Cakewalk Software...Which Version??

[newatthis]

Hey all,

I was reading the posts trying to find this answer, but couldnt, but I am sure it has been asked before.

I record at my Studio onto an Alesis HD24. I have the "docking station" to bring the caddys home and transfer the files/tracks into my PC computer when I am done.

When I record "pro" sessions (when the people pay by the hour) 1st I have a pro engineer there from a nearby commercial studio who supervises the whole process since I am still learning (but oddly enough have people calling to want to pay to record here anyway ), when we are done recording the project, he takes the tracks to his place and does the mixdown using his full blown Pro Tools Software on his computer.

Now I want to start being able to do that myself. Cakewalk, as many other softwares, have about 2 zillion different versions you can buy. To date I own the following (basic stuff, but nothing hard core like Pro Tools):

Cakewalk Home Studio XL 2002
Cubase SX
Reason Adapted Express
Cool Edit 98 (an old version)
and I even bought Pro Tools for Windows (not knowing I needed a certain hardware for it to work)

All I am after is a easy to use, easy to add plug ins, type MIXING software. I dont want to mess with MIDI and I am not even going to record with this software. I just want it for mixdown thats easy to use and save.

Can anyone suggest which version of what that I may want to get? So far it seems like everything I get is based on working with MIDI files.

I am a newBie to the PC recording world, so please bare with. Oh yea, i will be running Windows XP software on my computer.

Thanks
AJ

 

[cawhite12]

If you just need something to mix in and then use 3rd party plug-ins (like voxengo, waves, etc...) then I would suggest going with Sonar Home Studio 4. It's the same engine as Sonar 4 and it has many of the same features, just less virtual instruments and fx plugins.

If you need the plugs, then I would go with Sonar 5. With studio you get the Sonitus Suite of plugs that are very good, but with Producer you get the Perfect Space convolution reverb plug-in as well as some extra soft synths that could come in handy down the road.

All that being said though, there are also other alternatives as well. In the same price range you've got the Cubase line from Steinberg, and then there's Traktion which is still very powerful but considerably less expensive, and even n-track, which can be had for around $70, and it's full featured. But as far as Cakewalk goes, it just depends on your current needs, let me know what you need fully, and then I may be able to help more.

 

[jamie_drum]

I use Sonar 5, which is good. However, you said you had Cubase SX (which version) which is also a pro Audio/MIDI sequencer. I doubt you will find much in Cakewalk's products that Cubase can't do, especially if you have the latest version. I have never used Cubase, and I am happy with Sonar, but I gather that there aren't big differences in terms of functionality between Sonar, Cubase, Logic, and Digital Performer.

I think a big question is what you are recording with and how easy it is to import the audio files into the sequencer you use on your computer.

Another option is to go with a Pro Tools setup. Pro Tools is traditionally audio, whereas the others are traditionally MIDI, but they have really converged in recent years. For regular recording and mixing, I really don't think Pro Tools would offer a big advantage over the other four sequencers.

 

[jmorris]

To me just make sure you can import/export OMF files. Cross platform is the way to go. My self, I love Sonar5 producer. I hate Protools. Neuendo is nice but expensive. I would be good to be able to work with a number of software makers to see what you are most comfortable with. I think they are all good these days. However Sonar 5 P has 64 bit!

 

[acidrock]

. I dont want to mess with MIDI

Why?

MIDI is a fantastic easy to use tool that makes your studio much,much more powerful.

I always feel that MIDI is to musicians what the metric system is to Americans.

What's wrong with HS XL2002?

If I was just getting started Sonar 5 PE would be the cats pajamas.