Which software to buy

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 8 Nov 2006 1:15 pm

I'm gonna upgrade my software(PC). Now I have Ntrak, it works well, but is only 16 bit. The upgrade will cost $75, I have a very old version. The question, should I go with a more standard system? I want to spend around $100, so I'm looking at Cakewalk, Cubase, Pro Tools(light versions). I need 24 track, 24 bit, 96Khz, the ability to use VST plugins. I have Delta 10-10LT, a 1.3 Athlon PC,512Ram. Thanks for your ideas, JP

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 8 Nov 2006 2:39 pm

Buy an upscale soundcard and then build a PC around it. It's the soundcard that will give you 24 bit 96kHz audio, nothing else in the PC cares...
For stereo work the Soundblaster Audigy Pro series may be acceptable.

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 8 Nov 2006 6:06 pm

RM, Delta 10-10 has 24 bit 96khz, my software does not support the higher resolutions without an upgrade. Thanks, JP

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 8 Nov 2006 11:24 pm

I put a Delta 10-10 in a pc for a friend,
he is still happy with it.
Partly because it has essentially remained invisible to him.
ie. no problems.

Randy Cordle · Post by **Randy Cordle** » 9 Nov 2006 5:01 am

May I suggest Tracktion?
Had Pro Audio 9 and don't use it anymore after I started using Mackie Tracktion. http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion2/index.html

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 9 Nov 2006 10:06 am

I beg to differ with Ray, but if you went with a ProTools LE rack or desk rig, the soundcard doesn't even come into play. All of the conversion and processing is done in the rack and program, connect via firewire.
You monitor through external amp/ spkrs or powered monitors, like most studio configurations. I've been using the LE rack system for Pro level recordings for some time now, and it does everything I want.
24 bit 96K no problem. I generally record 24 bit at 41.5. So far, so good. And translates easily to most any other pro studio if need be.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 9 Nov 2006 10:08 am

Oops- I missed the $100 limit... I don't think you'll get into a good ProTools interface box for under $300 (M-box, etc.)
I got my digi-002 rack for $600 used from somebody upgrading to HD, and it's paid for itself 25 or 30 times over...

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 9 Nov 2006 10:23 am

My hardware is fine everyone. I'm taliking about software only. Looking at Sonar, Traction, Pro tools Le, and ??? JP

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 9 Nov 2006 9:05 pm

ProTools LE only works with DigiDesign hardware (they do have a version that runs on MAudio hardware, but not as versatile in going back and forth...) They don't call them The Evil Empire for nuting...

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 9 Nov 2006 9:09 pm

Hey Mark, 24 Bit/41.5??? Sounds cool--what do you know that we don't...

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 10 Nov 2006 7:34 am

ya done been caught in typo hell.
Engineers are such exacting sorts ;(

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 10 Nov 2006 7:45 am

Traction is looking pretty cool, and different. Anyone else use this? JP

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 10 Nov 2006 7:54 am

I'm with Randy: big fan of Tracktion.

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 10 Nov 2006 4:04 pm

24 Bit/41.5.........tell us more?

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 11 Nov 2006 12:28 pm

Could probably turn this into a marketing angle...

By the way David, aren't we due for more pictures???

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by John Macy on 11 November 2006 at 12:29 PM.]</p></FONT>

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 11 Nov 2006 10:59 pm

Nothing new till mid December,
progress went into slow motion.. DRAT!

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 12 Nov 2006 2:40 am

Hi Jim, no matter what anyone says there is no standard in recording sw. If you already have Tracktition or any other sw app and you know how to operate it and like all the features then there's absolutely no question. Buy what you already know how to use unless you're a glutton for the punishment of the steep learning curve of buying a new sw recording app. Why switch to an unknown sw app and start from the beginning? as long as you can upgrade to the newer version of your app and you like it stick with it.

In todays recording world it doesn't make a whole lot of difference what sw app you use you can import wav tracks into most of them so you will be able to work on other peoples tracks no matter what sw app they were recorded in.

Now if your current sw app has a lot of little things that bugs you well then the answer is completely different but like I say if you like everything except the 16 bit limit and you can upgrade that cheap it's a no brainer.

I use Sonar and other folks love it but the next guy that comes along might use a hardware recorder and swear by it so why not go with what you already know???????

Bob

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 14 Nov 2006 9:11 pm

Man, the dyslexic typist never gets a break from you engineer types.
Looking on page 662 of the manual I find I should be going with 43.141592653589....

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 15 Nov 2006 11:25 am

another Tracktion user here. very satisfied , very easy to use.

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 16 Nov 2006 6:34 pm

Tracktion is not as full featured as a lot of other programs , but each release has more and more added to it ....It's a very easy interface to grasp ...I like it a lot for an "easy to use " program ... The engine in Tracktion is a nice sounding unit also ...You could do better, but you could do a lot worse too !!....Not a bad product ...
There are a lot of companies that have demo's of their programs also ....Pick the one you feel the most comfortable with ..Jim

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 17 Nov 2006 6:13 pm

Well, today I bought Sonar home studio, I think it is the best bang for the buck, and does all I want to do. Cubase was $40 more. I was leaning towards traction, but the demo version locked up my puter, and some local friends talked me out of it. Thanks for all your suggestions, I considered them all. JP

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 18 Nov 2006 8:23 am

Jim,
Sonar is probably the most used sequencer software out there for PC ...You made a good choice ...I mentioned Tracktion for it's ease of use , but if you start now with a lesser version of Sonar , you will be versed in Sonar when you make the move to the more advanced version .... Good choice !!..Enjoy !!....Sincerely,Jim

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 21 Nov 2006 11:07 am

Hey Jim, I'm certain you'll like Sonar Home Studio. It has a great engine beneath the hood. I think it uses Sonar 3's engine which was a very stable and fast engine and had all the bugs worked out. When I say engine I'm just referring to the software that runs the recording process. There are many folks here on the board that use Sonar so good luck and let us know if we can be of any help.

Bob

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 21 Nov 2006 4:42 pm

Thanks again for all your help! I am now in the typical hell of learning a new program, but I do have a lot of patience. JP