Other "Complete" Music Productions Apps?

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Phreesoal

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I've change my mind a bit and I'm thinking of producing music using a Mac & production software (as a start, at least).

Can anyone tell me, what other complete software production solutions, aside from Reason, exist to do this task? Taking Reason as the primary example, it has built-in drums, synths, effects and everything else needed to create songs from start to finish without the need for external (or "real") instruments.

So, I'm simply looking to find out about other applications that are alot like Reason which includes synths, drums, effects and the whole production piece. Again, this would be for the Mac platform.

At this point, I've read about: ProTools/ProTools LE, Logic Audio, MOTU Digital Performer & Cubase. However, it seems as though none of these applications include instruments with them whatsoever. What's the deal, especially that these apps (except for PT LE) are all more expensive than Reason with no instruments?

Thanks everyone. :)

Phree
 
Most people record "real" instruments. That's the main focus of every application you listed there!

The most common program similar to Reason I can think of is Fruity Loops. It comes stock with several synths, drum samples, and so on, but also has VSTi and DXi and even Buzz Machines support.

Then there are your real oldschool step sequencers, like Buzz Tracker.

n-Track is primarily and audio recording program, but it also supports DXi and VSTi. I also think that Sonar supports virtual instruments.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Ok, thanks Slack....that's pretty much what I had concluded about those apps.

Sonar is not available for the Mac, although I've seen alot of recommendations for it. Same goes for FruityLoops...no Mac version.

Let me ask another question then, and I'm still new to this so if it sounds naive, excuse me!!!

Aren't there loads of plug-ins that will give me my "virtual instruments?" If so, what apps for the Mac has the most virtual instrument plug-ins available?

Phree
 
Ok, I'm not a mac guy at all :(

There are two primary "instrument" plugin technologies out there. The first is DXi which is "DirectX Instrument". This is of course a Microsoft thing, and whether this platform is supported at all on the Mac, I dunno. The second is VSTi, which is "VST Instrument". VST is of course the steinberg (think cubase) plugin technology, and is more portable so you will see it in some Mac applications.

These virtual instruments are triggered via MIDI in a supported application. For example, in n-Track I can fire up a VST instrument, then start a new MIDI track and route it through the instrument. Thus, I can use n-Track's piano roll editor (or an external MIDI controller) to "play" the instrument.

So anyways, VSTi and DXi are what you want to look for in an app if you want to be able to use a lot of 3rd party instruments. Even if you do have an app that supports one of these technologies, the plugins themselves are not cross-platform by default, so you'll have to find Mac ports of various plugins (which are somewhat common with VSTi)

Good luck! There aren't many Mac guys around here, but maybe one will stumble into this thread.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Cubase SX and Nuendo both include a few VSTi's and VST plug-ins.
 
Slackmaster2K said:
There are two primary "instrument" plugin technologies out there. The first is DXi which is "DirectX Instrument". This is of course a Microsoft thing, and whether this platform is supported at all on the Mac, I dunno. The second is VSTi, which is "VST Instrument". VST is of course the steinberg (think cubase) plugin technology, and is more portable so you will see it in some Mac applications.

These virtual instruments are triggered via MIDI in a supported application. For example, in n-Track I can fire up a VST instrument, then start a new MIDI track and route it through the instrument. Thus, I can use n-Track's piano roll editor (or an external MIDI controller) to "play" the instrument.


Slackmaster 2000
Click to expand...

Sorry to ivade this thread with another question, but I noticed the mention of VST and Dxi. Slack, do you know of free converter out there to allow me to use a VST plug-in with Sonar as Dxi? Is this even possible? Thanks :)
 
Barometer said:


Sorry to ivade this thread with another question, but I noticed the mention of VST and Dxi. Slack, do you know of free converter out there to allow me to use a VST plug-in with Sonar as Dxi? Is this even possible? Thanks :)
Click to expand...

There is a free converter but it will only let you use an instance of a DX plugin and not a DX Instrument.

The ones you have to pay for have support for VST instruments.

Check here for DX info:
http://directxfiles.com/
Go to 'Plug-ins', the view by 'Species' then look under 'VST Adapters'.
 
I picked up the Logic Big Box promo last week.

It comes bundled with the EXSP24, and VP73 VSTi's.

Also contained the Logic only ES1 synth. There are three softsynths integrated ESm(mono bass synth), ESe(ensemble), and ESp(polysynth). Plus Logic on OS9 supports VSTi.

That's the good news, the bad news is Logic has steep, but not impossible learning curve.

I also own Cubase5, and DP3, I was able to load and use(in the beginning) without reding the manual. That approach didn't work with Logic. You must read the manual.

Cubase comes with Neon, VB1(virtual bass), and LM4 drum machine.

No instuments come with DP3, but there are MAS versions of some instruments available.

VST Wrapper and Pluggo can be used to host instruments.

That's what's in place for OS9. For OSX we will have to see if VST will survive, or will plug developers use the new system wide Audio Units.


G-Dub
 
Thanks again everyone for your help! I'll look more into this...Just looking at some of Logic's screenshots, I can definitely believe that it has a steep learning curve gdoubleyou.

Phree
 
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