Which software to get?

OK, I'm a beginner in music production, and im looking to see which software is best to get. I've been looking at and been suggested to get one of these: Pro Tools 9 / Reason 4 (havent read about the most recent one) / Cubase 4 / Cubase 6.

The thing is as a beginner ive got no idea if these programmes all do the same thing or if their tailored for different aspects. I'm looking for a software where i predominantly make music using the virtual instruments, but also have an option to add in vocals + guitar. I'm not looking to spend too much, but if its the case of regretting not spending more in the long run, ive got a maximum budget of 400-500quid. But ideally id prefer to spend around 300.

I'd appreciate any of your thoughts!

Cheers

I suggest starting off with the absolutely free and really quite nifty Garageband that's already on your Mac. Comes with a decent loop library, you can buy more from either Apple or third parties very inexpensively, you can plug in a guitar (I recommend AmpliTube, again not too expensive and quite impressive) and vocals (I use the Blue Snowball but there are lots of options -- even an XLR to USB adapter if you already have a mic you prefer).

Reason is not a fully fledged DAW. it has some great instruments but its more MIDI based. you could get reason/record bundle, i think this brings alot of extra functionality, but i havent used it.

i use Pro Tools mainly, and i find it to be the best for audio production work. MIDI capabilities with PT are average, its got nothing on Logic due to the plug-in architecture Pro Tools uses: theres far less bundled synths. third party synths that work with pro tools are expensive. bear in mind only pro tools 9 can use third party interfaces, any earlier version you need to have Digidesign/Avid hardware to be able to use it.

Logic/Cubase is kind of like the best of both worlds: Native support for interfaces, good MIDI and Audio (although not up to the standard of Pro Tools) decent amount of plug ins (AU/VST plug ins are easily come by.) the only problem with Logic for me is the metering: sounds come in far too hot by default.

have a look on soundonsound.com for some decent reviews on these DAWs. they did Pro Tools 9 and Reason 5 ones recently.

Thanks for the info. From your opinions and research ive done, im thinking between cubase 4 or 6 and Pro Tools 9. I'd appreciate any info about disadvantages / advantages between the 2??

Cheers.

i have only used pro tools. from what i can gather, drum n bass users like cubase quite a bit (pendulum and matrix and futurebound to name a few) prefer cubase, so im thinking cubase for more midi options. as i said there are more plugins compatible with cubase too.

if you are doing acoustic recordings, pro tools is the way to go.

perfect mate, thanks for the info!

no worries.

I have Logic 9 Pro and Ableton Live Lite 8 and I prefer Live as my main DAW.
Logic is nice but very complicated while Ableton Live is perfect for me as a DAW and as an incorporated DJ mixing software.
Live is extremely user friendly.

many times I have tried to use live and its workflow is completely Alien to me. I wish i could use it: it seems like the best way to get creative, working in a non linear environment.

Logic or Pro Tools will be the best for polishing off your mixes for sure.

JUKE179r said:

I have Logic 9 Pro and Ableton Live Lite 8 and I prefer Live as my main DAW.
Logic is nice but very complicated while Ableton Live is perfect for me as a DAW and as an incorporated DJ mixing software.
Live is extremely user friendly.

Click to expand...

I use Ableton Live Lite 8 as well. It's very user-friendly and simple to learn (also has built-in tutorials). It's almost got a Star Trek "TNG" feel to it (I prefer the "tobacco" skin color).

Plus, there's a jubilee of awesome hardware controllers that are compatible with it, allowing tonnes of different connectivity options and easy expansion.

ableton live for the greatest out of the box flexibility.

I have just completed the mother of all threads for this exact question.

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/mu...859-summary-all-audio-apps-available-osx.html