Hi to all. Great forum, have been browsing here for a while but just registered now. Because I hope someone can help me with the following :
I need a second host, for my laptop. On my main PC I have Cubase SX. I don't use warez, so I need my cash for the additional VST plugins I intend to buy for my main system. I can't afford to buy a second copy of Cubase, so I'm looking at freeware, shareware, or really affordable software - $ 150 max.
The laptop is a recent one and runs XP Home - it has 512Mb RAM. What I aim to do is run a small number of imported audio tracks (basically just guitars) while most of the mix is comprised of VST instruments/effects - as much as the system can handle, which I know won't be that spectacular anyway. I just want to use the laptop as a "notepad", using the VST-sounds I have on my main system. The file format for songs etc... needn't be "compatible" with my SX-based system.
Rather than downloading 10 demos, I was hoping some of you could maybe point out VST-related pro's/cons they encountered with some free or cheaper hosts and recommend me one, in the sub-$150 range ?
Thanks in advance.
Red.
(edit:spelling)
in need of a 2nd host - your suggestions welcome !
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- KVRer
- 6 posts since 17 Aug, 2004 from Location ? I don't need no stinkin' location !
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- Skunk Mod
- 21249 posts since 10 Jun, 2004 from Pony Pasture
Hm, for that money I can't recommend anything (though others will be able to help there). But if you don't mind saving up, Ableton Live 4 is one of the best friends a laptop could have.
New! Improved! Now with VST, MIDI, and an attachment that makes mountains of cole slaw in seconds! :-)
Live's great for loop work but it definitely isn't just for that any more. If you already own Cubase, you'll be glad to know that it and Live complement each others strengths and weaknesses well. (I find this is the case with Sonar, and as far as I can tell Cubase is in the same broad category.)
If you buy a sound card for your laptop, it might come with Live Delta. Don't throw it away! It's worth a big chunk of cash off on the upgrade to the full version.
Whatever host you end up with, best of luck, and have fun!
Meffy
New! Improved! Now with VST, MIDI, and an attachment that makes mountains of cole slaw in seconds! :-)
Live's great for loop work but it definitely isn't just for that any more. If you already own Cubase, you'll be glad to know that it and Live complement each others strengths and weaknesses well. (I find this is the case with Sonar, and as far as I can tell Cubase is in the same broad category.)
If you buy a sound card for your laptop, it might come with Live Delta. Don't throw it away! It's worth a big chunk of cash off on the upgrade to the full version.
Whatever host you end up with, best of luck, and have fun!
Meffy
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- KVRAF
- 3266 posts since 22 Sep, 2003 from under the sun
IMO you should try these demos:
i don't have it, but i know that Tracktion is very popular and has all the features you'll need. this one seems to be as classic as inovative. if i really needed a new host, probably i'd buy this one.
i'm a FL Studio fan, the Producer Edition might make you happy, too. either you'll love it or you'll hate it... this is the way it goes with this one.
other possibility, probably the best cost/quality ratio ever: EnergyXT. this one may require a longer learning curve, but it's worth it.
i don't have it, but i know that Tracktion is very popular and has all the features you'll need. this one seems to be as classic as inovative. if i really needed a new host, probably i'd buy this one.
i'm a FL Studio fan, the Producer Edition might make you happy, too. either you'll love it or you'll hate it... this is the way it goes with this one.
other possibility, probably the best cost/quality ratio ever: EnergyXT. this one may require a longer learning curve, but it's worth it.
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- KVRAF
- 1954 posts since 15 Nov, 2003 from London, UK
I second EnergyXT. Its cheap, can be used as a host or plugin, and it will complement any host you already use.
Plus, it arguably the most flexible piece of music software there is. The possibilities are endless, plus it gets better all the time and a new sampler module is about to be released making it even better.
39euro very well spent
Plus, it arguably the most flexible piece of music software there is. The possibilities are endless, plus it gets better all the time and a new sampler module is about to be released making it even better.
39euro very well spent
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- KVRist
- 61 posts since 6 Mar, 2004 from Oslo, Norway
If you're not planning on using the laptop at the same time as your main machine, why can't you install Cubase on the laptop as well and just swap the dongle from one machine to the other when you need to?
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- Banned
- 6127 posts since 1 Apr, 2004 from Et in Arcadia Ego
eXT has the best value for the money, AND you can also intergrate it within Cubase..
If you're working with guitar tracks, or mostly audio, you can check out teh Crystal audio engine, which is completely free, but has no midi support, as in audio only, but can run VST's...
