Recommend a DAW

[deadmansshoes]

Hey peeps

I'm new to this home recording stuff and would like some simply impartial advice on which DAW to use.

I'm currently trying to use Cubase SX3 but my laptop is weak as a puppy so I'm looking for something else.

I also have access to m-audio sessions but that sucks and doesn't come close to fulfilling my needs. Which brings me on to my next point, currently my main peice of hardware is the m-audio fast track USB (not the Pro model I must stress) which is also dissapointing but it's all I got for now.

I have ezdrummer and amplitube which work with cubase just fine but the fast track doesn't and I've all but given up hope of getting it to (yes I've tried the latest drivers but if anyone has any further suggestions in the mean time I'll listen to them).

I'm only trying to record some rock metal tunes nothing to ambitious or OTT.

So does anyone have a suggestion that will:

1. Use the m-audio fast track (not pro)
2. Use ezdrummer
3. Use amplitube (or something similar)
4. Work with a pretty weak laptop (talking 40g memory, 512mb RAM & 1.8ghz processor)

Or just shoot me down if I'm being far to ambitious.

I look forward to hearing from you

 

[Seidy]

Cubase should work even on weak computers well. The problem is that amplitube and probably EZdrummer take lots of memory and CPU to operate, so it's time to upgrade your laptop.
And why doesn't you Fast Track work with cubase? You have changed the sound card driver inside Cubase, haven't you?

 

[deadmansshoes]

Cubase should work even on weak computers well. The problem is that amplitube and probably EZdrummer take lots of memory and CPU to operate, so it's time to upgrade your laptop.
And why doesn't you Fast Track work with cubase? You have changed the sound card driver inside Cubase, haven't you?

Cubase works but has trouble playing back skipping and stopping.

Cubase absolutely does not recognise that the fast track is plugged in. I've tried all the obvious (and some not so obvious) ways of changing it but if you have a suggestion feel free to let me know.

Cheers

 

[dintymoore]

The fact that Cubase and your Fast Track don't work is bothersome...

Maybe...

* using a different USB cable
* using a different USB port on the computer
* making sure you have the latest drivers from M-Audio
* phoning or emailing M-Audio
* phoning or emailing Steinberg
* does the Fast Track use a control panel (my M-Audio Delta 1010LT does and you need to use it)
* have you turned it on in the Devices pull down menu, in Device Setup/VST Audio System, does the Fast Track appear? If so is "Active" selected?

My computer isn't very good - dual 1 GB Mac w/1.5 GB RAM. Having sufficient RAM is ultra important, and it's pretty cheap. I can get 512 RAM for $18 or 1 GB RAM for $40 on eBay. Why not do that? Using 512 RAM in 2010 = unhappy camper!

 

[benherron.rrr]

Yeah I think one of your main problems is the RAM i dont know about sx3 but cubase 5 recomends 2g min. As for playback it will probably be related to a cpu overload, as i used to have the same issue. as for your sound card id listen to the guy above...
also you should have a look at a line 6 toneport. i think they work very well for guitar work and not to bad for mic work....

Im surprised this hasnt turned into a DAW WAR

 

[deadmansshoes]

Im surprised this hasnt turned into a DAW WAR

So am I. Anyway I would still like anyones advice/suggestions regarding a good DAW

But the big news is my laptop burned out, couldn't take it I was using it at work it got very hot underneath I shut it down tried to turn it on at home later and nothing happened. Guy in the shop reckons the motherboard burned out. So the good news is my hand has been forced and I'm getting a new one with a mighty 2GIG!!!

 

[moresound]

Heck, if your going new go for the gusto!

 

[kcearl]

amplitube would kill that power machine...

If you're hearts set on keeping the laptop buy a drum machine and a POD/Vamp and a DAW very easy on the CPU like Energi XT (it can even be run through a USB stick).....

The PC will handle audio files but most modern software is going to grind that to a halt very very quickly

 

[guitaristic]

So the good news is my hand has been forced and I'm getting a new one with a mighty 2GIG!!!

 

[kcearl]

amplitube would kill that power machine...

If you're hearts set on keeping the laptop buy a drum machine and a POD/Vamp and a DAW very easy on the CPU like Energi XT (it can even be run through a USB stick).....

The PC will handle audio files but most modern software is going to grind that to a halt very very quickly

ignore that, I just read you're getting a new one


if you are recording more traditional style instruments, guitars, bass etc..Id suggest Reaper

if you are recording more electronic style, beat driven tracks... Id suggest Ableton Live

if you're playing a stringed instrument whilst wearing dungarees, sitting in a tree, to freak out strangers....Id suggest a banjo


imho

 

[D_Vincent]

Try Reaper...I have a fast track usb as well and it works in that.

http://www.reaper.fm/

In menu above in reaper click options/preferences...under audio click device...choose asio and hopfully the fast track will appear...click apply

Under Audio again click buffering...I change the 1200 to 256...click apply.

