Software change - unnecessary headache or total joy?

[Bad Omen]

I used Cool Edit and then Adobe Audition for quite a while. Now it's been a long time I don't record anything, and a friend insisted that I should try Sonar to keep up with times and get more "serious".

Ok, I gave it a try, but... God, am I getting old or that thing is really complex? Its concepts are quite different, I feel like a good indoor kart racer who is all of a sudden at the wheel of a F-1.

I am always willing to learn a new software and know I can do it but my questions are:

- is it worth all the time (to learn) and money (to buy) I'll have to put into it? Does Sonar really offer more useful features for what I need?

- Maybe my friend was partially right? I should try something new, but not Sonar? How does Reaper and Audacity compares to them? They seem to be popular in the forum, maybe only because of their prices/free availability?


Ok, here's what I need the software for:
I do one-man projects only using a M-Audio Fast Track Pro interface. Record all my instruments and voice in tracks, and then spend hours playing with effects to improve them or add interesting elements. Mix the songs, post some on the web and keep them for a future CD with no commercial expectations.

If I could do that with just one software, adding some plugins if needed, it would be better. And I prefer paying more for the real solution than less for a
partial one, although cheap or free stuff is always welcome.

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot

 

[kcearl]

I reckon Reaper would cover your needs...and is far more user friendly...I first used Sonar and had to invest quite a bit of time in it...saying that I run a few now and learn pretty quickly due to going through that initial steep learning curve

Id say plus points for Sonar are its plugs...theyre great, but it had a load of features I never used and probably still wouldnt a year or so down the line

If you do go for it I find video tutorials always get you through that first stare at the screen..Ive bought them for each of my DAWs..Cakewalk had one for $9.99..Abletons cost me $2.99!! certainly worth getting through the setting up and recording stages

 

[Bad Omen]

Thanks for your input.

Do you think that the nice Sonar plugs you mentioned have equivalent add-ons in Reaper?

After many years on Audition, I could actually move past that "first stare" at Sonar's screen. It's just the simple things that bug me. Found the zoom odd, I couldn't snap clips together at all, and I didn't manage to find the effects in such an easy way. I don't know, was used to open an effect pannel in Audition and test tons of different effect presets in a very quick way until finding a good one that only needed some tweaking.

Anyway, sounds like testing Reaper wouldn't hurt. Or maybe findind a good Sonar tutorial as you said.

Is Audacity too weak?

 

[fossil]

Bad Omen - Don't want to hijack your thread, but . . . .


I'm kind of in the same boat. Been using Cool Edit Pro 2.0 for the last 5 years and was quite comfortable with it's limitations. As my name suggests, I'm an older guy who knows just enough about computers to be dangerous. I've managed to get acceptable results recording just myself and layering the tracks for various instruments. Don't really understand midi applications or use any and though I understand the concepts of the digital plug-ins for adding virtual instruments and stuff - too far beyond this old guy's realm of need or experience.

Well, the old hard drive on the recording computer just bit the dust and I've been exploring what my options are. From what I've seen so far, I can easily replace the software with the same thing by free download. BUT . . . doesn't seem to work with Windows 7. (Old platform was Windows 2000NT)

I need to move to adding an interface, as well, and when I start trying to research online, the options and choices are, frankly, overwhelming, and further research starts to make me question what will work with what. I'm on a very limited budget (aren't we all ?) and spending a lot on a recording suite and a pricey computer is simply not an option.

I see where a lot of folks here are high on Reaper ( not familiar with it) and what I need is some good, patient leading on something (hardware and/or software) that will a) let me continue on as I'm used to without getting totally left behind or b) a suitable substitute on the software that I can import those CEP2.0 files into (PCM .WAV files) and use that doesn't have a huge learning curve and c) a simple two channel interface (USB?) that makes setting it all up easy.

Too much to ask ? Any patient budding geniuses with a talent for teaching willing to help an old guy out ?

Seems like a great site - thanks for any help forthcoming.

 

[kcearl]

Thanks for your input.

Do you think that the nice Sonar plugs you mentioned have equivalent add-ons in Reaper?

After many years on Audition, I could actually move past that "first stare" at Sonar's screen. It's just the simple things that bug me. Found the zoom odd, I couldn't snap clips together at all, and I didn't manage to find the effects in such an easy way. I don't know, was used to open an effect pannel in Audition and test tons of different effect presets in a very quick way until finding a good one that only needed some tweaking.

Anyway, sounds like testing Reaper wouldn't hurt. Or maybe findind a good Sonar tutorial as you said.

Is Audacity too weak?

I think the plug ins in Reaper are good...I have only really had a brief look around it...but Id say you'd never really have to replace any of Sonars plugs....and the ones that are there can take you right the way through to a projects end...

Im not keen on Sonars workflow...but many here love it....saying that for the price a copy of Reaper and some choice plugs...something like Nomads Liquid bundle would work out cheaper and be easier to use...Reaper is one of the most uncomplicated programmes Ive tried

Audacity is what it is...I dont think its going to do the serious hobbyist imho

 

[kcearl]

Bad Omen - Don't want to hijack your thread, but . . . .


I'm kind of in the same boat. Been using Cool Edit Pro 2.0 for the last 5 years and was quite comfortable with it's limitations. As my name suggests, I'm an older guy who knows just enough about computers to be dangerous. I've managed to get acceptable results recording just myself and layering the tracks for various instruments. Don't really understand midi applications or use any and though I understand the concepts of the digital plug-ins for adding virtual instruments and stuff - too far beyond this old guy's realm of need or experience.

Well, the old hard drive on the recording computer just bit the dust and I've been exploring what my options are. From what I've seen so far, I can easily replace the software with the same thing by free download. BUT . . . doesn't seem to work with Windows 7. (Old platform was Windows 2000NT)

I need to move to adding an interface, as well, and when I start trying to research online, the options and choices are, frankly, overwhelming, and further research starts to make me question what will work with what. I'm on a very limited budget (aren't we all ?) and spending a lot on a recording suite and a pricey computer is simply not an option.

I see where a lot of folks here are high on Reaper ( not familiar with it) and what I need is some good, patient leading on something (hardware and/or software) that will a) let me continue on as I'm used to without getting totally left behind or b) a suitable substitute on the software that I can import those CEP2.0 files into (PCM .WAV files) and use that doesn't have a huge learning curve and c) a simple two channel interface (USB?) that makes setting it all up easy.

Too much to ask ? Any patient budding geniuses with a talent for teaching willing to help an old guy out ?

Seems like a great site - thanks for any help forthcoming.

ive no idea about CEP2.0 files, you would have to research it


yeah theres a tirade of interfaces out their...if it was me Id consider a presonus as it comes with Studio Artist...which is a great DAW with all the plugs youd need to complete projects...others to consider are Line6's UX models if you are a guitarist as they come with Pod Farm..great software for guitars, basses, and vocals

Id maybe avoid the m-audio fast track models unless its the pro version...as they get a bit of a bad write up..but if cash is the biggest driver here...why not look at a tascam 144...It has a couple of inputs, phantom power, and you can hook up a midi controller with it...Have a look on fleabay as these are going for very little