Is SADiE worth it?

[grobichaud]

I'm going to start working with a guy who uses a SADiE system and from what I read it doesn't seem that bad, expensive, but good reviews.

I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the current SADiE rigs and how they compare to other systems such as PTHD, quality wise and ease of use. I can learn software pretty quick these days so any learning curve is not an issue. I just want something that will give me solid quality both on location and in the studio. And please don't just say use PT because its industry standard, I don't care, it's going to be my personal studio and I just want opinions on quality and ease of use.

I do most of my mixing OTB on an analog board, so I'm mostly wondering about the editing stages in SADiE. And also does v5 support rewire?

If anyone has a suggestion on a different rig let me know too, I just want to make great recordings and in turn pay bills.

[Rick Sutton]

I've got Sadie and PTHD in my studio. Sadie is great for mastering and as use as a final mix/edit platform. I love it.
I would not want to use Sadie as my main multitrack as it just seems a bit clunky compared to PT and some functions, like volume automation, are down right infuriating to use. At least I can't get comfortable with the implementation the way I have with PT.

[Plush]

We have had three SADiE set-ups here and now run the current one, Version 5.

It is the best editor out there and it is proven that the machine is bit accurate. What one puts into SADiE is the same thing that comes out. Fidelity and on board converters are very good.

SADiE offers several multi-track recorders, one of them the H series and the other an on-location oriented set up called LRX that is based on a laptop.

We use a version called H8M which is for mastering and classical editing.
I don't think that SADiE ever was meant to compete with PT and SADiE is not a plug-in rich environment.

It is however an excellent system. You will probably be able to know a lot more and have new and clearer opinions once you begin the work with your local SADIE-ist.

[pacomoy]

I work to classical recording and I have a Sadie LRX (portable system). It's incredible. A little-portable machine with 16-32 very good mic-pre and converters, 16-32 channels, Editing and Mastering Software complete and simple! But the best is the sound! Sincerely perfect!

[Teddy Ray]

Sadie is a great piece of software! It cant be too bad if Tony Faulkner uses it.

I am a Sequoia/Samplitude Acolyte, but if for some reason those were not available anymore, Sadie would be my first choice.

btw,PT and Sadie are totally different beasts, not even an appropriate comparison.

[Ozpeter]

It is the best editor out there and it is proven that the machine is bit accurate. What one puts into SADiE is the same thing that comes out.

I'd expect that from any modern editor / DAW. I had a version of Sound Designer II which would deduct a value of 1 from each sample during a record/replay cycle, but that was running on an Atari about 20 years ago. (When I contacted Digidesign they simply commented that the guy who wrote it had left and it couldn't be fixed...!)

Sadie does seem to be one of the most highly regarded systems for classical work going back a great many years.

[John Willett]

SADiE is excellent and on a par with Sequoia and Pyramix - better than Pro Tools, Nuendo and the like.

[Teddy Ray]

Originally Posted by John Willett

SADiE is excellent and on a par with Sequoia and Pyramix - better than Pro Tools, Nuendo and the like.

for classical-type production/editing, certainly..

wouldnt go so far as to say in all aspects.

[matthewd]

Hi there

I've been using Sadie pretty much from the beginning and currently own an LRX2 for location recording work and an H64 back at the ranch for post. I can honestly report that in something nearly 15 years of use, I have never once encountered a crash in record which gives me great confidence in the product. The people are also great which counts for a lot. As a location recorder, any LRX or H series recorder is very small footprint in comparison to the equivalent PT rig and probably cheaper too. Madi is available which is great if you are tracking from say a digital console or have a raft of remote pres on the stage. In post, I will be fair and agree that the automation etc is not great but as an owner of Pyramix and PT in addition to Sadie, I can say that it is peerless as an editor for classical type projects which is down to the trim window - often mimicked but never bettered and it is very popular for mastering. Mixing I might be tempted to use other products but then again, if you are doing classical material which requires fairly consistence balances throughout, you may be OK. I started looking elsewhere for big band projects where it got a bit unweildy but then again, it may well be that with a bit more training / manual reading, I could get it to behave.

Thats my take on it anyhow. Hope this might help.

Matt

[Roland]

Just to add a slightly different perspective into the mix here. I've owned and operated Sadie since the early days. I jumped ship a few years back when Sadie couldn't deliver on my "multi tasking" requirements of being able to multitrack and edit and master for CD. I would echo the comments that as an editor it is up there with the best, the others being Sequioa and Pyramix, (I don't agree that it outclasses either of these others, they are perfectly capable to keep up editing wise). The LRX2 is also a really cleverly conceived product, probably introduced too late to save the company as it was, before it was rescued by Prism.

If you want it for editing or the location functionality of the LRX I think that it is well worth inverstigating, however, I have one Caveat. The industry is in a really difficult place at the moment and Sadie have already failed once in the market place. Whereas Prism are a good solid company, as a purchaser you have to look at whether Sadie is still a commercially viable product in the current market. If sales stay low, there is always the chance that Prism will cut their losses and you could be faced with a product that is unsupported, yet owes you a fair amount of investment. I stress this is pure speculation, but having been in a similar situation a couple of times over gear I have bought in the past I would strongly advise you to look at all the alternatives and see which one suits your application best. It also has to be born in mind that any one of the competitors may go to the wall, but much can be gleamed from how their market share is holding up in the current climate.

Just my opinion, YMMV.

Regards


Roland

[matthewd]

Hi Roland

These are perfectly fair comments, however it looks like now VCS have been awarded the BBC contract for playout etc in which Sadie is well integrated already that this could be the shot in the arm the company needs to fund further development. You've been braver than me switching over - I personally find it really hard to port my skills over.

All the best to you

Matt