The War of the DAWS

[boborulz]

Hey guys,

So i'm currently using protools 7 at the moment, but i've heard from various sources that either logic, cubase or ableton would be better for my productions. I make Breaks. What do you think folks?

[feedingear]

Pretty sure Cubase or Logic as far as MIDI sequencing goes is the way for you - depends if you cut up a lot of audio, or use more vsts/midi tracks with the virus. I use Cubase 5 and used to use Logic a lot at uni, Protools I believe is far more geared at people recording bands and audio. That said I believe the latest version has been updated to be a bit more MIDI/production friendly.

If I had a Mac, I would run Logic. Love the look, feel, and intuitiveness of it, I think it edges Cubase slightly.

[ShortBus]

Use ableton to scetch out your ideas and perform live, and use logic if you own a mac or cubase if you own a pc to do most of your mastering and eq'ing. But if I had to choose one to start with it would be ableton and if you can afford it I would buy an apc-40 .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj3kF6dt4uo check out this video!!!

[Hollowcell]

Another one for Ableton here.... I was using Cubase for more years than I can even remember (definitely more than 10), but after giving Ableton a good try I couldn't go back now.

I originally just tried Ableton as a gigging solution, but now it's pretty much what I am doing everything in. I am into Breaks, Big-beat and Hiphop.

My tips for Ableton are:
1) Make sure you have the default warp mode set to 're-trigger' as the others suck life from the audio when warping.
2) Have some clips setup with gate and quantize off - allows for sample like triggering which makes it even more like an instrument.
3) Use the clip envelopes - absolutely love this idea! Automating the clips themselves without effecting the track automation is great. The options for static audio are really tight.
4) Use the export all tracks separately option and master elsewhere - this depends on what you are doing though of course. I first tried version 6, and now have bought 8 - 8 is better I feel, but better results can be had mastering outside of the ap.

My APC should be here anyday!

[Doc Jones]

Whoa HC, everything you wrote, I could have written myself - including the exact same styles of music. And, my apc40 will be arriving in a few days as well

Here's another vote for Ableton Live (especially for breaks) Once you wrap your head around working in the session view, you'll never want to go back (and this is coming from a person who used Cubase for a very, very long time)

[boborulz]

Yea seems like im getting the ableton signal from all fronts, have just started it up today (latest version) and am slowing chugging through the tutorials. Looks like a really intuitive program...thanks for the tips HC! any more would be appreciated oh and yea that apc40 looks like a sexy wee thing! will add it (to my ever growing) gear list.

[Doc Jones]

congrats and welcome aboard.

as for tips, I would recommend getting yourself over the ableton live forum and working your way through this post.
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=111327

Tom Cosm definitely knows his stuff.

[boborulz]

Ha awesome, tom cosm's a fellow kiwi and the man! He helped me in my info gathering for my uni project on NZ's electronic music history...will definitely check it out. cheers