Using PT for composing?

[dsound]

I work at a commercial music writing house and compose on PT exclusively. This is only because it's all I've ever really known (mixed with Reason and a little Tracktion 2) and I find it to be very simple to use.
Some of the other guys use Logic and swear by it for composing. I have not had time to sit down and really get a feel for Logic. Question: Am I missing out big time? I have had a lot of success composing on PT using templates (import session data) for
Mach 5, Reason, Kontakt 2, etc. - I'm just wondering if my work flow would improve using a DAW like Logic. Mostly because I'm going to bet investing in a Mac Pro for home use and wondering if I should spend money on Komplete 4 mixed with PTLE 7.3 or just get Logic 7.2?

Hmmmm....

[astorian]

Hey DSound. Depends on your workflow. I think it has a lot to do with how you "compose" your tracks. Logic is great for working with midi, loops, etc., while PT has an edge in terms of editing, mixing, etc. If you're the type to build loops and grooves, and do a lot of midi editing and tweaking (and you're getting a Mac Pro anyway), I'd opt for trying out Logic. If you need to generate scores for live players, Logic wins hands down. If you're the type to pick up a guitar (or piano) and "perform" your song ... and then overdub parts with various soft synths ... and then edit the audio, I'd opt for PT. If you do both, I'd bite the bullet and become well versed in both. How important is it for you to deliver a finished product as opposed to a demo?

[kelvinchan55]

i don't think it has a huge different between them...the only thing to say...work with the one you are comfortable with.....
i would suggest PT....coz i am using it....

[s.d.finley]

Logic can print you a score and has some killer softsynths, samplers, FX etc.

[dsound]

I do a lot of midi but usually print it to audio for editing purposes and for some reason, I could swear that audio sounds better? Anyway, maybe I should wait a while for Logic 8. I think PT works just fine for composing but I also notice that there is a kind of sheen of tracks that are made on Logic...very present. Then again, my engineer buddy tells me that the summing on Logic is not as good as PT...

[n8tron]

if it works fine for you DO NOT CHANGE! You are not necessarily missing out. Really all the daws out there can get the same job done in only slightly different ways. I grew up on digital performer, then used pro tools for awhile. I tried logic, took me about a year and a half to acutally learn. Then once I learned it I realized I hated it. Now I'm back on pro tools and digital performer. With the 7.3 update PT has been made much easier to use as a composing tool IMO. I still like dp, cause with pro tools i only have 32 tracks of audio, so i usually go back and forth between the 2. Also dp is much better with a large orchestral score, though some of the new 7.3 features have narrowed that gap.

Take this into consideration, you already know, for better or for worse, the industry standard program. It sounds like you know it well. Keep with it. I made the mistake of learning a bunch of DAWs which, while it is nice to be able to work on all three, it has severely diluted my ability to become a power user on 1 program. Apple would really have to turn logic around and build it from the ground up for me to actually consider using that program again.

[jonnyclueless]

How can you know if you are missing out until you expose yourself to everything? I thought PT was fine for composing at first. Then I started using other programs and would rather shoot myself before having to compose in PT now.

Doesn't mean it sucks for everyone. But without trying others, there's no way to know since it's so personal.

BUT, here is a reason why there is a common trend to prefer Logic to PT for composing. PT is set up as a standard. Everything is done one way and one way only. This makes it great for audio since you can go from place to place and always know how everything is gonna work.

BUT, composing is a more personal thing and everyone has their own way of working. Logic works around the user, not the other way around like PT. You make logic the way you want to and have it fit your working style. You make your own quick keys, you make your own window sets, you decide which editing method you want to use, be it notes, numbers, graphical, or all at once without having to change views.

On the other hand, I think this is what makes Logic not so good at audio...

[quincyg]

if you are going to switch from pt i would suggest looking at dp as well. logicis going to give you the most trouble in terms of learning curve. i am one of those who has used logic for years and still half hate it. just switched to dp and find it much better suited to my expectations of what a recording program should be. really my main beef with dp is that the tracks overview window can't be vertically zoomed, which leads to a bit of eye strain.

try them all and go with you initial response to what feels good. if you don't love it within a couple of weeks then move on.

