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Post by bluesholyman on Sept 16, 2024 6:39:24 GMT -6
Today there's many different but capable DAWs available, with different strengths and weaknesses. What are you using? Why? What do you like / love / hate about it? Are you regularly using more than one? I chose to learn ProTools because it is widely used by most/all studios. I figured as a songwriter, even if it is a bit of a whipping post, it is a useful skill to have. I also have Logic installed and find it more useful for idea exploration, especially with some of the built-in stuff (drummer, etc.) But for the most part, I write/work in Pro Tools. Once I understood the era it came from (tape, linear editing) it made more sense to me. I am not a fan of the expense, but I can get a way with using Studio and be fine. Me Caveman. Me like Audacity. It good.  Chris I used Audacity for basic audio editing for a while - good free tool. At some point, I bought Amadeus Pro (Mac) for $25. I think its now $50 but I like it better. |
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Post by thehightenor on Sept 16, 2024 7:24:50 GMT -6
Took a music tech class in high school and they had Cubase SX. Quite the upgrade from Cool Edit Pro. Been using it ever since. Had some short stints with Pro Tools when I was working out of a friend's room like 15 years ago, but never owned a copy past LE 7? Sometimes I want to have a copy of Pro Tools around to explore, but it's just not worth the investment at this point. I love Cubase so it would be more of a compatibility thing to have PT. Reaper always sounds interesting, but it's so god damn ugly that I can't convince myself to try it. :x To all cubase users here I’m wondering When it comes to mixing, isn’t cubase’s event envelope feel clunky compare to pro tool’s clip gain? It’s only one thing I miss. I do write and arrange in cubase or ableton(studio one was 1st daw for me but it’s unstable on my machine). Trying to mix my own material but leveling vocals precisely needs a lot more work when I use cubase compare to pro tools or s1. Any advices or user experiences? Cubase clip gain is effortless to use - I use it all the time. Plus, Cubase off-line process history is extremely powerful - more folk should get into using that, it's brilliant. The INFO line at the top of the GUI is also brilliant IMHO. It unifies ALL events to be copied, pasted, moved, controlled by the same GUI. So automation event nodes are moved the same way as MIDI events or audio events - I think it's extremely easy to use and very, very intuitive. I love mixing in Cubase. This is a great video by Dom Sigalas - he shows the great features of the Cubase mixer - I have mixed in all the DAW's and for me, Cubase is the most fun and fastest to mix in. |
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Post by Quint on Sept 16, 2024 9:17:58 GMT -6
To all cubase users here I’m wondering When it comes to mixing, isn’t cubase’s event envelope feel clunky compare to pro tool’s clip gain? It’s only one thing I miss. I do write and arrange in cubase or ableton(studio one was 1st daw for me but it’s unstable on my machine). Trying to mix my own material but leveling vocals precisely needs a lot more work when I use cubase compare to pro tools or s1. Any advices or user experiences? Cubase clip gain is effortless to use - I use it all the time. Plus, Cubase off-line process history is extremely powerful - more folk should get into using that, it's brilliant. The INFO line at the top of the GUI is also brilliant IMHO. It unifies ALL events to be copied, pasted, moved, controlled by the same GUI. So automation event nodes are moved the same way as MIDI events or audio events - I think it's extremely easy to use and very, very intuitive. I love mixing in Cubase. This is a great video by Dom Sigalas - he shows the great features of the Cubase mixer - I have mixed in all the DAW's and for me, Cubase is the most fun and fastest to mix in. How is the clip gain in Cubase? I'm curious how it might compare to clip gain in Luna?. I actually think clip gain is really easy to use in Luna, but I've been sort of keeping an eye out on other DAWs, as of late, in case I decide to make a switch. Maybe I should just watch the video? Perhaps they discuss clip gain in there. |
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Post by thehightenor on Sept 16, 2024 9:42:44 GMT -6
Cubase clip gain is effortless to use - I use it all the time. Plus, Cubase off-line process history is extremely powerful - more folk should get into using that, it's brilliant. The INFO line at the top of the GUI is also brilliant IMHO. It unifies ALL events to be copied, pasted, moved, controlled by the same GUI. So automation event nodes are moved the same way as MIDI events or audio events - I think it's extremely easy to use and very, very intuitive. I love mixing in Cubase. This is a great video by Dom Sigalas - he shows the great features of the Cubase mixer - I have mixed in all the DAW's and for me, Cubase is the most fun and fastest to mix in. How is the clip gain in Cubase? I'm curious how it might compare to clip gain in Luna?. I actually think clip gain is really easy to use in Luna, but I've been sort of keeping an eye out on other DAWs, as of late, in case I decide to make a switch. Maybe I should just watch the video? Perhaps they discuss clip gain in there. Dom Sigalas discusses Clip Gain in a different video - check out his Youtube channel - he fantastic at explaining everything Cubase (also the official Steinberg guy on Cubase) The clip gain is there on the top INFO Line - along with the events positional info etc. It take a mouse click to alter it - unless of course clip gain is something different in Pro Tools? Clip gain alters the level of the clip pre mixer channel. There's also a gain/trim parameter in the mixer pre-fader. Clip gain on the INFO Line is per clip basis - you can divide a clip and change the gains of the newly divided clip independently etc. Finally you can alter a clips gain permanently in the off-line process history and undo it in the same place (that goes for any processing) There are many different places you can alter the gain of a clip - to suit many different workflows. |
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Post by Darren Boling on Sept 16, 2024 10:30:31 GMT -6
Through the years I've ended up with my work divided across several DAWs. Sounds like a pain on the surface but in practice it works pretty well.
