Which one comes next to Logic?

[Wallenstein666]

Hi there,

finally I want to switch from my 3 years old Logic 5 Platinum Sequencer (Windows) to an Up-to-Date Sequencer. I tried several demos for checking out the workflow but I still cannot make a decision.

1. I need something timeline-based, because I want to record conventional rock music, nothing pattern-based.
2. I do not need a complexe midi environment as in logic, because I don't use external synths.
3. I need VST and I still not know if Cakewalks DX to VST Adapter works proper.
4. I need the possibility to map shortcuts as well as something comparable to Logic's screensets.
5. I do not need such a "big" graphical appearance as Cubase or tracktion, my mixer slider does not have to look like a real one.
6. I would like to have a "big" arrangement screen for editing stuff, I do not need everything on one screen.
7. I would like to freeze FX, instruments, tracks, busses and everything else.

I tried the current top demo versions of Sonar, Tracktion, Samplitude, Cubase, Project 5 and Ableton Live 5. At the moment I would tend to Samplitude or Sonar with a light preference for Samplitude. But I still like some features of Sonar (muting parts of a region etc.). I like the look of Samplitude but I don’t know which functions it bears.

Come on, all you experienced host warriors, gimme a hint!

Cheers, Gerri.

[zai]

I would give Live 5 another try...very simple to use, and it runs all VSTi withouth any problem (at least to me anyway).

But if you're looking to do "complex" midi editing and make "big" arrangements...I'd suggest Cubase SX 3...a wonderful host...a little pricy...but well worth the money.

But then...Logic Pro 7 is one of the best out there...but you're running Windows.

Never tried Sonar...so can't comment.

Zai

[Wallenstein666]

Well, I'm running logic on a 1.6 pentium 4 notebook and if I use 3 instances of guitar rig my CPU is full blown. But I don't want to bounce already yet because I haven't made a decision for a final guitar sound. Obviosly I need a freezing function.

I tried Cubase but it took me hours to edit a "lively" drum track. The arrangement window of Live 5 is still very sparse, I do not get enough information about my song... As a skectch I still like it and for electronic music it is perfect.

[zeoy]

I am working with T and I love it , so here's my thoughts:

1. I need something timeline-based, because I want to record conventional rock music, nothing pattern-based.

That's what Tracktion was made for!

2. I do not need a complexe midi environment as in logic, because I don't use external synths.

Midi is not the strongest point of Tracktion so ... it's OK for you

3. I need VST and I still not know if Cakewalks DX to VST Adapter works proper.

Excellent VST compatibility

4. I need the possibility to map shortcuts as well as something comparable to Logic's screensets.

I think you can make your own shortcuts in T2. Not screensets though.

5. I do not need such a "big" graphical appearance as Cubase or tracktion, my mixer slider does not have to look like a real one.

Tracktion's sliders look nothing like real. So OK again

6. I would like to have a "big" arrangement screen for editing stuff, I do not need everything on one screen.

You can hide inputs and filters in T2 and have all the witdth you want. You loose however some area at the bottom but you need at least the transport controls there

7. I would like to freeze FX, instruments, tracks, busses and everything else.

Freeze is OK in T but you cant alter volume or pan in freezed tracks

You can also apply effects to audio parts directly (including volume-pan filters if you want to mute them)

Lots of included mastering tools also (Final Mix, Mackie compressors), 64bit mixing engine, very easy scrolling-zooming. T is also very stable, cpu efficient, streamlined (a few MBs installation) and cheap compared to the big boys.

[Wallenstein666]

Thank you for your answer.

Is there any Mixer panel?

When I tried it I coud not create a normal midi track as in Logic with a pencil (or something like that). Did I miss something?

[Wopelka]

Did you try Sonar? it would have all you need. the Vst-DX adapter works very well. it's just a matter of running it once in a while, when you've installed new plugins; after that, they are available and work seamlessly in Sonar.

[Wallenstein666]

Thanks, I tried already a bit. How many inserts, sends, busses and tracks can I create? And I read about streamlining the mixer layout.

[Wopelka]

the mixer routine is now very flexible. i'm not aware of any limitation in number of inserts, sends, busses or tracks.

[Wallenstein666]

Thanks, I guess I will spend some nights to figure everything out.

[proletkult]

Price might be prohibitive for you but I have similar needs to you and my answer was Live 3 rewired to SX3(sometimes run from Gigastudio 2). I don't need everything Live 5 has to offer(plus its too cpu heavy) and what it doesn't do SX3 covers beautifully(plus I write to picture which isn't Live's bag). It is the long way round and call me a host whore but the flexibility is vast.

[dougsyo]

Did you try Sonar? it would have all you need. the Vst-DX adapter works very well. it's just a matter of running it once in a while, when you've installed new plugins; after that, they are available and work seamlessly in Sonar.

My solutions for finicky plugins under CWVSTA:

(1) If re-scanning a failed plugin doesn't work, I think a little about how much I may want that plugin. Yes, the CWVSTA can be finicky, but it's not THAT finicky for me. Some (hi Theo) may have different experiences.

(2) Try DirectIXer (which I bought in the Sonar2 days, before CWVSTA was bundled with Sonar). Some plugs like Jamstix just work much better with DirectIXer. Between CWVSTA and DirectIXer I can cover Big Tick, Camel Audio, ConcreteFX, Dash/NuSofting, Linplug, and Wusik instruments - the bulk of my non-DXI instrument collection. Even among those instruments, there are some that I don't use very often any more and would probably just sell or shelve if they didn't work.

(3) Another alternative is to try running it in EnergyXT under either CWVSTA or DirectIXer, but TBH I'd have probably skipped it by now.

My recent instrument purchases were Jamstix (which they admit works better with DirectIXer, and were offering at a reduced price in a bundle), Tassman4 (comes in VSTI+DXI), GPO (comes in VSTI+DXI), some Wusik engine products (work fine with CWVSTA), and P5V2 (all instruments are DXI). Besides Sonar and P5V2, I use FLStudio - it supports both VSTI and DXI but seemed to favor VSTI.

Doug

[flugel45]

If Cakewalk follows their usual timeline, Sonar 5 should be released in 3 to 4 months (haven't heard anything - this is pure conjecture on my part).

If you can stand waiting a few more months, it might be worth it. Also, there's nothing more annoying than paying $500 for software only to have the new version released a few months later - and you're stuck having to pay the same upgrade price as everyone else. By waiting a couple or three months, even if you get the current version, you might be eligible for a discounted (or even free) upgrade when it goes to v5.


JD

[deggy]

i find both logic 7 and sx3 to be quite strait forward once you get used to things. I find sx3 a little easier to use but I prefer logic. If you need a freeze funtion, i reccomened sticking with SX3 a little longer.


Also, even though I haven't tried it, it may sound like Traction 2 might be what you want.

[jorgen]

http://www.xt-hq.com/download
forum http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=36

you can even run it as a VST sub-host inside your logic



jorgen

[ObsoleteAcc99]

[DELETED]