If you're working with guitar tracks, or mostly audio, you can check out teh Crystal audio engine, which is completely free, but has no midi support, as in audio only, but can run VST's...
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- KVRAF
- 3476 posts since 9 Apr, 2003 from NE Ohio, USA
Assuming you feel the Cubase license doesn't permit you to install on two machines at once (the dongle, of course, will control RUNNING it on two machines at once)... why not look at Cubase SE? I believe it retails for $99 or so, and you already know how to work it. I think this would be your best bet.RedNucleus wrote: I need a second host, for my laptop. On my main PC I have Cubase SX. I don't use warez, so I need my cash for the additional VST plugins I intend to buy for my main system. I can't afford to buy a second copy of Cubase, so I'm looking at freeware, shareware, or really affordable software - $ 150 max.
For $150 you can also buy one or two copies of EnergyXT and still have enough for at least one new VSTI - AND you can use EnergyXT inside Cubase. If you feel you're withi
There are other choices in that price range (FLStudio FruityLoops or Producer, Tracktion, Cakewalk Home Studio V2, etc) but they require learning "their" workflow.
Doug
Logic is a pretty flower that smells bad - Spock, in "I, Mudd"
For a good time click http://www.belindabedekovic.com/video_fl_en.htm
For a good time click http://www.belindabedekovic.com/video_fl_en.htm
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
Energy XT is killer value for the money. I have to confess, I'm not 100% comfortable in it yet, but that's more due to end-user laziness than the program's (extensive) capabilities.
That said, I use Tracktion as my main sequencer, and it doesn't really require a learning curve at all, especially if all you want is a 'sketchpad' It's certainly capable of much more than 'sketchpad' duty, but I'm just saying that I can't imagine a better sequencer for that purpose. In 5 minutes after install, you'll be able to start recording.
Ultimately, though, the Cubase SE suggestion sounded like a good serving of well-grounded common sense-- sticking with what you know can never be a bad idea.
In summary-- if you want something new, I'd recommend Tracktion AND EnergyXT. If you want to stick to what you know, I'd stick with Cubase SE... er... AND EnergyXT. <grin>
Greg
That said, I use Tracktion as my main sequencer, and it doesn't really require a learning curve at all, especially if all you want is a 'sketchpad' It's certainly capable of much more than 'sketchpad' duty, but I'm just saying that I can't imagine a better sequencer for that purpose. In 5 minutes after install, you'll be able to start recording.
Ultimately, though, the Cubase SE suggestion sounded like a good serving of well-grounded common sense-- sticking with what you know can never be a bad idea.
In summary-- if you want something new, I'd recommend Tracktion AND EnergyXT. If you want to stick to what you know, I'd stick with Cubase SE... er... AND EnergyXT. <grin>
Greg
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- KVRAF
- 25026 posts since 12 Jul, 2003 from West Caprazumia
eXT and Tracktion all the way 
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- KVRAF
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
If you're just doing audio playback into effects, or live input streaming, for your price range Audiomulch is the best thing out there.
It's a much more mature application than eXT (in development for seven years, rock solid VST hosting and stability), and better designed for audio. It's also really cheap (runs free for 3 months every time a new version is released).
EXT is a good choice if you want to also have midi sequencing. You could get both for less than $100 and run them together (I do this, and it makes an excellent setup).
Cheers,
Steve
It's a much more mature application than eXT (in development for seven years, rock solid VST hosting and stability), and better designed for audio. It's also really cheap (runs free for 3 months every time a new version is released).
EXT is a good choice if you want to also have midi sequencing. You could get both for less than $100 and run them together (I do this, and it makes an excellent setup).
Cheers,
Steve
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
I always forget about Podium. It's shaping up to have great potential... I really should demo it some day.
Greg
Greg
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- KVRist
- 278 posts since 14 Mar, 2004 from I'm standing right behind you
Just run a 2nd install of Cubase and move the dongle. You can even have one Mac and one PC install, it doesn't care.
Why climb more learning curves than necessary?
Why climb more learning curves than necessary?
http://www.retouchpro.com - The world's largest photo retouching community
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- KVRian
- 679 posts since 6 Aug, 2004 from Cyberspace
Ext. Anything you do on your laptop will be able to be plugged into you main host. Jorgen is also making a sampler too which looking vey, very intresting. As for the learning curve; Work through the video's and manual (links from the site) and you will be rocking in no time. You dont hae to use the modules if you dont wan to.
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- Banned
- 18651 posts since 2 Oct, 2001 from England
Orion Platinum by Synapse, for the amazing Synths, Sampler and FX that come with it. Using ReWire in SX you can run them both. A bit over your budget, but well worth it.