PT HDX for tracking/mixing/all post work
Ableton for writing (and mixing when doing quick turnaround cues)
Sequoia/Samplitude for mastering (this is a newer development to stay compatible with my mastering partner, even with the pain of running Win 11 via Parallels I love them for mastering)
Logic and DP for staying compatible with clients.
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Post by drbill on Sept 16, 2024 12:30:05 GMT -6
I'm actually a bit surprised that Logic is so far down on the list. Not surprised about Cubase. I could adapt to it if I HAD to - don't want to though. Also a bit surprised by Reaper, although it's obvious it has been edging up the ranks over the last few years. Not my cup of tea either. I'm guessing that the "other" usages are mostly Luna - although it would have been interesting to see it listed specifically.....
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Post by Ward on Sept 16, 2024 12:39:25 GMT -6
I use both Pro Tools and Logic Pro. Can;t choose two... picked PT first, but find strengths in each of the two.
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Post by skav on Sept 16, 2024 13:21:21 GMT -6
I'm actually a bit surprised that Logic is so far down on the list. Not surprised about Cubase. I could adapt to it if I HAD to - don't want to though. Also a bit surprised by Reaper, although it's obvious it has been edging up the ranks over the last few years. Not my cup of tea either. I'm guessing that the "other" usages are mostly Luna - although it would have been interesting to see it listed specifically..... My mistake. I can't edit the poll, have to set up a new one if I am to include Luna. I doubt we'll get as much engagement if it's reset and that could scew the results differently. Maybe Johnkenn can do some magic? |
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Post by EmRR on Sept 16, 2024 13:39:01 GMT -6
I'm actually a bit surprised that Logic is so far down on the list. Not surprised about Cubase. I could adapt to it if I HAD to - don't want to though. Also a bit surprised by Reaper, although it's obvious it has been edging up the ranks over the last few years. Not my cup of tea either. I'm guessing that the "other" usages are mostly Luna - although it would have been interesting to see it listed specifically..... at least 2 of the 'other' are DP |
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Post by donr on Sept 16, 2024 14:28:56 GMT -6
I use DP, ever since Gibson killed Opcode. I have PT also, but I'm not at all capable on it. PT is better for multitrack take editing, it's a pleasure to watch a PT jockey edit full band basic tracks on it.
DP's great in the overdub, time and pitch domains, and mixing phases, and it's the devil I know.
