Best software for editing, FX, and sequencing.

I currently have the 1000, and I'm looking into possibly investing in a Laptop to go with it. I currently have cool edit pro 2. I want a better program than this. I want something with killer editing, FX, and sequencing, and something that doesn't have a very high learning curve. And just an overall great program. What do you guys suggest?

And the 1000 only has midi time clock, so I need a program with that syncing feat.

Also, any suggestions on good laptops would be greatly appreciated.

If you have any links that you could post so I can see what your talking about would be great too!

ONE!

Personally I would go with Soundforge for the editing & FX, and Acid Pro for the sequencing. Plus the Waves bundle of plug-ins.
One

I like Cubase SX and Sonar. I use Nuendo becuase I do most of my productio off the MPC. SX will do most of what the big brother will but much cheaper price. I have just got to play with Sonar 3 and it seem's cool. I haven't hard core tested it yet so until then it looks promissing.

There is no best or worst. Programs like Logic, Cubase, Sonar, Protools, etc all have the same general features. It's up to you to decide which user interface you like better. There are differences here and there, but overall, they're there to do the same things.

Personally, I would choose ProTools because it is the industry standard. Is this a career for you, or are you a hobbyist? If it's a serious career, or an attempt at one, PT will be more convenient for you. All commercial studios will have a PT system, so it will benefit you to have a working knowledge of PT software.

As far as effects go, the best (for computers) are in plug-in form, which are compatible with most of the major DAWs.

I thought you were trying to get away from the computer?

What I'm really trying to do is explore all my options, even the ones I'm kind of....ehh...about. I was thinking MPC 1000 set up and laptop mostly for the sake of portability. As of right now I guess you could say I'm a hobbyist/beginner with aspirations of becoming a professional.

And yes pro tools seems to be the system of choice in professional studios. I think I'm going to look more into it. Thanks!

I'm in the same boat as you homie. I've been researching the various DAWs, and I've made my decision. Just paying off the G5 right now so I can cop an 002.

ProTools also came out with a version of the MBOX that has a new batch of better plug-ins...at a more expensive price of course, but the plugs are hot.

But anyways, a lot of people will say, F the industry standard, I'll use what I use. Hey, that works out for them a lot of times too. But PT isn't going away. It's got a strong foundation in the industry, and is so dominant. I haven't been to a professional recording studio that isn't running a PT HD system.

I'd suggest downloading all the demos of the software you are considering and seeing which one agrees with the way your brain works. Frankly is right in saying that there is no best/worst, it's what works best for you. My two favorites are PT and Sonar but some folks don't like either of these programs, I myself never really liked Cubase but tons of people love it, it's all subjective. As far as laptops, just get the most powerful one you can afford(you can't upgrade). If you decide to go with PT I'd suggest something with the Centrino or Athlon processor, P4's aren't performing as well as the the others.

Is there a cheap version of Pro Tools that will allow me to record sequences that I can put into a PT format and say send off to a studio for mastering or to a client or what have you!

BTW how much does a PT program cost, and do you have to buy any gear with the program.

PT software requires Digisesign hardware to run, it won't work without it. The cheapest system right now is the MBox which is 450.00 retail. It's basically a 2x2 USB interface. The next step up is the 001 which are no longer in production but can be found for around 600.00-700.00, this is a pci/break out box with 8 analog inputs and ten digital inputs. Next is the Digi002 rack which is similar to the 001 but it's firewire, the price on these is 1200.00. The big boy (for home studio setups anyway) id the Digi002, this is the same as the rack but includes motorized faders and all kinds of other stuff I won't get into right now. If you go to www.digidesign.com and click on products you can check out all their stuff.

Spend less money on software and more money on a nice mixer and a soundcard with quality A/Ds or even a Roland VS series DAW. The Digi00 line is overated (I swear them muphukas make it sound like shit so your forced into buying 20 million RTAS plug ins to correct the sound) but its a nice all in one solution.

You can use any old program that records multiple tracks (like your Cool Edit), who cares what its called, its the line going in thats important.

By the way, PT is built for recording, its more like the evolution of the reel to reel, than a sound editing or midi sequencing program...thats what the mpc is for.

Your might be looking for something like Logic or Sonar. Theyre more "all in one," but i dont be **** with that shit.

Well, Digi just released the new LE Factory editions of MBOX and 002, which are more expensive, but they come with some high quality plugins.

The less software, the better. If you aint got a PT HD system, and you a rookie that doenst know how to manage your plug ins, any comp a year or more older is gonna come to a halt. Software is a hustle and I never trust that "bundled" stuff there is always a catch.

Oh and PT is a lovely program (user friendly, nice interface, etc) but only if your using a dedicated comp or have a HD system, if not expect much freezing and alot of headaches.

KoolSha178 wrote:The less software, the better. If you aint got a PT HD system, and you a rookie that doenst know how to manage your plug ins, any comp a year or more older is gonna come to a halt. Software is a hustle and I never trust that "bundled" stuff there is always a catch.

Oh and PT is a lovely program (user friendly, nice interface, etc) but only if your using a dedicated comp or have a HD system, if not expect much freezing and alot of headaches.

This is true. What KoolSha178 said about PT being built for recording and comparing it to reel to reel is also very true, that's one of the main things I love about PT.

KoolSha178 wrote:Spend less money on software and more money on a nice mixer and a soundcard with quality A/Ds or even a Roland VS series DAW. The Digi00 line is overated (I swear them muphukas make it sound like **** so your forced into buying 20 million RTAS plug ins to correct the sound) but its a nice all in one solution.

No mixer or soundcard you buy will be as good as a professional studio using a vintage API or SSL board. Shoot, nothing you buy will be as good as a pro studio's PT HD system either, especially when they're probably running all those Accell cards too.

IMO, the Digi002 is perfect for someone who is doing production/recording at home. I don't see what's overrated about it. It is what it is. Allows you to record at home, and the new Bomb Factory plug-ins provide you with some dope FX.

The other day this dude at the studio was telling me how, "Well they recorded the Little Brother album in a living room, blah blah blah." What homeboy failed to realize is that they later took that recording session and got it mixed at a pro studio. The audio got dumped into a million dollar recording console! Run that living room session through those real-deal pre's, EQ's, and probably all kinds of Reverb and Compression units, etc. that a real studio has...and you are left with something that sounds totally different.

if you get a laptop you will need a soundcard and mbox soundcard ($399)come with a light verison of pro-tools (called pro-tools le). also cubase has a budget verision called cubase se ($99).