KVR Audio

headquest · Post by **headquest** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:29 pm

Just got the demo for Acid pro 5, and I'm interested to hear constructive feedback about it from KVR users.

I have heard poor reports about Acid 4 and I wonder whether Acid 5 is an improvement?

In particular, can anyone give a view on:

...CPU efficiency
...MIDI sequencing/editing
...audio recording/editing
...VST handling (instruments and effects)
...sound quality/audio streaming
...ReWire slave - does it work in Tracktion/Audition/etc
...Does it make a good overall sequencer/host?

I've got Live 4, which is a good loop tool but not a good overall host because of high CPU, clucnky MIDI, etc. This wasn't apparent from the demo or rdading the rave reviews, but only after playing with it quite a while and trying more ambitious projects. Hence some real user comments on Acid would be valuable.

Not an excuse to troll please

- but some helpful insight would be really useful. Thanks!

ztutz · Post by **ztutz** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:43 pm

There is a pretty straight review posted at virtualturntable.org:

http://virtualturntable.org/archives/000216.php#more

I've had similar experience with Live 4 - it is really best at live and interactive work. I switch into Sonar when I get to the nitty gritty.

headquest · Post by **headquest** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:56 pm

ztutz wrote:There is a pretty straight review posted at virtualturntable.org:

http://virtualturntable.org/archives/000216.php#more

I've had similar experience with Live 4 - it is really best at live and interactive work. I switch into Sonar when I get to the nitty gritty.

Thanks for the link - that's an interesting review

Do you actually use Acid 5 yourself, and if so how well do you think it compares to Sonar's groove clips, etc?

ztutz · Post by **ztutz** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:13 pm

headquest wrote:Do you actually use Acid 5 yourself, and if so how well do you think it compares to Sonar's groove clips, etc?

I do use Acid 4 on occasion, but I haven't upgraded because I do a lot of MIDI stuff, and Sonar is clearly better for my own workflow and compulsive personality. I'm also pretty skeptical about the features that are piling up in the new version...

I'm hoping that over time Ableton's MIDI support will sprout features at the tweak level, because I love their UI and workflow sensibilities!

saikhuan · Post by **saikhuan** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:29 am

do you all know how to use rewire in acid on cubase 2 as a host? anyone tried it before?

IGLESIAS · Post by **IGLESIAS** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:59 am

dunno about cubase but acid 4 doesnt have rewire 5 does have it which r u using

I have 4 but read about 5 jejeje

hello1234 · Post by **hello1234** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:25 am

I was highly dissapointed with ACID 5 demo, and opted out of upgrading.

To me, it's way behind the curve. The FX are archaic, and there is nothing that it does that other programs don't.

Acid 4pro was a good product, but I've outgrown it. I think that a combo of tracktion (free if you don't already have it) and FL 5 (producer definatly) is better. Tracktion is awsome for recording, cut and paste, automation and fade/crossfade. Fl is a fun and easy way to do loops and the like, the version 5 has KICK BUTT timestretching.........really!

I don't recommend SONAR because it is expensive, and although there are some nice features, it is not as stable as tracktion or FL (I will there was a way to pawn off my version 3 producer version of sonar)

stale bread · Post by **stale bread** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:38 am

where is the free versio of tracktion available at and are there any strings attatched?

FaX · Post by **FaX** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:04 am

headquest wrote:Just got the demo for Acid pro 5, and I'm interested to hear constructive feedback about it from KVR users.

I have heard poor reports about Acid 4 and I wonder whether Acid 5 is an improvement?

In particular, can anyone give a view on:

...CPU efficiency
...MIDI sequencing/editing
...audio recording/editing
...VST handling (instruments and effects)
...sound quality/audio streaming
...ReWire slave - does it work in Tracktion/Audition/etc
...Does it make a good overall sequencer/host?

I've got Live 4, which is a good loop tool but not a good overall host because of high CPU, clucnky MIDI, etc. This wasn't apparent from the demo or rdading the rave reviews, but only after playing with it quite a while and trying more ambitious projects. Hence some real user comments on Acid would be valuable.

Not an excuse to troll please - but some helpful insight would be really useful. Thanks!

Interesting I jumped of an all hardware rig to Live 4.0 + Reason & VST's and found ACID really clunky.
I use mainly midi for all arrangements then render to audio and use all the clip enevelope automation features of Live where needed.
That said I find it to have a solid workflow and far from clunky where midi is concerned.
CPU is also excellent on my machine (which possibly helps) - that said I know people who are very pleased with ACID 5 it just isn't my bag.
It may however be very much your thing.

headquest · Post by **headquest** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:11 am

stale bread wrote:where is the free versio of tracktion available at and are there any strings attatched?

The free offer on Tracktion has passed I'm afraid - it ended on 31 December. There were no strings attached except that the upgrade offer from v.1 to v.2 would not apply to those who got v.1 free - i.e. they would have to fork out full amount for v.2 when it is released (next month).

Current version 1.6 costs just $80 and is available as a download from the Mackie website. Mackie have already stated that the cost of T1 + the upgrade cost to T2 will be cheaper than waiting to buy T2 outright, so if you are interested in Tracktion my advice would be to download the demo and if you like it buy v.1 while it is still abailable.

headquest · Post by **headquest** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:18 am

FaX wrote: Interesting I jumped of an all hardware rig to Live 4.0 + Reason & VST's and found ACID really clunky.
I use mainly midi for all arrangements then render to audio and use all the clip enevelope automation features of Live where needed.
That said I find it to have a solid workflow and far from clunky where midi is concerned.
CPU is also excellent on my machine (which possibly helps) - that said I know people who are very pleased with ACID 5 it just isn't my bag.
It may however be very much your thing.

Thanks for the replies.

Cluncky was the wrong word - I like the way you can "fold" to just the note lanes you need in the piano roll, for example. I do wish that the pencil tool was placed at the piano roll, not top screen, and that there were more tools, but that's a small quibble. THe main problem I have had with Live relates to the VST handling/CPU/audio drop outs, which force me to bounce down every clip as soon as it is done rather than keeping the VST instruments up and running. Using Reason as a ReWire slave within Live this is not a problem, because Reason devices seem to use so much less CPU than most VST instruments/effects. Also ReWire implementation seems much better than VST in Live 4 for some reason.

I think I will have to load up this demo and see what MIDI is like in Acid, though as I have Tracktion/Reason combination working well - not to mention Audition which also does loops/timestretching - Acid may well be superflous to my requirements based on the feedback given here.

Thanks to one and all

hello1234 · Post by **hello1234** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 11:35 am

Sorry about the tracktion free misquote, I could have sworn I just saw bassplayer and guitarplayer still witht he little logo two days ago..........

Acid 5 - any good?