CUBASE SE 3 or ProToolsLE?

[stick]

The M-Box Family of interfaces.

[jude3]

Quote:I'm wondering if I should buy a different recording system. Right now I am running Tracktion2 and although it works fine for what I am doing in terms of composition, I wonder if it is sophisticated enough for the kind of mastering I need to do for film/tv. In particular, there doesn't seem to be anyway for me to edit imported audio files or figure out what frequencies a particular track is generating, etc. I'e watched a couple of studio engineers work in Cubase and Tracktion doesn't have all those bells & whistles. It looks like I could get Cubase SE3 for less than $200 Canadian.http://kellysmusic.ca/productinfo.asp?s ... 3212933I'm also running EWQLSO Silver XP Pro & EWQLSO Silver. I plan to upgrade to Gold & add Stylus or EZ Drummer in 2008.EDIT: I am PC based, on a custom-built audio computer I just got in February. Windows XP Home; Processor AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4200+; Processor Speed -- 2.2GHz; RAM 2GB PC4200 DDR2 SDRAM (Exp. To 4GB or perhaps 8GB); 80/170/320 GB SATA drives + an external 320 GB drive for back-ups.H.NOTE: The only thing I record is vocals, guitar & the odd thing like... bagpipes. I'm mostly interested in getting my mastering capacity to the best it can be.PS - some retailers sell Cubase SE3 with an M-Box - is it good to get that as well?I have been recording on hard disk since 1988. Think about that! That is before anyone here even new it existed.I know where the ProTools format came from. I used it before it was Pro Tools.My advise is simple. You will never get the top quality without a top converter. It does not matter what DAW you use. With that said, I use Cubase 4 because I know the algorithms are better and the MIDI features are better than ProTools.BUT, for broadcast quality you don't need RME or Appogee converters. Therefore, I recomend the cheepest or what is easier on your wallet.Pro Tools plugins have always been more expensive. Running Cubase on a PC will be cheeper and there is more plugins to choose from. And in my oppinion Cubase sounds better. I know the algorithms and when you raise that volume knob, Cubase is a little fatter.

[ginstl]

With the 64 bit computer you have you may want to check out cakewalk sonar producer edition. It has a 64 bit engine and everything you need to do what you are talking about.

[daffsongwriter]

I have been to a studio this week to have my song recorded etc and they were using ProTools - they recommended it and from what I could see it was really good. I haven't used Cubase but I do know someone who has.If you want I can speak to them again and get some info.Daff xx

[ragani]

I've used ProTools for the past 5 years now (I know one of their early beta testers who recommended it to me-- he uses it with most of his production clients), and I can say I'm also thinking about shifting my production system too. I love ProTools for the punch and record, the detailed editing features (which have served me very well for all our CD productions), but I'm finding it more of a challenge to use for film/TV productions, as the bouncing features are all done in real-time, and that can take f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I've been hearing about Logic software, and I want to know more... I'm wanting to find a system that can easily incorporate samples into my main recording tracks, something that allows me to master and bounce tracks more quickly for production purposes. Might have to invest in a sampler after all...Raags

[stick]

Raags, If you go to Logic, a great sampler and a lot of sounds are included. That's one of the best things about Logic– all the included virtual instruments. Rhodes/Wurli, Clavinet, B3, a selection of synths, an acoustic modeling synth, etc. Plus a very usable suite of plug-ins for mixing/mastering including a nice convolution reverb. And the new version 8 of Logic is much improved in the learning curve arena. In fact, if you can run Garageband, the step to Logic isn't very big.But, saying all that, I use Logic for my high-speed production, but anytime I really want to dig into a mix, I move it all to ProTools and mix there.

[ragani]

