Studio One 4 v Reaper Comparison

[apoclypse]

I agree completely with rewrite, which is the exact reason I choose Reaper. I don't have all the extra garbage I don't need, and just play, sing, record, and mix - no distractions.

Unfortunately, Reaper doesn't come with a complete sound library or wide instrument selection.

True, which is why I choose Reaper as I mentioned - the default extra crap typically "included" with other DAWs is bloat garbage I didn't ask for, nor want.

I already have a plethora of my preferred VSTs when needed, including Reason, and I do a ton of live recordings. I avoid samples like the plague. I prefer live, modeled, or created sounds. Haven't installed a single a Kontakt app in over 3 years now. Couldn't be happier.

Well to me if I'm paying $399 for a DAW it better damn well come with some instruments and content.

[THE INTRANCER]

I like how in Studio One 4.5 that you can now setup side chain compression in 3 simple steps now, I.E... Create compressor, click it's side chain button, and select the track or instrument from the dropdown that you want to use as the side chain for the track you're currently on... and that's with the native builtin effects device. You don't even need to open the mixer to route anything, it's done automatically. How quick and easy is that in the stock Reaper program, or any other DAW for that matter ?

[monomox]

I like how in Studio One 4.5 that you can now setup side chain compression in 3 simple steps now, I.E... Create compressor, click it's side chain button, and select the track or instrument from the dropdown that you want to use as the side chain for the track you're currently on... and that's with the native builtin effects device. You don't even need to open the mixer to route anything, it's done automatically. How quick and easy is that in the stock Reaper program, or any other DAW for that matter ?

I like it too. It's clean and quick.
One of the most impressive Reaper capabilities is that you can pretty much route anything to anything. To set up SC compression you just need to drag your mouse from the sends area in one channel to either another channel for a regular send or a plugin for side chain triggering. This works most of the time, but it was hit and miss with FF Pro-Q 3, I don't know why. When it didn't work I found it hard to troubleshoot. You can open a virtual patch panel for each plugin, but it was too much for me. Sometimes I got it, sometimes I just got more confused.

[Kalamata Kid]

I re-read some of this thread. Perhaps I should not have.
I had decided on S1 as my main or one and only DAW
Not sure what Reaper 6 will bring to the conversation but even now I am still looking at the flexibility of Reaper.
A few of my friends use S1 so that is the reason I chose S1.
They all are more knowledgeable than me so they can help me when in need.
And S1 has better ARA implementation.
But still occasionally still lusting over Reaper.
These are such great DAW's.

[monomox]

I re-read some of this thread. Perhaps I should not have.
I had decided on S1 as my main or one and only DAW
Not sure what Reaper 6 will bring to the conversation but even now I am still looking at the flexibility of Reaper.
A few of my friends use S1 so that is the reason I chose S1.
They all are more knowledgeable than me so they can help me when in need.
And S1 has better ARA implementation.
But still occasionally still lusting over Reaper.
These are such great DAW's.

Yes, both DAWs are really good--and quit comparable, IMO. When I was using Reaper, I was a Reaper fan. Now I'm using Studio One and I'm a fan. Committing to one DAW is key, from my point of view. Focus on making music and forget about your DAW. Stop looking for the right DAW, there is no right DAW.

Flexibility cuts both ways. It can be helpful, but sometimes I think I made things in Reaper more complicated than I needed to just because I could--more complexity for just some marginal benefit.

Having friends that use the same DAW as you is very valuable, don't discount that.

[THE INTRANCER]

Looking for the right DAW is like looking for the right pair of shoe's, so it's important to find the right pair that fits you, not the other way round. For me, right from outset and still to this day, Reaper is one DAW, I've forever hated the feel of, kinda like choosing a pair of clogs over a pair of running trainers. The transition from Propellerheads Reason to Studio One felt natural, and with the extra air cushions to make the transition easy.

[apoclypse]

I like how in Studio One 4.5 that you can now setup side chain compression in 3 simple steps now, I.E... Create compressor, click it's side chain button, and select the track or instrument from the dropdown that you want to use as the side chain for the track you're currently on... and that's with the native builtin effects device. You don't even need to open the mixer to route anything, it's done automatically. How quick and easy is that in the stock Reaper program, or any other DAW for that matter ?

Logic kind of does it that way but S1 is far more flexible. For one you can route multiple tracks to the side chain input without needing to create a bus. Literally just enable the check mark and you are pretty much done. Also it's larceny compensated. Logic had this issue where if you routed a kick from Drum Designer the sidechain wouldn't sound right it would not be latency compensated. I never had PDC issues in S1.

