Sonar? Logic? ProTools? WHICH IS BEST?

[slideboardouts]

Jan 7, 2009, 2:15pm, davewalton wrote:Hi Ang, He forgot to mention one minor detail... virtual instruments!!!!! One slammin' setup but all that to create a "Piano" sound? Actually, the Logic Studio pack comes with an ungodly amount of virtual instruments, royalty free loops, and mixing tools. At $500 it is an absolute steal...just 2 years ago it would easily have cost 2-3k to get everything that comes bundled in Logic Studio. Even Logic Express for $200 has enough to keep her busy for a while. It also comes with a lot of the vienna sounds I believe, but I think to do big orchestral stuff she would still need East West like you mentioned.-Steve

[jpmuzic]

I totally agree with you about the virtual instruments as far as Logic goes. You are going to have more than enough as far as sounds are concern they can always be changed to your own library. Like I said in the previous pots that Logic is all that I use I may use some of the keyboards that I may gig with but for the most part its all about Logic take care and make the right decision on your purchase at the end of the day it has to make cent to you.JPBe BlessedI rock with one name!

[ragani]

Hi Anj,I think you got the message that you don't have to spend $7,000 to get started with a DAW set up. I got some good advice from these board members recently when I was upgrading my system, and I'll share it with you here: Buy your DAW (Logic, or whatever), and try out all the software (virtual instruments, etc.) FIRST before buying any more programs. You'll have plenty to try (from what I hear) with Logic, and that's true for a number of other software programs too. You can always add things later, once you know what you'd really like to have more of. But you can't return expensive software easily if you were to find you don't really want it.Get the desktop computer, not the laptop, IMO. You'll have plenty more power, it's cheaper, and you can still lug it to a recording site if you really need to (I did that for several months during the recording of all our CD's). The desktops have so much more power, and they are considerably more affordable for the juice you get. If you decide to go with PC, Matto's suggestion of building a PC (if you decided to go with PC) is a good one-- we build all our PC's for our office (though we do use Mac for my music studio), and you can get a ton more memory and power in your built system for far less than an off-the-shelf computer. You can tailor it to what you'd need. PLUS, you'll get the 1- or 2-year warranty included (which always comes with the hardware you'll install), something that you'd have to PAY EXTRA FOR if you bought it off the shelf. And if you decide to go with Mac, Steve and JP's advice to get a refurbished one is a great idea.Jan 7, 2009, 10:47am, matto wrote:Yeah the problem with listening to Sweetwater is the advice they give you is biased because they want to make money off of you.Yeah, as for that, they might give great customer service and "advice", but they certainly don't give you package deals like I've seen at other places. Bottom line is-- you can get better prices that these, Anj! I was recently comparing prices at several places, and when SW phoned me with a price quote, they said they could give me a "good deal" for all the gear I wanted- and then they proceeded to give me the same price they offer online. No deal! Guess I figure-- if I'm going to drop a few thousand dollars, I'd like to hear a better price that the listed online price that I can find anywhere. (BTW, Guitar Center won my business, with several hundred dollars in savings over the other places-- after haggling a little.)Looks like you're headed in the right direction, Anj. As was said many times above-- you absolutely don't need to spend $7,000 to get started with a recording studio! Take your time, think about what you need, and start with the essentials. You can add a piece here and there in the months to come, once you have a better idea of how everything works for you.I'm excited for you! It's a great thing to have your own recording studio, and I'm betting that our "poor school teacher" will be flying high very soon! Raags

[girasoledonna]

I love you guys You are some of the best people I've ever met - thanks for making this somewhat scary process a lot less difficult to manage! I'm off to guitar center tonight to see what they have to offer me - and I feel good about all the homework I've been doing - i did decide to go with a Mac Desktop - I think its a much better idea and more bang for the buck certainly as many of you said! I'm gonna be logic tonight too I think! So I'll be on my way! Then its just everything else...lol... Anj

[ragani]

Great, Anj! And don't be afraid to haggle a little for prices. I usually do an online search for the lowest prices and print them out (GC says they will beat any price), and then go in and barter for a "package deal" for all the equipment I want to get. There are lots of places that will want your business, and YOU are the one in the driver's seat here. Good luck! Keep us posted!

[matto]

Jan 10, 2009, 6:15am, ragani wrote:There are lots of places that will want your business, and YOU are the one in the driver's seat here.Particulary considering the current economic situation...

[southpaw]

Congrats anj. I also bought my startup gear at guitar center, and after that they have matched any price i have found, so i continued to go through them.. Over the years it added up and now, before i walk in to guitar center, i do my homework and find the lowest prices for what i want and they always cater to the prices... Point is, as opposed to buying online, it can be very advantageous to have a relationship with a hardware (where you can always play before you pay) company like this, especially when you have a bit of leverage. Something to keep in mind. CheersJamie