Homestar Runner Wiki Forum

Since I am getting a new laptop (that's possibly, but not definitely, going to be an Intel-Mac), I've been looking at some new DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software, I'm talking about multitrack sequencer programs. FL Studio is not bad, but it's lacking certain features that other, more expensive sequencer programs have had for years. MIDI-control is especially a pain in the butt, when it comes to working in FL Studio.

I've narrowed the choises to three slightly different programs: Steinberg Cubase 4 (Studio-version), Cakewalk Sonar 6 (Producer or Studio version, haven't decided yet) and Ableton Live 6.

I know most of you don't necessarily know much about this sort of stuff, but I want to know your opinion anyway.

Ableton Live 6

http://www.ableton.com/live6-showcase

Price: 695 $
Platform: PC/Mac

+ extremely versatile UI
+ slick non-destructive real-time audio processing (incl. hi-quality time stretching and quantization)
+ hihgly tweakable, sound designers dream
+ Intel-Mac compatible
+ Comes with quite a wide array of instruments, samples and effects

- maybe a bit too DJ-/Electro-oriented

You should check out the introduction videos on the site.


Cakewalk Sonar 6

Producer Edition
Studio Edition

Price: Producer Edition 755 $, Studio Edition 388 $
Platform: PC only

+ Extremely high quality non-destructive audio quantization/timestretching
+ 64-bit
+ Notation program included

- Windows-only (XP/Vista)

Link to a small (1 mb) PDF brochure which includes a feature comparison chart between Producer and Studio editions


Steinberg Cubase 4 (Studio Edition)

http://www.steinberg.net/1008_1.html

Price: 528 $
Platform: PC/Mac

+ Includes a notation system
+ Uses new VST3-technology in virtual instruments (VSTi) and effects
+ Comes equipped with a hefty stack of instruments and effect units
+ Intel-Mac compatible

- Requires a Steinberg USB dongle to work (sold separately)
- No support for DX instruments and effects (I have a couple of them)

Feature Comparsion (between the expensive version and the smaller, but cheaper Studio version) Chart: http://www.steinberg.net/1051_1.html


This all may seem a bit overwhelming, but talk about anything related to the topic that's on your mind.

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I use Rosegarden for all of my composing/notation work. I've only used it with pure MIDI, though it can also work with standard audio. It's an incredible program, but only runs on Linux.

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There's Jeskola Buzz. It's free & works in a modular system, meaning that you connect different machines (synths, samplers, drum machines, etc.) with effects and stuff.

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Yep, I've tried it. It's actually a very decent software, especially if you're a tweaking enthusiast. It's just very bloated and full of bugs. I had projects (or more like stubs, I didn't really finish anything) crashing every once in a while.

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My music
My LJ

That's why I run it in Windows 98/2000 compatibility mode. I've been able to produce a few songs, & mathgrant's done a whole bunch.

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I remember trying to twiddle around with the compatibilty mode, it was still quite unstable.

The concept of Buzz, on the other hand, is fantastic: it's free, it has a lot of plugins and it's very highly tweakable. I remember programming a couple of really sweet sounding bass drums and snares that I still use (in sample format) to some extent.

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My music
My LJ