Cubase or Protools for Windows 7???

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 3 Aug 2010 7:36 am

I just had the old gateway upgraded to Windows 7.
Right now I basicly need a program that is good for MIDI and mastering..Any thoughts?
Thanks
I am still eventually going MAC but I need it right now and this is less expensive

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 3 Aug 2010 2:16 pm

I'm using Sonar (8.5.3 Pro Edition) on my Win 7 64 bit PC.

ProTools is used by a lot of people but you need specific hardware for ProTools. For example I have an M Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R USB interface unit and even though M Audio is part of the same company that owns ProTools (AVID), the M Audio is not compatible with ProTools (according to an Avid tech support person).

I've tried to use Cubase LE that came with an Alesis unit I had and the Ableton that came with the M-Audio unit and they seem more complicated to use than the Professional Sonar DAW software.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 4 Aug 2010 7:21 am

I had a brief stint with Cubase and found it pretty foreign and hard to use. But that's just my experience and opinion. Lots of folks use it as it's bundled with a lot of hardware apparently. I'm on a G5 running Logic 9 (yes, it works fine on the PowerPC), and happier than I've ever been with the tools. I'd like to upgrade to a MacPro, but the $$$ is kinda slowing me down, and the reality is I can't seem to bog down the G5. It works great for me. I have noticed some used MacPros starting to show in the sub-1500 range, so I'm tempted.

Never used ProTools, so no experience there, but the hardware dependencies Jack mentioned could be irritating.

In fact the more I think about it, the more I think you should go ahead and move to a Mac and Logic and be done with it..

You can thank me later... LOL.

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 6 Aug 2010 11:45 am

I have a friend with ProTools and he's always having trouble with it. I'll stick with my Sonar setup.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 6 Aug 2010 7:21 pm

We have 4 ProTools systems at the studio here, 2 HD and 2 LE and I have another LE system at home and they are all rock stable....

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 6 Aug 2010 8:20 pm

I find Cubase easy to use, both for audio and MIDI. The Cubase LE version that comes free with your $100 sound card has enough features to keep you busy for years.

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 6 Aug 2010 9:37 pm

My friend is not much of a tech guy so he probably has fewer actual problems than he complains about. I played around with his ProTools setup one day. I wasn't any more impressed with it than my Sonar system. Maybe given more time to explore, I'd be more impressed.

Dave Boothroyd · Post by **Dave Boothroyd** » 7 Aug 2010 12:57 am

There is a version of Pro Tools LE, called Pro Tools M powered.
That is designed to work with M Audio hardware.
If that's what you have already, check that out.
As a user and former teacher of all the DAWs, I'd say that Pro Tools 8, the latest version, is ahead of all the others, and an equal to Logic, which is Mac only these days.
Cheers
Dave

David Winfrey · Post by **David Winfrey** » 7 Aug 2010 6:48 am

Scott,
It really depends on how you'll be using the DAW software. I have be honest and say that I don't have any experience with the other DAW programs, but Protools is the real deal. There is a reason all of the major studios use it. Version 8 has an improved MIDI editor from previous versions and it is easy for me to use and has controls for all of your MIDI parameters at your fingertips. You can tweek the MIDI and get it exactly to your liking.
As for mastering, that is often a term that is misused. If you are talking about premastering (final mixdown before mastering) the Protools and a nice set of plugins such as Waves is a great way to go. Then if you want a truly professional finished product, send it to a reputable mastering house for the final mastering. The DAWS and software they use are very specialized and completely different from anything else. If you plan on making the CDs yourself, then my advise would be to use compression sparingly. You want as much dymanic range on the final mix as you can get away with and have no clipping. These days CDs tend to have the dynamic range so compressed that it is virtually non-existant. That is the reason we are seeing the resurgence of vinyl LPs.
A final note on Protools... the learning curve is quite a bit more than with simpler programs, but once you learn it you realize the versatility and power of it, and the reason it is the industry standard.
Regards,
David

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 7 Aug 2010 7:15 am

Thanks for all the input...I recently worked at a studio with nuendo and was very impressed. The engineer mentioned for what I was needing Cubase was his choice...He liked PT as well but felt the Advanced MIDI applications in Cubase it was better for loops and such. That's my big need for a DAW. I wish Roland was more comaptible with the "Outside World" LOL I'm thinking the $100.00 sound card and Cubase is a good direction but I'll keep exploring.
Again thanks for all the info...

