Sequencer Apps - Opinions?

[chris coda]

I'm sure this is asked before, but I am lazy and didn't search before posting. I apologize. But I also want to get people's current opinions on this stuff.

I want to get started producing, but I'm at a small roadblock in terms of what sequencer app to use.

I've tried Logic Express 6, and it was good once I got the hang of it, but it was only for PowerPC Mac and I own an Intel Mac now (Please, no Mac vs PC flames). I'm not sure if springing for Logic Pro is the best way to start though, especially since it's $999 and I don't want to spend that kind of money without having really used it, but as far as I understand version 7 is much better than version 6 was.

I'm also familiar with Reason. But I have to be honest, and no disrespect to Reason-heads, but I find it cludgy and annoying. Plus I don't think it sounds very good, to be honest. It just feels like a toy. Should I be so quick to dismiss it? What's it real redeeming values?

I'm curious about Cubase SX, and have heard some good things about it, but have never tried it. One nice thing is that Cubase is cheaper than Logic, but does that mean it lacks in some areas? I know that Logic comes with a software sampler (EXS24), does Cubase as well?

There's also Pro Tools, but I dont know anything about it. Anyone out there using it? What's your thoughts?

So, my laziness aside, I'd like to get people's current opinions on the matter. What would be the best sequencer app to go with? I understand that any one of these could meet the needs of production, but I'd like to know what people use and why, and what their actual opinions are.

Thanks for indulging me.

[elektrovert]

Dude!
if Logic 6 isn't good enough for you I don't know what will be!

I reckon you'll have to get more in depth with it.
I'm still using Logic 5 on pc and it's perfectly functional.
I'd say the same about cubase.

I'd rate Logic and cubase as the leaders in their field.
Which you prefer will be down to personal taste, personally I much rather use Logic than cubase.

Logic's generic VST's are fantastic.

I kinda reckon Reason is a bit of a toy meself, also I don't find the interface very user friendly, but then again, I've heard some savage sounds come from it.

Have you considered Ableton Live??
I use Logic for Production and Live 5 for gigging and sketching ideas that I've started in Logic, I wouldn't use it for full on production myself, but many other people do and swear by it.

I think Protools is more aimed at bands than producers, the last time I looked at the the MIDI functionality wasn't really up to scratch.

If you're serious about your producing then I'd say Logic or Cubase.
Also search the ableton forums for discussions about using Live as your main DAW, there are continuous arguments about it and it'll give you a good idea if Live will work for you.
It works for me, but not for a finished product.

hope that helps.

[dsp]

its an age old question, both logic and cubase are great, i love sx 3 , one thing i can say with logic is it has everything straight out of the box to get by, where as cubase needs lots of vst's and plugins to make it usefull. the only thing u can do is use what you feel happy with afaic

[Macc]

Try the demo versions before dropping all your money - that's what they are there for

Cubase is cheaper but needs say, a sampler as you say. Logic has more things bundled with it but costs more... So as you can see it is horses for courses, swings and roundabouts, it all comes out in the wash etc etc

The Logic supplied effect plugins are really pretty good in my experience, better than those with Cubase (yes, I did just say that ). The instrument plugins were once much better than Cubase too, but it's caught up a lot there with some excellent recent additions (and the new Tonic filter is supeeeerrrrb). SO on that front they are pretty even IMO, bar the sampler.

People here can recommend good samplers to spend your money on (shortcircuit is the one for me) if you go with Cubase, but one thing I will say there is that the supplied sampler with Logic - EXS24 - isn't very good. That's not my opinion, I've only used it once or twice, but the opinion of people I know who've used it plenty. Heard much lamenting about that thing, trust me!

We'll help here of course, in the meantime try the demo of shortcircuit (fully functional, but limited to 2 voice polyphony) at

www.vemberaudio.com

It's the nuts

[dsp]

short circuit mactel is being made i believe so watch out , sc2 its going to kill it in the sampler market and will be far cheaper than any of the other over bloated not very user frendly or cross compatible samplers out there.

but there will be a wait, then again you can run xp on a mac lol and cubase is dual platform for the same money now i believe

[Breaker]

logic express is cheap. its a stripped down version of logic pro. i use it. its good except you only has 8 aux channels so routing lots of multi-instrument VSTs can be tricky.

cubase is better for sequencing Wavs IMO if uyou like to do that sort of thing. both logic and cubase have their pros and cons as Macc says, try the demos.

but logics bundled instruments and FX are great. the EFM1 synth makes the most awesome bass...