[Andi Rauscher]

Originally Posted by dsound

Question: Am I missing out big time? I have had a lot of success composing on PT using templates.

1. Why? just because someone else uses another program? If it works for you then who cares!!
2. you say you have success. Du you want to change that? For you as a PT user Logic will be the most un-logic Software you´ve ever used....

[dsound]

Originally Posted by Andi Rauscher

1. Why? just because someone else uses another program? If it works for you then who cares!!
2. you say you have success. Du you want to change that? For you as a PT user Logic will be the most un-logic Software you´ve ever used....

I'm always thinkng about ways to improve workflow. PT is great but sometimes I wonder if I would be more inspired or be able to work faster in antoher DAW. I'm not unhappy with PT by any means. Track freeze and ADC would be nice for my LE setup at home. Just some thoughts...

[gsilbers]

well , you could see what they are doing in logic and see if that impresses u to buy logic. you could ask em to show u some tricks on their workflow.

i use both a lot. i just hate PTs Midi editing. but love the audiosuite which is not available in logic unless u have HD.

for house music, i think synths and wierd processing is better, so komplete 4 would be a better choice.

but i do feel i can work faster when composing with logic.


from all the poeple i have met that have won grammys or work coposing for films and cable TV i have noticed that poeple that work with midi more when cxomposing for film they use logic and the ones who work with audio more use pro tools.
but both groups use both. skecth out stuff in logic and then go to pro tools for mix and editing. or do stuff in logic edit it and then record the outcome in pro tools to send it to mix somewhere else instudio or somewhere else.

[dsound]

I'm a little nervous about investing in Komplete 4 because the NI stuff seems to be a bit wierd with PT. The Mach 5 and Reason are much more stable in that environment. Maybe things will be different when I get a Mac Pro

[uncle duncan]

DP if you want to make music, Logic if you want to spend a lot of time figuring out how to make music. DP has customizable keystrokes and quick manuverability in the song, and DP5 has a bunch of new virtual instruments. And Stylus works well in DP. (My fave loopy program) Consider getting a second monitor so you can spread out your windows.

[quincyg]

i do find writing in logic way faster than pt. dp is just as fast if you load it up with a good sampler and loop player, etc.

[headz]

hm, while new PT 7.3 features are very cool and the midi processing is solved excellent. I still have a hard time with the editing of midi notes in 'zoom focus' mode, IMO it still feels uncomfortable compared to logic key editor, much additional horizontal/vertical zoom action needed to see things like logic (DP, Cubase/Nuendo as well) displays instantly.

also graphics and performance of RTAS on a 2,66 MacPro wasn't as smooth as I expected when I checked out a HD1 PT 7.3.1 few days ago at my audio dealer....

[toolskid]

I use PT exclusively for all my composing - it's just incredibly powerful - the MIDI side is also very very powerful (I'm a heavy logic user too)

I necessarily recommend it tho - you ahve to put in A LOT of work to benefit from the super fast workflow - its really a much bigger commitment than 95% of PT users realise!

All the best

[Solar]

For composing i will name you these few that really ROck solid, again here, i'm not starting naything against PT, ptools is great but most for EDITING, RECORDING & MIXING.. the composing thing, we have all to admit even Digi is trying to catch up with theyir updates (and still make u pay for every updates) and even for those who totally work in PT and find their way to compose in it.. good for them but if you want teh real DAW for composition chekc out the following and try them and make your own decision:

- Cubase or nuendo
- Logic or Digital Performer
- Sonar
- Reaper
- Live ableton
- Samplitude (even if samplitude they are just like Digi, catching up the Midi scene etc..)
- Traktion

and many more.. but these are the most used by many around in this forum and all over the world. So give it a try and see wich one will win and will answer your needs!!

Good luck!

one!!