[neverbeeninariot]

This works most of the time, but it was hit and miss with FF Pro-Q 3, I don't know why. When it didn't work I found it hard to troubleshoot. You can open a virtual patch panel for each plugin, but it was too much for me. Sometimes I got it, sometimes I just got more confused.

Annoying, isn't it?

So when you create the additional channels for side-chaining (either by drag and drop or manually), Fabfilter plugins (some of them), go into 'Quadro' surround mode, unfortunately the side-chain channels (normally 3&4) get shunted to 5&6. Rerouting the side-chain signal via the I/O pins doesn't work.

Workaround - Open Reaper's I/O dialog, and request a Stereo bus channel for Q3, then the side-chain routing is completed successfully.

It's a PITA, and I asked FF if they could take a look at this but they suggest speaking to Cockos. I've posted on their forum, will update here if I get a response.

[monomox]

That explains it, thanks.
Glad to know I'm not crazy

[Puddi]

And S1 has better ARA implementation.

I'm curious, what makes their implementation better?

[Kalamata Kid]

And S1 has better ARA implementation.

I'm curious, what makes their implementation better?

This is not from my personal experience.
This info is from users that have stated it so.
If it is not so please let me know.

[Puddi]

And S1 has better ARA implementation.

I'm curious, what makes their implementation better?

This is not from my personal experience.
This info is from users that have stated it so.
If it is not so please let me know.

Ahh, gotcha. One thing I can think of is how Melodyne opens like a MIDI editor in Studio One compared to a floating window in Reaper. It looks better that way, but not sure what else is better.

[THE INTRANCER]

And S1 has better ARA implementation.

I'm curious, what makes their implementation better?

With Studio One Pro, Melodyne Essentials is already physically integrated within the S1 GUI, plus it's included without additional cost. If you don't have have S1 Pro , then you'll have to buy it. It was the first DAW to have it integrated and as far as I'm aware, S1 has priority over other DAWs upon new release's... Stineberg's Cubase has had stability issue's with Melodyne. Other DAW's typically have to wait much longer for integration and thus any issues they have adds more time to that from the DAW developer end. Selecting Melodyne to Edit any audio, is just a right click away in S1 ( if not already set to a macro), so no additional setup, menu diving, opening things up and possibly being confused to why Melodyne isn't showing what you expect it to show, I.E a waveform.

So, with all the DAW's out there, it's generally considered to have the best integration of Melodyne. Plus...

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/studio ... ts-amazing

[Puddi]

And S1 has better ARA implementation.

I'm curious, what makes their implementation better?

With Studio One Pro, Melodyne Essentials is already physically integrated within the S1 GUI, plus it's included without additional cost. If you don't have have S1 Pro , then you'll have to buy it. It was the first DAW to have it integrated and as far as I'm aware, S1 has priority over other DAWs upon new release's... Stineberg's Cubase has had stability issue's with Melodyne. Other DAW's typically have to wait much longer for integration and thus any issues they have adds more time to that from the DAW developer end. Selecting Melodyne to Edit any audio, is just a right click away in S1 ( if not already set to a macro), so no additional setup, menu diving, opening things up and possibly being confused to why Melodyne isn't showing what you expect it to show, I.E a waveform.

So, with all the DAW's out there, it's generally considered to have the best integration of Melodyne. Plus...

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/studio ... ts-amazing

Cool, thanks for the info! Yeah, it seems really well implemented in S1.

Btw, it's only a right-click away for me in Reaper too. Custom menus ftw.

[jinotsuh]

And S1 has better ARA implementation.

I'm curious, what makes their implementation better?

With Studio One Pro, Melodyne Essentials is already physically integrated within the S1 GUI, plus it's included without additional cost. If you don't have have S1 Pro , then you'll have to buy it. It was the first DAW to have it integrated and as far as I'm aware, S1 has priority over other DAWs upon new release's... Stineberg's Cubase has had stability issue's with Melodyne. Other DAW's typically have to wait much longer for integration and thus any issues they have adds more time to that from the DAW developer end. Selecting Melodyne to Edit any audio, is just a right click away in S1 ( if not already set to a macro), so no additional setup, menu diving, opening things up and possibly being confused to why Melodyne isn't showing what you expect it to show, I.E a waveform.

So, with all the DAW's out there, it's generally considered to have the best integration of Melodyne. Plus...

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/studio ... ts-amazing

Cool, thanks for the info! Yeah, it seems really well implemented in S1.

Btw, it's only a right-click away for me in Reaper too. Custom menus ftw.

Also add to that the fact that PreSonus were co-developers of ARA along with Celemony to begin with, that probably helps a little. FWIW, REAPERS implementation and use to me has an obvious "We'll just bolt this thing on' feel when compared to Studio One's, which has a 'right at home' feel