An alternative to Logic

[mrlargefoot]

So i have come to understand that logic 7 is the industry standard, also that it is only now available on Mac. Not willing to shell out for a machine that will be mostly useless to me i am looking for an alternative to Logic, or what i would lose by getting an older version that is PC friendly (if possable at all).

[beej]

Logic 5 PC is no longer supported by many software companies (such as Waves etc) so if you buy a plugin you can't guarantee it will work for you, and have no support if it doesn't. Most stuff still works, some stuff has issues, and some stuff doesn't work at all, and you're on a declining curve (ie, it will get worse over time).

For that reason, I can't recommend you using Logic 5.5.1 on a PC, and in DAW terms it's quite old and is missing several really important modern features (like PDC on busses, freeze and so on.)

So it really depends on what your focus is, but if you want to stay on PC then look at alternatives such as ProTools, Cubase SX/Nuendo, Sonar, Samplitude (thanks iskandar) and Live, and also check out the other, less standard DAW's like traction and so on, as they might do what you need (you don't specify what it is you do need, so I can't help you there.)

I moved to the Mac and stuck with Logic, and I'm very glad I did, Logic is *way way* better that Logic 5 these days...

[iskandar]

here is a good thread in regards to Samplitude
http://support.magix.net/boards/samplit ... topic=9894

[mojkarma]

So i have come to understand that logic 7 is the industry standard, also that it is only now available on Mac. Not willing to shell out for a machine that will be mostly useless to me i am looking for an alternative to Logic, or what i would lose by getting an older version that is PC friendly (if possable at all).

A couple of things:

1. Logic is not an industry standard. It is a very good sequencer with a great workflow and with a littlebit weaker possibilities in the audioarea. But you really do not need to care about what somebody considers as "industry standard". Most prostudios use ProTools anyway. That can be called industrystandard, but not Logic.

2. I don't see any reason, why a mac (if you decide to go the Logic route) would be useless. A mac is a computer and you can do anything on it, what you usually do on a PC. Why would it be useless? I am a happy user of both, two macs and a pc. Regarding internet for example, I would everytime prefer a mac (no viruses, trojans, etc.)

[stag]

I think FLS should be ideal for you, another industry standart, just don't forget to get an MPC too.

Bye

[Rock Hardbuns]

The handful of studios I've been in ran cubase for sequencing.
For audio tracking protools or dedicated systems is the standard, I suppose, but alot of studios still use tape or adats.

[koolkeys]

ProTools is THE industry standard. The next most used program is Nuendo. You can get Cubase, but Nuendo is the one actually used more. It has alot of extra stuff for post production and such.

What are you looking for in a sequencer? Surely "industry standard" isn't what you SHOULD be looking for, unless you are doing lots of collabs with those in larger studios. If this is the case, then ProTools is your best and almost only option for total compatibility.

HOWEVER, there are a TON of good sequencers out there that don't cost nearly as much as either Logic or PT. You can get anything from Cubase or Sonar, to Tracktion, EXT, Reaper, Podium, or a lite version of Cubase or Sonar. I wouldn't say that FLS is anywhere close to an industry standard, but it depends on what you are doing with it.

So many options, and so much power, for so much less.

So I guess the question is, once again. What are you wanting to do? What options do you need? What kind of music do you do? These kind of things will help get more specific recommendations.

Brent

[mrlargefoot]

I am looking to invest on something that will see me through the next few years education wise. I am thinking of doing a computer based music course at university and it looks like the software they use is Logic, i am definately not interested in getting something unsupported so it looks like an earlier version of logic is out of the question.

I really cant be forking out for a mac at this point, the amount of software available and my current knowlage of pc hardware is what will make me stick with a PC until i have a somewhat disposable income for a machine that is used for one thing.

