What production software would you recommend?

[Zodiac*Blue]

...for a PC. I'm just starting with this so I need something with an intuitive interface and lots of support (other users, books, ect). PC specs are a non-issue except for the fact that I have a quad-core processor and it would be great if the software is multi-threaded. Thanks!

[method]

it's just personal preference, really. they all have strengths and weaknesses.

i started pasting samples together in cakewalk metro, then moved on to reason when it came out, now i use live. a lot of people say they don't like live's interface. after using it for only a few months i much preferred it my workflow is hands down much better with live than reason.

there's no right answer, demo them all (sonar cubase live renoise are some popular ones) and pick the one you like best.

[Matt Sanborn]

ummm

Cubase

[john c]

Cubase

however if ur starting out, i think Reason is a good pick to learn the ropes.
BTW do a search. this topic has been beaten to death! ;)

[Master Miguel Lush]

Cubase FTW

[Zodiac*Blue]

Interesting :ponder: lots of Cubase peeps up in here. Guess I'll have to check that one out.

[Cortex]

Definitely Cubase.

Logic is only for Mac btw.

[Cortex]

Actually I take that back. Older versions of Logic are available for PC. The last one made for PC was 5 or 6. Mac is up to Logic 8 now.

[method]

Interesting :ponder: lots of Cubase peeps up in here. Guess I'll have to check that one out.

cubase is by far the most popular PC daw.

expensive tho'.

renoise is only 49euro. i haven't used it so don't interpret this as an endorsement by any means.

[Zodiac*Blue]

Looking at cubase here... this can't be right. $199 for the software & hardware interface? It must not be a complete version of the software....

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Steinberg-Cubase-System-4---Integrated-Software-Hardware-Music-System-249024-i1322083.gc

[john c]

BTW, CUBASE 4.1 just came out and looks like its a monster and finally fixed all the bullshit with 4.0 (i havent upgraded yet, on SX3).
in fact starting a thread about it.

[method]

it's probably because it's cubase SE 3; they're up to 4.1 now...

[Quannum Logic]

Cubase....

[Matt Sanborn]

yeah if you do Cubase...got to get SX

[DJ HEADBANGER]

There really isn't a best one... it's not the software, it's the user. You just gotta find which one you like and demo them like someone else already said.
My advice to you is, if you are very technically minded then go with cubase or reason, but if you're more visual and artsy then go with FL Studio. Not many people give it too much props, but the latest version (FL7) is just as good as every other program out there. It really depends on how each different software feels for you

[Judson Myers]

I use a combination of Cubase and Ableton. If you are just starting out I would recomend Ableton because it is so user friendly.

[john c]

honestly, i just realized recommending one software over any other is kinda stupid since everybody has different needs and works in diff ways. what would be more beneficial is people sayin why they prefer their software over others. i think most producers who are new should try and fuck with all the diff hosts and make up their own mind.

so for me:

I use Cubase as my host cause I think its the best program for sequencing,audio manipulation and processing and midi tools for the pc. also is the ebst sound quality for pc imo.

I use Ableton Live rewired in Cubase for timestretching shit and demoing loops on the fly that I might cut up later for use in my song. It helps with the workflow big time if i dont have to pitch shift each loop 1 by 1 till i find the right one.

I use Reason as a sketchpad for quickly loading percussion samples and making ideas for beats. the gui is so simple it just caters to coming up with ideas. Prodigy does this too.

ps: i should mention that in my setup, Reason and Ableton are always rewired in Cubase so Cubase's sound engine is actually playing the shit. So even Reason sounds much better cause its inside cubase.

[Quannum Logic]

Cubase = 32 bit .wavs FTW!!!! I always bounce to 32bit while working in cubase, keep a master copy @ 24bit, and burn at 16bit of course.

[Adam Ely]

Wait...I think I have seen a discussion like this somewhere before?

I kid, I kid


personally...I use Ableton Live (don't use Cubase much anymore, but still a very friendly program)

[rachel progress]

Ableton. It's so damned user-friendly, you can't help but pick it up right away. John C pointed out some definite Ableton strengths. Easy to make some quick loops and throw together good beats, easy slave/master with tracks, etc. Most everybody I know producing uses Ableton as their primary software, it's like a little Live Clan down here.

[Adam Ely]

Ableton. It's so damned user-friendly, you can't help but pick it up right away. John C pointed out some definite Ableton strengths. Easy to make some quick loops and throw together good beats, easy slave/master with tracks, etc. Most everybody I know producing uses Ableton as their primary software, it's like a little Live Clan down here.

