Wavlab Confusion ???

[Bonz]

Ok, so I'm talkin to my buddy about CuBase .. stuff like what it can and can not do. Sounds to me like it's suppose to do everything right? Well we are both of the opinion as it was sold to me that Cubase is a Mastering/Editing Sequencing Midi-Audio Wave Recording Workshop. The guy that rang up my purchase said that I can, "make radio quality masters with this software".

Well my buddy & I are wondering why so many people who use software such as CuBase and ProTools feel the need to go out and buy stuff like Wavlab and Sonic Foundry to edit their wave files for mastering?

So what is it that I'm not getting? Is Cubase the end all or is it simply a great package for getting you to the point where you can then put your project into something that really does the job?

 

[crankz1]

You can Master within your sequencer. However, if you need to do fine editing, a wave editor is the way to go in that it will allow you to zoom in on a wave down to the individual bits. That and most will come with a good set of analyzing tools among other things that aid in mastering.

 

[Bonz]

And the obvious answer to my next ??? of how do you know if you need prods like WL or SF? I suppose your trained ears will tell you and the limitations of fixing whatever needs correcting from what you currently have.

If Cubase is being SOLD as a Audio Mastering package, I would think those capabilities would be incorporated within it. It seems to me that if I can't get "RADIO QUALITY" results from my project(s) then that would be grounds for refund. Heck, there are plenty of cheaper packages out there that will simply let you record good Audio files and then you spend your money on the big boys like Wavlab ... (right??)

 

[crankz1]

Radio quality is going to come from ones own skills .... you get out what you put in.
A good recording can be made with a Soundblaster and Wave Recorder. Provided the material is good going in.
Wave editors and CD authoring programs are just more tools to make ones job a bit easier and may offer a bit more functionality for specific tasks.
There is always going to be a certain amount of hype for any recording package. It's just marketing. Some of it is justifiable and some ... well, the same features can be found in lessor programs.
A certain level of Mastering can be done with most programs. Many of us just prefer more tools in our arsenal. It's personal preference in how one likes to work.

 

[Carter]

You can Master within your sequencer. However, if you need to do fine editing, a wave editor is the way to go in that it will allow you to zoom in on a wave down to the individual bits. That and most will come with a good set of analyzing tools among other things that aid in mastering.

In Cubase, you have all of these tools that you speak of, if you double click on a waveform in the sequencer it will open up the wave editor then you can zoom way in or process a certain section....ECT...ECT.... so Bonz It is down to one persons taste on how they want to edit a waveform but Cubase can do it all!!!!! Good answer cranks1.................

 

[Bonz]

Ok great news because I'm really not in the mood to shell out more cash until I get this program down. I'm very comfortable with midi sequencers, been using then ever since they came around but Audio recordings are kicking my butt at the moment. I'm sure with a little more practice I'll get to understand more.
I'm using probably 40% of what this software has to offer.

And I will admit that I do read the manual but much of it I don't understand. It seems it's written for those that have had some background in sound recording.

 

[Farview]

You can not burn a CD from inside Cubase. It won't create a PQ sheet, CD text, etc...

Cubase lets you edit and process your files but you can't burn a redbook CD from it.

 

[Atterion]

You can not burn a CD from inside Cubase. It won't create a PQ sheet, CD text, etc...

Cubase lets you edit and process your files but you can't burn a redbook CD from it.

That's more or less where Wavelab and Sound Forge have shined. The ability to lay out all your tracks, edit crossfades, put in track markers, track indexs, etc. Then process the whole lot with one set of mastering tools. with minimal fuss, and finish up with a nice Red Book CD (My experience tells me Sonic Foundry is the way to go if your primary goal is to use these applications solely for CD burning, go CD Architect).

For the record IMHO, neither Wavelab or Sound Forge comes with a spectacular set of Mastering tools (No better than what you have in Cubase). But they have excellent analysis tools (especially Wavelab).

