Best Windows based DAW program - NOT Pro Tools...?????

[bjm007]

Ok, I've done a bunch of searches and learned a bit from those... I'm putting together a very small mid to high-end home based project studio and I need some advice on the platform...

I'm gonna rule out Pro Tools because the cost of the package with all the bells and whistles is overpriced for the quality (IMO). And I'm a PC/Windows guy so anything MAC oriented is also out of the question. What program do you like? Here are some I'm considering...

1. Nuendo
2. Cubase
3. ???

ANy suggestions would be appreciated...

The stuff I have already includes:

(2) '81/'85 Neumann U87's
'86 AKG 414 TLII
A couple of 451's
57's, 58's
Sennheiser 421

Great River MP2NV
(2) old racked Neve 1073's
(2) FMR RNP/RNC's
old Joemeek Stereo Pre/Comp
(2) old 1176's
(1) 2-1176
Apogee Rosetta 200
Apogee Rosetta 800
Lexicon PCM-81
Lexicon PCM-70
Eventide H3000
Eventide Eclipse
Palmer PDI-03 Simulator
Palmer DI Box
Groove Tubes GEII Simulator

Soon to arrive Adam near-fields (still deciding between 11's and 22's)
Yamaha NS10's
Urei Power amp

Bunch of current computers (P4 3GHz, 2GB, etc...)

__________________
First I gotta...

[drew]

DP is mac only. good luck.

[Hulk]

Samplitude V8 pro try out the demo and you'll never look back

[chriscavell]

Most widely used amongst professionals on PC (other than Pro Tools) would have to be Nuendo.

"Best" is largely a subjective term...in my opinion I'd have to say SADiE...but if you think PT is cost prohibitive, then I guess SADiE is out of the question. I would give the award for "second best" to Sequoia.

[Albert]

I've seen Sonar in action and thought it was pretty good. If I were on a PC that's where I would start anyway.

You've got some good gear and good converters. Any of the programs listed here are going to work with your rig (except DP). It's more a matter of what feels right and natural for you to work with. If possible, try to get some face time with each application, and I'm sure that one or two of them will jump out at you as being preferable.

[bjm007]

Originally Posted by chriscavell

...but if you think PT is cost prohibitive...

Thanks for your response...

It's not that it's cost prohibative, it's that I think it's overpriced...

In other words - I could buy it all, I just don't want to

[mersisblue]

cubase is just as good as nuendo really ( SX ) so I only see 1 option not 2.

Live can be added to the list

there is also things like fruity looops and reason . but those are different

[adzski]

Samplitude/Seqouia.

But then you could get PTLE which can be pretty cheap or Nuendo/SX.
Anyway, those are the three that i would be happy working with.

[stag]

SX or Nuendo ,
with SX you have an upgrade path to Nuendo if you feel you need some of its features .
With the money you save you can buy a UAD card or two or some real nice plugs as NI Komplete.

With the hardware you already have ,on SX you can use it as plugs ,using those Eventides as sends must be simply terrific .

Do a visit at a retailler compare them all.
On a pro app intuitiveness is not primordial but I´ve been able to do it from day one ,I only opened the manual to check some advanceded functions.

[desol]

sequoia...pyramix...

[Bob Olhsson]

SaDie has a new lower priced version.

[chriscavell]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

SaDie has a new lower priced version.

Is that the one limited to 8 tracks and only has 2 simulataneous i/o...or have they come out with something else I'm not aware of?

[bdunard]

Try the Samplitude demo. It is definitley the most you can get for the $. I tried it and Nuendo three years ago and went with Samplitude because of being able to break things down to "objects" I have never regretted that decision.

[Fenris]

I have question. Nuendo lets you select multiple objects and edit them simultaneously -- great for doing fades/offline processes on a drum track after you run "Strip Silence." Does Samplitude or any other DAW have this capability?

[bdunard]

Yes, Samplitude has had this feature for a long time.

[Robert Randolph]

Originally Posted by Fenris

I have question. Nuendo lets you select multiple objects and edit them simultaneously -- great for doing fades/offline processes on a drum track after you run "Strip Silence." Does Samplitude or any other DAW have this capability?

yep.

\/ \/ \/ \/ \/

[Ziggy!!]

I wouldn't really class Nuendo and Cubase SX as entirely different programs.

