try Podium!!

[aMUSEd]

seriously... i am not trying to make it out to be something that it's not! i own and use it, and there is none of what you describe anymore; there hasn't been since the betas. Ask anyone who uses it if i am making anything up; it really is that simple, i kid you not!

Sorry, maybe what I wrote came across the wrong way there I really wasn't trying to imply you were making stuff up. Just what seems "simple" to one person isn't always to another - I think its clear that this is less a matter of "taste" and more a matter of perception and workflow - I find it easy to get apps like Tracktion and eXT (even Reaktor and Logic) because things are more visual, you can see how stuff connects up and the signal flow. On the other hand I just couldn't get my head around Podium as my misunderstanding of what you can do with it probably shows. I just couldn't see how it all *worked* Sometimes you can stare at something and try to work with something for hours and just not get it - I think it's a mindset and language thing, not just about taste. I bought it knowing I found it difficult but hoping if I had a non crippled version to work with properly I would eventually have a "eureka!" moment but it never came. Maybe one day it will

[stefancrs]

The first time I used it (which was before there were any quick setup or project start functionality) _everything_ seemed hard to do too. It was mainly frustrating. But I decided to read the tutorials / instructions, and following these, it all clicked and seemed way more intuitive after that than most hosts I've tried. For me "intuitive" does not necessarily mean "what I'm used to", but can just as well be that "once I've understood the concept, it all should be easy and ergonomic to deal with"... ish... And it did. I like how hardware devices and plugins are transparent and treated the same etc. Not that I use any hardware (except for controllers and audio/video output devices) any longer though I like how it deals with automation and can have VST parameters available in the mixer. And I especially like how you can hook anything anywhere into an existing signal chain. And the bouncing/freezing system is _awesome_ IMHO.

aMUSEd, it's interesting that what you see as a con I see as a pro, the fact that you always have a very good overview over the signal flow in Podium is a plus for me, while you find it's approach giving the exact opposite result

Anyway, there are other things I like more about other hosts etc. Unfortunately, for all of us, there's no magic way to get the specific parts we like in different hosts integrated into one "my-ultimate-host" unless everyone makes their own software

[aMUSEd]

I like how hardware devices and plugins are transparent and treated the same etc.

Yes that was brilliant and was the main reason I bought it. I even posted a "map" for my Korg N364. I was trying to do one for the Yamaha VL70 as well but couldn't find a Cubase script to base one on.

I just never got to grips with the whole app. Maybe eventually I'll give it another try and it will gel - in some respects I wonder if the wizard actually makes it harder as it puts some distance between the user and the interface. (for me anyway)

[waveriderarts]

What are the demo limitations????

that is my problem when trying a host, I can make great tunes but loose them all!!!

[Zynewave]

in some respects I wonder if the wizard actually makes it harder as it puts some distance between the user and the interface. (for me anyway)

The wizard was actually removed shortly after you sold your license. It is replaced by the much simpler project start page.

What are the demo limitations????

Pasted from the zynewave.com download page:
· Message boxes will occasionally appear with demo reminders.
· Audio output will drop temporarily every 30 seconds.
· Import and export of preset files are disabled.
· The demo will expire in March 2007.

[aMUSEd]

in some respects I wonder if the wizard actually makes it harder as it puts some distance between the user and the interface. (for me anyway)

The wizard was actually removed shortly after you sold your license. It is replaced by the much simpler project start page.

[smart]

The first time I tried Podium I couldn't figure it out at ALL, but I did think it looked pretty

The second time I tried it, a few months later, it was still really confusing for me, so once again I didn't really use it much - I did manage to get a plugin or 2 working though

The last time I tried it, a couple months ago, I really liked it! I've been using it a bit ever since. It's the only thing I have installed at work here so I use it when the boss is out

I think it gets easier everytime you try it because:

1. - you know more about what to expect
2. - Frits keep on making improvements to it that have really helped with it's "ease of use"

Check it out guys!

[Caco]

Another vote of approval for Podium from me as on my computer it is extremely CPU efficient and stable which was one of my reasons for moving to it from eXT. I really love the flexibility of eXT but I find the CPU usage on my laptop is about half for an identical project in Podium

The bounce function really is excellent and makes it very quick and simple to easily render any part of the signal flow to a wave file for copying of freezing tracks so that you can bounce with or without effects or at any point between the two.

