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Posted by: eMGie Jun 5 2012, 01:14 PM

Hi GMC!

I'm thinking about buing some musical software. I always thought that bought software works better than illegal version, that why I want to buy them.

I found these two to be in my price range: Cubase Elements 6, and EZdrummer.

Do they work well together? Are they a good choice for a beginner (in musical software) like me?

I'm connecting my guitar via Tone Port (Line6).

What I generally need: To record guitar tracks, midi instruments (I compose some strings for example in guitar pro then I could export midi), easy drums, some effects like reverb, delay, compression etc. It seems that these two programs have all of that, am I right? I just want to prepere some backing tracks, record some solos, or maybe someday prepare a whole song.

I have only a little expercience in recording in Reaper (mostly RECs take for GMC).

Please give me some advice.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 5 2012, 11:52 PM

Some drum software is a Must Have and EZ drummer is a great place to start. I'd skip cubase elements and just use REAPER. Lots of folks use Reaper, I don't know anyone personally who uses elements as I understand its the crippled version of cubase. But hey, thats just me I'd say put the money in to a plugin rather than cubase. Maybe Ozone?

Posted by: SirJamsalot Jun 6 2012, 12:22 AM

I agree with Todd. REAPER is a really good app, plus Todd and several others on this forum are acquainted with it so I'm sure they'd be willing to answer questions concerning it.

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 6 2012, 02:35 AM

Those are good choices! I don't think there is such thing as software for beginners:) I would suggest Logic instead of Cubase because it used in more studios and places and also it works very well with a very friendly interface!

Posted by: tonymiro Jun 6 2012, 09:39 AM

Illegal versions often have siginficant issues that may result in drop outs/clicks/pops or even white noise in recording/mixing. They may include malware. Also, the use of and promotion of cracked software would be a breach of GMC forum guidelines.




There's no particular reason why that version of Cubase wouldn't work but if you already have and use Reaper why change?




DAW software for beginners - maybe Cakewalk. Logic is indeed used on many Mac based platforms and is also popular in the USA particularly with project studios. In Europe however Cubase has a much wider studio and user base, particularly on pcs. Pro end mixing and post however tends to be dominated by PT-HD and to a lesser extent Cubase/Nuendo . Pro end mastering is more SADiE, Pyramix and Sequoia.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Jun 6 2012, 11:48 AM

I agree with Todd. I'd buy EZ Drummer (and maybe some extra packs like Metalheads, Classic Rock etc) and maybe some other Plug-ins, VST's etc and carry on using Reaper.
Reaper is great for learning with and if, at a later date, you want to step up your DAW then do so.


Are you PC or Mac based? If Mac then Logic would be the way to go in the future!

Posted by: eMGie Jun 7 2012, 09:40 AM

Thank you for all the answers!

It was just a joke. I didn't have anything wrong in mind.



PC!



And why Cubase? Well I like that it contains all the effects that I need, so I wont have to worry about looking for them. The package contains Halion Sonic SE - I think it will be perfect for me to start creating some easy orchestral music (this is one thing that I've always wanted to try). Also I have some huuuge dvd lesson about Cubase (I recieved it as a gift from someone who didn't know that I wasn't using cubase) its 10 hours long - from very basics to more advance stuff. I think that after learning it I'll know more about cubase than reaper anyway.

Also most people that I know use cubase or nuendo. These are more popular among my friends than reaper.

Which expansion do you recommend for EZdrummer for someone who like metal? DFH, Metal Machine or Metalheads? I've hear that the best one is Metal Machine, but I want to know yor opinion.

Again thanks!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 8 2012, 06:58 AM

Logic is AWESOME but only for MACINTOSH folks. PC people have to find another choice sadly. So REAPER is a great place to start and eventually you may transition to PRO TOOLS.

METAL MACHINE is a great pack. All the METAL packs are darn good. I bought drums from hell, and machine and some metal midi packs. Great stuff

If most of your pals use cubase, then getting it is a good idea. But knowing more than one DAW is a good thing. TONS of folks use REAPER so I would keep using Reaper and maybe add cubase for projects you might share with friends.

Posted by: eMGie Jun 8 2012, 09:37 PM

Thanks again.

Btw. Is it true that Machintoshs are more popular than PCs in the USA? In Poland it's really rare to see someone using MACs (moslly because of the prices ).

Posted by: Arpeggio Jun 9 2012, 08:15 PM

I use Cubase5 Essential with EZ Drummer through a UX2. I chose Cubase because I thought the manual was good and I was new to it at the time.

Posted by: eMGie Jun 9 2012, 08:45 PM

hehe thats almost exactly the same I'm going to use

Posted by: Arpeggio Jun 9 2012, 11:49 PM

Cool, it works for me. I'd also recommend the book "Guerilla Recording" by Carl Coryat, it explains the science of things like compression which makes them easier to learn when you understand their relevance. If you don't read it all the way through it can be used like an encyclopedia for whatever you might be doing at the time.

Posted by: tonymiro Jun 10 2012, 11:28 AM

I'd also add that compressors are maybe the dynamic processor that people struggle most with initially. It's not helped as many manufacturers use different words and labels for the same controls and what controlls are included often depends not only on the type of compressor but on what features the manufacturer wants to emphasise. So I'd strongly recommend that you supplement reading with actual hands on experience starting with the most basic compressor that you can find. Use it and get experience of hearing what the different controls do and how they affect the dynamics both for an individual instrument/track/group and also when on the main bus. Once you're confident with a simple compressor then look at the more complicated ones.