 

[Bonz]

I believe I read that SF doesn't support VST plugins .. so if I'm going to look into these at some point and I'm using Cubase .. doesn't that pretty much nail the deal for me?

 

[Farview]

I believe I read that SF doesn't support VST plugins .. so if I'm going to look into these at some point and I'm using Cubase .. doesn't that pretty much nail the deal for me?

If you are using Cubase, you can already do all the editing and processing. CD Architect used to be a stand alone program, if it still is, that is what you need. If you plan on using VSTs in a 2 track editor, wavleab is the way to go.

 

[crankz1]

In Cubase, you have all of these tools that you speak of, if you double click on a waveform in the sequencer it will open up the wave editor then you can zoom way in or process a certain section....ECT...ECT.... so Bonz It is down to one persons taste on how they want to edit a waveform but Cubase can do it all!!!!! Good answer cranks1.................

Not sure if that was sarcasm or not .... but, this is true. Cubase does include a good editor. Some programs, on the other hand, don't.
Personally, I just prefer using a separate editor for post-production. But, hey ... each to his own.
VST's aren't a problem in any of the older Sony products ... you just need a wrapper.

 

[Carter]

Not sure if that was sarcasm or not .... but, this is true. Cubase does include a good editor. Some programs, on the other hand, don't.
Personally, I just prefer using a separate editor for post-production. But, hey ... each to his own.
VST's aren't a problem in any of the older Sony products ... you just need a wrapper.

No this was not sarcasm, I was just pointing out that Cubase does have a good wave editor, I agreed with your post. It's always "to each his own"

 

[Markaholic]

I believe I read that SF doesn't support VST plugins .. so if I'm going to look into these at some point and I'm using Cubase .. doesn't that pretty much nail the deal for me?

SF 8 does support VST !

 

[TimOBrien]

Irrelevant thread:

'Ya know guys.... when you go to a hardware store there isn't just ONE type of hammer.... you use the tool you like to get the job done that makes it easiest for YOU.

It's getting the job done that's important, not what BrandX tool you used to get there.

 

[Atterion]

Irrelevant thread:

'Ya know guys.... when you go to a hardware store there isn't just ONE type of hammer.... you use the tool you like to get the job done that makes it easiest for YOU.

It's getting the job done that's important, not what BrandX tool you used to get there.

True, there is a difference in size and weight of hammers and how comfortable it feels, and there is a difference between a hand saw, table saw, and chop saw, they all saw, and they all do it differently, so you do need to pick the right tool for the job, and hope that also works best for you, and yes sometimes brand name is important. I'll by DeWalt before I buy KMart.

 

[Farview]

and yes sometimes brand name is important. I'll by DeWalt before I buy KMart.

But it isn't as important when you are choosing between DeWalt and Milwaukee.

 

[Atterion]

But it isn't as important when you are choosing between DeWalt and Milwaukee.

Guess it would come down to whether you like Yellow or Red more.

 

[Farview]

I would find a sale.

 

[Pinachi]

Guess it would come down to whether you like Yellow or Red more.

RIGID all the way baby!!!!!!!I like cubase but i'm so used to protools and cakewalk ,i cant get my self to learn cubase ..Just dont have anymore patience.I would just like to use one program but i cant make up my mind which one .Ok too much info here,i'l get back in my hole and remain silent,lol.

 

[Atterion]

Ok too much info here,i'l get back in my hole and remain silent,lol.

Don't let it happen again!!!
But seriously, I had a really hard time transistioning from Logic to Cubase (Rather a hard time getting motivated to switch). But once I started the transistion it really went smoothly. Fortunately, Cubase allows me to emulate Logic's workflow (i.e. Cubase has presets for various programs, that allows you to utulize there shortcut keys, etc.). I have tried my hand at most major packages over the years and Cubase, is overall the most balanced of them all (It does lack some of the Audio/MIDI routing flexibility of Logic though...and still no damn sidechain inputs...hopefully soon).