Samplitude Users - can anyone list out its best features?

[nexuscreative]

The advantages of Samplitude, compared to other hosts like ProTools LE, Cubase, Sonar, etc.

Besides the obvious, which I learned that it sound much better, are there any other reasons why me, for example, would want to switch from Cubase SX 3 to Samplitude Pro 8?

I heard the GUI is pretty complex and learning curve is steep, but I won't mind take time to learn provided that whatever I do in Cubase it can be done in Samplitude.

Also a question - can it load multiple videos and even quicktime? Can videos in different formats (eg. wma, quicktime and avi) and resolution, be loaded and mixed in a single window for scoring?

I also welcome any comments from users who think I shouldn't do the switch.

Thanks everyone!


Peter

[james0tucson]

"Besides the obvious, which I learned that it sound much better"

All these DAWs have audio performance far beyond the limits of human perception.

[siriusbliss]

In my opinion Samplitude does everything that Cubase does and more - and yes it has great professional sound quality. There are many converts on the Samp. forum these days.

It's best considered as a linear pro-audio production suite rather than the Acid Pro or Ableton Live type approach - thus it's more in the realm of Cubase, Logic, etc.

It's working great here as a vst and dx host.

Yes, GUI can take a bit of getting used to, but most-if-not-all features can be hot-keyed and called up quickly. I didn't find the learning curve too steep - and I've been a Samplitude user since rev. 5.x.

It will only load one video at a time, mostly .avi's, but can also load mpegs exported out of Magix's other video apps. like Movie Edit Pro, which I also have. It will not load quicktimes (that I know of).

I'm hearing of folks using Samplitude in conjunction with other video apps, or even SMPTE/MTC clock-syncing with video editors, but have just begun digging into this myself (using Movie Edit Pro), so I cannot elaborate at this time.

If you're a heavy MIDI sequencer/looper type of person, then I am still under the assumption that Samplitude 8.21 is slightly behind Cubase as far as MIDI usability is concerned, but it's very close, and plenty good for me. It's fine as a 'looper' though.

Samplitude's legacy is as a pro-level audio app., so audio production and mastering has always been it's strong-suit.

The drum editor/mapper is awesome for working with jamstix and dfh Superior.

other little features:
-Burn a CD on the fly (calculating all effects); burn Redbook quality CD; burn ANY CD
-Sample level volume and wave editing
-Multiple wave views
-comparisonics visual wav feature
-Batch processing of MP3's and .wav's, etc.
-Flexibility in pre or post fader plug placement on the OUTPUT BUSS
-non-destructive editing
- freeze feature to conserve CPU load, etc. on large projects
-DVD audio - leading to 5.1 surround encoding

Anyway, if I were you I would peruse the Samplitude forum and search for the Cubase people hanging out over there and see what they think.
http://support.magix.net/areas/samplitude/us/index.html

Have fun,

Greg

[nexuscreative]

Thanks Greg, that has been very helpful!

The reason why I posted here is also because I can't access the main forum in Samplitude - it only allows registered users. It's hard to get additional info - I've already searched through here and Nothernsounds. And trying one myself would only reveal so much, while asking people who are using it would yield more answers.

I'm mostly into midi scoring for tv commercials and short films so video support is very important. If it really can sync up with other video apps like Premiere that would be cool! Nuendo is a tad too steep for me just to get multiple videos.

If there are anymore testimonials from other Samplitude users here please write on.

Again thanks!


Peter

[RapRogue]

http://www.synthax.com/forum/index.php

Also search the forum for the user hosted newsgroup.

Merry X-mas!

[siriusbliss]

I believe you can also download the demo.
Or if you're adventurous, go for renting the program for a while. You can always cancel.

Have fun,

Greg

[siriusbliss]

oops, the Samplitude ver. 8.11 demo is here:
http://www.samplitude.com./

That should get you going.

Also, there used to be an older newsgroup run by sekd (the original Samplitude developers) that didn't require registration, but I don't know if it's still up these days.

Greg

[siriusbliss]

I think this old newsgroup link still works:
news://news.nv.net/samp-seq

It doesn't require you to be a registered Samplitude user.

You'll find VERY professional support on both this and the Magix forum.

Greg

[nexuscreative]

Thank you again guys and merry xmas!

I have found all that I need to know. The newsgroup and the forum you recommended answered many questions.

There is an offer from one store which bundles Samplitude Producer 6 by purchasing Fireface 800 and I will be getting that soon, and might opt for an upgrade if I find the V8 Pro demo good.

Hopefully, in a couple of months from now I will be posting some feedbacks on my experience with Samplitude (once I have the full workable version of course).

[siriusbliss]

If I remember correctly, ver. 6 doesn't handle vst plugins, but I may be mistaken.

All the extra features between 6 and 8.x are worth checking out the demo.

Have fun,

Greg

[xylyx]

Tried to check the demo out myself, but as Magix have seen fit to make the download non-resumable, my modem disconnects before the download is finished and it restarts from scratch...nice one!

[RapRogue]

They are pretty decent, just go to the new forum and ask that they send you the demo?

[sboullion]

I have been a Samplitude 6 user for several years (I migrated from Sonar 2), and couldn't imagine having to use anything else at this point. It all boils down to a couple of things: Sound and workflow. Once You get used to using the "object based" editing, everything else seems tedious.
Version 6 did not use VST natively, but the Fxpansion wrapper is included. Version 7 and up has excellent VST integration. Better, in fact than many sequencers I've seen. Also, the built in effects are very good, and include three compressor/expanders (including multiband), reverb/delay, room sim, amp sim, fft, eq, distortion, multiband stereo enhancer, dehisser, fft noise reduction, etc. Plus, version eight includes a couple of EXCELLENT plugin suites. You could literally use Samplitude with NO third party plugins and get fantastic results.And if You have a plugin patched into a track or an object, the plugin is not active until it receives an audio signal (uses no CPU unless it's receiving audio). I can run many more plugs in Samp than I ever could in Sonar (which is quite efficient, IMO).
If I sound like a total convert, I am, but I do mostly audio, so i can't speak too much to its midi capabilities.
I could go on, and on, but I'll shutup now.

[siriusbliss]

Yeah, Samplitude is like crack. You can really get sucked in just spending time checking out the features.

Greg

[nexuscreative]

Hi all, I figured that I should at least post a feedback after my initial request for additional info regarding samplitude.

I managed to get a good deal from audiomidi upon purchasing Fireface (great sound card by the way!) which enabled me to grab hold of Samplitude 8 at a very good price.

Well, I have to admit the GUI was a bit daunting, and I still prefer the midi features in Cubase SX... Maybe because I'm a long time user since 96!

I used to do multitracking in SX and final mix and tweaks in Audition. After doing this for years I got used to the "sound quality" that these two applications produce. So when I say "WOWWWW!!!" once I started using sam for mixing and editing, I really mean it.

It just sound amazing!

I still love Cubase. I still love Audition - in fact audition is so user friendly I wanted to stick to it. But after how I treat the sounds in sam, I have to let it go.

Sam might not able to convert me fully, but I'm definitely doing all the mixes in there from now on.


Peter