DAW talk, come inside...

[srinivassa]

Yeah, I am also going to say 'Garage Band.' It's actually a pretty darn good program. I'm sure you are thinking of augmenting it or using something more powerful. Still, I just had a buddy walk me through it, and it's a really easy to use tool. If I was a Mac person, I'd definitely think of using it for my main recording interface. Even though it's free, it's probably the easiest thing to use that I've ever dealt with.

 

[Ventura]

Yeah, I am also going to say 'Garage Band.' It's actually a pretty darn good program. I'm sure you are thinking of augmenting it or using something more powerful. Still, I just had a buddy walk me through it, and it's a really easy to use tool. If I was a Mac person, I'd definitely think of using it for my main recording interface. Even though it's free, it's probably the easiest thing to use that I've ever dealt with.

GB kicks all kinds of butt. Only problem with it that I've had in the past is integrating 3rd party VSTs.

I think this new REAPER suite is killer, seamless too. Thing just soaked up SD2.0 without any issues, automatically found all my inputs and outputs, and was up and running in no time. It's awesome for $40, and regardless of the price, I like the fact it'll be an ongoing, upgraded shareware product. Excellent support too - wiki, forum, 700 page manual (for those months I get some quiet time), etc.

Peace
V.

 

[craftm1]

Sonar 8.5 and now X1

 

[amiller]

SONAR 8.5. Will move to X1 as soon as I finish the current 8.5 project.

Food for thought, there are several hardware audio interface manufacturers that are bundling DAW software with their device. For example:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxUSB/

and

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MicroBookS1A/

 

[polaris20]

I just updated to Garage Band '11 and it is compatible with Logic Pro and Logic Express. Allows you to open your files from garage band right into Logic 9 with sort of the same look and feel. Lots of add Plug-ins and Impulses, Flex timing, etc.

Just thought Id throw that out there for anyone who is looking at might be interested in Logic 9.

Even with Logic, I still use GB a lot, because it's an easier sketchpad, and like you said Logic opens the files anyway. Additionally, I've been using my iPad a lot for ideas while I'm at work, on the train/plane, and those projects open in GB on the laptop, which is nice.

Everyone loves to hate on Apple, but I do like how they've got shit tied together so nicely. I'll record on the iPad, open in the desktop, then dish it off to iTunes to see how it all sounds in my car. You can of course do that in any DAW, but it's a few more steps. And I'm lazy.

 

[jlbaxe]

I just updated to Garage Band '11 and it is compatible with Logic Pro and Logic Express. Allows you to open your files from garage band right into Logic 9 with sort of the same look and feel. Lots of add Plug-ins and Impulses, Flex timing, etc.

Just thought Id throw that out there for anyone who is looking at might be interested in Logic 9.

Even with Logic, I still use GB a lot, because it's an easier sketchpad, and like you said Logic opens the files anyway. Additionally, I've been using my iPad a lot for ideas while I'm at work, on the train/plane, and those projects open in GB on the laptop, which is nice.

Everyone loves to hate on Apple, but I do like how they've got shit tied together so nicely. I'll record on the iPad, open in the desktop, then dish it off to iTunes to see how it all sounds in my car. You can of course do that in any DAW, but it's a few more steps. And I'm lazy.

Yeah made it easier and more simple. Gotta luv it… I do the same.

 

[fuzzyguitars]

another vote for reaper

 

[screamindemon]

Wow, thanks for the info guys I am going to try Reaper ! Can't beet the price and 30 day free trial how can I go wrong. I will be using it with the Saffire PRO 40 interface.

 

[lolzgreg]

Cubase on Mac rocks my world. I haven't had a single issue yet. Super intuitive, great workflow, super-fast editing.

 

[Ventura]

I gotta say, I know it's a personal thing, just like instruments and tone and music styles, etc. But this Reaper is wicked!!

If anyone needs to upgrade or change their template, this is the way to go - especially since they give you 30 days to figure out if you think it's WORTHY of the 40 bones. I played for a day, and just sent the $40 without a second thought. I've been on it for 3 days now, awesome stuff.

Peace,
V.

 

[Bevosss]

especially since they give you 30 days to figure out if you think it's WORTHY of the 40 bones.

