I've been using Sonar for years, now using X1. I am not convinced it is the best choice of DAW for use with VI software. Could some of you please share with me what DAW you use and why you like it?
Thanks,
Mike
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Looing for new DAW - what do you prefer?
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I prefer Cubase - I feel that for my needs and workflow, it's the DAW that is best equipped for VI-based work. Personally, I'd use it for the expression maps alone, I almost can't imagine working without that feature any more - especially when you're dealing with libraries like those from VSL where you have countless articulations and complex configurations at your disposal.
I feel it generally has the most complete and functional key editor and overall just a whole bunch of things that make my life easier when I'm composing and editing - like the arranger track or the chord tool thingy, It's a very advanced and complete DAW overall - very powerful in terms of audio-editing too - and it comes with some features that give it an edge specifically in MIDI/sample-based music.
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I use Nuendo, but before that used Cubase. My suggestion would be to start with a sequencer like Cubase as the base model and then see what the other sequncers do diferently, better or worse. From my experience:
Cubase; has pretty much anything anyone would need for using VSL samples. Some fantastic features, such as Logical Editor and tempo track manipulation. COuple of audio editing annoyances and bugs, but nothing major.
Pro Tools; has some good audio related features, but MIDI not well featured, complicated, expensive upgrade plans and not a great performer for virtual instruments.
Logic; Mac only and has nothing that Cubase can't do as well, or better. Other than a great delay plugin. ;>)
DP; not used it on Windows, only OSX; audio related stuff seems comparatively clunky. Has some really good features for writing to picture, but nothing that I really need. However, a couple of the tempo track features would be handy.
Feel free to start making your own list with input from as many people as you can. Then you can make an informed decision.
DG
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I stay with Cubase because I'm used to it, but there is one thing that will be irreplacable. I need the timeline to fit the music after the fact of the music, rather than moving the music around to conform to a definition of tempo first. The only other sequencer that provides the same workflow - dragging a point, beat or bar in the timeline to a preferred musical position ['warp time'] - I know of is Samplitube.
In terms of VSL, it seems to me Cubase/Nuendo is friendlier [than Logic or DP].
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I think Cubase is a good choice. Nuendo has some extra features that are intended for post-production, but I never use them. Cubase has the advantage that it gets new features earlier than Nuendo, so I consider it a better choice for my work.
Samplitude is great, although it lacks many of the advanced MIDI options of Cubase. The same goes for Reaper and Pro Tools, although Reaper's flexibility is particularly impressive.
Logic is a popular choice for advanced MIDI, but I haven't used it in years. Digital Performer is great for scoring, but the MIDI tools in Cubase give it the edge in my opinion.
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Cubase. I started on ProTools, then went to DP for many years, then switched to Cubase about 3 years ago and never looked back. For orchestral writing, it's hard to beat. Though lately I've been checking out Logic and I must say the Environment is pretty awesome...especially if you like to highly customize your template.
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I've been using Reaper exclusively until 3 days ago I bought Cubase 8. So far, I'm afraid Cubase was a mistake for me. I'm looking for reasons to like Cubase, but not finding them yet. Reaper was a pain when I was learning it, but now that I know how to use it, Cubase is making me appreciate it even more.
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My vote for Cubase as Well
Expression Maps - An Absolute Dream
And I also like the included score editor. For shure it is not sibelius but if you just like to see notes it is a great bonus!
Chord Track is a nice gimmick, but depends on what you plan to do, I am hardly using it.
Best regards
Gabriel
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I start Cubase several times a day, hoping to like it, to escape the oppressive weight of buyer's remorse. Clicking all over the place just trying to load a few instruments and FX. Then I quit Cubase, start Reaper, and make some music. I am not trying to start a DAW war here, I wish I liked Cubase. Maybe expression-maps will woo me. Trying to stay positive about the $600 hole in my wallet.
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Hi DG
I dont want any DAW war too ; so lets speak only about technical feature
You can correct me if I am wrong because I am looking to move to Cubase 8 because I am fedup wainting for Logic Expression Maps, As soon Cubase 8 is availlable on trial I will spend some time on it
You said :
> Logic; Mac only and has nothing that Cubase can't do as well, or better. Other than a great delay plugin. ;>)
You forgot the
-Environment and the Macro, that to my knowledge NOBODY has
-The total multi tasking , does any other DAW has a total multi tasking ?
- What about editing audio ? Logic can do the after ! Can Cubase do it while playing the track looping on the area ?
- can you remove a click in the audio by redrawing the signal with the mouse ?
- can you extracts the drums instruments from an audio track
- Can you remove or move a badly allign kick
- You can fade in and out a sample .......
- Tools to make music for films are very powerfull too, you can edit at the picture and make automatic tempo calculation so the beat goes to an image
- If you dont have MIR, Logic has a very good space desigh reverb
- There is a lot of plug-ins and instruments and all are free, i.e. the EXS24 (sampler player)
- It is also said that the audio engine of Logic is much more faster than Cubase (this may have change since C8)
- You forgot about Logic's companion, Mainstage ; a great piece of software when playing live
- The price is quite agressive too 199 $
......
Speaking to one of my friend that has moved from Cubase to Logic it told me that Cubase was crashing a lot compared to Logic that has very rare crashes and allow to restaure you work with only the last manipulation lost
MacBook Pro M3 MAX 128 GB 8TB - 2 x 48" screen --- Logic Pro --- Mir Pro 3D --- Most of the VI libs, a few Synch... libs --- Quite a few Kontakt libs --- CS80 fanatic -
I start Cubase several times a day, hoping to like it, to escape the oppressive weight of buyer's remorse. Clicking all over the place just trying to load a few instruments and FX.
Not sure if you are doing everything right there 😉 Loading a VST instrument normaly takes pressing F11 and one mouse click to select an instrument for a slot. That's it. An audio processing plug-in is added by opening a mixer panel (there are three of these in Cubase, opened by F3, F4 or F5) in which you have the track/channel you want to assign a plug-in to and then adding a plug-in in the inserts section of the channel. Done in two moves as well.
It sounds to me like you could profit from watching a few Getting Started videos (you'll find some in the Steinberg Hub).
