Tracktion vs. Cubase SX Pros ---- Cons ?

[rsmus7]

Someone using both and can give me valid information about the pros and cons of them compared to each other?

I´m looking for a new host and I´m on a budget.

Couldget theSX upgrade for 199$. And Tracktion for 80$.

What do I get for the 120 bucks more/better?

[cptgone]

I've never used Tracktion, but I'm told Tracktion is object oriented, meaning you can apply FX to snippets of parts on the same track.

In Cubase, if you want some chorus on a small part of a guitar take, you'll have to use an extra channel, or use automation.

That said, I can't imagine Tracktion offers the same functionality the great Cubase does.

[Klemperer]

Hi,

others will help you better as they might use both. But a friend of mine jumped from 5.1 to SX and back... Well it was SX1 he was disappointed with. With SX2 things should have got better, as now he's using it. I don't own it so I can't say more . (But you own the EMU-Card?? as there is an upgrade-possibility to - no, "only" to SL I think for 200$).

With 120Euro I'd surely get Tracktion, unbeatable concerning workflow (and with a better PC than mine no problem with losing challenge-response-numbers ). You'll find yourself making songs, sketches etc easier than before, for sure. As I read you do long pieces, I find this extremely good with Tracktion.
The rest I'd invest in EnergyXT ( but I think you have it since months, is it?). Downside: you don't get the new effects and instruments of SX2, pro: using EnergyXT as host and Tracktion in case (as some say sometimes here) workflow was at this stage of EXT better with it, I think you had a wonderful package. I think, by the way, using EnergyXT might be the only thing you need in some months, but Tracktion is reeeally so well thought of concerning anything (re-recording is a piece of cake, as people over at Computermusic state . It's easier than in any other program. And there's much more). Personally I always use EnergyXT first and wait for the sampler. Even now it's all in all the best I ever played with, if I could get only ONE, I'd even get EnergyXT and not Tracktion, but 120Euro gets you both .

Not exactly what you've asked for now :
If lacking effects (Tracktion has some basic ones) is a problem:
If anyone would sell his Quantum-FX (over 50 effects, mostly extremely useful and sometimes weird like no other besides Ohmforce) I think that would make for effects more than enough, well I don't know what you have there. The workbench (in case you want to make own effects) included and ever-growing library is simply great. But as there are so many possibilities it is too expensive for 120Euro (was 199 and 230 once, but well spent for sure!).

[Crossinger]

That said, I can't imagine Tracktion offers the same functionality the great Cubase does.

Well, if you ever need those bells & whistles. I found the "lean" design of Tracktion more inspiring than all those tons of functions and features of Cubase.

E.g.: What's the need of sine-shaped automation-curves by a single click? Ten years ago I had enthusiasm to "program" such parameters manually - even if it took me a whole weekend. Now I feel bored cause it's just a simple mouseclick away.

Back to the roots! Everything plain & basic!!!

J.

[Lunch Money]

Not much to compare-- they're both different beasts, in my opinion.

You can learn about the differences by reading a tonne of other threads, but a few of the major ones that people seem to keep pointing out (hence, they're worth paying attention to)--

Tracktion Pros (vs. Cubase)
-Streamlined and simplified input->track->VST style of working makes it a joy to work with
-Efficient and useful shortcuts and mouse controls
-Strong audio editing in terms of slicing parts and moving them around (but there's another side... see below)
-Simple GUI effectively eliminates cluttered windows and menus
-Colours are not everyone's taste, but they ARE easy on the eyes
-Powerful modular routing capabilities (like Bidule or EnergyXT) using Racks
-No mixer! Unless you want one, in which case you have the option of downloading 3rd party stuff like the Menace Audio TracktionFaction Mixer.
-Price!

Tracktion Cons (vs. Cubase)
-No loop recording
-Cubase MIDI editing is superior
-Audio clips are not "ghost clips"
-no syncing MIDI to outboard gear
-Deeper audio editing capabilities are limited
-Bundled FX and instruments are more basic

Bah... I dunno... I give up!

I'm trying to be fair and objective, but it's not working. Since I'm not a MIDI guy, with the exception of loop recording, I find EVERYTHING about Tracktion to be superior.

Greg

[monkeymandarin]

I've never used Tracktion, but I'm told Tracktion is object oriented, meaning you can apply FX to snippets of parts on the same track.

In Cubase, if you want some chorus on a small part of a guitar take, you'll have to use an extra channel, or use automation.

I think you can do the same in Cubase SX with "offline processing" to a clip

[Emerald Tablet]

i find cubase is swamped in features
the added value of the product will speak when your able to use them all so the question is : is your inquisitiveness broad enough ; how great is your absorptivity

i find tracktion offers ease !!!! but is missing features however - Jules is one hell of an inventive friendly soul continually pushing himself to the development edge so I'm sure one day he will be at an equal level

in the end it`s your creativity what realy counts
and the tools come in second

remco

[visa tapani]

In Cubase, if you want some chorus on a small part of a guitar take, you'll have to use an extra channel, or use automation.

Not at all true. In the sample editor you can easily apply any VST-effect or build-in processing to a region you have painted with your mouse.

