Cubase, ProTools or FL Studio?

[killerteddybear]

I'm thinking of picking up some software to diddle with.

Which way to go?

I've had Cubase in the past and felt it was a bit complex.

FL Studio is easy to do basic stuff but I wonder how it works for heavy lifting (audio recording etc.)

I've never tried ProTools. I know it's supposed to be the 'gold standard' but I need to crawl before I walk.

Opinions?

[marcnorth]

I went with Pro Tools 10. It's too much for me to ever learn and pretty expensive but it's fun to play with. You might as well go with the best.

[Hamer Time]

Been using Cubase since VST32, about 13 years, so I maybe a little bias hehe. I have used/tried pretty much all the other daw sofware at some time. Cubase always made the most sense to me for some reason. I do drum programming, and couldn't live without the drum editor.

http://vid.firepixie.com/skitch/Cubase_LE-20090126-071234.jpg

It's not as complicated as it looks, if you understand the basics of a real studio mix desk, inserts, sends etc., you'll soon pick it up, and it's worth it. I just upgraded from vs5 to 7, and added a CI2+ USB interface/controller and I'm loving it. Made by Yamaha for Steinberg it's solid gear. No crashes, no latency, and running 30+ tks with many plugins, including rvbs (high overhead). Easy to install and set up. Had been using an M-Audio 2496 for years, actually my second, with a TOA mixer, and a Waves GTR interface.

PT's had it's day imo. PT used to be the standard only because it was the first, and it came as a complete package making it easier to set up, and cheaper. If you're running windows the win vs is not very stable from what I hear.

Isn't FL geared more toward electronic music?

It depends on what you want to do really. For example Cubase 7 would be overkill if Cubase Artist or Elements will do what you need. Elements is like $100.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/line_up.html

BTW I don't work for Steinberg lol.

[gorch]

Cubase Elements should be alright for most use cases. I'm into it for about 2 1/2 years now. At the end of the day the DAWs do the same thing. It's then being reduced to a matter of interface philosophy and personal taste. There is one learning curve to go. Once you have it taken there is no sense for a change.

[hikarateboy]

I'm thinking of picking up some software to diddle with.

Which way to go?

I've used pro tools since before it was protools. Sound designer anyone? but have been. A cubase/nuendo user for maybe 10 years now and have never once regretted my choice.

The latest version of protocols is nice and in some ways i think they are finally catching up in regard to sequencing and midi but the feeling for me has been that PT was more about being a recorder and editor than a music production system. Steinberg definitely have that focus.

I definitely feel you get way more bang for your buck with Cubase over anything else. Just my opinion of course.

[JGale]

Tracktion is back!

http://www.tracktion.com/

[jwhitcomb3]

Digital Performer is now a cross-platform (Mac/PC) application. I have not tried the Windows version, but DP8 is great for the Mac.

(Usual disclaimer: I was a MOTU employee until, uh, almost exactly 18 years ago...)

[jwhitcomb3]

Tracktion is back!

http://www.tracktion.com/

I just got an email from them. I last tried v2, and tracked many of the songs for my 2006 CD with it (though I mixed and did overdubs on Digital Performer). It had a cool interface and made workflow intuitive.

[killerteddybear]

Thanks for the opinions.

I'll brush off my copy of Cubase (LE), wrap my head around it, and then look at upgrading. Or not.

[marcnorth]

I'm using protools 10 with windows 7 and have not seen any problems yet. I did have latency problems with protools 6 but was having to use windows XP to run it. My buddy who works for Live Nation doing voice overs says they only use protools at their studio so he's been teaching me a little bit about it. Of course they only use macs too. If I could learn to program midi it's got a lot of drums and keyboard stuff that comes with it.

[ZR]

Try the 60 day FREE TRIAL of REAPER - which has NO limitations - it's the full, same software that I have as a full paid user. It's basically on the honor system to pay and I definitely suggest you use and pay for the program if it works for you. It's the Hamer of DAWs! Press record and do all the basics required ...or do a mess of customizable stuff too! Can do all the pro tools, cubase etc. stuff but is more customizable to each user. The skin or GUI...a million other things (don't you love when I'm so specific?). And, the FULL paid user only costs $60 and that will take you through 2 versions - like through 4 and all of 5. Such a deal AND the REAPER Forums have many helpful people to help.

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

Yes it says Cockos...that's a joke from the movie Office Space (I think that was the one), it's not some weird porn spam!

[Jeroen]

I use cubase SX3, I don't need all the fancy stuff they come up with..I like the old school analog type of recording. I have Cubase 5.1 coming up but am not in a hurry.

[ZR]

Try the 60 day FREE TRIAL of REAPER - which has NO limitations - it's the full, same software that I have as a full paid user. It's basically on the honor system to pay and I definitely suggest you use and pay for the program if it works for you. It's the Hamer of DAWs! Press record and do all the basics required ...or do a mess of customizable stuff too! Can do all the pro tools, cubase etc. stuff but is more customizable to each user. The skin or GUI...a million other things (don't you love when I'm so specific?). And, the FULL paid user only costs $60 and that will take you through 2 versions - like through 4 and all of 5. Such a deal AND the REAPER Forums have many helpful people to help.

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

Yes it says Cockos...that's a joke from the movie Office Space (I think that was the one), it's not some weird porn spam!

Also, REAPER comes with a TON of good FX. The GUI's are not all candy looking, just slides that do their job...they work.