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Post by Johnkenn on Sept 16, 2024 14:47:04 GMT -6
I'm actually a bit surprised that Logic is so far down on the list. Not surprised about Cubase. I could adapt to it if I HAD to - don't want to though. Also a bit surprised by Reaper, although it's obvious it has been edging up the ranks over the last few years. Not my cup of tea either. I'm guessing that the "other" usages are mostly Luna - although it would have been interesting to see it listed specifically..... My mistake. I can't edit the poll, have to set up a new one if I am to include Luna. I doubt we'll get as much engagement if it's reset and that could scew the results differently. Maybe Johnkenn can do some magic? Thought I could edit it, but apparently not… |
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Post by thehightenor on Sept 16, 2024 16:10:31 GMT -6
Make a post in the thread saying "Only like this post if you use Luna" The number of likes gives it a poll position. Easy fix |
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Post by EmRR on Sept 16, 2024 16:52:23 GMT -6
I use DP, ever since Gibson killed Opcode. I have PT also, but I'm not at all capable on it. PT is better for multitrack take editing, it's a pleasure to watch a PT jockey edit full band basic tracks on it. DP's great in the overdub, time and pitch domains, and mixing phases, and it's the devil I know. I'm at the beginning of the PT learning curve, and honestly am finding DP much easier to do complex edits in. I'm sure that will even out, wonder where it will land long term. DP's stretch is useless with more than one track though, elastic audio is a complete joy in comparison. I am quite used to DP's pitch editing, have never felt the need for Melodyne/autotune/etc. Pretty sure I'd rather mix in DP for the most part. There are some dumb things on the mixer window that are streamlined and logical in PT. |
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Sept 16, 2024 17:48:11 GMT -6
I use DP, ever since Gibson killed Opcode. I have PT also, but I'm not at all capable on it. PT is better for multitrack take editing, it's a pleasure to watch a PT jockey edit full band basic tracks on it. DP's great in the overdub, time and pitch domains, and mixing phases, and it's the devil I know. I'm at the beginning of the PT learning curve, and honestly am finding DP much easier to do complex edits in. I'm sure that will even out, wonder where it will land long term. DP's stretch is useless with more than one track though, elastic audio is a complete joy in comparison. I am quite used to DP's pitch editing, have never felt the need for Melodyne/autotune/etc. Pretty sure I'd rather mix in DP for the most part. There are some dumb things on the mixer window that are streamlined and logical in PT. What made you decide to switch over to Protools? |
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Post by donr on Sept 16, 2024 17:55:35 GMT -6
I use DP, ever since Gibson killed Opcode. I have PT also, but I'm not at all capable on it. PT is better for multitrack take editing, it's a pleasure to watch a PT jockey edit full band basic tracks on it. DP's great in the overdub, time and pitch domains, and mixing phases, and it's the devil I know. I'm at the beginning of the PT learning curve, and honestly am finding DP much easier to do complex edits in. I'm sure that will even out, wonder where it will land long term. DP's stretch is useless with more than one track though, elastic audio is a complete joy in comparison. I am quite used to DP's pitch editing, have never felt the need for Melodyne/autotune/etc. Pretty sure I'd rather mix in DP for the most part. There are some dumb things on the mixer window that are streamlined and logical in PT. I've never tried to stretch multiple tracks. I'm only messing with the feel of an overdub phrase, or time/tempo compressing a stereo mix. I guess those time tools are getting pretty darn good. |
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Post by rowmat on Sept 16, 2024 17:56:54 GMT -6
We originally started out with the basic 8 Track limited Pro Tools LE that came with a Digi 002.
After pricing Pro Tools proper along with the hardware we would have to buy to go with it Reaper suddenly became a no brainer.
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Post by rowmat on Sept 16, 2024 18:06:32 GMT -6
I use DP, ever since Gibson killed Opcode. I have PT also, but I'm not at all capable on it. PT is better for multitrack take editing, it's a pleasure to watch a PT jockey edit full band basic tracks on it. DP's great in the overdub, time and pitch domains, and mixing phases, and it's the devil I know. This brings back memories I’d rather forget. My first AD/DA was an Opcode Sonicport Optical I purchased in the late 1990’s. After about six months it ceased working so I took it back to the store I purchased it from and was informed that Gibson had since purchased Opcode, dropped support and was not providing warranties on any Opcode gear. My Sonicport instantly became a doorstop. |
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Post by parasitk on Sept 16, 2024 18:55:57 GMT -6
I use DP, ever since Gibson killed Opcode. I have PT also, but I'm not at all capable on it. PT is better for multitrack take editing, it's a pleasure to watch a PT jockey edit full band basic tracks on it. DP's great in the overdub, time and pitch domains, and mixing phases, and it's the devil I know. Yeah I was coming from using Vision in the early to mid 90s. |
