DAW Software

[Anderton]

This doesn't have to be brand new, it can be an update that was released in 2008.

[Anderton]

I'd definitely have to pick the Cakewalk/Roland V-Studio as a top contender, just because the integration of the control surface and the software is really good.

Also, DP 6 deserves major props for breaking with its own tradition and streamlining itself.

[Ernest Buckley]

Hey Craig,
As you know I love REASON but its not really a DAW. DP gets my vote though.

[d. gauss]

reaper.

[Anderton]

Hey d. Gauss! Great to see you here. How's Reaper on the MIDI end of things these days?

[d. gauss]

Hey d. Gauss! Great to see you here. How's Reaper on the MIDI end of things these days?

craig, i'm probably not the guy to ask about that as i rarely use midi other than the occasional B4 or wurlitzer patch, but, from what i gather from other folks, it is really making serious leaps and bounds in that area with lots more coming (version 3 is in alpha stage right now).

but for me, when it comes to recording a real, live band, reaper just plain works, and works well.

[Magpel]

+1 on Reaper. I love it.

Re: MIDI, well, it's an exceptional VSTi host, and last time I looked in on the MIDI module, it had come along quite nicely. Really gotta read the manual though, because one of Reaper's core philosophies is not getting crazy with the menus and sub-menus. Often times, I don't notice the new features until I make a point of (re) reading the manual.

[MistaG]

I would go with Sonar 8. Amazing product.

[Jacko123]

Reaper!

[midiman100]

Im going with Sonar 8. Lot's of new updates for me.

Lou

[orbm1]

Ableton live 7.....

Very professional, you can use it for any application, and the library that comes with it (in the suite) is superb!!! (37gb of instruments and effects)

Omar :thu:

[Ernest Buckley]

Ableton live 7.....

Very professional, you can use it for any application, and the library that comes with it (in the suite) is superb!!! (37gb of instruments and effects)

Omar :thu:

Yeah, I believe you. From what I`ve seen in LIVE, it looks awesome... I just can`t wrap my head around the layout. I`m so used to linear recording.

[Jon Chappell]

Digi was shipping PT 8 just before the New Year, so it's eligible for a 2008 nomination -- both from a deadline perspective and an innovation one!

There were tons of improvements -- as in things it should have had and that other DAWs have had for years (like notation and better MIDI editing) -- and some surprise enhancements. I particularly like the new comp window. That alone is worth the $149 price tag.

As Phil O. points out in his thread on the subject, (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2114019) MIDI editing has always been a bit of a pain. (See his detailed criticism here. (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30476523&postcount=12)) The new notation environment (powered by Sibelius, BTW, one of the top professional notation programs on the market) may help to alleviate that. I like that fact that MIDI notes with different velocities will be shown in different hues, and that you can superimpose MIDI tracks in one view, with color-coding used to show the separate tracks.

__
MIDI notes vary in color saturation based on the Note On velocity. Notes with low velocities are lighter in color and those with high velocities are darker.
http://jonchappell.com/hc/PT_MIDI_Velocity.jpg

__
The Notes pane in the MIDI Editor windows lets you view and edit MIDI notes superimposed from different MIDI and Instrument tracks such that you can easily edit multitrack arrangements in a single constellation of color-coded notes.
http://jonchappell.com/hc/PT_MIDI_Superimposition.jpg

[orbm1]

Yeah, I believe you. From what I`ve seen in LIVE, it looks awesome... I just can`t wrap my head around the layout. I`m so used to linear recording.

What do you mean by linear recording?

take in consideration that live can record using the session view, great for composers or arragements on the fly... or you can use the arragement view, like a regular daw, very "linear" I would guess, unless you mean something else with linear???

Thanks :wave:

Omar :thu:

[DeathMonkey]

I'm with Jon - Pro Tools 8. I have my update coming next week, although I've gotten to play around in it. The new editing/comping tools are right up my alley.

[Phil O'Keefe]

Well, I suppose you can imagine, based on Jon's comments, what my vote is going to be... ;)

I've been using it for a week or so now, and I'm extremely impressed with Pro Tools 8. The world's best audio recording / editing / mixing program (IMHO) finally got some serious MIDI upgrades. The new track comping tools are extremely welcome too - they've already saved me considerable time.

And contrary to my usual concerns over X.0 versions of any software, so far it's been extremely stable for me.

Kudos Digidesign - two thumbs up. :phil: :phil:

[smallbutmighty]

Reaper.

[stellaguy]

Seems the Reaper is a popular vote, it certainly takes mine.

[pbognar]

This doesn't have to be brand new, it can be an update that was released in 2008.

I voted with my money - upgraded to Sonar 8 PE. It seems like they were focused on improving the audio engine, and included Dimension Pro.

The PT8 upgarde does look darned nice though. I would have gone the M-Powered route, but I didn't have enough time or a demo to evaluate and compare it to Sonar. Also, I didn't know if I wanted to go the RTAS route and deal with iLock. I have no history with PT either.

I also have a soft spot in my heart for Reaper. Great community and breakneck speed development - if it would have better MIDI support, better ACID support, and even a basic notation editor, I may have put off upgrading to Sonar PE.

Also, If I end up with more available funds, I would take a serious look at Live.

[t-rave]

Reaper-incredible value, lots of major updates in audio and midi and above all an excellent supportive community!

The DAW of the Future!

Ableton live - the only Daw out there that really focuses on experimentation...

if your at a loss for ideas , just get a live session up and running and chances are you'll get out of a rut!

[old1]

Mixcraft 4 by Acoustica. Intuitive, lots of loops, and 2 sampled grand piano's for midi. Did I say only $65.

[sjepstein]

Sonar 8 looks good--7 was great.

I did also try Reaper. And it looks like a great product. Very efficient, very compact, great business model. I did download it and try it, but I didn't find it as intuitive or easy to use, for me, as Sonar. That's just a personal preference, not meant as a knock on an innovative product.

Scott

[Tech Star]

Without doubt Ableton Live 7, I'm also a Reason 4 user but after using Ableton I have realised how restricted Reason can be.

[hamsterMaster]

Let's update this to... Ableton Live 8! This is going to be a really good release. And I personally nominate PT8 for my runner-up...

[MERCO]

Sonar 8 PE .......

[orbm1]

Ableton live 7 and the upcoming 8!

[Muzishian]

I've used ProTools (for my first album with my band (http://www.intangiblemusic.com)), but my DAW of choice is Cubase 4. To me it is much more intuitive than PT. I also have a Steinberg MR816csx & Yamaha KX49, so my studio is totally integrated, which really streamlines the work involved for someone who wears all hats in the studio as I do.