Stick,Wow-- I hadn't realized Logic included a sampler and sample sounds too. I'm guessing you could get more samples too if you wanted, yes? And it includes a mastering and mixing plug-in? I'm not familiar with Garage Band, but I did hear (after the Rally, on the airport shuttle) from another man who spoke well of the two programs. It's not a problem-- I can learn whatever I need to. Heck, I had never used any software program before my launch into ProTools (and two other software programs)-- that was a VERY steep learning curve (due to all the engineering, production, etc. things I had to learn for my first album). I was peddling hard and fast, a wanting-to-die kind of uphill curve. Then I wanted to sleep for two years after doing that. But I did it. I envy all you guys who got started with music training in grade school (or college). I had to go through three lifetimes and careers before landing in the music business, so it's been an ongoing crash course for me. (I remember the first TAXI Rally I attended a few years ago-- it took me all weekend to figure out that the "chorus" didn't actually mean a group of people singing! Yeah, my music does have a full chorus, so that was a little confusing... and embarrassing! )Stick, sounds like the advice I got about Logic for high speed productions and ProTools for more indepth productions is a fit for you too. I think the time has come to make some additions here to my studio production programs. And I got this really nice offer to shadow the production guys at this tv/film production studio here in town. Last I recall, they were using Logic too. Guess the cards are lining up here. The universe is pointing the way. The teacher has come. So thanks for the tip. Give me a few weeks (months??) here to catch up from our India trip and the Rally, and I'll touch back about the Logic learning curve of Logic. I'm looking forward to getting some new tools for faster productions!Raags

[ciskokidd]

Hi Hummingbird,My personal experience working in both the Cubase and ProTools format is that it all depends on what you do. Is it primarily recording digital audio or is it primarily midi based. Since you mentioned that you use the EW symphonic stuff, you are using virtual instruments and for that I would stay away from ProTools. The midi in ProTools is very much behind the curve and you will get along much better with Cubase.I've taken a look at Traktion and the environment is so much more different than what I am used to. That modular format is something that takes getting used to.The other thing is that Matto uses cubase as well and could give you pointers when you get stuck.Hope this helps with your decision.Cisco

[hummingbird]

Okay to add to my question - I just found out that I can get the Tracktion 3 Ultimate Bundle upgrade for $199. It includes:Clutter-free, single-screen user interface keeps the music flowingNo limits on track count, virtual instruments, or plug-ins*Acid, Apple and REX Loop Browser with automatic pitch and tempo adjustmentHigh-definition 64-bit/192kHz mix engine for superior soundRack filters for simple creation of complex instrument and effect combinationsMulti-processor / multi-core CPU supportQuickTime video support for professional soundtrack creationControl surface support including Mackie Control Universal, C4 and moreOver 150 new features and enhancements from Tracktion IK Multimedia SampleTank 2 SE w/ 100 sound setsIK Multimedia Amplitube LE w/ upgrade to DuoSubmersible Music DrumCore TK w/ 2GB drum sample libraryGarritan Personal Orchestra Tracktion 3 Edition w/ full 820MB sound library (powered by Native Instruments Kontakt 2 Player)LinPlug Alpha 3 classic synthLinPlug CronoX 3 sample synthLinPlug RM IV Drum Addiction w/ 250 drum kits and 2,000 MIDI loopsMackie Mixing and Mastering ToolsSonic Reality Tracktion 3 Ultimate Collection w/ 2,000 Apple loops, 200 Rex loops, 1GB multi-track loopsSWA Video - Mastering Tracktion 3--------And Cubase4 is $800. If I get the Tracktion Upgrade Bundle, I save $600 I can put towards getting the EWQL Gold Bundle & Stylus RMX. I note the upgrade includes the full Garritan Personal Orchestra, anyone have any experience with that?OTOH, if Cubase4 is going to help me produce broadcast quality more effectively, I'm willing to invest in it and devote myself to figuring out how to use it.H

[matto]

Hey Vikki, you wouldn't need full Cubase 4, that's the top of the line offering. You could either get Cubase SE ( ~$150), which is based on the older Cubase SX technology I'm still using, or the new Cubase 4 Studio, the lower priced version of the flagship Cubase 4. The regular C4S is ~$400, however if you own the full version of Tracktion you'd be eligible for the "competitive upgrade" price which slashes that price in half to ~$200.http://secure.keyfax.com/Merchant2/merc ... ore_Code=M(Or as you can see, if you did want to go for the top of the line Cubase 4 you'd be able to get that at half off too)There's nothing wrong with staying with Tracktion either of course, except that it doesn't have a large pro user base, at least around here, so...if you need a tip on how to e.g. tweak your string lines to make them sound more realistic...I could tell you if you use Cubase, Dave could tell you if you use Sonar, stick could tell you if you use Logic, mazz could tell you if you use DP...if you use Tracktion, I don't know of anybody who could tell you (yet?).That's really the main thing that speaks for using one of the more established packages out there. Tracktion is certainly capable of delivering broadcast quality...but achieveing it is always more an issue of skills than software.