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Post by doubledog on Sept 16, 2024 21:03:59 GMT -6
We originally started out with the basic 8 Track limited Pro Tools LE that came with a Digi 002. After pricing Pro Tools proper along with the hardware we would have to buy to go with it Reaper suddenly became a no brainer. I don't think PTLE v7-8 was limited to 8 tracks (I think maybe v6 as well?). Pretty sure it had at least 32 (internet says 48 stereo tracks). with outboard preamps and ADAT expansion I was recording 16 tracks at a time (but that may have been the simultaneous record limit). I definitely had sessions with >16 tracks too. |
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Post by rowmat on Sept 16, 2024 22:04:53 GMT -6
We originally started out with the basic 8 Track limited Pro Tools LE that came with a Digi 002. After pricing Pro Tools proper along with the hardware we would have to buy to go with it Reaper suddenly became a no brainer. I don't think PTLE v7-8 was limited to 8 tracks (I think maybe v6 as well?). Pretty sure it had at least 32 (internet says 48 stereo tracks). with outboard preamps and ADAT expansion I was recording 16 tracks at a time (but that may have been the simultaneous record limit). I definitely had sessions with >16 tracks too. I think it may have been limited to recording 8 simultaneous tracks at a time but it was the version that was bundled with the Digi 002. |
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Post by thehightenor on Sept 17, 2024 1:17:07 GMT -6
So has everyone wised up and changed over to Cubase yet?  Seriously .... if I ever went back to commercial music (working as a producer) then I know I'd NEED to be a dab hand at Pro Tools and having tried a copy last year - the learning curve is so steep I think it's a path I'm not going to re-visit. In retrospect, I really should of made the time and mastered PT (even though I don't like the app) - as I think having Pro Tools skills is an absolute essential if anyone wants to work professionally and travel working or take in professional projects from other commercial studios. PT is the = of the old std of a reel of 2" tape. |
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Post by EmRR on Sept 17, 2024 7:16:20 GMT -6
I'm at the beginning of the PT learning curve, and honestly am finding DP much easier to do complex edits in. I'm sure that will even out, wonder where it will land long term. DP's stretch is useless with more than one track though, elastic audio is a complete joy in comparison. I am quite used to DP's pitch editing, have never felt the need for Melodyne/autotune/etc. Pretty sure I'd rather mix in DP for the most part. There are some dumb things on the mixer window that are streamlined and logical in PT. What made you decide to switch over to Protools? Because I could only avoid it for 30 years versus 45? Haven't actually switched over, probably won't, only have one project staying in PT at the moment which originated in another room. Too difficult to transfer to DP. I've had a subscription for a few years for the occasional file transfer, I'll stream from one DAW to the other if needed using Audio Bridge or Blackhole. There's a nice room I occasionally work in that's reconfigured recently such that you can only use PT, so trying to get up to speed on that. I loathe the idea of running a tracking session with PT at this point, I'll be giving up 80% of my librarian/accountant/pre-mix skills, but apparently gotta do it. Not sure how I'll deal with having one mixer space versus multiple, that's a huge efficiency to give up if you're used to it. |
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Post by EmRR on Sept 17, 2024 7:25:37 GMT -6
I've never tried to stretch multiple tracks. I'm only messing with the feel of an overdub phrase, or time/tempo compressing a stereo mix. I guess those time tools are getting pretty darn good. DP will let you manually stretch one at a time, it won't group and grab multiple. You can stretch multiple drum clips to the same sample boundaries and phasing ruins the outcome. More recently there's a stretch lane that I honestly haven't messed with, but the reports I've read haven't been great, and it still seems to require defining a lot of markers before you can do anything. You can use region/scale time on a group of tracks, but that's a window you enter a percentage in, and see what happens. Do it multiple times until you're in the right zone. Stretching a mix does work well now, fairly astonishing results, but not always what you need to do. |
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Post by seamus on Sept 17, 2024 8:20:14 GMT -6
Started on DP almost 30 years ago.
Added PT about 20 years ago and eventually went all in with PT.
Switched to LUNA when it came out (5 years ago?)
Switched back to PT about a year ago when I got sick of waiting for HW inserts.
I still use DP from time to time just for the pitch correction, which is awesome.
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Post by Ned Ward on Sept 17, 2024 8:32:43 GMT -6
Home studio guy and still on Pro Tools since LE and the 001. Had a brief stint with Logic Gold after Studio Vision Pro wasn't OSX compatible.
I was a Performer guy from 86 - 93, and then working the summer at Opcode convinced me to switch.
I have Ableton but rarely use it.
On my iPad I do use GarageBand for sketching out songs on the road.
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