... its one of an ever growing number of issues that suggests to me that i should upgrade to the real thing (Digital Performer).

as far as MIDI goes. i think i would like to "do some MIDI stuff" eventually. of course i'm not even sure what i mean by that...

 

[RhythmRmixd]

I noticed you posted over at Unicornation as well, they were right in telling you that you can edit audio without the 828, obviously you would need it to track anything into DP with the XLR and analog inputs. Once everything has been tracked and you have the audio files on disk, you could mix your project within DP, and there are a few software mastering programs as well to help you polish off the stereo mix. I use Izotope Ozone as a plug-in inside DP to master (at least what I consider mastering, which really isn't the real thing) and its been great for me.

MIDI is a whole other learning curve of its own, so be prepared to hit some books if you decide to jump in. A lot of books.

 

[mattyN]

thanks for the iZone suggestion... i'm gonna look at that.

i wish i was rich.

limewire. so tempting...