I can understand why some people find its workflow a bit different at first but, for me, within an hour or so of playing with the demo it all clicked into place and I bought the full version. Its definately a lot easier to set up now using the project page without the wizard whilst the wiki and tutorials exlain the rest nicely

I also like the fact that the developer, Frits, listens to the Podium users requests and has always been very open and honest about the program's updates and likely timescales

[waveriderarts]

What are the demo limitations????

· Audio output will drop temporarily every 30 seconds.

well, that means I can create and save, but in no way i can try it for real (some hours!!) with dropouts every 30 sec. That is torture to me! I cannot test a vst like that for more than 3 minutes, and an host doing that is not even worth an install.... what a bizare idea, I do not remember this limitation when trying Live or eXT (both I purchased...)

[darcyb62]

I've been using Podium for over a year now and it was my 2nd kick at the cat with this app. I tried it several months prior and just couldn't quite get it and gave up on it. My main app at the time was Tracktion and I was really getting frustrated with how it handled (or should I say didn't handle) groupings, so I went back and gave it another try.

I was a lot more diligent with this 2nd attempt in learning and it paid dividends. The hierarchal approach easily addresses my grouping requirements without really having to think about and the ability to drag and drop plugins isn't all that dissimilar to TRactions approach (once you understand it).

While it doesn't have the rack capability that Tracktion that is easily resolved using Ext and sends/receives.

There have been some very significant changes to Podium over the last year that have enhanced both functionality and usability. This should make it easier for a 1st timer to come to grips with what it can do.

The only thing I miss from the Tracktion world is Final Mix, but I am slowly getting around that as well and it's really just a matter of making purchase (Ozone) to resolve that.

Since purchasing Podium, I have occasionally gone back and done the odd thing or two in Tracktion. I have played with Reaper but I like Podium and it continues to be my goto app for music.

[DuX]

I'm really glad Podium finally gets some attention here on KvR, because IMO it's the leanest and smoothest PC DAW of them all, and I mean ALL. It certainly takes a bit of time to get used to it, but it's worth it, because of the rock solid stability and very very smooth sound and graphic engine. Even if you find it difficult at times to make something work in it, it's worth it because of the aforementioned reasons, because those reasons saves you a great deal of time and nerves.
The only problem with it for me is that I just like EnergyXT better, and I'm so much used [sold? ] to it. I really like connecting cables and stuff... Now if only EnergyXT had Podium's graphics and sound engine... maaan .

Nevertheless, Podium should get far more attention on KvR IMO than it's been getting in the past.

Cheers!

[DuX]

About those Demo limitations: yeah, it's a bit too restrictive. Frits should make them less annoying if he intends to make Podium more popular. That's probably the main reason for Podium not being so popular, beside the "workflow thingie"/ learning curve.

You can make 30sec ads with it, though

Cheers!

[Vibro Larynx]

About those Demo limitations: yeah, it's a bit too restrictive. Frits should make them less annoying if he intends to make Podium more popular. That's probably the main reason for Podium not being so popular, beside the "workflow thingie"/ learning curve.

You can make 30sec ads with it, though

Cheers!

B.t.w. readers of the german magazine Beat are entitled for a free version (Beat-Version) of Podium (it's version 1.74. AFAIK, and updates are only available by purchasing a licence). The mag has a supplemental workshop of the usage of Podium.
It's available in the january issue. And the mag is 3.90€

*edit*: And to answer questions beforehand: Is the Beat-Version a full version: YES IT IS!

[Zynewave]

What are the demo limitations????

· Audio output will drop temporarily every 30 seconds.

well, that means I can create and save, but in no way i can try it for real (some hours!!) with dropouts every 30 sec. That is torture to me! I cannot test a vst like that for more than 3 minutes, and an host doing that is not even worth an install.... what a bizare idea, I do not remember this limitation when trying Live or eXT (both I purchased...)

What kind of demo restrictions do you recommend then? I honestly think that a short fade in/out is not that annoying. Last time I tried the Tracktion demo it had regular noise bursts. The eXT1 demo as I recall only allowed saving projects once, and you'd need the full version to open the file. What kind of limitation does the Ableton Live demo have?

[kangul]

What can I say? Another happy Podium user here. Didn't ever had any big problems with the workflow. Didn't had any problems with demo limitations. By the way, Podium comunity is VERY friendly, and the strong points of Podium is countless for me. Podium is a must-have... ok, at least a must-try