Background....
I've been using Samplitude (originally by Sek'd, then Magix) since I purchased 4.5 way, WAY back. Paid for an upgrade to 5.13. At the time, it was the best sounding DAW available (touting their specific dithering algorithms), and I used it for many years until I tried the demo version of Samplitude Producer 11.5. While that had MANY features that I did not need, there were thing about the work flow, editing functions, and appearance, that I appeald to me, so I upgraded to that and have used it ever since.
Side info ...
I purchased Sibelius 1.5 when it came out, and upgraded to 2.0. It did everything I needed it to do, so I never upgraded further. Can't stand AVID. Discovered MuseScore (an excellent open source notation program) a few years ago and never looked back.
DAW usage ....
I record exclusively acoustic classical and jazz music. No samples, no MIDI. Most of my work is live-to-2-track location stuff that I bring home, edit, and master on the DAW. Maybe four or five times a year I do a project in my basement studio involving a sextet or septet and 12-16 simultaneous channels. The only over-dubbing I do is for the occasional fun vanity project with myself on piano, bass, drums, trumpet, violin, and harmonic, just for yucks. NON-destructive editing is mandatory, meaning the originally recorded files are left untouched when editing and processing. On-the-fly auditioning of whatever processing is being applied. The ability to listen to one already-recorded track while playing along with it and recording an additional track. When slicing/dicing, I use crossfades, fades in/out, track marking, etc. CD RedBook authoring and burning. I use extensive but subtle parametric EQ on tracks as needed, and when mastering. Subtle, tasteful, real-space-sounding hall/room ambience plugins that allow me to play with room size, dimensions, damping, reflection control/delay, etc. Compression ALMOST never. I have NO need for using samples, loops, digital instruments, or anything else contributing to the ability to "produce" music at the DAW, but as long as those functions are easily overlooked, I don't mind if they're there or not. What matters first and foremost to me is sound quality along with rock-solid reliability.
Equipment....
Currently Win10. No Macs in sight, and it'll stay that way. Not out of hatred or bias... just because I've been building PCs since PCs existed and it's what I'm familiar with. Played with Linux, and admire it, but the effort in getting up to speed on Linux DAWs dampened my enthusiasm for tackling them. Interfaces in my studio are Focusrite 18i20, for onsite and location work, two M Audio Delta1010s for at-home basement projects, and a Tascam small four channel interface for fun location quickies. Neumann, Eathworks, AKG, AT, and Shure mics in the locker, with Great River and Millenia mic pres.
Question, finally....
If you're still with me (and thank you if you are... just wanted to be as clear as possible), here's the question. I'm about to spring for a new laptop; my 2011 Gateway can't keep up with the new version of MuseScore, and it's MORE than "earned its keep" in the thirteen years it's served me. Figured it's time to maybe revisit my DAW. Anyone familiar with Samplitude Producer 11.5 and the usual method of procurement can figure why. I'll leave it at that.
So.... first... Sibelius is to MuseScore as Samplitude is to.... (fill in the blank)? I'm familiar with Audacity, and as good as it is for the price and for what it can do, it's not enough. I am NOT averse to spending even a few hundred bucks for a great program that I can use for the next decade, but my experience with Sibelius/MuseScore has convinced me that money doesn't always buy better, much less happiness, and an open source solution really appeals to me. Are there any? Anyone use OceanAudio? Is Reaper worth looking into (inexpensive, and looks pretty good based upon a few videos I've watched)? Suck it up and buy the latest version of Samplitude ProX ($199 right now)?
My "usage" is probably more inline with the folks on the DB side, but I thought there may be more tech folks here. ANY ideas, experiences, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I've been using Samplitude (originally by Sek'd, then Magix) since I purchased 4.5 way, WAY back. Paid for an upgrade to 5.13. At the time, it was the best sounding DAW available (touting their specific dithering algorithms), and I used it for many years until I tried the demo version of Samplitude Producer 11.5. While that had MANY features that I did not need, there were thing about the work flow, editing functions, and appearance, that I appeald to me, so I upgraded to that and have used it ever since.
Side info ...
I purchased Sibelius 1.5 when it came out, and upgraded to 2.0. It did everything I needed it to do, so I never upgraded further. Can't stand AVID. Discovered MuseScore (an excellent open source notation program) a few years ago and never looked back.
DAW usage ....
I record exclusively acoustic classical and jazz music. No samples, no MIDI. Most of my work is live-to-2-track location stuff that I bring home, edit, and master on the DAW. Maybe four or five times a year I do a project in my basement studio involving a sextet or septet and 12-16 simultaneous channels. The only over-dubbing I do is for the occasional fun vanity project with myself on piano, bass, drums, trumpet, violin, and harmonic, just for yucks. NON-destructive editing is mandatory, meaning the originally recorded files are left untouched when editing and processing. On-the-fly auditioning of whatever processing is being applied. The ability to listen to one already-recorded track while playing along with it and recording an additional track. When slicing/dicing, I use crossfades, fades in/out, track marking, etc. CD RedBook authoring and burning. I use extensive but subtle parametric EQ on tracks as needed, and when mastering. Subtle, tasteful, real-space-sounding hall/room ambience plugins that allow me to play with room size, dimensions, damping, reflection control/delay, etc. Compression ALMOST never. I have NO need for using samples, loops, digital instruments, or anything else contributing to the ability to "produce" music at the DAW, but as long as those functions are easily overlooked, I don't mind if they're there or not. What matters first and foremost to me is sound quality along with rock-solid reliability.
Equipment....
Currently Win10. No Macs in sight, and it'll stay that way. Not out of hatred or bias... just because I've been building PCs since PCs existed and it's what I'm familiar with. Played with Linux, and admire it, but the effort in getting up to speed on Linux DAWs dampened my enthusiasm for tackling them. Interfaces in my studio are Focusrite 18i20, for onsite and location work, two M Audio Delta1010s for at-home basement projects, and a Tascam small four channel interface for fun location quickies. Neumann, Eathworks, AKG, AT, and Shure mics in the locker, with Great River and Millenia mic pres.
Question, finally....
If you're still with me (and thank you if you are... just wanted to be as clear as possible), here's the question. I'm about to spring for a new laptop; my 2011 Gateway can't keep up with the new version of MuseScore, and it's MORE than "earned its keep" in the thirteen years it's served me. Figured it's time to maybe revisit my DAW. Anyone familiar with Samplitude Producer 11.5 and the usual method of procurement can figure why. I'll leave it at that.
So.... first... Sibelius is to MuseScore as Samplitude is to.... (fill in the blank)? I'm familiar with Audacity, and as good as it is for the price and for what it can do, it's not enough. I am NOT averse to spending even a few hundred bucks for a great program that I can use for the next decade, but my experience with Sibelius/MuseScore has convinced me that money doesn't always buy better, much less happiness, and an open source solution really appeals to me. Are there any? Anyone use OceanAudio? Is Reaper worth looking into (inexpensive, and looks pretty good based upon a few videos I've watched)? Suck it up and buy the latest version of Samplitude ProX ($199 right now)?
My "usage" is probably more inline with the folks on the DB side, but I thought there may be more tech folks here. ANY ideas, experiences, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
