The BEST music software for Windows 00/98 SE

[Myomojo]

I just got my new computer and am looking for some complimentary software. I'm running an Alienware PC 1.7ghz/256MB dual HD 20-40/Plexwriter 24-10-40/Delta 1010 soundcard on a dual boot 98/00 OS. As far as my other tools and instruments are conserned:

-Roland XP-80
-Rhode NT1
-Mackie 1402 vlzr pro
-Ibanez/Tacamine acous. with POD 2.0

I think that just about covers it. What I want is software that will optimize all my hardware. I'm a pretty versatile musician, covering all styles of music (techno-dj/blues/heavy/classical, everything) so the best of the best of all programs is desperatley needed. Money is of no object, so please, only recommend the best...in your opinion.

Thanks,

-mojo

[Myomojo]

Oh, sorry, almost forgot. Drums are very important as I don't have a drummer. All work is done by me and my bass player. So bass software is a must as well. I believe he will be getting a POD for his bass soon, is their anything you would recommend over the POD?

[Myomojo]

ahhh, I keep leaving stuff out.

I will also need a graphics program worthy of assembling a CD label and cover.

I'm currently running Roxio 5 platinum for the label itself.
I'll need a program strictly for importing pictures and manipulation of those pictures so I can export to Roxio or another program you may recommend. Thanks!

[ozraves]

i was trying the dual boot thing and it became little testy and very crash prone. i've gone to w2k and i'm not sure about it yet. i may be going back to win 98se. of course, i'll give it time. maybe, i'll become a big fan.

i like acid pro 3.0 because i do not think linearly. acid is known for its loop capability but can lay down linear tracks as needed with no problems. some people will dispute this claim but that just means they haven't used 3.0.

[chrisnorris]

My vote goes to cubase.

[systek]

I agree with some of the others who posted already you might want to check out Acid 3.0 or Cubase. Both of these programs will allow you to edit and lay down tracks. If you have any specific questions about these applications you can email me directly. rgrcpu@yahoo.com.

[nigel_g]

fruityloops 3! its so versatile, you wouldnt believe it!

[brzilian]

Cakewalk is more straightforward than Cubase in my opinion. I installed both and tried using them without reading the manual first as a test. Cakewalk Sonar was way more intuitive. A program may have a ton of features and do everything under the sun, but if the user interface is not intuitive and easy to use, its worthless.

Cakewalk Sonar, Home Studio 2002, etc.. all come with the Session Drummer plugin - kinda rudimentary, but it gets the job done.

[[Animals]]

Wow my first post!!

All you need to produce a great record is ACID and Sound Forge

Mac

[brzilian]

ACID and Sound Forge are good software packages, but lack any MIDI capabilities. Granted the XP-80 has an onboard sequencer, but programs like Sonar, Cubase, etc will blow a workstation's sequencer out of the water. The added benefit of Cakewalk and Cubase is that they work with digital audio as well IN ADDITION to MIDI sequencing.

[This message has been edited by brzilian (edited November 05, 2001).]

[ozraves]

Originally posted by brzilian:
ACID and Sound Forge are good software packages, but lack any MIDI capabilities. Granted the XP-80 has an onboard sequencer, but programs like Sonar, Cubase, etc will blow a workstation's sequencer out of the water. The added benefit of Cakewalk and Cubase is that they work with digital audio as well IN ADDITION to MIDI sequencing.

[This message has been edited by brzilian (edited November 05, 2001).]

does anyone on here who bashes acid actually use the program?

acid pro 3.0 will do midi. it will also do linear tracks such as vocals.

acid pro 3.0 will not do vst and dxi instruments. ARE YOU LISTENING SONIC FOUNDRY?

i use cubase for vst instruments and export loops to acid. cubase is very cumbersome and the learning curve is way big. it does not support unlimited undos. nonetheless it works with vst instruments very well.

i've been suggesting people first take the plunge with n-track as it only costs $63 or so for the 24 bit version and the results i've heard from music made on the program sound very good.

[ozraves]

btw, if you are guitarist, then acid can be the most powerful music creation tool out there for you.

[PaulieG]

I'm afraid that most of you are not addressing the original problem. If recording audio like the acoustic guitar and hooking up MIDI instruments is crucial, Cubase 5 is the answer, although bear in mind that CPU power and sound card capabilities will affect latency (mine is pretty bad). The MIDI drums are pretty weak but using a sampler or Soundfonts will let you use any drum samples you might have. However, Fruityloops 3 is the best software for creating drum loops with an easy, smart interface , loads of features and is easy to use samples. From here, all loops or a whole song can be exported to wav, then imported into Cubase, easy as pie! Admittedly I have spent little time on other programs, but for creating songs with sampled drums and recorded guitar, this combo works for me.

[[Animals]]

Amen Ozraves

Hey btw have you used Vegas? Im thinking about using that instead of ACID. Any help on this matter is appreciated.

Mac

[ozraves]

Originally posted by [Animals]:
Amen Ozraves

Hey btw have you used Vegas? Im thinking about using that instead of ACID. Any help on this matter is appreciated.

Mac

my production partner has the full version of vegas. his use has let up in the last six months. he's primarily working with acid pro 3.0 with some cubase thrown in for making loops with vsts then exporting those to acid. i'm not sure what that says. i've never used vegas. i know nothing about it at all except what he tells me.

he loves vegas but since acid pro 3.0 will do big linear files now with no hangups i think that's why he's stopped using vegas. also, i don't think vegas allows for vst or dxi instruments.

[[Animals]]

Thanks for the info Ozares!!

Pardon my ignorance as I am a bit new to this stuff, BUT what is "vst or dxi" instruments?


Mac

[fredimac]

REASON & CUBASE (or anything else)

www.propellerheads.se (http://www.propellerheads.se)

Reason is the best thing that ever happend to music on a PC http://acapella.harmony-central.com/smile.gif

Cubase supports ReWire which is a way of mapping devices in Reason or ReBirth-338 (propellerheads) to their own tracks in Cubase.

Logic Audio and others are soon to support ReWire for Reason.

h

[velle]

Well I use Sonar XL, it is a major improvemnet since I upgraded from Guitar Studio 2. Man it kicks ass, it allows m to focus on the music and not on how to mable gamble tech stuff (althoug I like tech stuff).

[ozraves]

Originally posted by [Animals]:
Thanks for the info Ozares!!

Pardon my ignorance as I am a bit new to this stuff, BUT what is "vst or dxi" instruments?


Mac



Cubase accepts VST instruments. Sonar accepts DXI instruments. They are just like any other software based program except you can play and record them with their respective program type. Sonar will also accept VST instruments if you buy a third party program that I think is called Fxpansion. n-Track is a multitrack program that supposedly accepts both VST and DXI instruments. I've never used it but heard very good recordings made on it. Acid Pro 3.0 will not do either VSTs or DXIs. ARE YOU LISTENING SONIC FOUNDRY?