[chris coda]

thanks for the help guys!

i can't seem to find a demo for cubase, doesn't look like there's one available. same for logic. guess i'll have to look for 'unofficial' demos.

[bobule]

logic 7 is so fucking badass, i have been a logic user for about 6 years nowand i gotta say when i switched from 5.5.1 to 7 i was blown away..

also express really doesnt come close, there are so many quality synths and plugs in the full version of 7 - i only use logic plugs, bfd and duende plugs now and still have so muchto play with!!

and to disagree with macc, i love exs24, so simple and quick to use, yea there are better sounding and way more flexable alternatives but it works for me..

long live logic!

[elektrovert]

Dang I wish I could afford a Mac!!


Logic 5.5 is still doin it's job though.

[bobule]

i had to sell loads of kit to afford it but it has been worth it

[elektrovert]

Don't think I could sell anything.
Anyhou, the stuff I'd consider selling might get me a mouse or a few cables or something.

[Senator Adam]

You can try getting an older version of Cubase as well for cheap and then upgrade if you like it (or stay on teh version), sell if you don't. I still rock SX2 and love it. It has great midi and audio editing for a sequencer. I even use it as my main audio editor. Also, if you like cutting up breaks/loops on the spot, it has Hitpoints which I use constantly. Although I think SX3's hitpoints suck compared to SX2's, which is why I went back to SX2.

Don't waste your money on Protools... In my opinion only "Pro Tools" use Protools. But that's just my opinion...

[bobule]

a pro tool with a hd rig has a extremely powerfull pro tool tho..

hd/tdm shit sounds amazing, as i said in another post i recently mixed in a studio where we compared the eventide tdm orville reverb/pitch/multi delays with a hardware h8000 and i couldnt tell the difference. also i played with the soundtoys collection and i gotta say stunning as well. also running logic with the hd tdm bridge, running the tdm versions of all the standard logic plugs was just totally frying my burger..

shame its so fucking expensive!

[chris coda]

was just totally frying my burger..

nice...

[bobule]

love your avatar chris!

[Senator Adam]

a pro tool with a hd rig has a extremely powerfull pro tool tho..

hd/tdm shit sounds amazing, as i said in another post i recently mixed in a studio where we compared the eventide tdm orville reverb/pitch/multi delays with a hardware h8000 and i couldnt tell the difference. also i played with the soundtoys collection and i gotta say stunning as well. also running logic with the hd tdm bridge, running the tdm versions of all the standard logic plugs was just totally frying my burger..

shame its so fucking expensive!

Ya that's the thing. I'm not against the actual hardware/software, although I took a Pro Tools class in college and wasn't that impressed. It's just that most people that actually use it are usually stuck up and annoying because all they say is "Ya, but Pro Tools can do this, and Pro Tools can do that. It's way better than (insert anything)." Yet, when you ask to hear the music they make/record on it, they either say they have nothing available yet or it just sounds like garbage...

It reminds me of the saying "Money doesn't buy style."

Now if someone bought it for me, I wouldn't mind using it. Actually, nevermind, I'd sell it and buy a boat

[Senator Adam]

Just read that and I kind of seem like a Pro Tool now...

No offense to Pro Tools users here. This is just my opinion from personal experiences. I've heard great recordings from it, and some amazing mastering results.

[bobule]

check what exile does with pro tools, and he has the shittest oldest pt rig you can buy.. just goes to show talent vs money everytime

[chris coda]

love your avatar chris!

haha thanks. it's the still undiscovered hatch on the island. where steve jobs is secretly controlling the whole show.

but there will be a wait, then again you can run xp on a mac lol

yeah i installed XP last night on my mac, and i feel dirty now.

[dsp]

love your avatar chris!

haha thanks. it's the still undiscovered hatch on the island. where steve jobs is secretly controlling the whole show.

but there will be a wait, then again you can run xp on a mac lol

yeah i installed XP last night on my mac, and i feel dirty now.

nothing wrong with the best of both worlds, no doubt you will need to remortgage or whore yourself to buy all the software you will want for your mac so in the mean time xp will get you by