I'm asking a lot of dopey questions here but I'd like some feedback. I'm setting up from nothing with a limited budget. (Much greater than I've spent previously, but probably a lot less than some others).
I've got a Pulsar 2, a great P4 DAW,(now with Dual Head Matrox) Orion Platinum for midi and 24/96 playback. My next purchase was probably Acid for my audio needs.
I see the special price on the Mix 'n Master pack and wonder...."Should I buy this while the price is good? These seem truly great plug-ins. I could get something like n-track for my audio until I've refilled my kitty and by then, maybe Acid Pro 5 will be released with hopeful discounts.
Sometimes I can't see the woods for the trees, so if anybody outside wants to comment, I'd truly appreciate it. What do YOU think?
Indecisive
Hey, I just became a Pulsar geek.....and I know sweet FA......my girlfriend WILL be impressed. She calls Planet Z people my "nerdy mates".
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-04 07:57 ]</font>
Priorities.....Acid Pro4 or the Mix 'n Master Pack
Nerdy mates ?
Have a poke on the Planet-Z pictures thread and I think she'll choose some other words...
I'd be tempted to hold out for a while if I were you. Orion Platinum IS getting audio record functionality and AcidPro5 will be here in another six months or so (guessing here).
But I don;t think N-track is the way to go - have heard some average things about it. I'd look at either FL Studio 4 which has audio recording, or probably even better, Tracktion which is just US$80. You might even decide to stick with Tracktion - it's got lots of fans.
http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com/

I'd be tempted to hold out for a while if I were you. Orion Platinum IS getting audio record functionality and AcidPro5 will be here in another six months or so (guessing here).
But I don;t think N-track is the way to go - have heard some average things about it. I'd look at either FL Studio 4 which has audio recording, or probably even better, Tracktion which is just US$80. You might even decide to stick with Tracktion - it's got lots of fans.
http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com/
if you don't need the loop functions,this'll give you most of logic4 and most of samplitude5.it's cheap and nice http://europe.magix.com/index.php?id=411 see music studio2004
Thanks as always....So would you go for the plugins....I figure that they'd make the most difference to my sound quality....but I really don't know.
Most of my tracks will be good quality samples, programmed through midi. I expect I'll get into the synths a little later, and had planned to play them in live, then tweak the timing. My audio, (guitar and vocals) go into an old Sony condensor mike through a Behringer mixer and Yamaha FX500 effect unit. It's good enough for now and I'll upgrade that when needed.
Gary, Magix was one of my two finalists.....I went Orion coz of the 24/96, the mass of sounds that come with it...(well below my samples in quality unfortunately). If I'd listened better the first time.... I may have shot myself in the foot. (Most unlike me....)I'm gonna have another good look....I can always sell what I don't use and put a small loss down to experience....
I guess my bottom line question is ....
"Is the best value in the high end plugins, or the recording/editing." Given a choice between the effects or the recording package, which would you chose to spend the most money on?
I've tried out some of the Timeworks plugins which impress me...Haven't tried the Dadev yet...When it came to taking out the money for the recording package I've hesitated and started to think about effects.............dammit.......
More comments appreciated.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-04 20:23 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-04 20:25 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-04 20:38 ]</font>
Most of my tracks will be good quality samples, programmed through midi. I expect I'll get into the synths a little later, and had planned to play them in live, then tweak the timing. My audio, (guitar and vocals) go into an old Sony condensor mike through a Behringer mixer and Yamaha FX500 effect unit. It's good enough for now and I'll upgrade that when needed.
Gary, Magix was one of my two finalists.....I went Orion coz of the 24/96, the mass of sounds that come with it...(well below my samples in quality unfortunately). If I'd listened better the first time.... I may have shot myself in the foot. (Most unlike me....)I'm gonna have another good look....I can always sell what I don't use and put a small loss down to experience....
I guess my bottom line question is ....
"Is the best value in the high end plugins, or the recording/editing." Given a choice between the effects or the recording package, which would you chose to spend the most money on?
I've tried out some of the Timeworks plugins which impress me...Haven't tried the Dadev yet...When it came to taking out the money for the recording package I've hesitated and started to think about effects.............dammit.......