Just an FYI for anyone contemplating trying Reaper, it doesn't actually stop working as such...after 30 days you will get a nag screen for 5 seconds when starting it (it used to be even less strict and only show the nag screen once per day and only if you rebooted). It's still fully functional though, the demo is the full version and doesn't expire.

The beauty of this is if you are somewhere other than your home and need to edit/record etc, or doing a live gig recording and your laptop craps out, you can quickly download and install the demo (5MB), import your preference file if you have it stashed on the web, and be up and running again... no calling for a challenge/response code, registry crap or other hiccups, just install and go. It's the honour system yes, they figure you'll try it and buy it.

Hey V, the Reaper forums pretty helpful for any questions you might have, and you can always shoot me a pm also.

 

[srinivassa]

As to the question of what I want to use it for, basically my own personal music creation. I've grown limited in my ability to get up and out and jam with my friends and fellow musicians, as they have too. I'm basically a guy with about 100 hours worth of raw music, riffs, concepts, songs, lyrics, passages, etc. and am trying to put down some tracks but have them sound exceptionally tight and crisp. I'm responsible for the guitars - obviously; I used to play drums, but don't want a full kit of v-drums in my life (not yet anyway, hence the thread about drum software); I can lay bass, and I can do vocals. It'd be a one man show for the most part. But because I have the time to do this, WHEN I have the time to do this, I want something that works well and intuitively and meshes well with whatever other programs and plug ins I have.

Peace,
V.

This pretty much exactly my situation. Logic pro, to me, is very inuitive for the 1-man-band thing, but that's just me. I say use what works for you. It's all 1's and 0's anymore anyway.

+1 to the situation. +0 to the platform. No Apple Logic or Garage Band for me.

I've have been working with Sony Acid 7.0 and Soundforge. It's a pretty good combo, not really an answer for the OP.

Does Reaper come packaged for PC? That would be of interest.

I am currently using Cakewalk Native Instruments for drums. I also have something called "Toontrack - Drumkit for Hell," which I haven't really used yet.

It can be a trick managing everything because I use no MIDI whatsoever. I lay down a drum track and record it to wav. Record vocals, guitar, bass with Soundforge. Manipulate individual tracks with Soundforge. Mix with Acid. Tempos can be a trick, but luckily, I don't like MIDI perfect tempos anyway.

 

[Ventura]

As to the question of what I want to use it for, basically my own personal music creation. I've grown limited in my ability to get up and out and jam with my friends and fellow musicians, as they have too. I'm basically a guy with about 100 hours worth of raw music, riffs, concepts, songs, lyrics, passages, etc. and am trying to put down some tracks but have them sound exceptionally tight and crisp. I'm responsible for the guitars - obviously; I used to play drums, but don't want a full kit of v-drums in my life (not yet anyway, hence the thread about drum software); I can lay bass, and I can do vocals. It'd be a one man show for the most part. But because I have the time to do this, WHEN I have the time to do this, I want something that works well and intuitively and meshes well with whatever other programs and plug ins I have.

Peace,
V.

This pretty much exactly my situation. Logic pro, to me, is very inuitive for the 1-man-band thing, but that's just me. I say use what works for you. It's all 1's and 0's anymore anyway.

+1 to the situation. +0 to the platform. No Apple Logic or Garage Band for me.

I've have been working with Sony Acid 7.0 and Soundforge. It's a pretty good combo, not really an answer for the OP.

Does Reaper come packaged for PC? That would be of interest.

I am currently using Cakewalk Native Instruments for drums. I also have something called "Toontrack - Drumkit for Hell," which I haven't really used yet.

It can be a trick managing everything because I use no MIDI whatsoever. I lay down a drum track and record it to wav. Record vocals, guitar, bass with Soundforge. Manipulate individual tracks with Soundforge. Mix with Acid. Tempos can be a trick, but luckily, I don't like MIDI perfect tempos anyway.

Yes it does.

And jaaaaayzeuss, for what it's worth I am LOVING Addictive Drums 2.0!!! And shit, I'm not even into the full complement yet!!!

Ya, REAPER is, for lack of a better term - 100% refreshing. Totally wide open and intuitive and everything was there that one could expect or maybe not expect, but it's there.

Peace,
V.