Program combo for techno musician

[ps_7]

Hi there!
Im learning more and more as I go along now, finally figured out how to set things up, how midi works, etc.
Now I have another question: which programs to use.
I really like the Reason 3.0 instruments and set up, but find the sequencer downright baffling. I cant seem to use the stupid thing.
I want to use reason for sure, just wondering what would be a good compliment program.Im looking for something easy to record in, easy to read layout of sequencer, colour coded, and where I can draw in dynamics and panning over the tracks with lines.

My ideas:
- Cubase SX (all the expansion capabilities I need, ability to support VST instruments, ability to record external sources)
- Acid 5.0 (simple to use! easy to shift songs around, Rewire supported, easy to plug raw samples and loops into the track and morph them, a bit less of the options of Cubase.)

Money is not an issue for me right now, I want to do it right. Suggestions??
Thanks!

 

[cliff richard]

cubase for sure. ive tried them both and although cubase is a bit harder to get to grips with, it isn't really that difficult to learn.

 

[fuzzrhythm]

ps_7: try visiting www.reasonfreaks.com and www.propellerheads.se for some Reason tutorials, tips, etc.

What sequencer are you having trouble with? The Matrix? Or anything that involves pattern switching?

Oh, and if money is not an issue, I would go with Cubase. It does have a bit of a learning curve, but ultimately you will be able to do more with it than Acid.

 

[ps_7]

Well, I played around with a bunch of programs and figured out which set up I'd like to use.
Reason and Sonar 4. I really like the feel of Sonar compared to Cubase, and I've heard that Sonar 4 is on par with Cubase SX 3.0 and is a major upgrade from v3.
I have a lot of old music I used to make with an earlier version of Acid, which is why I was interested in using Acid 5.0. The ease of opening up the old music, with Rewire so I can use the other tools to work with them.
Like I said, I really like the simple Acid layout, and being able to draw panning/volume/effects over a track. I've been playing with Sonar 4, im pretty sure I can do it in Sonar, but im not quite sure how yet. Also, with Sonar I can add on extra VST instruments etc. By the way, does anyone know how I'd go about recording a track from an external source like a mic into Sonar? Would I need another recording program to record the sample in WAV, chop it up, and then import it into Sonar/Reason sampler for further work? If so, which recorder would you recommend?
A final question: when i've finished a track, and done level editing and mixing on the channels, what would be the next stage before recording to a CD? I've heard programs like Wavelab are perfect for final mixing/mastering before recording. At a budget level and then at a professional level, what are the program options or methods for finalizing mixes on computer using only software? Could it all be done in Sonar?