LUNA vs. Cmuzys and vs. Traction 1.6

[DaveL60]

I know I should just download LUNA Free and try it and see for myself, but studio time's been really, really short lately, so: Could someone oblige me with a quick summary of how LUNA compares to either (or both) of Computer Muzys (only version of Muzys I've used) and Tracktion 1.6 (the NFR freebie Mackie gave away a coupla winters back).

I've been working mostly in Tracktion, which is great for audio but so-so for MIDI, and I'm wondering if I'd find LUNA a more effective tool (vs. a possible Tracktion upgrade to T2 (or a look at REAPER)). Mostly doing one-man studio stuff, mix of audio and MIDI in classic rock / jazz fusion / upbeat folk sorts of styles.

Thanks much.

DaveL

[Branis]

The most obvious difference between CMuzys and Luna is the lack of audio tracks in CMuzys.
CMuzys is limited to 5 VSTis, don't know how many effects (or it was 5 VSTs in total?), no multitimbrality apart from DS404, while Luna unlimited is, err, unlimited

I have Tracktion 1.6 NFR, but I never liked the strange routing you have to do to get a simple send effect.
Luna has a semi modular mixer that allows for powerful routing, but still remains straightforward.
Luna is, unlike other similar programs, part orientated, the instruments are linked to parts, not tracks.
The midi part of Luna is excellent, much of the philosophy is inherited from Muzys which is seen as a program with one of the best midi implementation by many people, and on top of that Luna is still developed, so it can only get better.

And, yes, you should just download Luna free and check it yourself, so go and do it

[DaveL60]

Thanks, Branis, for sharing your insight.

The most obvious difference between CMuzys and Luna is the lack of audio tracks in CMuzys.

Streaming audio in LUNA, right? Audio is something at which Tracktion is excellent, CMuzys pretty limited. Is LUNA equal to Tracktion or somewhere in-between?

CMuzys is limited to 5 VSTis, don't know how many effects (or it was 5 VSTs in total?), no multitimbrality apart from DS404, while Luna unlimited is, err, unlimited

Yeah, those are definitely sticking points w/CMuzys, mitigates somewhat by the built-in non-VSTi sample playback.

I have Tracktion 1.6 NFR, but I never liked the strange routing you have to do to get a simple send effect. Luna has a semi modular mixer that allows for powerful routing, but still remains straightforward.

Never having worked with a hardware mixer setup, I'm not very used to using "Sends", but it does sound like something I ought to learn for a number of reasons. Frankly, right now, I don't know how to do it in Tracktion, either.

Luna is, unlike other similar programs, part orientated, the instruments are linked to parts, not tracks.

Conceptually I think I understand that, but will definitely have to try the program to really grasp the practical implications. What if your instrument is external hardware?

The midi part of Luna is excellent, much of the philosophy is inherited from Muzys which is seen as a program with one of the best midi implementation by many people, and on top of that Luna is still developed, so it can only get better.

How does it measure up, right now, to CMuzys? I've been very impressed with how flexible and thorough CMuzys MIDI data manipulation abilities are. That's one area where Tracktion definitely doesn't measure up.

Thanks again.

DaveL