Sound Engine Comparison

  • Thread starter Thread starter Giganova
  • Start date Start date
Giganova

Giganova

gimmi your mic!
hey guys --

there's a lot of discussion going on what the differences in the sound engines of DAWs are. Since most of us only use one recording/sequencing software, how are we ever gonna figure out which one sticks out? After all: how a DAW sounds like should be the prime criteria, especially since the features are very similar these days.

I therefore propose the ultimate "sound engine test"!

How could we do that? How about this: we could use three high-quality 24/96 WAV files with one vocal, acoustic guitar and bass guitar. Then everyone who wants to participate loads these three files into his/her DAW (Logic, Cubase, Sonar, ProTools, Nuendo, Fruity Loops, etc), and bounces the tracks to an interleaved stereo 16/44.1 WAV track. I can put all files on my web server and we could directly compare if there are in fact noticable differences in the DAW's sound engines (no external clocking and no FX/plugins allowed). If you want a more complex test, we could add a reverb plugin with the exact same settings (I could provide the plugin everyone would have to use, and the settings).

Does that make sense to you?
 
its already been done

Lynn Fuston's

Awesum Dawsum CD, Compares a multitude of DAWs, digital mixers, and analog mixers

http://www.mercenary.com/3dauawdawsum.html
Click to expand...

Why isn't Powertracks Pro on that list? :eek:


Giganova: I personally use Cubase SX, and have seen arguments (if you want to call them that) between programs such as Sonar and Cubase regarding sound quality. Seems as the majority claim there really isn't a sound quality difference amongst programs. Of couse the sound interface/card makes a difference as well as the converters, etc. Don't know why Steinberg then "improved" the engine in Cubase.

If I had more time I wouldn't mind participating in this "experiment", but as Teacher mentioned, it's been done before.
 
Well, its been done -- but we needed to buy the CD to check the results (and newer versions of the softwares aren't included either, I guess).
 
Will you hear a (noticable) difference when you're importing waves? I've only recorded using different programs, not importet.
 
moskus said:
Will you hear a (noticable) difference when you're importing waves? I've only recorded using different programs, not importet.
Click to expand...

thats what lynn fuston's awesum dawsum CD is about.
 
There are certainly differences in the audio engine. They all sound different. However, the differences may be minor. Also the differences may be more apparent in some mixes than others. In the end its all about which program fits your workflow and demands the best. If you are a completely commercial studio, than none of them are worth owning unless you already have one full blown Pro Tools rig.

Personally, I have tried most of them. The one I settled on and have absolutely no desire to change from is Nuendo/Cubase SX. It works rock solid for me and runs on Windows 2000 for an average of between 60 and 120 hours a week.
 
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