Tracktion 2 vs. Cubase

[ross g]

(I posted this on Mackie's Tracktion 2 forum, got no reply, I figured I'd try here..thanks...)

I recently built a P4 3.0 with an EmulatorX audio card/soft sampler setup. The Emu came with Cubase VST which honestly is more powerful than what I used before, Studio Vision with a Protools card setup on an old nubus Mac system. I also just got Reaktor 5 which I think will keep me busy with programming and sounds (along with EmulatorX which is pretty powerful in it's own right).

Right now there's an offer for owners of various OEM versions of Cubasis/Cubase VST/etc to upgrade to either SL or SX versions. I'm sure I could use one of those hosts and be happy with them but I kind of dig Tracktion 2's approach/feel, I don't have the cash for both, I probably could have gotten along with the OEM Cubase version anyway. Also, I saw that Musician's Friend has a deal where if you purchase T2 you get a copy of BBE's Sonic Maximizer plug-in, and that's a deal maker for me-an old secret weapon from my studio days...
I also have a Yamaha AW4416, their top of the line stand-alone DAW. It has two cards, an additional 8 analog inputs and a Waves plug-in card with a lightpipe i/o, I chose the Emu card setup for my PC because it was the cheapest quality card with lightpipe built in, I can use the AW4416 as a front end for recording/mixing/FX/control surface/etc...

I only have a few questions (after that long setup). 1. Is it possible to setup via ASIO multiple aux send/receives? I want to be able to access the AW4416's Wave and SPX fx thru the lightpipe i/o, not to mention outboard fx/analog synth filters and such, I want flexability (I downloaded the demo but it wasn't easily apparent..to me at this time anyway) 2. Will I be able to use the AW16 as a controller via midi, including transports and cc faders? I also want to be able to sync audio from the AW with T2, I want the flexability to mix on the AW and "fly in" tracks from T2 on an as-needed basis. 3. Did anyone figure out if the Sonic Maximizer plug-in actually works in T2? There's a thread going on, I'm a little freaked if, off the bat, the one plug-in I want to use has problems... I'll want to use any VST I can, I thought this was a strong selling point. 4. Is it easy to use some of the midi VST plug-ins with T2 (in the midi input filter section)? I don't know any names off the top of my head but it would be cool to built and import midi velocity compressors, arppegiators, etc...is anyone doing stuff like that successfully? 5. I only played with it a bit, but can you use multi-breakpoint levels for manual volume/pan/other stuff editing?

I guess that was more than a few questions....the price is right and I do like the feel of T2...I'd love to get some feedback from Cubase and T2 users,strong and weak points of both ...I just want to make sure there are no suprises as I cannot afford to buy into anything I won't be happy with. I pretty much did a crap-load of reasearch into my new system and I want to make sure I get the perfect host...(lots of them bundled VST's ain't too bad either!...and yes, I'm checking out the demo, some user feedback is always good in addition, I feel....)

and ya only need to answer a question or two, i'd be in your service....


thanks (kvr),

rg

[ross g]

jesus...can't y'all give me a little feedback?



rg

[John Vulich]

jesus...can't y'all give me a little feedback?

[Morgaxx]

I dont have your answers...I think your question(s) is/are quite good, well presented and relate to answers that would indeed be usefull. Perhaps that is the problem. Try missspeling aphew words and mentioning french trance music then you will recieve many replies, of which some may pertain to your queries...

My gut instinct is that you will be ok on all counts, though truly i dont know...

best of luck...

[Mr. Tingle]

You want to post this in the raw materials (Tracktion) forum where I'm sure you'll get an answer!

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22

[headquest]

I'm a previous Cubase and Tracktion user (still dabble but now mainly using Ableton Live 5). As nobody from Tracktion-land is answering, I'll try:

1) I think so but I'm not sure
2) I don't think you can... I think the full controller support is presently limited to Mackie devices
3) Try the demos - compatibility can sometimes be system-specific. One person will have problems... another won't
4) I think so, yes
5) Definitely. Breakpoint envelopes for automating volum/pan/all "filter" parameters are superb and very easy in Tracktion.

hope this helps. For fuller answers go to the RMS forum, as Mr Tingle says.

[headquest]

PS...

If you are using lots of external MIDI equipment, Cubase SX3 will be your best bet - it's as good as it gets in that department at present...

Tracktion is more fun though, and quicker/easier to use. Better "workflow".

As you "don't have the money for both", make your decision carefully...

Go to the RMS forum mentioned and look at the various feature requests and bug reports people are making. Consider if you will be affected by any of the issues raised.

Then do the same at Cubase.net.

Sorry to state the obvious, but you are obviously going to have to live with your decision once its made!

[ross g]

I dont have your answers...I think your question(s) is/are quite good, well presented and relate to answers that would indeed be usefull. Perhaps that is the problem. Try missspeling aphew words and mentioning french trance music then you will recieve many replies, of which some may pertain to your queries...

My gut instinct is that you will be ok on all counts, though truly i dont know...

best of luck...

you got a good laugh outta me..thanks for that!

thanks for the other answers as well...i'll dig deeper into the T2 demo, do more stuff with Cubase, etc...(money is tight, wish i could do both!)

(edit) i guess BBE sent Mackie/Raw Material a copy of the Maximizer plug in for testing, hopefully they will iron it out...




thanks again,
rg

[soulata]

I own both T2 and Cubase SL. I'll second headquest:

T2 is definetly more fun to use and I still use it for tracking and composing.
Usually I'd switch to Cubase for editing and mixing + studio compatibility.

k