If your recording with amplitube (which I do sometimes)...I would record one track...then render that track down to WAV and remove the amplitube plugin...now mute that track (dont delete because thats your original dry recording)

Now add a new track and bring in the rendered WAV file of the guitar track.

Now you have the track withought the CPU hogging plugin.

 

[kcearl]

Try Reaper...I have a fast track usb as well and it works in that.

http://www.reaper.fm/

In menu above in reaper click options/preferences...under audio click device...choose audio and hopfully the fast track will appear...click apply

Under Audio again click buffering...I change the 1200 to 256...click apply.

If your recording with amplitube (which I do sometimes)...I would record one track...then render that track down to WAV and remove the amplitube plugin...now mute that track (dont delete because thats your original dry recording)

Now add a new track and bring in the rendered WAV file of the guitar track.

Now you have the track withought the CPU hogging plugin.

yup good advice....another one to do is when using midi instruments which are notorious cpu/ram hogs save the midi file on its own track with the syths settings as its title when you are happy with the sound...then bounce down the softsynth track...if for some reason you need to go back to it on a later date you still have the original midi file with its settings in the title


did that make any sense? lol

 

[Atom Bomb]

I have a fast track USB and was extrmely dissapointed with it up untill a few months ago when i discovered it is now has ASIO support...

which hasn't been touched on yet.

GOTO THE MAUDIO SITE AND GET THE MOST RECENT UPDATE FOR YOUR SOUNDCARD... it tihn kthe release date was like nov. 2009. NOt sure if it helps but just go. do it.

enable the asio drivers.

Your going to notice a HUGE difference.


Also take the advice on reaper.


Between the swtich to ASIO drivers and swtiching from Sonar to Reaper has made my home recording expereince on my laptop 14 gazillion times better.

I still have quirks, but nothing at al like i used to have before.



So before you go dumping money into new shit, download the drivers and the free reaper demo.

I have a feeling your going to be super happy just doing that.

I was.

 

[Atom Bomb]

P.S. amplitube is ass. resource hog.

Ezdrummer is rad.

Of the two plugins i would keep ezdrummer and find another amp sim elsewhere.

Out board amp sims can be procured on the cheap. Line 6 has some cheap ones that double as a sound card as well.

Just a thought.


Amplitube pissed me off one too many times and i biffed it. Not worth the headaches at all.

Thats just me.

 

[kcearl]

amplitude 3 is better than most out there...I prefer TH-1 but its certainly better than Guitar Rig...for sure

 

[moresound]

P.S. amplitube is ass. resource hog.

Ezdrummer is rad.

Of the two plugins i would keep ezdrummer and find another amp sim elsewhere.

Out board amp sims can be procured on the cheap. Line 6 has some cheap ones that double as a sound card as well.

Just a thought.


Amplitube pissed me off one too many times and i biffed it. Not worth the headaches at all.

Thats just me.

^^^Good advice all the way around... McFly ^^^

 

[Atom Bomb]

amplitude 3 is better than most out there...I prefer TH-1 but its certainly better than Guitar Rig...for sure

Outboard all the way KC.

I gave amplitube many opportunites to do what i needed and it always fucking failed.

bar none.

Amplitube 3 wasn't a whole far cry better. IMHO.

For a while i blamed lack of experince on its short comings, but having had 12+years playing some guits i just reuled it out as heavy gimmick software.

personal choice i guess.

I like the idea of outboard amp sims better anyways casue it just frees up that extra bit of memory for the same price.

If you aren't a sofware pirate of course. Then naturally its not an issue.

But when i had the choice of spending 450+ bucks on My Pod or a piece of software that was going to bog my already resource starved laptop down...

I went with an obvious choice i thought.

 

[Atom Bomb]

^^^Good advice all the way around... McFly ^^^

thanks Biff.

 

[moresound]

thanks Biff.

HAHAHAHAHA

 

[kcearl]

Outboard all the way KC.

I gave amplitube many opportunites to do what i needed and it always fucking failed.

bar none.

Amplitube 3 wasn't a whole far cry better. IMHO.

For a while i blamed lack of experince on its short comings, but having had 12+years playing some guits i just reuled it out as heavy gimmick software.

personal choice i guess.

I like the idea of outboard amp sims better anyways casue it just frees up that extra bit of memory for the same price.

If you aren't a sofware pirate of course. Then naturally its not an issue.

But when i had the choice of spending 450+ bucks on My Pod or a piece of software that was going to bog my already resource starved laptop down...

I went with an obvious choice i thought.

totally dont agree...I have a V-amp, a pod, a korg toneworks and a crate half rack effects unit....they just sit there...next to my amp

youve got far more chance of shaping a realistic tone with the software than these outboard sims...which lets face it are just the same technology but more restricted, and generally older...

I buy them, I play with them for a day or so, then they sit on the floor...their quality is no where near the latest software


TH-1 excels, and amplitude 3, although Ive only played with it a few times, sounds very promising...the guitar rig is an older version but I cant see the new one being much better, especially from what Ive read in reviews...but its does offer great sound manipulation for other instruments such as synths and even vocals