travismc1


Your file transfer method and file size will be your biggest hindrance.

I agree with this, and using 96KHz as a sample rate will double the file size for questionable quality benefits.

Beepster, don't confuse the 64 bit of an operating System, such as Windows 7, with the 64 bit engine of sonar - they are totally unrelated.

I use Sonar's 64 bit engine exclusively for bouncing and exporting, and only ever use dither as the very last process prior to CD burning, usually as part of an export.

Sorry... got a phone call. @travis That makes sense but then I'd lose the tempo/metronome info. Some of the tunes will have fluctuating tempos and I think once the drummer learns the parts he'll want to use just a click track. I'm really hoping to send them project files. I'd imagine I could somehow bounce all of my tracks on to one stereo track and send that to keep the size down however then they won't be able to turn things up/down. For example the string player likes my vocals super loud (for some bizarre reason... I think it's so he can follow the vocal line). Meh... I guess the most important thing is whether Essentials will handle the project files I send them. I could avoid plug ins by either leaving the tracks dry or just applying them directly to the audio (I think that's a bounce thing, right?). If essentials can't handle it I'd have to look at something else. Who knows, maybe they'll be willing to go all in and get Producer. Cheers.

@Jonesy... I would be turning on/off the 64 bit engine through the Preferences window right? Also if I've been paying attention I think I'm supposed leave it off until I'm ready to mix down or I guess as you say bounce a track. And yes Carl and others made me aware that dithering is only to be applied for the very final export down to 16 bit which as I said I may not even be doing if I send it to a mastering house. Soooo... much to learn. Anyway it sounds like Essentials will probably do what I need but it will take some kerfutzing. If this is not the case then which version should I be looking at? Cheers.

Actually looking at that chart makes me think Studio might be a wiser decision. Shame it doesn't come with SD3 or any Pro Channel stuff.

Hi Beepster,
I actually do the kind of recording you're talking about every day. Some details about how we do it:

Platform really doesn't matter. I work with folks that use Logic and PT all the time, so when it comes to using Essentials, as long as they can record what they need to the platform shouldn't matter. Keep in mind that you're likely not going to have the same plugins across platforms even if you do use the same DAW, so why sweat it? Instead just:

1. Agree on a file format - we usually use .wav files at 48/24, and then:

2. Use stems. For example - I'll start a song in Sonar and write 2 verses and a chorus with some scratch tracks (drums, guitars and what have you). I'll export stems, usually by using busses and exporting them. Good bussing helps a ton here. I sometimes end up with a bus with only on track going to it...that's OK, it makes my exporting and organization easier. I'll then zip up the exported stems and upload them to a shared file service like google drive. The next guy, in my case usually my partner (who is primarily a guitarist), will download stems and write his parts along with any further composition (like adding a solo and/or a bridge). We then repeat for any additional composition or session artists. Once all the tracks are done I'll download all the tracks and import into Sonar to run through the SSL, mix and finish up. 
The good news with stems is that other artists can do rough mixes to suit their monitoring needs. So for example, once I upload the first stems from my studio in SLC, my partner may change the relative volumes in his DAW to record his parts when he records in L.A. The same thing may happen for a drummer we hire in San Francisco so he can record his parts. Using stems makes that possible.

This kind of recording is increasingly common...so much so, in fact, that (at least in my experience) it's becoming more and more the de facto norm.

Good luck
Dean

Beepster


@Jonesy... I would be turning on/off the 64 bit engine through the Preferences window right? Also if I've been paying attention I think I'm supposed leave it off until I'm ready to mix down or I guess as you say bounce a track. And yes Carl and others made me aware that dithering is only to be applied for the very final export down to 16 bit which as I said I may not even be doing if I send it to a mastering house. Soooo... much to learn. Anyway it sounds like Essentials will probably do what I need but it will take some kerfutzing. If this is not the case then which version should I be looking at? Cheers.

No, you don't need to turn anything on or off. This only become relevant when you either export or bounce.

Hi, Razorwit. Yeah that's pretty much where I'm gonna go with this. I know the string player has some kind of DAW going but I'm not sure what. I'm still waiting to hear back from him to get his thoughts on this. All I know is this is the most profitable act I've ever played in so a proper recording is WAY over do. Also considering the style of music we might qualify for some art grants to help things along. I'm pretty excited actually. Cheers.

Cool. Thanks Jonesey. I just thought I recalled seeing an option in preferences for that but I guess it defaults to 32 even if it is in there.

Beepster.... they can buy Music Creator 6 for $40 or so from a local office supply store or best buy too... or get it from cake. 

A decent interface for audio makes it work better.... 

and as far as working over the net.... send MP3 files of the song as you have it. Include the count in and send that. They can load it up in MC6 and record their parts and simply send the one or two waves back. 

Bundling is to much of a pain.   Keep it simple.... use MP3's.

USE BUN FILES!!!  I've been using them since they were introduced in the 90's. and have never had a problem.  If you did have a problem just have them re-saved and sent again.  This will make your live way easier!