Best band for the buck: Cubase v. ProTools

[zongeek]

So, I've been doing the research on the two and talked with a few Sweetwater people. They both personally preferred ProTools but admitted that both platforms were more or less the same.

That all said, I know PT is the platform most used in America, however, I had heard that in the UK Cubase is the it thing.

So, which is the better bang for the buck? Seems like Cubase to me.

I mean, you can daisy chain a few firepods, can use outboard gear (if you want/have to use), has headphone use, works with Reason....

PT has the Digidesign stuff, but not in the capacity of the PreSonus stuff (or so it seems). Works with Reason, has headphone use, outboard gear....

So, what do you think? Also which is more user-friendly?

[rob2966]

I have always used ProTools (no opinion on Cubase, good or bad). It is more restrictive on your hardware interface; however, I think the hardware/software bundles they have are excellent (from MBox2 all the way to full TDM systems).

Main reason I chose ProTools is that it kind of is the industry standard. If you create something in PT at home, you can easily take your session into a commercial recording studio and load it up, add/edit what you need and you are done.

My guess is the learning curve is pretty similar on both (ProTools was pretty easy, imagine Cubase is as well). Most plugins are made for both VST and RTAS so that doesn't seem to be a big deciding factor.

My only thought is that PT can be picky about your computer hardware, check the requirements carefully. If you don't meet the requirements and don't want to upgrade, Cubase may be your only choice.

Later
Rob

[deaf pea]

FWIW I have used ProTools for over 10 years. Daily. I HAVE used Cubase a few times (10 or so projects) but prefer PT, by far!
There ARE many similarities . . . But PT is a more "mature" program, haveing been developed over more than 20 years (25 or so) . . . while Cubase has been around for less than 10 years . . .

[hyperlitem]

Kinda depends on what your uses are gonna be. Pro Tools strength is audio, not midi. If your gonna be doing rap there are much better programs for it than pro tools or cubase. Like said earlier cubase is a less mature program in my opinion. It also depens on the interface your going with and how many tracks you plan on recording at the same time. You can do 16 with a digi002 as well as a firepod. With both youd need some sort of 8 channel converter as well. Both converters are of about the same quality. I work in pro tools and really like it. I have used cubase, though not at extreme length. The real advantage of cubase over pro tools is when your buying high end converters. You could do a great cubase high end system with apogee or mytek converters for like 15 grand. That barely scratches the surface for a pro tools HD system.

[CraigG]

Neither. Sonar all the way. Best of both worlds. If it weren't for the fact that Pro Tools is so entrenched in the industry (and that doesn't mean it's a better product), Sonar would probably be used much more widely. It is strong in both the MIDI and Audio ends of production.

Fortunately, Sonar does have the capability to import/export file types that are used by Pro Tools (using PT's DigiTranslator, I have read) - so you can take your project to a PT post studio for mix down if you like.

Now, I know, we all have our preferences, and Pro Tools devotees will say their product is the best, just as Cubase users will say theirs is the best, just as Sonar users will say theirs is the best... you get the picture??? Anyhow, do yourself a big favor before spending hundreds of dollars on software that is limited - check reviews and, especially, search the online desktop audio forums (it's probably best to avoid the manufacturer's forums because the discussion tends to be more slanted). Often you'll find others who have switched from one brand to another for various reasons. IF there is a downside with Sonar it's that it's not a Mac compatible product (of course, there are lots of happy PC based studios springing up every day).

[Basschair]

Originally Posted by zongeek

So, I've been doing the research on the two and talked with a few Sweetwater people. They both personally preferred ProTools but admitted that both platforms were more or less the same.

That all said, I know PT is the platform most used in America, however, I had heard that in the UK Cubase is the it thing.

So, which is the better bang for the buck? Seems like Cubase to me.

I mean, you can daisy chain a few firepods, can use outboard gear (if you want/have to use), has headphone use, works with Reason....

PT has the Digidesign stuff, but not in the capacity of the PreSonus stuff (or so it seems). Works with Reason, has headphone use, outboard gear....

So, what do you think? Also which is more user-friendly?

I wouldn't use Cubase for recording, but that's a personal preference...just like I wouldn't use PT for MIDI stuff, I don't care how capable people say it is

As said, it really depends on what you're planning on doing with it. You said "bang for the buck," so consider the cost of purchasing software and hardware seperately (which you'd have to do with some programs) versus Digidesign's PT+hardware packages.

[Scutterflux]

First off all the programs are generally the same. Hardware is also generally the same with minor sonic differences in that price range. I just find the PT/Digi thing a little like Microsoft! I personally prefer Cakewalk, but Cubase is also an excelent program as with PT. I'll state it like this. Which ever one you use and become familiar and most efficient with is the one you'll like the best, most people have just been around PT more and are more familiar with it because it's been around longer and is the "industry standard" therefore "It's better". Also I like the firepod preamps better than the digi002's. I find them sweeter. But you should go with what you like, not what I like.

[caesarbass]

My vote is for SONAR!!!!!! I used PT for a while and just couldn't get my workflow happening. Cakewalks Sonar is so easy to use that I can actually record my ideas instead of going to a manual to try to figure things out. Just because Sonar is easy to use doesn't mean that it's not powerful, just go to the cakewalk website and read the specs on Sonar Producer Edition 6, you'll be amazed.
I'm using an Athlon 64 PC and a Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 i/o as my interface.

[addylewis]

Adobe audition!!

Best program by far, one of the closest in terms of capabilities to protools I've found - with a good control surface like the digi 002 mixer or Mackie Control Universal its JUST as good...

[csholtmeier]

ProTools for one reason, RTAS. You can wrap vst to rtas, but not the other way around. Massey and McDSP plugs are RTAS-only, and they are two of my faves.