Doesn't Cakewalk Do It All?

[dachay2tnr]

I seem to have seen quite a few posts by people who use Cakewalk PA to record, and then use other programs to "finish things off". (Sound Forge and Acid come to mind, but maybe others as well.)

Anyone want to comment on why they use other programs in addition to Cakewalk? Doesn't CPA have all the tools needed? You can edit, add effects, control volume and panning. What's missing?

What shortcomings you're all finding that forces you to go to other sound programs. Or is it just that certain things are easier in other programs?

 

[garrigus]

Hi,

Cakewalk PA is great for digital audio multitracking and mixing down your creations, but when it comes time to do some mastering, Sound Forge provides the functions needed. For example, Cakewalk doesn't include any DC offset removal or dynamics processing functions.

Both programs actually work really well together. You can launch SF from within CW via the Tools menu to do some of the audio editing/processing that CW can't handle.

Best,
Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Power! and Sound Forge Power! books, and Publisher of the DigiFreq music technology newsletter. Learn about cool tips and techniques for your music software by getting a FREE subscription to DigiFreq... surf to:
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[John Sayers]

I've found that all the programs - cubase, logic, cakewalk all require an external editor. The first one that doesn't appears to be Nuendo where the internal editor is excellent.
Cheers
John

hey - I'm now a force of nature!!

 

[Emeric]

Just to add a bit to SG's post.

It's nice to be able to work with just the basic stereo 2 track file. And this is not possible (possible, but not practicle) in programs like Calkwalk. I export the 2 track file from Cubase to a directory, and then open it up in Wavelab. This offers many advantages:

- I can edit the start of the song, without having to individually edit every track in Cubase (unless they start further in, then you have to edit it in Cubase or launch an external editor, for progs such as Vegas). In otherwords, kill any noise before the start of the track. Same applies to the end of the song, do the fade out etc.

SG already mentioned the dynamic thing, using some type of level boost compression/leveler to increase the volume of the track.

Guess the bottom line is, no program can do everything.

 

[Emeric]

Congrats John!