Which host should I get?

[djguido]

I hope this doesn't turn out like the thread on the big 4/5 LOL

I have been looking into which Host I should get. I'm used to FL studio and have used Reason before. And I also want to say that I have checked out Live4 and from what I can tell on their videos....I really like it. On the other hand I will not be using the host for live performances so maybe it wouldn't be the best for me. Keep in mind that I'm used to FL studio and I would like to buy something where the learning curve isn't that big. The reason I want to switch is because I like the layouts of some of the other hosts.....where you can actually see wave forms and whole midi tracks. Also I want to be able to use my VST plugins. So what do you guys suggest.

[Kriminal]

Des O'Conner

[quincy]

Des O'Conner

i'm more of a bob monkhouse man myself, but getting him might be a bit tricky these days.

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

I'll try to get in a reasonable response before this descends into the inevitable flame-fest.

First, download demos! Some folks like Live 4 even for more linear work, although it doesn't really lend itself to that in a fashion a lot of people prefer. Tracktion is decent (I use Tracktion + OPlat), there's a demo there too. SONAR and Cubase might be overkill for you, but (again) there are demos. SONAR doesn't natively support VST/VSTi but there's a wrapper that appears to work 99.99% of the time.

There's no one right answer, because different hosts have different workflows that are easier for some than others, you (alas) just have to sit down and spend time with them.

[Philly]

You could give Project 5 a whirl if you don't need to record audio. I love it

[wrench45us]

somedays i just get so confused when i come to kvr.

what does it mean that a fellow who's used to FLS wants to be able to use his VSTi in a (new?) host, when after all FLS hosts VSTi

a change for the sake of change?
no wants to see whole midi and audio tracks

and the creative/workflow reason for that would be?

it does make it easier to choose though. go to the various host websites and check the screenshots and see which one gives you the best view of whole tracks.

what exactly is lacking in your current host? aside from a view of the whole track in midi and audio?

otherwise download the demos and get acquainted with the various models.

[Dezacrator]

SONAR doesn't natively support VST/VSTi but there's a wrapper that appears to work 99.99% of the time.

Having the VSTi wrapper outside of Sonar is a blessing. My loadup time is instant, where on my cubase SX Ill have a long loadup. I've also had less problems with vsti's and vst's in sonar then in cubase. Works %100 here.

[TVD]

I hope this doesn't turn out like the thread on the big 4/5 LOL

I have been looking into which Host I should get. I'm used to FL studio and have used Reason before. And I also want to say that I have checked out Live4 and from what I can tell on their videos....I really like it. On the other hand I will not be using the host for live performances so maybe it wouldn't be the best for me. Keep in mind that I'm used to FL studio and I would like to buy something where the learning curve isn't that big. The reason I want to switch is because I like the layouts of some of the other hosts.....where you can actually see wave forms and whole midi tracks. Also I want to be able to use my VST plugins. So what do you guys suggest.

Serious Answer:

Concern Sonar, Tracktion, or Audition.

I'm a faithful FL Studio user myself. Most of the time, I can finish a complete track with just FLS. But when I need to add vocals or do more professional audio editing, Audition is the software to use.

But since you need a new host to play your hardware/software instruments, check out Sonar & Tracktion. Both demos are user-friendly (my opinion) and easy to get use to.

I stand by my word.

[ATS]

I would stick with FL Studio. I recently tried out a whole lot of different hosts and decided to stick with Floops myself

[dougsyo]

I do probably 90% of my work in FLStudio. I got Sonar when there was a competitive upgrade to 2.1. For what I use it for now (audio, mixing, etc), I could probably get by with Home Studio Version 2 (aka 2004 Version 2) instead - but I'll probably upgrade to Sonar4 anyway (I skipped Sonar3).

Try the demos, as each host has a different way of working from the others, and each has strengths and weaknesses. Some do recording better. Some work better with MIDI, some with audio. They vary in workflow, etc.

Doug

[Spe3D]

I use FL Studio producer and Adobe Audition as my primary tools – I would like better midi in FL (but I hear they are working on this) I am always looking for better things to complement my set-up (but they tend to die off)

Energy XT- is another product worth looking at (great amount of possibilities when used with FL too)

Best regards,

Spe3d

:O)

[quincy]

XT is a very good choice to consider, even if you by something else as well! Its cheap, its as well supported as any bit of music software there is, and its no exageration to say that its probably the most flexible host on the market.

However, it doesn't come bundled with loads of synths etc like the the studios, and it doesn't have a hardware-alike interface. But who cares?

[deltasp]

Try Delta SP. Most of that and then some...

[Caleb]

Try Delta SP. Most of that and then some...

Hmmmm yeah.
Good that it's free, but I remember last time I tried to download this, everything was playing up. Wanted to play a little to work out its potential.

Might try again.

Caleb

[meister eder]

• Get Live4. You won't regret it.