| Home recording and general music post from the archived Yabb Recording Website Message Board. Some of the info here may be outdated but many of the audio recording and home studio tips are still good. Note: The only tags I made and attempt to convert are italics, bold, center and underline. So if you see some gibberish surrounded by brackets, just ignore it.
Recording Website Archived Yabb board Post
Febuary 2001 Yabb Message Board Archive
Subject: Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32?
by steve | 05/12/01 at 11:48:35
I am awaiting the arrival of a Micron PC (in 5 days, all paid for) 1.3Ghz Athlon 266 FSB, 256MB DDR Ram. Windows 2000, 60GB IDE ATA HD (sustained thru-put at 37MB/sec)Its coming with CDRW 10X12X32 and 2nd CD ROM/DVD Drive.
I have the echo Layla 24 sitting here already in the box.
I need help deciding on Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32.
I don't do too much midi, mostly fretted instruments and vocals.
The Layla goes 24 bit. Will the cubase 32bit capability be wasted or will I see an advantage with internal 32 bit processing?
The Sonar is running at $250.
The Cubase VST/32 is about $450.
I heard Windows 2000 will glitch the midi. Is this true?
I also am considering an interface to help move the computer mixer controls. The Tascam US 428 was suggested. Any thoughts or alternative options?
I am totally new to DAW. Last wav file I tried to record was in 1996 with cakewalk 4 on a 166 Pentium. I gave up when i heard the helicopter in the background.
Thanx for any help
Subject: Re: Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32?
by DanS | 05/14/01 at 10:41:38
Well, the price point says go with Sonar, but I use VST32 myself.
I would recommend you go with a crack to evaluate both, and then BUY whichever one you're more comfortable with. 8)
Subject: Re: Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32?
by 4track | 05/14/01 at 19:49:03
There doesn't seem to be a lot of fans of it but I'd go for Samplitude. I've used cakewalk and I like the quality better in samplitude. For basic recording it's easy to use. The mixer is good, Add the effects and bounce it all down and the end result it very pleasing.
4track
Subject: Re: Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32?
by JR#97 | 05/14/01 at 22:03:17
Samplitude is basic? Boy, I must be stupid then ;D
I thought Samplitude had one of the more steeper learning curves. Hell, even Cubase VST seemed easier and VST has a notorious curve! I am a Samplitude fan now that I've invested time, sweat, and brain cells. Very powerful. I love how you can even use the mixer interface as a real time digital mixer! Take that CEP! (don't get me wrong, I love CEP.)
Steve, if you're new to the DAW environment, I'd pickup Cakewalk Pro Audio 9.0 while everyone is closing it out for cheap. I'd also get CEP for the wave editing. Those 2 programs combined will go far. Sonar is cool, I played with the demo, but I don't think it's worth the extra dough. Especially if you're just starting out. Also, find out what OS your software and *future* software you plan on getting will support. I understand DX plug-ins won't work on 2000.
Subject: Re: Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32?
by Tim_Z | 05/15/01 at 11:10:36
I agree with JR. Here's my list of programs in order of most inutitive/user friendly, best to worst:
1. Cool Edit Pro (I was recording within minutes)
2. Cakewalk (Was recording within 30 minutes)
3. Power Tracks (simple but very easy to use)
4. N-Track (")
5. Vegas (I was recording within a couple hours)
6. Nuendo (I was recording within the same day)
7. SAW (I was recording within the same week)
8. Samplitude (I was recording within the same month)
9. CuBase (No Luck)
10. Logic Audio (couldn't even figure out how to select I/O, totally illogical)
Funny that the worst in my book is called "LOGIC".
I have never tried Pro Tools or Sonar.
Now I'm not suggesting that these are in order of best to worst programs, but rather just how easy they are to work with at first.
So if the guy at the other post is struggling with CEP, then imagine how much fun he'd be having with 8, 9 or 10 on my list. ;D
Regardless of the above, my choices for best overall programs (if I was to switch fully to DAW use) are:
1. Nuendo
2. Samplitude
3. Vegas
TZ
Subject: Re: Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32?
by steve | 05/16/01 at 20:51:09
thanx to everyone
this is very helpful.
Still waiting for the Micron PC...I have downloaded the Sonar demo to my laptop (Gateway Solo Pentium3 600mhz 160MBRAM, Windows 98SE)I need to get DirectX8 before installation according to the setup info. The Microsoft website wasn't so clear about what to download...1 min for SKsomething or 5.5 hrs for EDsomething. The fun starts already)
Subject: Re: Cakewalk Sonar or Cubase VST/32?
by JR#97 | 05/17/01 at 09:14:34
Just FYI, be sure you get the latest and greatest DirectX 8.0a. There were some issues with their first release. I got DX8.0a from the Sonic Foundry site. It was a quicker download from there.
www.sonicfoundry.com
While you're there, you might as well check out the Vegas 2.0 fully functional demo as well as Sound Forge 5.0 fully functional demo. Happy tracking.