What recording software or DAW will best fit the M50?

dekturrr · Post by **dekturrr** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:19 am

What recording software or DAW will best fit the M50?

Cubase? Sonar? Audacity?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:35 am

It is really a question of which you prefer.

I use cubase. I also like Logic as it is very similar, they are both very powerful and mature platforms.
Of course Logic is only available on the Mac. If you're on a mac, you get Garrageband free.

Some people don't spend any money, and get free ones like Reaper.

I can tell you, Audacity isn't very good for musical work. It is okay, but has no MIDI functionality whatsoever. I'd rather use it for sound effects and sampling, but not to make a song on.

I used to have Sonar. It goes a bit the other way, being mainly focused on scoring and MIDI sequencing, and not having much in the way of audio processing. The version I had was like that anyway. It was traditionally a scoring program when it first came around.

Reason is another one people like. The reason (Excuse the pun) to avoid this is that it does not record audio. At all. There are some workarounds but they are workarounds. It is however great if you are doing electronic music.
The creators of Reason recently came out with another program called Record, which is a very straightforward and - again like Reason - hardware based approach that many will find familiar or at least more logical than the full on digital world of many other DAWs. It seems ideally suited to bands or rock musicians but I'm sure it goes further than that too.

Then there is the 'industry standard' Protools. Personally I feel that, just because everyone else uses something, doesn't mean it is the best!
The main gripe I have with protools is the licensing restrictions. Limiting the number of tracks you can use on different versions, and even telling you what hardware you have to use unless you fork out a thousand or so on the 'extended package' - just to use your existing audio interface?! I suppose if 'everyone' uses it, then you can tell them to buy whatever you want.
People go on about how it is amazing with all of the plugins and tools you get with it. I'd say no such thing. I used it recently and wasn't very impressed. Even some of the features I use commonly in Logic and Cubase (like having the screen follow the playback head cursor) were only available if I forked out more money on the next version or two. IMO Logic Express even has a much more fantastic range of included plugins and processing tools.
(sorry, my rant about protools over)

dekturrr · Post by **dekturrr** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:34 pm

sorry im a newbie with regards to softwares,
but i appreciated your inputs,

actually im thinking of using cubase.
Anyway,
is fruity loops pretty much the same thing with what you have just said?

and how about acid pro? do you think its good?

kanthos · Post by **kanthos** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:30 pm

You should really try downloading the demos and seeing which one suits you best.

FL Studio is generally considered to be substandard because of its history and some of the initial limitations it had, but it's a worthwhile tool now.

Acid Pro is more of a recording tool than a DAW, or so I've heard, but again, check it out. You're the only one who can decide which DAW is right for you.

outsider9 · Post by **outsider9** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:44 pm

Personally, I prefer Reaper. It never gives me problems with the Vst Editor of the M50, like other apps did.

It's cheaper, and it quite covers professional needs. Check it out.

dekturrr · Post by **dekturrr** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:47 pm

outsider9 wrote:Personally, I prefer Reaper. It never gives me problems with the Vst Editor of the M50, like other apps did.

It's cheaper, and it quite covers professional needs. Check it out.

i heard its free. where can i download a demo?

outsider9 · Post by **outsider9** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:49 pm

It's not free ( u$s 60 for a personal commercial license) , but you are free to try it (it's unexpiring, uncrippled). See for yourself:

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

dekturrr · Post by **dekturrr** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:54 pm

i see,

are there any free stuffs available?

kanthos · Post by **kanthos** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:11 pm

Only on Linux; sometimes you can also get starter or lite versions of DAWs with hardware purchases (Live and Cubase are quite common).

If you can't afford $60 for Reaper, you might want to pick a different hobby

dekturrr · Post by **dekturrr** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:12 am

i just dont want to use my credit card online.

and actually i dont use credit cards. hehehehe

newtonlkh · Post by **newtonlkh** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:57 am

You are finding something to fit M50. Some of the choices are actually trying to replace your M50, like Reason, and Live, maybe. When you step into the world of softsynths you will be struggling which one to use.

(I think choices are evil..., I am most focused on the main thing - music - when I have no choice on other side-branches)

If you are using the DAW to make backing tracks for your M50 to use OUTSIDE of the studio it's fine, because you won't even consider using the softsynths. But if you are trying to use the M50 in the studio I will say, go for a DAW that is strong in MIDI, and not so extensive on softsynths.

With softsynths all your settings are saved with the project, and the bounce will be faster (because you dont have to record the audio in real time). You can use plug-ins for indivdual sounds.

With hardware synth (m50), you free up a lot of CPU load. But you have to use the IFX for individual effects (unless you record them one by one first). It is much more stable for a gig than a computer. It is also more convienient when you want to try out some ideas suddenly, without the need to open the software, and load the softsynths. This is the main reason for me to have M50.

And, hey thanks for the in-depth explaination from X-trade. I would like to add a few comments:

Protools is not to best choice for midi / composition things. To me its strength lies in its very extensive keyboard shortcuts, that make audio editing very very fast!! Good for recording sessions...

For composition I love Cubase. I've heard loads of happy comments on Logic as well, but I mainly use windows.

Live definitely worth a try, as it is completely different logic behind.

Good luck hunting for your perfect DAW!

Newton

dekturrr · Post by **dekturrr** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:25 pm

Hi newtonlkh,

thanks for the idea, actually im looking for the simples possible one,
right now i am more accustomed to sonar, but im looking for a simpler one.

anyway,

your description says you're from hongkong,

and i heard that tomlee hk had a 20% - 40% sale.
Do you have any idea how much is the M50 - 61 there?

in just wondering.

=)

mancuniaman · Post by **mancuniaman** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:46 pm

hi, i see you have a x5d and a behringer mixer. i have a x5d and a xenyx x1204 usb mixer and reaper. i cannot record the x5d in reaper for some reason. any idea of what settings i need to have. i am new to home recording also and need all the help i can get.
any help would be appreciated.
many thanks.

newtonlkh · Post by **newtonlkh** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:10 pm

the prices at tomlee is so high, basically only "discounted" price is acceptable

and there is always discount there... when you see a product in regular price you are in bad luck...

should be around HKD$7600-7800 after discount

that is around USD980

Newton

dekturrr · Post by **dekturrr** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:23 pm

newtonlkh wrote:the prices at tomlee is so high, basically only "discounted" price is acceptable

and there is always discount there... when you see a product in regular price you are in bad luck...

should be around HKD$7600-7800 after discount

that is around USD980

Newton

Here in the Philippines the price is at regular.
About USD 1300,
i got mine from a second hand buyer at about USD695

USD 980 is not bad at all