Styles
What do you people use to record with most?
Miked up amp, Direct in, Amp Emulation. . .And which programs do you use?
Cubase, Sonar 5(cakewalk), Audacity or Sony Acid pro6.
Mastering? Wavelab? Soundforge?
What are your experiences? ;D
andrewjbryson
I use Cubase SX3 , Reason 3 , Steinberg Hypersonic
Cubase for mixing , reason for percussion & cymbals, hypersonic for cool pads, and extras
I use a Boss GT8 - line in (to Soundcard) (left channel)
SM 57 & 58 Mic to pick up sound through Laney Amp (right channel)
I like to double up channels, especially if you combine a clean, dark line signal
with a Crisp, bright Mic level signal
As for Amp simulations , i usually turn everything off , EQ's , Compression , speaker simulation
Everything is better on my software
(unless I was using analog Alesis/ Lexicon / DBX compressors, E.Q's , reverb Racks)
1 piece of gear I would love to own is the Marshall JMP1 pre amp, in my opinion the best sounding pre-amp for any Crunchy Rock guitar sound) ... goes for around R9,995.00
For mastering I use a program called TRAX ( where there are a bunch of pre-sets
FM Master, Gentle Master , Mid-Boost ) etc...
so what do you guys use?
Riaan
What do you guys think of the new SONAR POWER STUDIO 660 package? As far as I know it's not yet available here though.
AlanRatcliffe
In truth, I think most of the DAW software these days is good enough to use, but it's all down to what you are comfortable working with - which seems the most intuitive to you.
Im using Sonar 7 Producer. I find Cakewalk to be the most intuitive, but I've been using it since Cakewalk V3 (not Sonar 3 - we're talkin' DOS here guys), so it should be. I can do stuff much quicker and easier in Sonar.
I find the Cubase workflow to be difficult - I've tried a few times, but could never get into it.
Given the money I'd go Protools for compatibility with most pro studios. Now that my interface has lost a channel, I may just go for an M-Audio interface with Protools M-Powered. If I do, I'll have to look around and see if anyone is doing a Protools certification course, just to fast-track me into using it properly. As I've said before, my training was in the days of tape, so
Amp Emulation - Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3. Easily the most powerful software of it's type and good sounding.
Mastering - Sound Forge. The newer Sony versions are bloated, but once again, I've been using it for years, so I can find my way around quickly and easily. Tried Wavelab after Sony took over, but couldn't get into it.
majestikc
Adobe Audition 3 is what I use (since Adobe Audition 1)
It has really powerful wav editing tools which all the other daw's I've tried don't even come close to (Cubase, sonar, samplitude,sound forge etc).And the multitracking is really neat and organised with everything you'd expect and need.
The only thing I think it lacks is having those pictures you can put on each track in the mixer like Sonar 7 Producer has,other than that gimmick, it's all I keep using and keep coming back to.
(The midi isn't that great, it's just been implemented in the latest version so give it a while, but rewiring Fruity loops and/or Reason with it and you have More than everything you need when it comes to sampling and vst instruments etc)
majestikc
At the end of the day, if you know what you're doing and what you want, and you have the software that can do it, then I really don't think it matters what "brand" of daw or plugin you have.
If it does the job and you're familiar with it, then stick with it.
Getting the latest Pro Tools isn't going to make you all of a sudden start popping out amazing recordings,as so many people seem to think, in fact, because that program is so user unfriendly your recordings mite end up sounding worse for it.
majestikc
Stick someone who really knows what they're doing behind something like Audacity, and they're going to get you a good recording.Stick a monkey behind a Mac running pro tools and you're going to end up with a mess......an iMess
Understanding the fundamentals of sound and psycho-acoustics to me is the most important thing, not what software you use, or what speakers you have, or whether you're studio is gold plated or whatever!
Renesongs
I learned 80% what I know about sound recording through the Cool Edit Manuals (Now Adobe Audition) so when I'm stuck in a corner and need to do something bazaar It is Audition. Cakewalk Sonar has the most advanced midi editing options and I have used it for over a decade so it is my first line of defence for complicated midi work. When it comes to overall recording, mixing integration and project management and adding real-time effects Reaper is my program of choice.
sepheritoh
I am on Sonar 7 Producer. Like Alan, I've been with them for a long time - since they have gone windows (i think it was Audio Pro 7 or something). Before that in the DOS days I was on Voyetra Gold/ A real piece of magic in those days!
