Post by fanThanks, HellPope Huey, very much for your good advice. I have another
question for you along these lines.
I'm going to invest in GigaStudio and a new, powerful PC (at least 3.2
GHz with 1 Gig RAM - do I need more?) with the goal of recording my
piano-playing along with a sampler-based orchestral accompaniment
(heavy on the strings). Also, I'll be doing some pop/rock
rhythm-section type of recording of 3 and 4 minute songs, again all
sampler-based.
I'll be playing-in all the instruments (all, including my piano, will
be sampler-based - nothing "real") and would like to be able to mix
them in the computer sequencer without any external mixer, if
possible. What is the best PC-based sequencer to achieve this? Have
assumed that the newest Cubase might be, but would appreciate your
feedback. Thanks.
The honest answer is that there IS no "best" sequencer, just several
good choices that take different approaches. Each has a unique
"personality" for getting to the same place. I am using Cubasis VST and
will probably move up to Cubase SE or SL because those are as powerful
as they need to be for my purposes. I simply like Steinberg's approach.
However, just as many would say the same for Logic (which has a
somewhat steeper learning curve but is said to be more personally
configurable), Digital Performer or the ubiquitous Pro Tools. I have a
friend who moved from DP 4 to DP 5 and is well-pleased. Another is
devoted to Cakewalk. You may never need surround sound or a QuickTime
movie panel, but the big-boy programs sometimes offer updates for modest
fees, so that's a thing to consider. These are usually not bug fixes as
much as the addition of certain welcome amenities.
If you're going to use GigaStudio, it makes the most sense to take on
one of the powerhouse progs like Cubase SX or Logic 7, but if you can
honestly say that 48 tracks will do, you can spend hundreds of dollars
less on a "junior" version. It sounds as if you are working in a more
acoustic/orchestral realm than a Pink-Floyd-sized rock or dance mindset,
so 48 might be plenty. It would also be wise to consider the number of
slots available for plug-ins, VST being the largest general format for
them, though not the only useful one. You can acquire many useful
utilities that way, from freeware reverbs all the way up to killer ones
like AltiVerb and a thousand oddities in between.
The PC config you mention should be plenty, but make sure and read up
on the system requirements first. Too much RAM is always the right
amount, heh. While you should develop an orderly approach to laying down
tracks, it can make a big difference to have those added 8 or more,
often simply for thickening or making an accenting moment stand out. I
just doubled a tubular bell bit at the end of a phrase and it brought it
up to the right level nicely when the single instance was a bit too
thin. Greater volume isn't always the answer; sometimes doubling for
harmonic complexity is.
In addition, songs of a mere 3-4 minutes are easy to manage. I often
end up rambling away until I hit 6 or 7, so remember that it takes
about2 megs per minute of stereo sound. If you do the smart thing and
install an outboard HD as well, esp. 120-180 gigs, you'll have both a
backup for your hard-won audio and memory "headroom" to spare.
You now owe me $5 and a corned-beef sammich.
--
HellPope Huey
I like to gouge wattled matrons with sporks
I do not have a psychiatrist
and I do not want one,
for the simple reason
that if he listened to me long enough,
he might become disturbed.
~ "Carpe Noctem, If You Can",
Credos and Curios
My father had a profound influence on me.
He was a lunatic.
~ Spike Milligan