And writing off a program because it is only 32 bit is also BS. I bet if you produced some great music under both 32 and 64 bit apps and were put under a serious AB test you would have problems hearing the difference.

 
Hi Jeff,
 
The issue is with PT9 being 32Bit code
Being limited to 4GB of RAM is confining for those making heavy use of large sample libraries.
I bought PT9 when it was first released... and this was a big disappointment.
You can work around the issue using VE Pro (to host soft-synths)... but releasing a 32Bit app (at this moment in time) is akin to releasing a keyboard workstation with a tiny little display. 
Yes, you can work around it... but it seems a bit lame when the competition is already there (Sonar, Cubase, Studio One Pro, Reaper, etc)
 
An experienced user can poke holes in any of these DAW applications.  Studio One Pro has many great fundamental features... but it's lacking in some areas too.

• Exploding MIDI files to individual tracks (by note or channel)... or other scenarios where you might use Cubase's Logical Editor... or Sonar's Cal scripts?  Studio One Pro can't do it.
• RME Babyface - Studio One Pro is the only popular DAW application that can't record/playback audio glitch-free at the smallest 48-sample ASIO buffer size.  I mentioned this to Presonus... and received no official response.  Can't even playback a single channel glitch-free.  The same exact system can playback 48-solid 24Bit/96k tracks of audio with a boatload of realtime EFX/processing in Sonar X1a (at a 48-sample ASIO buffer size).

Granted, I've not experienced the problems/issues many have with X1.  Thus, I'm not in a situation where I feel the need to make a major change/move... and my attitude toward Sonar is more positive than negative.
But as someone who owns all these DAW applications, two things come to mind:

• Most of us could make do with any of these DAW applications (if push came to shove)
• Pick your imperfect poison - You'll be making compromises no matter which you choose.  I think having a handful of tools (to suppliment each other) is about the best you can do.

If I had to choose a host to replace X1 as my main DAW, that would be a tough choice... but Cubase 6 would be the closest feature wise.  Even so... I'd still lose some core features/function (like per-Clip based EFX).

You can explode midi notes in S1 by the way. It is possible to export midi instruments parts and notes to tracks.

 
Hi Jeff,
How would that be done?
I know you can export individual parts/tracks... but I didn't see an option to explode a part to multiple tracks via MIDI channel or MIDI note.

Freddie H



First alternative, SONAR X1... no question about it if you into working, need and use 64bit, use a modern computer with Windows 7 x64. SONAR X1 are the stabel work horse you are looking for even with its flaws today. All flaws that will be soon addressed with the "MAJOR FREE UPDATE" Patch B. Best audio quality and the only DAW that has a 64bit audio engine. 





Second choise would be CUBASE 6. More overall edit power-functions then SONAR, but not near inspired to use as SONAR. No Icons no ability to customization. Dull grey and boring. Now in Cubase 6 you can finally change skin after over 10 years of requests. Grey dull, Sh-it brown or dark as night are the colors? Non of these colors works for me...?




Third choise LOGIC x64 on OSX. The only choise that matters on MAC, forget any other programs on OSX. OSX same usabillity as iPhone = slow, outdate, no customization. Mac = a PC that use a slow Windows OS called OSX. Works for people with low tech skills like you grandma or your kid. Easy to use for anyone that doesn't understand how to manage or build systems.

The best joke with MAC is that they still continue to say you don't need to use any virus programs? Today we know that MAC have more then +100 virus only on MAC platform. LOL... The same goes with iPhone 3G or iPhone 4, I have one... can be hijacked anywere on public areas in 3 seconds by anyone thru the Webbrowser Safari. 




STUDIO ONE the fourth choice. I have my eyes on this new upcomer.





 
PRO TOOLS   never choice. It's kind of obvious, no need of comment on this outdate and dying platform.

1: Sonar is not the only DAW with a 64 bit mix engine, It was like7 years ago...

2: There has never been an officially reported OSX Virus, however they can be carried to Windows machines through macs..

3: Most Mac "Viruses" are actually just spyware and adware wich I would bet most people on this forum have some spyware  on their PC right now.

4: I have never had a Virus on any of my macs, But I have never had a virus on my PCs either...

I had read that viruses where originally  created by out of work PC techs looking to make some income for their family's, And since there are less Mac programmers then they never had a need to make any...

Although im sure there is some kid in a basement trying to make people miserable on both platforms...

Most AV software is a joke to me, the only real purpose they seem to serve is to flag illegal software, and slow down your PC...

Sorry if this is a little off topic....

 

Reaper is also 64-bit, end to end.  Reaper also has the additional advantage of being able to wrap 32-bit Rewire in the 64-bit application.  This is huge if you're a Reason user like I am.

J

It's amazing how much misinformation can be spread these days

Hey Jim if you open a type O Midi file in Studio One it seems to explode it out onto tracks automatically. But if you right click on say a drum track midi part then go to Part Functions and then Explode Pitches to Tracks it will make a set of individual tracks with each part on their own eg kick, snare etc...

Many functions are automatic in S1 and they have removed another menu item or operation. They assume you will want things done in a certain way and most often the assumptions are correct.

No virus on MAC?  LOL
 
 
 
 
[link=http://news.techworld.com/security/3245158/mac-users-warned-of-growing-virus-threat/]http://news.techworld.com...-growing-virus-threat/[/link]  

  There are now 5,000 ‘strains’ of malware that target the Mac and the company says it is seeing 500 new Mac-specific samples appearing every month

Jim Roseberry


Good assessment Billy...
That's exactly how I feel about the current DAW software options.
 