Audio wise, i have not found anything i can't do in Cubase that i can do in Nuendo. They both run on the same audio engine.

nuendo includes film and post features which cubase do not have.

One isnt better than the other... they are just designed for different situations.

[tuna]

but does vsti work well in Sam now?

I'm using cubase, heard alot about the Sam's sound quality is better, so I try Sam several times but find it so hard to understand, too complicate to work with, and it don't handle vsti well and limit the output count of a vsti is a big problem.

[jabney]

I use the CreamWare Scope sfp system with the VDAT recording device (up to 32 bit integer, lotsa channels) and the advanced mixer package. Add some sfp devices (Celmo, for example), a sequencer of your choice (I have Sonar), and your favorite editor (Sound Forge 6 for me) and you'll have a capable rig. Check out planetz.com for more CreamWare info.

I have read good things about Samplitude also, but then if I recall that was originally developed on the Amiga, so it ought to sound good :-)

[BrianT]

Samplitude or Cubase SX would be the primary choices. If you're going to do video/film post, Nuendo is a no-brainer, otherwise it's between those two. It really boils down to how your personality and your desired workflow connects with the app.

Either of those choices can accomodate a professional environment.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by adzski

Samplitude/Seqouia.

But then you could get PTLE which can be pretty cheap or Nuendo/SX.
Anyway, those are the three that i would be happy working with.

Why would you go with crippleware like Pro-Tools LE with all it's limitations?

Makes no sense to me.

[neve1073]

I've been using cubase sx for awhile and like it for the most part. There are some quirky issues, but which DAW software doesn't have those?

I'm running sx 3.01 and can't complain much. thumbsup

[ISedlacek]

For me Samplitude with no real comparison around

[adzski]

Originally Posted by Henchman

Why would you go with crippleware like Pro-Tools LE with all it's limitations?

Makes no sense to me.

I use Samplitude.
The original poster seems to be put off by the price, but PTLE can be pretty cheap. If you already have decent convertors youre set.
Personally having PT in some form at my place is a must - face it, if you like or not PT is our industrys standard DAW.

[stag]

SX and Nuendo offer compatibility with any industry standart .
You have what it takes to do a top mix on any sequencer ,even Trackion 2 would sound a wise choice.

The speed and advanced editing functions ,available on a comprehensive and solid way are the mark of Steinberg .

[Ziggy!!]

Originally Posted by adzski

I use Samplitude.
The original poster seems to be put off by the price, but PTLE can be pretty cheap. If you already have decent convertors youre set.
Personally having PT in some form at my place is a must - face it, if you like or not PT is our industrys standard DAW.

Protools LE is not the industry standard

"If you already have decent convertors youre set". Well not really. Protools|LE needs digidesign hardware to run. That means you are either stuck with an Mbox (only 2 channels of whatever converters - Analog and Digital I/O can't run together on an Mbox) or a 002R. Thats $1000 for digidesign software to be able to use your outboard converters... since the 002R is there just to be able to use the software and your outboard converters which are limited to 48khz because of Adat I/O with no SMUX.


Protools LE is not the industry standard

Comparing Protools LE to Protools HD (the industry standard) is like comparing a squashed, partially eaten orange to an Apple from the tree in the garden of Eden.

Not only that... one can be had for $400... the other costs more than $10,000.


PT|LE software doesnt include the features and capabilities of Cubase or Nuendo or Samplitude. Its more along the lines of Cubase SE in terms of limitations ($99).

For a setup much more powerful than a 002R and Protools LE you could get an Echo Layla G3 and Cubase SX 3 for around the same price...


Protools LE is not the industry standard!!

[Brad Blackwood]

Though I admittedly don't use it for multi-track stuff as I only master records, Sequoia is truly everything I could ever ask for in a DAW - works flawlessly. At this point I wouldn't consider going back to Sadie...

[mbb]

samplitude/sequoia is the way to go. imho by far the best daw ...

cheers
mbb

[Roger Starr]

I would go for SX or Nuendo, because as far as I know it has more and better midi features then Samplitude... Also, Nuendo is better in terms of 'marketing' then SX, altho' they're pretty the same.

Roger

[manning1]

as i dont want the moderators all over me for mentioning it too much. use the search function. its 49 bucks and does most of what the big names do.
and no dongles . peace.