More comments appreciated.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-04 20:23 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-04 20:25 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-04 20:38 ]</font>
well you can't use the plugs without the recorded material,so i say recording/editing first.the magix solution has basic plugs,sfp has basic plugs,i don't know about acid currently.in the past,acid plugs were poor/mediocre.between the basic sfp stuff,the free stuff and what comes with a nice program,you should be able to do a whole lot.you can always add more stuff in a month or two....... 

Have you thought about Samplitude's 'rent to own' option? http://www.samplitude.com/de/sfr.htm
(beware that the classic version has more limited midi options http://www.samplitude.com/de/versions7.htm )
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: valis on 2003-09-05 04:51 ]</font>
(beware that the classic version has more limited midi options http://www.samplitude.com/de/versions7.htm )
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: valis on 2003-09-05 04:51 ]</font>
I checked out the Z's photo shoot section. What a fine bunch of folks.....Gary you really are a funky looking dude when you wear that wig. My lady doesn't think you're ALL nerdy, now. She kept asking who was single, so she's barred from the Z.
Back to the topic at hand. Priorities....Reality says I can't buy it all at once, and I'd prefer a few bits of geat gear, rather than heaps of junk. Point taken Gary, re: getting the audio/editing part first. I do get ahead of myself......but if I was logical I'd have become a logisticion.(????see what I mean)
Re: rent to buy.....I'm not a rent to buy kind a guy, but thanks for the suggestion..it was a good one... When I have work on, I buy the things I most want or need, and when I don't have much work on I like to keep overheads to a minimum....less stress.
So, audio/editing first and it needn't be expensive. What would you guys aim for next? What would make the most difference to sound quality, working virtually....(mics and preamps come later..)
Thanks again...
Ok, I just thought of something that would make a big difference...sitting down and doing it, rather than yapping on about it...
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-05 05:30 ]</font>
Back to the topic at hand. Priorities....Reality says I can't buy it all at once, and I'd prefer a few bits of geat gear, rather than heaps of junk. Point taken Gary, re: getting the audio/editing part first. I do get ahead of myself......but if I was logical I'd have become a logisticion.(????see what I mean)
Re: rent to buy.....I'm not a rent to buy kind a guy, but thanks for the suggestion..it was a good one... When I have work on, I buy the things I most want or need, and when I don't have much work on I like to keep overheads to a minimum....less stress.
So, audio/editing first and it needn't be expensive. What would you guys aim for next? What would make the most difference to sound quality, working virtually....(mics and preamps come later..)
Thanks again...
Ok, I just thought of something that would make a big difference...sitting down and doing it, rather than yapping on about it...
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-09-05 05:30 ]</font>
as i said, take a look to cakewalk home studio 2004. it cost less than 100$ and it's very similar to sonar 2.
So, audio/editing first and it needn't be expensive. What would you guys aim for next? What would make the most difference to sound quality, working virtually....(mics and preamps come later..)
PS: sonar 3 is coming soon
Bosone, .....I'm starting to get the message.......and I'll do that very soon. I'm just downloading the Magix demo (again) and then I'll get may ass over to the Cakewalk site. In truth I found Plasma Express very easy to work with.
Gary, I'm just jealous you look so funky. I'm fairly straight looking...but my music can get funky so I guess that's some compensation. When I get sorted I'll get a photo or two onto the "centrefold" section of Z...seems only fair.
I think I'm getting totally anal over this whole software thing....imagine what I'd be like to collaborate with. My prospective songwriting partner usually gets uptight...... which lets me be the loose and goosy free thinker. On my own, the truth is coming out.
Gary, I'm just jealous you look so funky. I'm fairly straight looking...but my music can get funky so I guess that's some compensation. When I get sorted I'll get a photo or two onto the "centrefold" section of Z...seems only fair.
I think I'm getting totally anal over this whole software thing....imagine what I'd be like to collaborate with. My prospective songwriting partner usually gets uptight...... which lets me be the loose and goosy free thinker. On my own, the truth is coming out.