I Can't Decide on a DAW!!!!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter KeithG
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I have sonar 8 and it does everything...I cant think what would make me upgrade or change program for the forseeable future...audio or midi is just as simple and its solid..no crackles, no pops, no freezing (I think it suffered a bit before the 8.3 update)

I think FL is aimed at a different market to be truly comparable and with pro tools you've got the extra cost in the interface..id rather put that towards the Production version of sonar then youve got all the excellent plugins that come with it (I have a line 6 DI anyway)...

I used the trial download first...that clinched the deal..

besides wait a couple of months and it'll be Sonar 9 time lol
 
Sounds like you're not quite sure what you'll be doing most - FL is primarily composing-oriented. ProTools is recording oriented and Sonar is a bit of both.

IMHO you can't go wrong w/Reaper. Google it and you'll find that it's got a huge online community to answer your questions and point you in the right direction and it's only $50.




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I'm new here and stuck in the same boat as the original poster. I've previously used Ableton and Tracktion 2 but didn't like either. I also have a Line 6 TonePort UX2 if that makes a difference. The last time I used or tried to use Ableton it didn't want to recognize the TonePort as being the ASIO for some reason. Anyway I'm just looking for some software that would be compatible with the TonePort. But there is so much software out there for different prices it confuses me. I'm also on a fixed income(I could take some money out of a trust fund early), otherwise I only have about US$800 to spend each month. I'd also hate to buy software that maybe incompatible with the TonePort. You now how retailers refuse to refund your purchase after software is opened and be stuck with something that doesn't work and waste my money. I also record only guitar.

Some software I considered:
Acid
Sound Forge
Cubase
ProTools

I just wish there was some way to download free trials of those. The actual Sony Creative Software website had free trial downloads for Acid and Sound Forge but the downloads fail to start.

My computer specs are:
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core +3800
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 250GB

Never had problems with latency when using Ableton or Tracktion. But maybe giving my computer specs and past expreiences with recording can help me narrow down my choices.

But buying software might have to be put on hold untill I can figure out what is wrong with my DVD drive. The lens isn't dirty, but it's been having problems playing audio discs with out them skipping. I'd hate to put the software disc in the drive and have it do a bad install.

Anyway I hope someone can help me out.
 
I learned to use cubase without any other recording software experience. I believe that is what most people will tell you. You learn one and stick with it. So pick a good one. They are different as far as getting from A to B. I dont know if they still offer an LE version of Cubase but thats what i use. At the time it was 99.99 . Thats pretty cheap.
 
I purchased FL online a few years ago and so get "lifetime" free updates. To be honest if you intend to work with more than a few tracks of audio I'd steer clear of it because it lacks a proper hard disc recording / playback strategy - great for short clips and samples but not so good for long passages of audio.

Sonar and Cubase are much better "all rounders" IMO. Many interfaces ship with the LE versions of these software and you can also download a free trial of Sonar from the Cakewalk website.
 
tracktion..easy to use...does everything you would need ..and has a very easy learning curve.... :)
 
zazz said:
tracktion..easy to use...does everything you would need ..and has a very easy learning curve.... :)
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Im a Tracktion user also. Love it. But its future development is in question. Mackie may be dumping it. Its a shame, its so easy to use. You spend more time making music than fighting the interface.
 
ssscientist said:
Sounds like you're not quite sure what you'll be doing most - FL is primarily composing-oriented. ProTools is recording oriented and Sonar is a bit of both.

IMHO you can't go wrong w/Reaper. Google it and you'll find that it's got a huge online community to answer your questions and point you in the right direction and it's only $50.




.
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+1

i agree
 
Does tracktion work on Vista? I'll always see the system requirements for Windows XP but not Vista!!!!
 
NeonKnight77 said:
I'm new here and stuck in the same boat as the original poster. I've previously used Ableton and Tracktion 2 but didn't like either. I also have a Line 6 TonePort UX2 if that makes a difference. The last time I used or tried to use Ableton it didn't want to recognize the TonePort as being the ASIO for some reason. Anyway I'm just looking for some software that would be compatible with the TonePort. But there is so much software out there for different prices it confuses me. I'm also on a fixed income(I could take some money out of a trust fund early), otherwise I only have about US$800 to spend each month. I'd also hate to buy software that maybe incompatible with the TonePort. You now how retailers refuse to refund your purchase after software is opened and be stuck with something that doesn't work and waste my money. I also record only guitar.

