What software do you use ?

**Hillskill** · 22-09-2009, 9:14 AM

I am trying to decide what Music Production software to buy. So far I have heard good things about Logic, Abbleton and Cubase. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of using any of these programs ?

Jules · 22-09-2009, 10:43 PM

I'm a Cubase user (SX3) myself.
It's complex and has quite a steep learning curve, but it does everything I need it to do and much more besides. I've grown to really like it.

However, I've not known anything else so I can't say how the others compare.
What I've read is that other programs are easier to pickup, but I guess it depends what you need it to do.

Will you be working with audio & MIDI?

**Hillskill** · 23-09-2009, 7:51 AM

I play a little Guitar and Bass aswell as keyboards, to start with it will just be MIDI though. I really like the look of the M-Audio Keystation 49s. Its the right price for me and seems to do everything I would need. I would have to buy a seperate audio interface later for recording guitar though.
I suppose I would want software that isn't too difficult to get into but at the same time I don't want anything too fisher price. Still leaning towards Logic at the minute.

**Hillskill** · 24-09-2009, 9:49 AM

Picked up a M-Audio Keystation 49e yesterday from Chapells on Wardour st. Fantastic store if you are into your instruments. Everything from 20quid MIDI keyboards up to 10k+ Grand Pianos. The 49e is just a straight forward MIDI controller, I simply plugged it into my Mac via USB and loaded up Garage Band. Straight away the keyboard worked. Messed about for an hour and was really impressed. Garage Band was a little simplistic/basic for me, hence why I am looking at slightly more expensive packages. Overall I'm a really happy with the 49e.

Iaind · 24-09-2009, 10:11 AM

There's a DAW software package that I came across recently that I have been using called Accoustica MixCraft - currently V4.5. Costs about $69 and has a whole load of samples and loops bundled with it. It also does MIDI quite well.

It doesn't have quite the learning curve that Cubase and the others have, in fact you can build up a tune in about 10 minutes of loading without even touching your instruments!

Download Mixcraft 4 - multi-track audio and MIDI recording software enabling you to record your band, create a podcast, create mash-ups or remix a song. Here's the link to the donwload page for the application. It downloads a small installer 1st and the downloads the rest of the files as it installs.

Cheers,
Iain

**Hillskill** · 24-09-2009, 10:44 AM

I'll take a look at the weekend

Ableton Live Lite was bundled with the 49e aswell so I'll try that out too.

**Iccz** · 24-09-2009, 10:54 AM

Ableton user for about 3 years now, tried a couple of other pieces of software, mostly trackers, but never really got into them myself.

**Hillskill** · 24-09-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iccz

Ableton user for about 3 years now, tried a couple of other pieces of software, mostly trackers, but never really got into them myself.

On a Mac or PC ?

**Iccz** · 24-09-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillskill

on a mac or pc ?

pc

Me and Apple don't get along

evangelink · 24-09-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iccz

Ableton user for about 3 years now, tried a couple of other pieces of software, mostly trackers, but never really got into them myself.

I'd agree about Trackers, not the easiest to get your head around! Would be interesting to see how much functionality the lite version of Ableton retains, as from what I hear it's a fantastic program and one i'd like to pick up myself for producing/dj-ing. Personally I use Zynewaves Podium, mainly because I got a free (but legit) copy. Has audio/midi and VST support, and I like the intuitive interface.

**Iccz** · 24-09-2009, 1:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evangelink

I'd agree about Trackers, not the easiest to get your head around! Would be interesting to see how much functionality the lite version of Ableton retains, as from what I hear it's a fantastic program and one i'd like to pick up myself for producing/dj-ing. Personally I use Zynewaves Podium, mainly because I got a free (but legit) copy. Has audio/midi and VST support, and I like the intuitive interface.

Tracking is brilliant once you get into it, it's so fast and once you're settled with it, it's not as hard or daunting as it may look (if you've ever seen videos of say Renoise it looks like there's so much going on), tried a few different trackers and I never got much into it. I much prefer the look and feel of Ableton, even if it is a bit slower to use.
Havn't used the lite version but it's mainly just limited on audio tracks, vst instruments and effects and some other bits, there is a comparison on the ableton site:
Ableton - Products

evangelink · 25-09-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iccz

Tracking is brilliant once you get into it, it's so fast and once you're settled with it, it's not as hard or daunting as it may look (if you've ever seen videos of say Renoise it looks like there's so much going on), tried a few different trackers and I never got much into it. I much prefer the look and feel of Ableton, even if it is a bit slower to use.
Havn't used the lite version but it's mainly just limited on audio tracks, vst instruments and effects and some other bits, there is a comparison on the ableton site:
Ableton - Products

Renoise does look interesting, and cheap enough to warrant a punt. Have been meaning to download Buzz as well, think it's the one James Holden uses and he gets incredible results out of it. Have been playing with SunVox on the iphone recently as well, need to devote some more time, but had some interesting results already!

xox Godders xox · 14-10-2009, 7:37 PM

I used to use Logic (back in the PC days) then Cubase when logic went Mac only.