It has some drawbacks though as well. Once learned it gets more friendly but out of the box it can be rather confusing. Especially given the 2 views and the way tools/parameters can have multiple functions.

But as stated, once learned its golden. I can pump out a re-edit in no time at all.

[noistek]

I have to chime in on the Ableton Live tip. Sound's awesome...user freindly like a mo-fo...get those tunes done as fast as the inspiraction hits you!
We (Digital Conpsiracy) use it combined with Reason to produce extremely complex tunes.
Look into Ableton's Live & Reason!

[method]

the way tools/parameters can have multiple functions

link/elaborate?

[Simon]

Still Rockin SX3 on my Mac. Whats the upgrade $$ for 4.1?

Also upgraded to Logic 8 a few weeks ago, It's vastly different at first glimpse from 7 for Damn Sure. I do see myself heading in that direction soley based on what I see happening around me- But I'm always going to have a bias towards Stienberg. It may change once I get far more in depth with Logic- It's just not a quick overnight switch. I do think now that Logic 8 cut its price in 1/2 ($500) it's going to do a lot of Damage (and great for itself)

Protools- Entirley over rated IMO as a whole (biggest beef is that its lacking in MIDI fuctionality), but unbeatable for live sound production and will remain the industry standard for some time to come. I'm running M-Powerd 7 with the new NRV-10 at my office and I have to say I really dig it for what I'm doing with it for work.

Protools LE is actually the cheapest of the bunch with solid quality (One point to make though- you need to by an m-aduio or digi design audio interface to get it running- You should probably have one anyway!)

Abelton is a great investment.

Reason is a good to get started VST- but by NO means a quality sequencer.

[john c]

simon what do u do for work?

[Simon]

I do a lot of things funny enough but all under one company (M.C. Dean). I support DHS but the president of the company has me doing a ton of work for him directley and broadcasting via www.openband.tv- (local service provider much like comcast etc- mainly broadcast in smart ie. rich- homes) Sort of a from the ground up movement with 2 of us at the moment (the other being the video guy) doing interviews w/ congress - broadcasting the Ms. DC USA pagent- lots of weird quirky things but it seems to be taking up a huge chunk of my time these days and only getting bussier.

[shiestO!]

shit i picked logic before noticing you were on a PC.

go cubase.

[NightWatch]

Does anyone like Sonar any more? Seems to me you could do a lot of damage with a copy of Sonar and a used Roland VariOS module.

It all depends on what you're trying to do. FL seems like a viable choice. Why not? Why not Reason? I don't use them but they are mature, useful software that is easy to learn. I'm still on Live 5.2 that I bought legit and do not plan to upgrade to the upcoming 7. Ableton has become too greedy.

[Kill Box]

as many producers show, it's not the tools that matter. use whatever you feel most comfortable with.

[Shakey]

Cubase, Reason, Live, Fruity Loops (and dozens of other audio programs) + a shitload of hardware.

That's my setup.

:shrug:

I use all of the above (except logic) and a crapload of other software too.

[Quannum Logic]

I do a lot of things funny enough but all under one company (M.C. Dean). I support DHS but the president of the company has me doing a ton of work for him directley and broadcasting via www.openband.tv- (local service provider much like comcast etc- mainly broadcast in smart ie. rich- homes) Sort of a from the ground up movement with 2 of us at the moment (the other being the video guy) doing interviews w/ congress - broadcasting the Ms. DC USA pagent- lots of weird quirky things but it seems to be taking up a huge chunk of my time these days and only getting bussier.


I wired and installed your president's (bill dean) home theater/whole house audio/video/control systems. he got the most proper dvd player ever....the kalidascape...its a 12 Terrabyte DVD server. $30,000 price tag on that bad boy.

[Zodiac*Blue]

Thanks for the input everyone! This thread helped push me into making a decision.

Ended up going the FL Studio 7 direction, after trying demos of reason, FL Studio 7, and the full version of ableton live 6. I tried so hard with ableton since so many people recommended it to me (even before this thread) but I found it's interface too hard to use and help resources limited. I had thought I'd read somewhere that Logic came out with a cross-platform version but upon checking that again, it looks to be for Mac only. I couldn't find a demo for Cubase but I'm pretty sure that FL Studio will be easier to learn off of and that is what I'm looking for.

[DjAmP]

Ableton Live!!