@OP:
I've got several DAW apps in my "toolbox"... as they cumulatively provide all the features I want/need.
Sonar X1 is still my overall favorite (warts and all).  Thus far, I've been able to work around outstanding bugs (no complete show-stoppers for me). 
  
Samplitude has some excellent features (especially the audio side).

The MIDI editing has come a long way... but it feels a bit "tacked on" for lack of a better way to put it.

For hard-core slicing/dicing... I think Samp kills ProTools.  The realtime control you have with the Object Editor is incredible.

...If (and I say "if"...) it were not SONAR, from my experience, it would CERTAINLY be SAMPLITUDE...


As Jim explains, it has really excellent features, some of which kill its rival's... 

I would add that SAMPLITUDE carries, ALL IN ONE,  features that on the Steinberg side would take three (expensive) applications... Cubase, Nuendo and Wavelab....

I (and many users who have tried...) find SAM's Audio Editing/Mastering Tools/Fxs are unrivaled.. once you try it's hard to come back..

MIDI ain't that bad at all... but SONAR V8.5 was simply Huge.... 


With X1, I'm afraid the story becomes questionable, and I'm more and more considering SAMPLITUDE even on the MIDI side.....  

gothic.angel


I would add that SAMPLITUDE carries, ALL IN ONE,  features that on the Steinberg side would take three (expensive) applications... Cubase, Nuendo and Wavelab....

The version of Samplitude that covers post production and mastering, Sequoia , isn't cheap either. 2975 Euro from their shop.  That is more expensive than Nuendo + Wavelab at 2400 Euro.

UnderTow

I watched a bunch of a Samp vidz a while back and thought the program seemed incredibly obtuse. I feel the same way about Cubase too actually, where the basic design schema just doesn't mesh with my intuition. Sure, I could probably learn it if I had to, but neither of those programs really speak to me.

I was also checking Magix's site to see the difference between Seqouia and Samp and their materials seem quite vague on the subject. On their actual comparison page, where you would expect the usual chart with "YES" and "NO" next to features there is instead long paragraphs that are just buzzword packed. Though it seems like the big difference is support.

From what I can tell their plugs seem excellent and have had praise heaped upon them. Samp's object-based stuff seems far more advanced than the other DAWs too. But Samplitude has always been that odd DAW wayyyyy over there. Even moreso than SAW was back in the day.

From a very casual standpoint, it looks like the built-in redbook tools are the only covetous feature I can see.

...wicked



From a very casual standpoint, it looks like the built-in redbook tools are the only covetous feature I can see.

...from a long time SAMPLITUDE user standpoint, I can tell you: try its OBJECT EDITOR's monstruos features, just for example... and you'll see things that ANY other DAW doen't even just conceive...


Question of personal preferences, 'course... but SAM's strong points are really "another world"...

Jim Roseberry

  

The Object based editing (if you're doing a lot of hard-core slice/dice editing) is IMO Samplitude's forte'.

The amount of realtime control you have over each segment of audio is just incredible.

That combined with the integrated CD/DVD layout/burning is what makes Samp such a nice "mastering" environment.
 

Absolutely...

That's what I mean with Audio/MIDI Sequencer, Audio Editor (strong as above...) and (real) Mastering tool altogether...
...and that goes for ANY Samplitude  version.... 


Strong piece of DAW software....

Jim Roseberry

 
FWIW, I agree that CoreAudio is superior to ASIO (in most cases).
That's one of the few real advantages of OSX
 

DAWbench numbers say it's sorta close to ASIO in terms of raw performance, but there are features that make the Mac worth looking at.  In particular, you can create a Core Audio aggregate device out of all the different audio interfaces with Core Audio drivers on your Mac, using the inputs and outputs simultaneously in your DAW.   PT9 will, according to the Groove3 videos on setup, create one of these for you automatically when you install, but you can do it manually.


I learned how incredibly neat-o this is on my iMac. Since I've not been using Sonar, using Studio One mostly in the meantime, I tried this out just for laffs.  I plugged my Mbox Mini and my Presonus Audiobox USB into the Mac, installed drivers for both, and then linked them together in the Audio/MIDI app and plugged mics into all three of my mic pres.  Fired up S1 and created 3 audio tracks and could record to all 3 at once, swapping between mics as I went.  I was stuck with fairly high latency, 512 samples, in order to get them all to play nice together, and hardware monitoring is obviously limited to its own pres, but it was pretty amusing nonetheless.


I'm not aware of a way to do this in Windows, though if I'm wrong I'm all ears.


And Freddie, you're wrong - your link tests against 10.5.x, where as the one you replied to is testing against 10.6 Snow Leopard.  At very low sample buffers, 10.6 is slower but it catches up eventually.  

derFunkenstein

In particular, you can create a Core Audio aggregate device out of all the different audio interfaces with Core Audio drivers on your Mac, using the inputs and outputs simultaneously in your DAW.

That is indeed quite a glaring hole in the ASIO feature set.

I'm not aware of a way to do this in Windows, though if I'm wrong I'm all ears.

You can do it if you use WDM drivers. It is only ASIO that has this limitation.

UnderTow

$249.00 crossover price for Sam standard is quite reasonable