EWQLSO compatible programs

[boardman]

I recently posted a thread about buying a new DAW setup. Well.........I've decided to custom build a PC running on Windows XP Pro with lots of memory and storage and all that good stuff. I also want to invest in the EastWest Quantum Leap Symphony Orchestra program. My question is, what programs work with that? I currently have the 2004 version of Cakewalk and Reason 3.0. Will I have to buy another more modern program to run EWQLSO? Cubase? Pro-Tools? Any suggestions?Thanks for any input!www.taximusic.com/boardman

[hummingbird]

Quote:I recently posted a thread about buying a new DAW setup. Well.........I've decided to custom build a PC running on Windows XP Pro with lots of memory and storage and all that good stuff. I also want to invest in the EastWest Quantum Leap Symphony Orchestra program. My question is, what programs work with that? I currently have the 2004 version of Cakewalk and Reason 3.0. Will I have to buy another more modern program to run EWQLSO? Cubase? Pro-Tools? Any suggestions?Thanks for any input!www.taximusic.com/boardmanI can't say if EWQLSO will run with those other programs. I run EWQLSO using Tracktion2. If I was to upgrade, I'd move to Cubase as I understand it supports sequencing better than ProTools. (I posted a thread about upgrading here in the Tech section). I like Tracktion because it is simple to use and also reasonably priced & I like to start simple & work my way up to complex so I still have some hair left at the end of the day H

[matto]

Reason can't use plugins, so that's out. You should just be able to upgrade (Cakewalk) Sonar to the newest version and then EWQLSO should run fine in it. If you're going to be doing everything on one computer, you'd probably want to stick with the Gold/Gold XP combo, Platinum would be a bit too much of a resource hog.Dave Walton uses Gold in Sonar, and it works great for him.matto

[crs7string]

I'm using EWQLSO Gold as a VST plug in in Sonar 7. Sonar 7 is a big leap from 4 and probably worth the money. There are now more processing options in the program (convolution reverb, mastering plug ins, etc) as well as new soft synths.I hope you are planning on multiple hard drives. I have three internal and one external drive.One is for the programs, two for sample libraries, three for audio, the external for back up and one of my sample libraries. My computer currently is a Music XPC. They build and tweek computers for musical use.Chuck

[mazz]

I second Chuck's advice. Multiple hard drives are a must when doing this kind of work. Every tech forum and software vendor will concur.I don't use PC for my main sequencing but I do have one dedicated for sample streaming. I've said this before but I think it bears repeating: if you're not totally up on motherboards, CPUs, power supplies, OS tweaks, etc., and you don't have time to get up to speed, then let someone who knows this stuff build your machine for you. You'll save yourself a ton of time and potential headaches, time you can better spend on making music. Just my $0.03 (adjusted for inflation)Mazz

[lboogie77]

Have to agree with Mazz on this. Let the pro's do the PC tweaking. Definitely do the multiple drives!As for sequencers. Cubase all the way! But, basically what ever works best for your budget and situation.I think Cubase will do just fine for any budget or situation(imho), but dont go run out and buy Cubase jus cos I recommended it.Once you get your daw up and running and put Cubase... I mean the sequencer of your choice. Just make sure it can host virtual instruments like EWQLSO. If you are going to go for the orchestra set, you might as well get the platinum, I think it is still on sale for some really ridiculous price. When you do your orchestral stuff use the Full mic position for all your instruments. I think that is the mic position for Gold. Once you get it the way you want it, bounce down each part. Then, go back and do another bounce for the other 2 mic positions. (What is all that? you will see once you get it)I have the platinum set and am still navigating my way around it. But this seems like a good way to preserve resources and take some load off your hard drives and ram.You still readin this? Go get your daw set up so you can submit some stuff and get some forwards!!! 77

[boardman]

Thanks so much for all your input. I'm getting ready to put a big chunk into a credit card! Checked out the Music XPC (thanks krs7string) and I think that I might go down that route for my OS (multiple hard drives, plenty of memory, etc). After comparing Sonar and Cubase, I think I'm gonna go with Cubase. Depending on my credit card limit I'll have to decide if I want the Gold or Platinum EWQLSO. This is a huge investment but I know for a fact that it's worth every penny (as was membership to Taxi). Hopefully you'll see me on the Forwards thread in the future

[mazz]

If you can swing the Platinum, I'd go for it. I have it and I've taken advantage of the different mic positions on a few occasions. I've used the close mic positions to emulate a smaller group in a smaller room and I've blended all three for a huge Hollywood swashbuckling sound. Many here have had great success with Gold so maybe I'm just a pig that has to have everything but I like the flexibility.Enjoy your new system. I hope to hear some of what you come up with.Mazz

[crs7string]

Boardman,As I mentioned, I've had a Music XPC for over three years and have been very happy. The only problem I had was a hard drive failure with my sample library drive. A call to Music XPC got me headed in the right direction and they we're very responsive and helpful.As far as Sonar vs. Cubase, and I know everyone feels very passionate about the DAW they've chosen, I've been a Cakewalk user for a long time and have updated all along the way and up to Sonar 7, you do tend to get used to a workflow. I do try to follow what else is going on in the DAW world. Sound On Sound magazine has a forum on all the major platforms including tutorials. Every platform seems to do what every other platform can do.I have never used Cubase. I do know that the Sonar online forum has been extremely helpful and the Cakewalk guys are constantly on there helping their users. It could be helpful to check out the "tone" of both forums and see who's complaining and who is a happy camper.There also seem to be cross grade options for all the DAW's these days. This results in a pretty big discount.I know you will get many more opinions on this subject. However, if and Dave Walton I posted our tracks with Sonar, Mazz posted his tracks with Logic, Stick with ProTools, Hummingbird with Traction and someone with Cubase, I would challenge anyone to tell me which platform the tracks were recorded on. I know I couldn't.Chuck