To record, I have a DMX 6/fire soundcard, which in today's standards is real crappy. Even the latest soundblasters have less noise! I will upgrade soon. I use a behriger MX602 A pre-amp / mixer. Surprisingly good for the price, but also out of date.
I have a Marsall MG15DFX amp, which I now rarely use to record. The similators I got give me much more variety. They are Aplitube 1 & 2 (with the JH expansion) and Isotope Trash. I also have Revalver, which I rarely use lately, X-amp, Studio Devil and Voxengo Boogex mainly to fill up my hard drive!
Tons of virtual synths and libraries, which is of no concern to this topic.
Gear of steel and wood includes a Fender stratocaster 64 American standard re-issue Mexican made). This is my main method of destruction and the best ax ever built. To back it up there are Yamaha APX, Yamaha CGX, Santa Fe, Fender Precision Bass, Ovation Celebrity and a Washburn X-series.
deanBailey
I use Cubase SX3 as I'm over familiar with it. Thought about moving to pro tools over the past year for the same reason as Alan (and for the PT only plugs) but that would mean re-familiarize myself with it :/. It's been a couple years since I last touched Pro Tools.
themanthatwalks
I am currently using GArage band ? but will be moving to Logic when I get the chance. Real user friendly. I have worked with cool edit and cubase, but the logic interface is easier to use. I am also a Reason fan, but I cant justify it quite yet to pay over 5k for reason 4
AndyInnes
Sonar 8 for DAW - love it - less resource hungry than 7 was. Tried out Protools LE two versions ago and got irritated by the lack of midi implementation, so I gave back the Mbox2 and called that quits.
I have Guitar Rig 3 and Amplitube, but have found that a Shure SM57 close mic'd on the grill of my Boogie amp makes the plugins sound pretty weak by comparison as far as tone goes. I tried a few tracks with both and then lived with the results for a few days. My final take on that was: neighbours are just gonna have to learn to love the Boogie until I can build a proper booth. ?
Mastering - do most of that in Sonar (just released an entire album that way for an artist on Sony BMG with no complaints at the label, the plant or the radio stations), but use Soundforge for any extra tweaks.
Andy
C-LYDE
Tracking and mixing - Cubase (I'm on version 4 already) - have been using the product since VST32 days, simply upgrading every 2 yrs as the updates were released.
Despite the aggressive comments on Cubase.net - the product is very mature and quite honestly if one is unable to get a professional sounding CD done with this software - quit and stick to the guitar or something.
Mastering - I'm really very happy with Wavelab - a very very powerful audio editor. PC only though(!)
As for file sharing with Pro Tools - the OMF function of Cubase is pretty decent. The last time I checked Pro Tools users had to pay an additional fee for this function(?) so not all studio's might have the capability if they were PT friendly.
Check out these videos : tracking in Pro Tools and mixing in Cubase....
http://www.uaudio.com/artists/videos.html
free2rhyme
I use:
Soundcard - M-Audio Delta 1010
DAW - Pro-Tool M-powered 7.4, used to use Cubase sx3 b4 upgrade
Roland Cube 60 for guitar - clean and dirty, sometimes plugged direct in or mic'd depends on how lazy I feel ?
bass direct
Roland HD1 into TD3 module for drums... exported to my newly purchased BFD 2.0 plug
sm57/sm58/Samson compression mike for vocals
using Sennheiser hd headphones to monitor
pc is running vista ultimate
soundproofin?????? thats what walls are for :? ?
thats about it...
Neps
Well I use a couple of diffrent DAW's and recording options.. Most common day to day for me is:
ProTools HD running on a Mac 2.8GHz Quad
ProTools LE running on a G5 2GHz Dual (Digi 002)
ProTools LE running on a PowerBook 2GHz (MBox 2)
Guits are Recorded through a Vox AC30, Vox AD50T (I think thats the model name), Fender Frontman 15W (cute and cuddly)
using Shure SM57's, Neumann U87 (got her recently), SE Gemini and Studio Projects C2
Sometimes I reach for Amplitude and SANS AMP, but thats not often.
Mastering.. Waves Plugins in PT, but I dont actuly dont master myself, that I send out.
Monitoring is through Tannoy Precision 8's, my other monitors I need to get use to. Soon maybe the ADAM A5's and the Mackie HR626's and HR624's for surround.
