KVR Audio

felis · Post by **felis** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:17 am

If you don't have specific features you use and need, or don't care, then it probably really doesn't matter.
I record midi release velocity in everything I do, so I use Cubase.
After you've tried a bunch of them, you'll find one that does what you need it to do.

ReleaseCandidate · Post by **ReleaseCandidate** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:17 am

enroe wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 1:35 am
ReleaseCandidate wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 8:35 pm
chk071 wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 8:06 pm Cubase Elements competing against Studio One Artist is fair enough, but why put it against Cakewalk or Reaper?
Because when buying stuff the price actually matters. And they're all about the same (max. 100 EUR)

If you need entry-level software,
then buy entry-level software.

Of course price matters , if you don't want to pay more than 100 EUR, your choice is limited.
It's also true what you said about choosing entry-level programs. But the cheap versions of the 'big' DAWs are not entry level software, but crippled 'normal' products.
Entry level would be Music Maker, Garageband,... that actually have the interface and features for people who don't need or want the complexity of a DAW. You don't get an 'easier' version of a program by not changing the interface at all and only taking some of features away.

antic604 · Post by **antic604** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:12 pm

If those are the only two alternatives, then 100% Cubase (although a lesser version than Pro).

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:16 pm

ReleaseCandidate wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:17 am Of course price matters

I'm not so sure about that:

greddin wrote: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:54 pm Cost and dongle aside

I think there's a great point to entry level DAW's not having the kind of complexity the "Pro" or whatever versions have. I also started with entry level versions of the DAW's. Started with Cubase LE, then upgraded to Cubase Elements, then used Studio One 2 Producer for some time.

Of course I tried some freebies, and Reaper before that, but, never really was happy with those... I think it's a good idea to start off with an entry level DAW, to get a taste for what you want, and then get the functionality you further need later, when you know what you want.

wojf62902 · Post by **wojf62902** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:31 pm

is there a totally free version of cubase? I got LE AI elements with another product, that would be a good way in to trying out their daw if you can find a product which has a licence key that you are interested in.

In terms of reaper, it is (or was last time I checked) free to try and you can technically use it as much as you would like by extending the trial period. there is no end for the trial period. so if you are still not sure even after giving it a lot of use or you have been using it but you are still struggling with it and on the hunt for something else, you could just trial it.

other daws to consider tracktion waveform free. great new daw which might be for you, give that a go.
cakewalk by bandlab, another great free daw that is worth giving a go. ableton live lite will give you a taster of the ableton workflow for free, you might even find that lite is enough to work with!? lite offers a lot considering the price difference for suite. mpc beats, another different approach to working that might be your thing and free to use. and for a tracker style interface you could try out renoise.

another thing to consider is how important are 32 bit plugins? reaper supports them as standard. base cubase doesn't I don't think. some of my other suggestions also support them as standard. there are other ways around this though, you can purchase jbridge I iirc.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:49 pm

wojf62902 wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:31 pm is there a totally free version of cubase?

Not really free, but, as you say, Steinberg gives away Cubase AI with their hardware. I got it 2 times with my UR12 and UR22 mk2 audio interfaces. There's a nice upgrade option to Cubase Artist with that as well.

There was also a Key magazine issue which came with Cubase LE, but, that was like 10 years ago, and, I'm not sure if there ever has been another offer like that. I know Wavelab LE was available as magware for some time as well.

felis · Post by **felis** » Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:23 am

wojf62902 wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:31 pm is there a totally free version of cubase?...

https://new.steinberg.net/cubase/trial/

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:11 am

chk071 wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:49 pm
wojf62902 wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:31 pm is there a totally free version of cubase?
Not really free, but, as you say, Steinberg gives away Cubase AI with their hardware. I got it 2 times with my UR12 and UR22 mk2 audio interfaces. There's a nice upgrade option to Cubase Artist with that as well.

+1

AI version is very useful for upgrading (from the stores). I never thought I would use my AI license that came with the MODX as I already had a better version (Elements), but I used it when I found great prices in Thomann. Both the upgrade to Artist and Pro are great. For me Artist was enough.

Anyway, that being said, I also have Reaper 5.99 still using it as a test and quick to call DAW. To be honest, I still can do everything with Reaper especially that my midi keyboard/controller support it. So, I can record, stop, rewind, play, using the mixer ... etc. I still use the mouse and my PC keyboard heavily (even in Cubase). So, Reaper can do all that. I mean especially for those who play their keys/guitars and record what they are playing, Reaper is ok! Reaper's interface and GUI is ok also. I don't see it that ugly!

The main differences for me are, first, the tools (instruments and effects), second, is what I got used to. Cubase seems natural to me because I spent most my years with it, so shortcuts are the standard for me. In Reaper I need a long time to adjust because most everything is different unless I use only the mouse (and even that has different responses).

The tools are not a problem if you have mainly 3rd party instruments and effects (I have 3rd party instruments, but I use mainly the DAW's effect plugins). The shortcuts and workflow is a matter of getting used to. So, I think those two points what make me decide between the two!

Oh, and if you only have $0 (Evaluation version) or $60 (Personal version), then it is Reaper

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:58 pm

^^^ Reaper, the low refresh rate of the UI of it can be a problem (Reaper is more audio editing oriented), just open its piano roll and press play and check the moving of the playhead, been requested zillions time https://forums.cockos.com/showpost.php? ... stcount=11

bk · Post by bk » Fri Dec 25, 2020 5:34 am

I would recommend Cakewalk by Bandlab, and Tracktion Waveform 11 free.
They're both full featured enough for a beginner, and free.

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Fri Dec 25, 2020 6:40 am

xbitz wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:58 pm ^^^ Reaper, the low refresh rate of the UI of it can be a problem (Reaper is more audio editing oriented), just open its piano roll and press play and check the moving of the playhead, been requested zillions time https://forums.cockos.com/showpost.php? ... stcount=11

It is little bit lagging but not that bad! Yes, Cubase, S1 and others have a smoother playing, but in Reaper it does the job.

Well, I don't know what the OP has chosen, but Cakewalk is a good suggestion as well (for free). I want also to mention Studio One Artist v5. It is on par with Cubase Artist! I mean it is really like the old Producer version. It can be obtained from the 2nd hand market here for less than $70 or even for new ($100) IMO worth it. For now it is new for $70 (30% discount) and I really can't imagine a better deal for a new DAW!

https://shop.presonus.com/Studio-One-5-Artist

Beginner - Cubase or Reaper?