[haydxn]

i used logic for the first few years of music making with computers. every time i touched cubase my eyes melted as i couldn't stand to look at it. Cubase SX is prettier, so i've given it more time, and we have to use it in university. it does have a lot of things going for it;

cubase's list edit page (showing all midi data) is handy, and the key edit is i guess 'better' than tracktion's.

however, i still can't stand using cubase. compared to tracktion, where i can just get stuff done, i find it a pig to use. there is no list edit type page in tracktion, but then i have never noticed it's absence until now when i just realised. tho the midi editing is viewed by some as limited or flawed - true it has some slightly odd behaviours - i do a lot of midi programming and have no gripes with it at all and don't feel limited; you can even do SYSEX commands with ease. i find it so refreshing that it all works together so well, the workflow really is an inspiring benefit.

almost as important as getting things done i feel is the ease of navigation, which now makes me cry when i use almost any other app. even the simple act of zooming by right-click-dragging the background is one of the single most useful things an interface can have when editing at so many different levels. do a tiny edit, do a big edit, and never feel like you're even controlling the zoom manually- it's like a dream!

the only weakness when compared to cubase is the actual effects included (i hate cubase's methods of applying effects), but you can easily add extra effects if you need them. download the Classic series for starters, and there are plenty of hints on kvr as to where else to look.

on the whole, i say T over C any day.

unless you REALLY wanted to work with video in the host app. then it depends on what you need to do.

if you just want to make music tho, or can make music and then edit the video to the track, go for T. any day of the week

[AD80]

I think you can do the same in Cubase SX with "offline processing" to a clip

Its not the same thing.

[AD80]

Not at all true. In the sample editor you can easily apply any VST-effect or build-in processing to a region you have painted with your mouse.

Not the same thing at all. In Cubase that would be destructive. Tracktion allows you to place an effect on a clip non distructively. You can even drag it out of the clip and onto the track, or onto another clip, or even more than one effect on the same clip and change the order of the effects within the clip with drag and drop.

If you want destructive effects like Cubase you can do the same thing in Tracktion if you have a decent wave editor.

[monkeymandarin]

Not at all true. In the sample editor you can easily apply any VST-effect or build-in processing to a region you have painted with your mouse.

Not the same thing at all. In Cubase that would be destructive. Tracktion allows you to place an effect on a clip non distructively. You can even drag it out of the clip and onto the track, or onto another clip, or even more than one effect on the same clip and change the order of the effects within the clip with drag and drop.

If you want destructive effects like Cubase you can do the same thing in Tracktion if you have a decent wave editor.

Well the offline-processing can be easily undone (via the "offline-processing history")- admittedly not as simple as dragging and dropping, but the original data is still maintained (in the "audio" folder of the project), the new processed audio is stored separately (in the "edits" folder). This is about as non-destructive as most people need.

Also, you can apply as many effects as you need. Not sure about switching the order of effects though

[christianmusicmaker]

Someone using both and can give me valid information about the pros and cons of them compared to each other?

I´m looking for a new host and I´m on a budget.

Couldget theSX upgrade for 199$. And Tracktion for 80$.

What do I get for the 120 bucks more/better?

Mate...I have used SL2 which is identical to Cubase XS less a few features like UV22HR, enhanced mixer e.t.c

As much as I liked the options and features of Cubase I could not stop this thing from crashing and even rebooting my system.

I make sure I have nothing else running on my system but Cubase refused to play ball.I also have a dedicated 128mb video card, 1gb of Ram, a 2.8ghz pentium and had extensive discussions with Steinberg support to solve the problems but got nowhere.

I found my almost ancient copy of Cubasis 3 more stable than Cubase SL2

Steinberg seem to have a reputation for also removing features from Cubase only to put them back in a later release.Very odd and is a sign of desparation and a lack of ideas.Cubase.net seems to be full of complaints compared to other forums like Tracktion at KVR.

If Steinberg could sort out this beta Cubase release approach and really focus on removing the bugs in it, then it would be a superb choice regardless of price almost, but it seems Steinberg's sales targets are a higher priority than the stability of their programme...

I know many are happy with it but I also know of many more who are not happy with it.

Tracktion is wonderfully stable and is one of a new breed of low priced sequencers like EXT.

Tracktion's file and project management is superb. The ease with which you can get things done really makes you wonder why other's do not follow this approach and design.

Everything is "drag and drop". Jules apparently used Cubase and found it frustrating making any progress with it and decided to develop his own sequencer so Tracktion from the ground up is designed to be easier to use than Cubase as a priority and it shows.

I do not know of any sequencer that is easier to use. Do not be fooled by the price tag either Tracktion is no limited or crippled lite version of what the big boys offer...no way hose maria. To think otherwise would be a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig mistake.

You can easily fully produce a song professionally in Tracktion.

I would say get Tracktion instead. Also Tracktion 2 is on the way and will be cheaper for existing Tracktion users.

Another option which more and more people are looking at is EXT. You could almost just use this to be honest as new features are added every 2 to 4 weeks! At £30 it is a massive bargain.

Up until recently one would have thought, come on, there is now way for less than a few hundreds of pounds you can have a professional software package for making music.

Perceptions about music software and how mnuch you need to spend to have a professional set up are definitely changing.

I would say try Tracktion or EXT.

This thread gives a better idea as to the inconsistencies in Cubase.
http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51437

[lowkey]

Id go for Trackton and EnergyXT.

Using both of these programs you'll be able to have a fast work flow (Trackton) with deep editing (EXT).

If you buy Cubase you will take about 6 months to get your head around it. Trackton took me about 30 mins to get the basics, a day to be 100% happy and a week to get my head around advanced things like racks.

Up until reciently I used Sonar but everytime I open it up these days all I see is a busy screen full of options I will never/rarely use. I cant say the same with Cubase SZ because they dont have a demo.

EXT is being developed by a very talented programer and it complements Trackton very well. I use EXT among other things for midi composition and editing. It has amazing things like assigning midi sequences to a single midi key.

The only thing Trackton and EXT does not have is audio looping but at the rate Jorgen programs at and the inovation he shows it wont be long before EXT has that.

EnergyXT = £30
Tracton = £50

Total = £80

That leaves you with enougth money to get effects and instruments you will actully use.

The question is...

Do you want to spend the next 6 months making music or learning how to use a program?

[Crackbaby]

How does Tracktion work with dual monitors?