Need some help on picking recording software!
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on May 15, 2015, 7:11 p.m. by rorofat
Sorry for the long title, but this is a pretty specific post :)
I've been mixing/recording electronic/pop/alternative rock music for a while, but my mac is dying. I previously used garageband as it was all i needed, but now I want to take a step up and get a fully featured daw. My mac, sadly, is dying. Provided it was totally fine, I would probably get logic X, but since I'm stuck with my windows computer, I'm having a tough time deciding which one to pick...
So far I've looked into - Propellerheads Reason 8 - FL Studio - Ableton Live
but I honestly can't decide... Right now I'm leaning Reason, but I'm not sure...
So basically, what do you guys think?
(I am seriously doubting this thread will get any replies XD)
notanothercthulhu says... #3
I'd personally steer clear of Reason. Their instruments are pretty good but with any other DAW there is a wealth of free or cheap VST's.Check out the freebie Synth1 it's rather dated looking but it is a pretty bad ass synth.
May 15, 2015 8:14 p.m.
I'm liking reason, if just for the fact that it's got a great learning curve... Does anyone know how to clip tracks at less than a measure though? I can only seem to clip them at the one measure marks...
May 15, 2015 9:45 p.m.
Reason, I think, is fantastic for their MIDI stuff, but, I think, pretty poor for recorded audio. I have heard similar things for FL.
Honestly Logic is the best of the best for MIDI. ProTools is best of the best for actual audio. Next up I have heard that reason and FL are very good.
Really if you want to do all of the things you mentioned at high quality you kind of have to go for more well known software. The problem with the smaller brands is that they have fantastic workflows for one particular type of production and mixing, but not for another. You mention both electronic and also alternative rock. These are both handled WAY differently depending on the DAW. That's kind of the problem. I've been using Logic Pro X for ages now (it's only like, $200 - or that might be the upgrade price.... not sure) and it's a dream.
May 16, 2015 6:59 a.m.
I really want logic, but I don't have a Mac :( I might be able to get my hands on one though...
May 16, 2015 11:43 a.m.
You need a lot of RAM and a pretty competent i5 / i7 processor to be running Logic and doing proper projects on it.
May 16, 2015 11:46 a.m.
Good to know... I'm looking into macs at the moment... And just so you know, I focus more on the electronic music than the alt rock... But logic seems great... Sadly it's Mac only...
May 16, 2015 12:02 p.m.
Yeh. I run logic on a Macbook Pro. I use a FocusRite Scarlett 2i2 interface which runs into 2x Adams A7X monitors. I also headphone monitor through Audio Technica M50s.
May 16, 2015 12:04 p.m.
What gen of MacBook? I've got the focus rite 2i2 and a set of monitors...
May 16, 2015 12:26 p.m.
The Summer 2014, retina display, 13 inch macbook pro. 3GHz i7, 8GB RAM. It's dreamy. In the UK it cost about $1500. In the US it should be cheaper - guessing it would be around $1200 where you are, maybe even less.
May 16, 2015 12:31 p.m.
They don't appear to have it anymore. In fact they all appear to be much more expensive now?
May 16, 2015 12:36 p.m.
Yeah looks that way... I have a pretty good MacBook Pro, so that will probably work... Any last minute advice on using logic?
notanothercthulhu says... #2
Check out Reaper. I have a full version of FL and once I started using Reaper I haven't looked back. That being said I believe FL Studio did unlock automation clips in their lower priced version. You can download usable demos of both. (Reaper is actually a full program and you pay on good faith)
May 15, 2015 7:55 p.m.