Is it possible for software to sound better?

[DP40oz]

Hey guys i've been using Cubase SX1 for years now and a friend let me borrow SX3 for about a month and i might be crazy but i swear the software just sounds a little better. Is this possible? I mean it might be other factors of a different bussing style from SX1, but just let me know if anyone else has ever heard of this.

[The MPCist]

I'm curious... how does one 'borrow' software from a friend for a month....?

[mltamisin]

Sure it's possible

[gsmelley]

Originally Posted by DP40oz

Hey guys i've been using Cubase SX1 for years now and a friend let me borrow SX3 for about a month and i might be crazy but i swear the software just sounds a little better. Is this possible? I mean it might be other factors of a different bussing style from SX1, but just let me know if anyone else has ever heard of this.

Someone much more knowledgeable than me will probably do a better job of explaining this, but to answer your question: yes, it is possible.

basically computers are just big complicated calculators, and the software is punching the buttons. Different programs use different algorithms to calculate and process changes to the waveforms (e.g. EQ, compression, reverb, etc), as well as the algorithms used to sum all the signals into a stereo pair. I know that some programs are considered better than others when it comes to this and, as Mackie claims about Tracktion 2, the higher the bit depth when crunching these numbers, the better it will sound. I have used SX3, and while I'm sure it sounds better than SX1, I don't really like the way is sums, as compared to an analog console. It's not bad, but it's just not my taste... and likely as good as most other programs out there.

[DP40oz]

One borrows software for a month by borrowing software for a month. Pretty self explanatory, a friend of mine is in the process of building a new studio so he gave me his Cubase SX3 and dongle. It's totally legal if that's what you were implying. As you can see i had to give it back that's why in the sale/wanted forum im looking to buy a copy of the program.

[gsmelley]

Originally Posted by The MPCist

I'm curious... how does one 'borrow' software from a friend for a month....?

Cubase, Nuendo, and I'm sure several other programs used hardware dongles to unlock the software. So, if the USB dongle (or key) is not inserted into the computer, the software won't run. You can make a copy of the software, but you'd have to borrow the dongle to use it.

[blaugruen7]

there are some different options for panning laws in cubase.
are both version set to the same setting?
this could cause different panning and different sound.

[DP40oz]

I used the default panning laws in both programs. Once again i may be crazy and just hearing things but everything just seems to sound a touch sweeter, a little easier to get my mixes together. It may be the delay compensation which is making that touch of a difference for me, or the panning as you mentioned. Regardless im buying a copy, whatever it is I love it.

[crypticglobe]

You are not crazy. There were some definite audio engine improvements from SX 1 to SX 3. Many heard it... I did too.

[steffen]

if I remember correctly, the NUENDO soundengine is part of SX since version 2 or 3...

steff

[sleepwalker]

To my knowledge, SX3 hasn't been cracked, so I don't have reason to doubt him. I hope it stays that way, all legitimate users will be much better off.

Originally Posted by The MPCist

I'm curious... how does one 'borrow' software from a friend for a month....?

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by sleepwalker

To my knowledge, SX3 hasn't been cracked, so I don't have reason to doubt him. I hope it stays that way, all legitimate users will be much better off.

your knowledge is wrong, ive seen a surge of a bunch of sx3 questions on kvr all the sudden...meaning its been cracked recently lol

[largeunit]

Yup, they rewrote the audio engine between those versions.

[GPl]

Actually, seeing you already have SX1, there is an upgrade path and it's not that expensive. So you would probably save money rather than buying one off someone else. Just a thought.....

[DP40oz]

As far as i've seen the upgrade is around $379 if i remember correctly, but used is going for around $250 on ebay. Regardless thanks for the feedback guys I new i wasn't crazy there's just something different i can't put my finger on it. My next step is to start summing out of the box, i've been reading around here that that's a big improvement as well.

[blaugruen7]

Originally Posted by DP40oz

I used the default panning laws in both programs. Once again i may be crazy and just hearing things but everything just seems to sound a touch sweeter, a little easier to get my mixes together. It may be the delay compensation which is making that touch of a difference for me, or the panning as you mentioned. Regardless im buying a copy, whatever it is I love it.

delay compensation!
if you you have some itb effects?
delays?
reverb?
that could it be.

[The MPCist]

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that you were using crack soft. Just happened that last month, I went to upgrade my software just to find out that 'another friend' had upgraded using a 'copy' of my software that he had borrowed...

It's all good and I hope the software works out for you.

Now back to our regular programming.....

[Mike Lapchick]

Originally Posted by kc8mob

Ultimately the hardware is going to be your limitation!!!!!

every element is a potential limitation. they all have to be good.