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 7 Aug 2010 10:47 am

I recently went from a Korg D-1600 to a PC system using Cubase LE and an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB interface and I'm getting some great tracks with it. It's very user friendly. I do have a small problem with latencey and could use a little advice on how to solve that issue.....but other than that...it works for what I need.....JMO.....HAL

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 13 Aug 2010 6:40 am

I went back to XP on another pc. Until I can get a MAC it's best. EZD doesn't care for windows 7 one bit. HAve got an upgrade yet I guess...anyway I have heard some other discussions on other forum about PT and have decided to stay away from it. I will be going with Cubase...I bought a $40 sonar program and it is not terrible but I haven't figured out how to drag and drop and get sonar and EZD to talk yet...Never ending struggle huh! LOL Oh well I'll figure it out....Thanks to all

David Winfrey · Post by **David Winfrey** » 13 Aug 2010 9:45 am

Scott,
This may help... go to the Toontrack website and log into your account. Navigate to Support and then to Downloads, and then to Extra Downloads.
Under EZDrummer you'll find "Hoststuff". In there, click on the Sonar folder and you'll see "DrumMaps" "HowTo" and "MultiOut". I think you'll find some files in there that will help you. I've used the MultiOut for ProTools and it worked really well.
Good luck!
David

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 13 Aug 2010 6:13 pm

thanks Dave!

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 15 Aug 2010 3:39 pm

Presonus Studio One is the best I've seen. It's been out for a little less than a year now, and is catching on very fast. It does everything from start through mastering and burning to CD, MP3, etc.... all in one package.

www.presonus.com

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Aug 2010 2:17 am

I've got a lot invested in Sonar. I had a 30 day demo version of Pro Tools (8.04) and it's OK but not all hardware is compatible with Pro Tools like it is with Sonar.

I've tried several Presonus Firewire devices and EVERY ONE was defective (new) and had to be returned. I've given up on Presonus. The last one I tried (about 2 months ago) was a Firestudio and after working with Presonus tech support it was determined it was defective. I had a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 firewire interface unit that worked great but it developed a hardware problem and the cost to fix it was almost what a new one is so I needed a replacement. I wound up with an M Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R (USB).

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 16 Aug 2010 3:25 am

Jack Stoner wrote:I've got a lot invested in Sonar. I had a 30 day demo version of Pro Tools (8.04) and it's OK but not all hardware is compatible with Pro Tools like it is with Sonar.

I've tried several Presonus Firewire devices and EVERY ONE was defective (new) and had to be returned. I've given up on Presonus. The last one I tried (about 2 months ago) was a Firestudio and after working with Presonus tech support it was determined it was defective. I had a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 firewire interface unit that worked great but it developed a hardware problem and the cost to fix it was almost what a new one is so I needed a replacement. I wound up with an M Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R (USB).

That was some bad luck for sure. If you were trying the Firestudio Mobile, I know there's been a lot of problems with them. I don't blame you for moving to something else. M Audio is good too. I've owned a lot of Presonus gear and not had any problems. Currently, I'm using Firestudio Tube and a HP-60 headphone amp. With the Firestudio Tube I get 10 inputs and two of them are tube mic pre amps for good vocal and acoustic instruments. I like the pre's so well that I sold my $1500 Universal Audio single channel pre. My friend uses a Firestudio Project, which is the same as the Tube without the tube mic pre's. For a couple of tracks at once, USB is okay, but I believe you need firewire if you're recording a whole band at once with singers, and need to track a lot of inputs at once.

