Do Different Sequencer Apps Provide Differing Levels of In The Box Mix Quality?

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Bob's Mods

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Yeah...long title. I've been curious about this for some time. I layer my tracks. I was wondering for those who have used mulitple quality sequencer apps, is there a difference in mix engine quality from app to app? This question is related to in the box software mixing only. I know there are some out there who swear by console mixing. That will never happen for me. What are some of the best apps for in the box mixing...some of the average ones and what apps would be considered on the low end of the totem pole? I have been using Cakewalk for years.

Bob the Mod Guy
 
Variable algorithms (EQ, dynamics, etc., etc., etc.) aside, the summing should either null out or come ridiculously close to doing so from app to app.
 
Assuming you mean for audio tracks, there should be no noticeable difference unless the audio app developer did something catastrophically wrong. If you're talking about software synths, the question becomes one of whether both apps support the same soft synth plug-ins; obviously, the sound would diverge if the answer to that second question is no. :)

The reason I make that point is that "sequencer" usually refers to MIDI. The term typically used in the audio world is "DAW".
 
lynn fuston has tried to resolve this issue by organizing a test and then makeing a disc available of the outcomes... his site is called 3db... no difference ...
 
not to mention 4 zillion threads on this very forum
 
My reference was for/to audio only. I know this subject has been hashed before and maybe some new forum members will chime in on their experiences. I feel I have gotten pretty good on the mixing side of the equation. As tweaked as my mixes have become, they sound more like a stew than individual tracks standing out in their own right in a mix. I think my mixes are pretty good these days but they still lack the punch that pro level mixes have. In a good pro mix, individual instruments stand out. In my mixes they all blend together and form what I call a kinda stew mix. Sounds good yeah but just doesn't quite have the punch of even some good 70's tape mixes. I'm trying to identify the cause. What about the A/D? Would that effect the punchyness of tracks in a layered mix? I have a LynxOne card. Would a LynxTwo be that much better? Another thing I should mention, I generally do not ride my faders. How important would that be? Is riding the faders a critical element in getting a punchy mix?

Bob
 
well, the only difference that I've noticed is Pro Tools seems to have a much quieter output no matter what I throw at it compared to all the others... other than that, I can't really say if it's the actual software, or the workflow that derives from working with that DAW that contributes to any differences in sound. (for example: Logic productions tend to have a certain sound just because the channel faders sound wicked when overdriven... and the built in plugins are pretty awesome... so that might be the reason for that DAW's particular sound, rather than the summing algorithms.)
 
Anyone care to add anything on this? I am curious as to what might be the cause or am I just expecting too much?
 
Bob's Mods said:
As tweaked as my mixes have become, they sound more like a stew than individual tracks standing out in their own right in a mix. Bob
Click to expand...


have you tried subtractive EQ with a parametric??? sometimes the problem is more about getting something else out of the way...
 
Numerous pro studios have obsessed over the question online and in the pro magazines.

They've done blind A/B testing and all concluded that anyone who tells you they hear differences is deluding themselves.

(And they have million$ in equipment and pro-designed monitoring systems and spaces.)
 
TimOBrien said:
Numerous pro studios have obsessed over the question online and in the pro magazines.

They've done blind A/B testing and all concluded that anyone who tells you they hear differences is deluding themselves.

(And they have million$ in equipment and pro-designed monitoring systems and spaces.)
Click to expand...

So that settles it then. There is no difference from app to app. Super. I got my answer. thanks
 
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