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What Sequencer/DAW to use?

I'm finally making the step from being a recording dinosaur to embrace the 21st century. I'm asking around all over the place and everyone likes different ones, so I thought I might as well ask here as well.

What's the best for making tunes?

Reason
Cubase
Logic
Protools
Alesis
Sequoia
Adobe Audition
Soundforge

Arrrghhh there are too many to choose from. Short answers please, I'm already confused

Tags: alesis, audition, cubase, daw, logic, pro, reason, sequencer, sequoia, soundforge

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Francisco Javier on May 12, 2007 at 2:25am: Well, I had used piracy versions of Ableton Live 4 and Cakewalk's Music Creator 3. I love Ableton Live but her cost is quite to my earnings with my music productions (0% of Money). I decided then use a "freeware" solution (I don't feel cool with piracy versions).

My computer is very old (is an AMD 1200 MHZ without support on SSE instructions) so I can't use Renoise (it's handsome, but I don't really love trackers). I tested with Reaper, but my control Keyboard couldn't see the sequencer.

At least , I've reached Zynewave Podium (free with a magazine).

It remembers me to Ableton Live (it's clear) but it is too acoplated (and 19'' screen would be superb) in opposition to Ableton Live that seems an Ikea's desing (and only needs a normal 15'' monitor).

But Podium allows me manage VST's and midi clips with my hardware, import audio (througput a sampler VST), manage automations over VST's, mix the project, and bounce the final mix to an audio track (in *.wav format).

Perhaps it isn't the best solution, but it adapts to my environment and my economy.

Simply choose the system/program thats you feel better and allows you be good with yoursel and your music.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cameron Johnson on May 13, 2007 at 4:01am: I've always been a huge fan of Nuendo. However, I've been trapped on v. 1.5.1, so I'm starting to fall behind little on the times. Audition is good, for ease of use. Cubase seems to be the go-to program these days for beginners (just a lighter version of Nuendo, if I'm not mistaken). Pro Tools seems to be what the "industry standard" is, but I've never been a huge fan. Logic and Reason I've read good things about, but I've never actually used them for myself, so I can't comment. Everything else on your list I've never come into contact with. If you can get your hands on Syntrillium's Cool Edit Pro, it's a great starter program, despite what people say about it - it's the predecessor to Audition, before Adobe bought it out.

In the end, I don't think it's the program. An amateur at Abbey Road will always sound like an amateur, while a pro in mom's garage with two '57's and Audition will still sound like a pro. Experiment and find out for yourself.

Oh yeah, Live is great, but it takes a while to get used to. Once you get the inteface under control, it's quite a powerful tool. I used that for a bit before I decided to use Nuendo full-time.

-Cam; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Juri Glad on May 14, 2007 at 3:16pm: I am going for Nuendo/Cubase so far, as I have been using for years now. Logic is not bad too, i tried it several times, did not like Logic 5, but since it moved to MAC it has become much more comfortable. Pro-Tools HD might be a good stuff for professional, but I don't like Pro Tools LE (or M-Powered) at all. Few plug-ins, complicate ways to do simple things.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Iur Snitram on May 23, 2007 at 2:12pm: Hi

I would like to encourage all of you to try REAPER, it enhanced my workflow 200%. Its the most flexible DAW you can find in my opinion and it has a great forum where you can discuss feature requests and sometimes they get implemented on the next day.

You'll rediscover the joy of recording and putting down ideas more often and much faster;)

IS; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Will Soutter on May 23, 2007 at 3:41pm: +1 for REAPER from me.

I've tried (illegal) versions of cubase and audition, and have used pt at my old school studio - of those Audition is definitely the best, from any point of view other than a professional studio.

However, i've recently started using the free, uncrippled demo of reaper, and i plan to buy a non-commercial license (ONLY TWENTY POUNDS!!!!) once payday rolls around...
It takes a little while to get used to, but the routing flexibility is unrivalled, and as lur Snitram said, even if there are some things its missing, they are likely to be added within a couple of weeks. the updates are almost daily.

A lot of established producers/engineers will find it harder to switch, as with anything, because it is very different to use at first. But if you're just starting out, and your looking for value and something a bit different, REAPER has to be the way to go.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by nlinear on June 20, 2007 at 4:16am: Hi,

I'm a ProTools TDM/HD user since Mac computers use to have NuBus (Quadra 650) :) .
In the studio I always use ProTools, but at home (making music) I use Ableton Live6 with lots of plug-ins (VST) and virtual synths (VSTi). Sometimes I use Samplitude Pro for mastering (excelent tool). I don't like Cubase and Wavelab ... :(
For free you could try Ardour http://ardour.org/ on Linux ...

Good luck
Fernando; ▶ Reply to This