KVR Audio

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Wed May 18, 2005 3:09 pm

Hi

I'm in the process of adding one of those to my setup (T2, which is perfect for laptop recording, even my drummer can handle it...) but is kind of weak in the loop area.

Which of the mentioned apps does it best (in your opinion). Try to leave workflow and other preferences aside (no sequencer war here).

I'm just wondering, tried Sonar, liked it, tried Live, liked it too, no demo of SX3 AFAIK, but I do use SX2 in studio when I have to (read: I watch the engineer use it), but there was quite some talk of its loop features (I'm reading all the old forum posts, don't worry).

So, please share your opinions.

Thanks

k

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Wed May 18, 2005 3:41 pm

Acid and/or Rex import is a plus, too. And what you can do to them.

dgkenney · Post by **dgkenney** » Wed May 18, 2005 3:51 pm

I know you said, "worflow aside" but that is really the crux of the matter. I own all three hosts you mentioned and they are very different in their workflow. Your best bet is to try before you buy, if possible.

A new contender you may want to give a look to is Project 5 V2. There is a demo available and it also is focused on patterns and loops.

Dan

ResonantOrder · Post by **ResonantOrder** » Wed May 18, 2005 3:52 pm

I would go with Sonar simply because it's read acid files for a few versions now, and in SX3 it's a new feature. Also, in Sonar you can have 'midi groove clips'. Midi clips that act just like acid audio clips. As far as I know, Sonar is the only host who has this. I've spent very little time with SX3, so someone might fill you in on it's looping capabilities.

There is a demo of SX3, but you have to have an ilok installed for it to work on your machine.

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Wed May 18, 2005 4:00 pm

thanks

I did try p5, but didn't like it (can't really say why, but it didn't click). Sonar is fine, but after using t2 I just don't like 2-tracks-for-a-vst approach, looks messy to me (I know, folder tracks but still...)

I know Cubase (I've used SE version that came with my Firepod until it crashed a few times without reason), so it wouldn't be that hard to get used to it.

I could get Live and rewire it to T2 when needed. I'd probably use it more as a sketch pad, as I usually do things in more linear fashion (a plus for sonar or sx3).

sx3 would probably be great one in all solution, if it makes working with loops easy (I liked Sonar's way of handling them, Cyclone is not bad either)

k

dougsyo · Post by **dougsyo** » Wed May 18, 2005 4:21 pm

soulata wrote:thanks

I did try p5, but didn't like it (can't really say why, but it didn't click).

Was this P5V1 ? or V2? V2's a whole different critter, may be worth a second try.

Having said that, I'd probably use Sonar before P5V2 for audio work at this point, but I'm waiting for P5V2 to arrive so that might change.

Doug

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Wed May 18, 2005 4:25 pm

p5 v2. i liked what i saw at the Frankfurt MM, but the demo just didn't do it for me. I find working with it a bit fiddly.

I prefer Live to P5 (judging by demo versions)

k

Mykon · Post by **Mykon** » Fri May 20, 2005 11:50 pm

I think you will find Live the most appropriate application.

I have used all the ones mentioned, and Live will be the best for loops. Although Acid Pro has been the best in loops for years, Live has all but surpassed its capabilities.

You will even be able to fix drummer mistakes in a couple of clicks:
1. Drop the loop into the project.
2. Double click on the loop.
3. Double click the marker nearest the "off" beat.
4. Drag the marker to the beginning of the beat.
Thats how easy it is to prep your loops and samples and fix a mistake non-destructively. (In Acid it may take 6-8 steps.)

-Mykon

efluon · Post by **efluon** » Sat May 21, 2005 11:19 am

alltough my personal fav is sx, if it is only about loops and you want to stay with tracktion, live would be the way to go. i think correcting drummer mistakes or changing the groove is more intuitive in sx, though. just have a demo of sx at your local music-store!

databass · Post by **databass** » Sat May 21, 2005 12:10 pm

in the loop area ACID Pro remains the best one! (IHMO of course)

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Sun May 22, 2005 9:13 am

Right now I'm leaning towards Cubase. There's a huge price difference between SX and SL, I just might go for SL.

Is SX really that better? (I know there's a few features missing in SL, but it doesn't look like there's too much missing)

Bas · Post by **Bas** » Sun May 22, 2005 12:31 pm

The main differences I know of, are :

No external FX Busses in SL.
Limited inserts (8 in SX, 5 in SL)
No insert effect on input channels in SL.
Cannot apply VST FX offline in SL.

For most purposes, SL should be a great tool, and I suspect that I would only miss odd things, and they could be worked around.

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Sun May 22, 2005 3:16 pm

I see there's no Evolver and Monologue Vsti as well in SL.

Still, there's not THAT much taken out. I guess it should work just fine.

k

Mykon · Post by **Mykon** » Sun May 22, 2005 9:06 pm

If you are going with a pro setup like Cubase, go ahead and get SX. You will end up using the additional features, especially when recording a live band.
-Mykon

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Sun May 22, 2005 9:12 pm

Maybe you're right. I'll be recording live bands for sure (at least my band, but I already use T2 for that). I need stronger editing, loop support...

k

Loops - Sonar - SX3 - Live