I have used FLStudio for a few months and i got on very well with it, i mainly want to kind of carry on what i was doing with it (making tunes via vst etc instruments) but be able to do whatever a computer music course demands. So i guess i'm also looking for some compatibility between my home software and that of the facilities at whatever university i end up at.


edit, thankyou so much for all your help so far.

[pHz]

TBH ... if you understand the concepts of what youre doing on the course it should be fairly straightforward to apply those to whatever host / sequencer youre most familliar with ...

... if the course uses logic then any app that has a good balance between audio and MIDI capabilities should be good enough ...

... try some demos ...

slainte rob

[aMUSEd]

You could get something like Energy XT that's affordable and that can be used as a main DAW at home but also plugged into another sequencer if you have to use something else at College - it even runs off a USB key so if you have ASIO installed on your college PC it could run that way too. Plus Energy XT is in many respects like Logic in that it has a modular approach like Logic's environment.

[Kalamata Kid]

My alt to Logic is Cubase + energyXT

[mojkarma]

HOWEVER, there are a TON of good sequencers out there that don't cost nearly as much as either Logic or PT. You can get anything from Cubase or Sonar, to Tracktion, EXT, Reaper, Podium, or a lite version of Cubase or Sonar.

Well, at least Sonar or Cubase doesn't cost much less than Logic, if you take the time and compare the package of each sequencer, and what is in it. Getting Sonar or especially Cubase to the same level as Logic Pro 7 would cost much, much more, than what you have to pay for Logic.

Take a look and see what one gets with logic: http://www.apple.com/logicpro/featureoverview.html

Just put a sampler (for example NI Kontakt) to Sonar and Cubase and the price is almost the same and you are still far away from the number of plugs and virtual instruments logic is shipped with.

[bduffy]

You could get something like Energy XT that's affordable and that can be used as a main DAW at home but also plugged into another sequencer if you have to use something else at College - it even runs off a USB key so if you have ASIO installed on your college PC it could run that way too. Plus Energy XT is in many respects like Logic in that it has a modular approach like Logic's environment.

That's a good suggestion. The only problem I'd see with that is that if he's not going to learn Logic, then I'd suggest something that has more of a reputation; nothing against eXT, which I love, but it just isn't known in the field at all. At least if you drop "I know Cubase" or Sonar, everybody's at least heard of them, and they offer the features that studios, film and TV would be looking for.

Then use eXT as a plugin and blow them away with your secret weapon! Just a thought.

[koolkeys]

HOWEVER, there are a TON of good sequencers out there that don't cost nearly as much as either Logic or PT. You can get anything from Cubase or Sonar, to Tracktion, EXT, Reaper, Podium, or a lite version of Cubase or Sonar.

Well, at least Sonar or Cubase doesn't cost much less than Logic, if you take the time and compare the package of each sequencer, and what is in it. Getting Sonar or especially Cubase to the same level as Logic Pro 7 would cost much, much more, than what you have to pay for Logic.

Take a look and see what one gets with logic: http://www.apple.com/logicpro/featureoverview.html

Just put a sampler (for example NI Kontakt) to Sonar and Cubase and the price is almost the same and you are still far away from the number of plugs and virtual instruments logic is shipped with.

Don't get me wrong. Logic is fantastic. I was only making some general suggestions, not knowing exactly what he needed it for. It's very true that Logic packs alot of punch, but he mentioned that he didn't want to fork out for a new Mac, so I suggested a bunch of apps that run on PC.

If you do have a Mac, and the money, Logic is very, very nice. Believe it or not, Nuendo is used more(at least here in Nashville), but Logic is often regarded as the next best thing "standard-wise".

So on PC, the ones I listed were pretty much the best there are. But then again, who's to say that they aren't as good as Logic? Neither one is better, it's just a matter of how you work. The plugins available with Logic Pro may not be needed by many, and therefore they add no extra value at all. Logic is just another option in the pool.

Brent

[koolkeys]

However, you are correct that Sonar and Cubase and Nuendo aren't much cheaper. I should have separated my statements. Sorry.

Brent