Some software I considered:
Acid
Sound Forge
Cubase
ProTools

I just wish there was some way to download free trials of those. The actual Sony Creative Software website had free trial downloads for Acid and Sound Forge but the downloads fail to start.

My computer specs are:
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core +3800
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 250GB

Never had problems with latency when using Ableton or Tracktion. But maybe giving my computer specs and past expreiences with recording can help me narrow down my choices.

But buying software might have to be put on hold untill I can figure out what is wrong with my DVD drive. The lens isn't dirty, but it's been having problems playing audio discs with out them skipping. I'd hate to put the software disc in the drive and have it do a bad install.

Anyway I hope someone can help me out.
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There are quite a few things to consider when buying this stuff. The two most important are 1)Which are you most comfortable with and 2)What are you going to be doing with it. Some would probably try to start an argument about summing quality here, but having tried tons of DAW software at this point, I have to say that they are to close together to make a big difference. You may have to mix somewhat differently on each one, but you can get the same sound.

So, considering those questions and what you've told us (recording guitar) I would conclude that you would be well suited to something like Reaper (very similar to Sony's interface style), Pro Tools (excellent for recording), or Riffworks (God's gift to recording guitar players). All of these are excellent, but Riffworks is so damn easy to use and so geared for guitar players. You should check it out: http://www.sonomawireworks.com

Anyway, I would say to check out what demos you can and figure out which is most comfortable for you to use and actually get work done in.
 
I've been using Cubase for the last few years and just recently got Sonar 8 PE. Cubase is great and does everything I need. My quick layman-style opinion of Sonar is it does everything. The buttons are small and there are a ton of them, so it must be powerful and complicated. And that means it has a steep learing curve.... and I thought Cubase was steep. ;)

I know with Cubase, once you get over that learning curve, everything flows nicely, and it can do a lot. I'm sure Sonar will be the same way for me, plus it handles video better!!

As for Pro-Tools, I have no experience with it, but I don't believe it adds anything more than any other DAW. Plus, if you're going to be purchasing 3rd party plug-ins (RTAS), they are typically twice the price as VST plugs.

And HEY NEONKNIGHT, welcome to the site... please don't jump in someone else's thread with your own questions, even though they're similar. Just go ahead and start your own thread. Thanks!!

peace.
 
Chili said:
I've been using Cubase for the last few years and just recently got Sonar 8 PE. Cubase is great and does everything I need. My quick layman-style opinion of Sonar is it does everything. The buttons are small and there are a ton of them, so it must be powerful and complicated. And that means it has a steep learing curve.... and I thought Cubase was steep. ;)
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I guess it depends what you are used to but personally I found Cubase far less intuitive than Sonar or even Fl Studio. But really if you are willing to spend the time learning then either is probably just as good.

I think it's too easy to become obsessed by which is the best DAW when in truth they are just a tool. I suggest just picking the one you like the "feel" of within your budget. Most of the major packages have similar features at each price point, with the exception of the more specialist ones like ACID and FL, so you can't really go wrong. One thing that might influence your choice is the minimum system requirements for each.
 
Sorry for my long abscence since I left my first post. About a day afterwards I left my first reply I came down with a cold that lasted nearly three weeks. I also visit several other forums, was trying to figure out what is wrong with my DVD drive, and just plain don't have time to do anything.

Well anyways I'm now considering buying some version of Sonar. I was visiting all the manufacturers websites again and Sonar seems to be a good deal. There's a certain online and catalog retailer that I'll probably buy it from that tends to sell things cheaper than your local brick & mortar store. But the software will have to wait untill my DVD drive functions like it's supposed to. Plus my guitar playing skills have been awfully subpar for some reason. I'm usually a very competent guitarist and have played for 20 years so far. But thine skills are turning to rust. I can't even hold on to a pick anymore without slipping out of my thumb and index finger. But I mostly tend to drop my pick while playing more uptempo riffs.
 
NeonKnight77 said:
Sorry for my long abscence since I left my first post. About a day afterwards I left my first reply I came down with a cold that lasted nearly three weeks. I also visit several other forums, was trying to figure out what is wrong with my DVD drive, and just plain don't have time to do anything.