The OP question is about software and I stand by my Presonus Studio One. It's the best I've seen and I've used Pro Tools, Sonar, Cuebase, Logic, etc... Pro Tools was the studio industry standard for years, but I see that changing. With Pro Tools you have to use their specific hardware in a lot of cases.

I have a friend in Chicago with a large pro studio that just changed over from years on Pro Tools, to Presonus hardware and Studio One software and he's very happy.

Too many choices out there now days. Makes it tough on us gear heads pocketbooks........ and it changes so often.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Aug 2010 5:36 am

The point is that some DAW software does require certain hardware, such as Pro Tools.

Gary Cosden · Post by **Gary Cosden** » 16 Aug 2010 7:14 am

I have been using Cubase LE4 which came bundled with a Lexicon Alpha interface - basically Cubase's free version. I had a hell of a time registering it since the registration number that came with it did not work. I quickly found out that there is virtually no customer support for the bundled versions and had to rely on their forum to get me straightened out which eventually did happen with a lot of pestering on my part. That being said- once I got past these issues I found it to be an extremely powerful tool. It is compatible with files from a friend's full blown studio version of Cubase as well. Customer support issues aside (just the facts of life when dealing with "free" versions I guess)I can't imagine you would possibly need or want more for a home studio. By the way I am running Cubase on my Windows XP laptop.

Robby Springfield · Post by **Robby Springfield** » 18 Aug 2010 2:18 pm

The new Cubase comes with some really good plugins for $499.00. The new vocal tuner that comes with it is a $500.00 plugin if you buy it by itself and the news is that it beats the other tuners hands down. Comes with great compressors as well. If I wasn't on Nuendo I would be there myself.

David Winfrey · Post by **David Winfrey** » 19 Aug 2010 4:16 am

Scott,
Did the info I gave you help get EZDrummer up and running properly?
David

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 19 Aug 2010 9:16 am

Hey guys,

I'm not kidding. Go to Presonus.com and download their free 30 day trial version of Studio One. It comes with tons of effects, and the paid version has plenty of midi instruments, loops, etc.... Studio One has unlimited tracks, but most have 48 or so. Doesn't really matter because I rarely use more than 8 or 10.

The new Band In A Box, has a plug in feature that you can intergrate it with your DAW. With Studio One, you can just drag and drop wav files from BIAB or MIDI, etc... into tracks and be ready to go in just a few minutes.

www.presonus.com

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 21 Aug 2010 9:32 am

Dave no Sorry But I appreciate you trying,,,I got a tech email form EZD basically stating they are still working on eEZD and windows 7 Oh well I've decided to go MAC and probably CUBASE.. WOuld love Nuendo but $$$ is big...
Robbie I agree about the new Cubase...Nuendo???You rock again!!!!!!!!!!

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 21 Aug 2010 4:55 pm

Scott, to put it as quickly and as easily as I can I look at it this way.

Every Application mentioned here and hardware interface Mac or PC all do the same darn thing. Try all of the demos of the software apps that look interesting to you and then go from there. The only caveat to my advice is that keep in mind that all demos of the applications are not made equally. Some cripple so many of the features that it would be hard to tell if you liked it or not. So when trying demos try to use the ones that are not crippled in any way other than a time limit such as in a 5 day, 10 day or even 30 day full use demo and then after their time has ran out they die.

As far as I'm concerned if a company cripples their demos of their product so much that you can't finish a short small simple project from start to end then they aren't very proud of their product! Just my 2 cents take it for what it cost ya

Big Bob

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 23 Aug 2010 11:23 am

I don't see Pro Tools going away as a professional standard for a really long time...about 95% of our outside biz come in on Pro Tools and the remaining bit on Logic....the question most asked by potential clients is "do you work in Pro Tools?"....what has been a big business booster for us lately is also having analog tape as an option...Presonus may make a killer product, but professionally I would be out of business in no time if I switched to it....

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