Which software?

[andreh]

Pro Tools works for me 99% of the time for MIDI and audio; it's only when I'm doing something that requires tight, complex sync to picture that I pull up Digital Performer.I find the PT interface very intuitive and easy to navigate...much more so than most other programs. And autotune works great if you set it up properly; it can be overdone like any effect, and sometimes requires automation to get right. Melodyne is awesome (especially for "re-arranging" melodies on-the-fly), but much more expensive...though I think they now offer a "lite" version that's cheaper.These days every DAW does so much that it's probably not worth switching, as others have said, unless there is something very specific you need that your current setup is not providing.Andre

[booker]

Thanks Matto... I'll check Melodyne out.

[53mph]

Rockinthebox,If you've got the opportunity to upgrade to a new system (and the willingness to learn) I'd suggest diving into the world of 64bit processors. Intel and AMD have some very good processors and they're updating them almost every week, it seems.This would give you the chance to upgrade your DAW to something like Sonar6 which takes advantage of the 64bit processors and ultimately will become a standard.I'd agree that Pro Tools is the industry standard and if you're swapping sessions with studios it would be good to have that on hand, but I've been reading that Sonar6 is 'probably' the most powerful DAW currently available and it's sooooo easy to use.In the end it depends on what you're used to and how you use it.If you're tempted by a Mac, then you could always buy a duel operating system version and have the best of both worlds.I'd also suggest having a look at these beauties.http://www.carillondirect.com/clnweb/in ... ountry=UKI like....I want......

[mazz]

I'd also suggest having a look at these beauties.http://www.carillondirect.com/clnweb/in ... ountry=UKI like....I want...... I got one of these a while back to use as a sample player with Kontakt and EWQLSO and I've never had a problem with it, rock solid. I don't use it for a DAW, just sample streaming but it is great. It took a while to get it because they build it in the UK but they have great tech support options, never had to use it, but it's there just in case. I don't know if it's 64 bit or not but I'm sure you can order that if you want to. A dedicated computer is one way to go but depending on your budget and usage, an off the shelf HP or something may be just fine. Since I'm mostly a Mac guy, I didn't trust myself when I looked in to the Windows world and I had a few extra bucks at the time and decided to let someone else build me a Windows machine (carrilon). I'm glad I did. Mazz

[kouly]

As far as suggesting which software, I agree that we are all biased towards whatwe are using right now. I started on Pro Tools because it was the "standard" but soonbecame irritated with it for few different reasons. Before this I would have recommendedPro Tools emphatically. Now I would recommend Logic. I use an equal amount of audio and midi and don't have any of the problems that seem to be raised by other people. Maybe it is just a work flow thing and people are just used to doing it certain ways. I would always recommend a Mac unless you are going to keep the machine for just music. i.e. no Internet. The security issues are too distracting. Keep things as simple as you can even a simple set up will have complexities inherent in it. Do not discount midi as being as something that is somehow inferior to audio. It is just a tool. It would be like saying that a hammer is less useful than a screwdriver. In any given situation one will usually be more useful. Midi has matured. It used to be associated with cheesy generic sounding cards. That was a misconception. Midi is a computer language and has nothing to do with the quality of any sound. If just plays the sound when it is supposed to. It is the user who determines the quality of the sound. Since modern computers are able to handle the larger files that uncompressed audio consist of. Using the full featured sampler in Logic Pro, one could trigger any sound with midi thus giving midi the ability to manipulate audio on the fly that you could not do without very serious (and time consuming) editing of audio files. Last time I checked Pro Tools did not have a sampler. Logic is not the end all product. There are other programs like Melodyne and Stylus thatwill help you work in ways that improve on what Logic can do. Interestingly they work by way of (Stylus) and in association with (Melodyne) midi.

[sgs4u]

Hey Kouly,Do you have Melodyne showing up as a plug-in within Logic. Which versions of each? I have an old version of Uno. I have to shut down Logic to tune things. that sucks.steve

[prez]

Quote:I have a friend that uses Cubase, and he likes it. I know theres a ton of effects for VST (?) There is a software that changes VST to RTAS... so.... I could do PT and still use some of those FX's.That's true. If you're comfortable with what ya got, just stick with that. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[prez]

Quote:You're not really the odd man out Prez, I've been using Cubase since the Atari ST days . Ahh...great minds think alike.

[kouly]

Quote:Hey Kouly,Do you have Melodyne showing up as a plug-in within Logic. Which versions of each? I have an old version of Uno. I have to shut down Logic to tune things. that sucks.steveHey Steve, I have Cre8te3.1 I do not have the Plug in version. I just export any audioand then hide Logic. Melodyne asks if I want to connect to Logic and I always say no. It only takes a few seconds to export from each program, so I dont think it is a big deal. I have used it with the Melodyne bridge but it is a little fussy so I just use the stand aloneprogram. Very stable with no problems. I have Logic 7.2.3. Why do you have to shut down? Have you tried to just hide it?

[sgs4u]

K, I use Uno 1.1.2.0, & Logic 7.1.1. Mac G-5 Dual 1.8, OS 10.4.8 I have to close Logic because Uno automatically engages Logic's Rewire crap, then logic will usually crash . I don't use Uno a lot, but I'd sure use it more if I could. To be able to use it as a plug-in on a bunch of tracks symultaneously would be handy for me. At the very least to be able to make changes in real time and listen more quickly to those changes in context. Soon enough, there'll be a more stable system that works. Only it'll take a faster computer, then i'll have to update other software, re-install blah, blah blah. So fixing that is on the, "when I get around to it pile." Creating a stable system took a year or so, and so many re-installs from scratch. I was just curious if you had Melodyne running as a plug-in, within logic, and I guess you don't. thanks for responding, I've learned more again!steve