Well anyways I'm now considering buying some version of Sonar. I was visiting all the manufacturers websites again and Sonar seems to be a good deal. There's a certain online and catalog retailer that I'll probably buy it from that tends to sell things cheaper than your local brick & mortar store. But the software will have to wait untill my DVD drive functions like it's supposed to. Plus my guitar playing skills have been awfully subpar for some reason. I'm usually a very competent guitarist and have played for 20 years so far. But thine skills are turning to rust. I can't even hold on to a pick anymore without slipping out of my thumb and index finger. But I mostly tend to drop my pick while playing more uptempo riffs.
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If you are a student you might want to check into Cubase 5. If I were to switch DAW's that would be my choice. And they offer a big discount for students.
 
BushmasterM4 said:
If you are a student you might want to check into Cubase 5. If I were to switch DAW's that would be my choice. And they offer a big discount for students.
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I'm not a student. I'm 32 and live off of $800 disability checks from Uncle Sam every month and only have $200 in my checking account. It's too bad but I would just buy a downloadable version of something with my debit card, but at the same time don't want to overdraw my account. I could have a rich relative of mine buy me a boxed version. But then again my DVD drive is all screwed up and afraid and paranoid that something on a disc might do a bad install. It's a tough choice but I'm sticking with my choice of going with Sonar. I've been on Cubase's forums and it seems like a lot of people spend more time combatting bugginess with Cubase than recording anything. But then again, what DAW doesn't have bugs, quirks and annoyances in it. But for now I'm putting buying any DAW on the back burner for now. I have all sorts of more important things going on my life that's affecting me emotionally that I want to deal with first. I've just been really stressed, depressed(possibly bipolar), and burned out right now. I've been sober for three years and recently been getting so depressed that I want to drink again, but I cant drink because I take medicine for epilepsy. I don't want to bore anyone with my life story but, getting back to recording just isn't going to happen anytime soon.
 
NeonKnight77 said:
I'm not a student. I'm 32 and live off of $800 disability checks from Uncle Sam every month and only have $200 in my checking account. It's too bad but I would just buy a downloadable version of something with my debit card, but at the same time don't want to overdraw my account. I could have a rich relative of mine buy me a boxed version. But then again my DVD drive is all screwed up and afraid and paranoid that something on a disc might do a bad install. It's a tough choice but I'm sticking with my choice of going with Sonar. I've been on Cubase's forums and it seems like a lot of people spend more time combatting bugginess with Cubase than recording anything. But then again, what DAW doesn't have bugs, quirks and annoyances in it. But for now I'm putting buying any DAW on the back burner for now. I have all sorts of more important things going on my life that's affecting me emotionally that I want to deal with first. I've just been really stressed, depressed(possibly bipolar), and burned out right now. I've been sober for three years and recently been getting so depressed that I want to drink again, but I cant drink because I take medicine for epilepsy. I don't want to bore anyone with my life story but, getting back to recording just isn't going to happen anytime soon.
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Dude Im in the same boat. 6 surgeries in four years and Im on seizure meds and multiple others. I have good days and bad. Do you have a friend or know anyone with a student ID. Use a copy of their ID.
 
I kind of disappeared for a while. But I'm definitely going to by Sonar...after I put a new DVD drive. I've troubleshooted my DVD drive untill I kicked myself in the shins. Now about Sonar. I was complaining about money. Well that problem is solved. I have US$100k in trust fund and buy a retail boxed version no matter what the price. But there is now another problem, perhaps. Now that Windows 7 went public/commercial, is Sonar still available for XP, and will Cakewalk abandon development for XP/Vista in the future. I know that Microsoft has since set an end-of-life date for XP to take place sometime in 2014 I believe(quite sad).

And another a question on the side. It's about my TonePort UX2. It's know big deal really, but did Line 6 happen to pull-the-plug on the TonePort family of devices. I ask this, because I was at Line 6's website viewing the expansion packs for GearBox and in the device list all the TonePort products were greyed out. I'm satisfied with I got, I already bought the Power Pack. But it looked like some of the other packs had a bunch of other interesting effects. I tried asking on the Line 6 but didn't get any real help there about footswitches and expression pedals for the TonePort so I could control the voulume and wah and tone bending effects. So who here can give me some more solid advice about footswitches and expression pedals?


And BushmasterM4 I see you deal with seizures yourself. Seizures sure aren't fun, I can tell you that. But I try to make the most of it. Still not driving yet, but still seizure free. But I feel doomed to have another a seizure. I've been getting really sloppy with taking my meds regularly. I was supposed to have a Dilantin and Lamictal blood level check back in August and never did. I'm afraid the doctor will tell the levels were too low and forget about driving longer still. But it's my fault and don't expect people feeling sorry for me there.
 
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