I've been using Reaper for the past year (made by a company called cockos), for the price it's absolutely stunning (especially a non-commercial license at USD$60). Support is excellent (developers spend a lot of time at their forums), can't say enough good things about it really.

SOS did a good review earlier this year if you get that?

The demo is uncrippled so worth a try.

http://www.reaper.fm/index.php

Stinja · 03-06-2010, 12:47 PM

So can someone please recommend a piece of Mac software to record MIDI notes from an edrum kit?

My bright idea is to make my own mobile phone ring tone of myself drumming, but i really have no idea how to go about this. Free software would be better than professional ones etc... Any help appreciated!

BamBamMickey · 03-06-2010, 12:58 PM

Cubase, Reason, Pro Tools.
Mostly i use my Roland Fantom G6 as the DAW and master it with software.

charvelj · 03-06-2010, 4:55 PM

I use logic studio 9. Its faultless

for drums I use addictive drums by XLN audio
for orchestral I use Garritan personal orchestra
and for guitar I use Guitar rig 4.

ruki2909 · 08-06-2010, 6:58 PM

cubase and its free

Aerial Man · 09-06-2010, 7:51 AM

Ableton live and Sonar.

Sonar is 64bit, Protools I think is only 24bit and can be expensive.

Michael · 19-06-2010, 2:06 PM

Cubase, with Reason 4 for sounds/voices.
Keep meaning to get myself a keystation: those m-audio's are brilliant, if expensive.

Saw a semi-weighted 61 key on ebay for £15.
Then it went to £52 + p&p

ttonycox · 03-08-2010, 10:28 PM

Cubase since 1990 on the Atari STE. Back then only midi could be recorded, and now, with Cubase sx3 and a M-Audio soundcard you've got a beautiful sound machine.

Det · 07-08-2010, 4:18 PM

Reason is the bees knees.

PJTX100 · 10-08-2010, 12:26 PM

Anyone who needs just an audio multi-tracker (ie no midi) may want to look at...

KRISTAL Audio Engine

Not only is it easy to use, and it works great, it's free!

oska · 25-08-2010, 8:11 PM

Started on Logic until it switched to Mac. Then got into Ableton with Reason rewired through it. It's a very capable set up. Reason 5 has just been released too, which looks fantastic.

Michael · 26-08-2010, 12:57 AM

I too am liking the look of Reason 5
Kong looks amazing

oska · 26-08-2010, 2:01 PM

Aye, certainly is. Looking forward to trying Record out too. I'm still on 2.5!

kultschar · 07-09-2010, 12:28 PM

Im a beginner but finding Logic a bit slow and tedious, beginning to make more loop based material and really thinking of switching to Ableton - anybody else find themselves in my boat??

**Iccz** · 07-09-2010, 1:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kultschar

Im a beginner but finding Logic a bit slow and tedious, beginning to make more loop based material and really thinking of switching to Ableton - anybody else find themselves in my boat??

Have you considered moving to a tracker? or does that not appeal to you?
If speed is important I would suggest you go for a tracker over Ableton, even using the shortcut keys Ableton can't compete for speed when you get your head around tracking.

asharpsilence · 08-09-2010, 7:59 PM

reason + sonar

kultschar · 08-09-2010, 8:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iccz

Have you considered moving to a tracker? or does that not appeal to you?
If speed is important I would suggest you go for a tracker over Ableton, even using the shortcut keys Ableton can't compete for speed when you get your head around tracking.

Hi - cheers for the reply.

I downloaded Live demo yesterday to see what all the fuss is about, the session view with clips IS VERY COOL. Found myself improvising on the fly, I really do love this, kinda more exciting and inspired to make music this way then the traditional DAW. I sort of see now how DJs play there REAL tracks in this method, improvising etc.

Im still a little confused about my plugins in Session mode, i.e. how to lock a specific plugin effect to a clip e.g. I have an Absynth track with several Absynth clips I made - when I change patch on my soft instrument all my clips change. I guess if using diff Absynth patches they need to be on sep tracks???

Anyhow I will look at some books and online tutorials however I have spent all morning playing and found it already to be fun unlike Logic which seems to be a slog for me personally.