I recently upgraded to a new Windows 7 64-bit computer (Core I5, 2500K, 3.3G) with 16 gb RAM. In the process, I want to upgrade from my old EMU USB audio/midi interface and Sonar 4 LE software. The only requirements I have for the interface is that it must be USB 2 (or 3) and it has to have at least 4 mic/analog inputs, with phantom power, plus midi inputs, and at least four analog outputs. Of course, it has to work with BIAB, but that's a given, right? I like Sonar 4 and thought to buy Sonar X1 Studio, but I'm open to suggestions. My major use of my DAW is recording my saxophone over backing tracks. If the backing tracks are midi, I pipe through a Ketron SD2, which then inputs through analog.
I was seriously looking at the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra interface, but after reading a recent post here and other reviews around the web, I'm a bit nervous about that idea.
So, here's your chance to help me spend my hard-earned money. What USB audio/midi interface and DAW software would you buy? I'd like to keep the total cost of hardware and software to $500-600, but I might go higher if the increased cost translates to better quality.
If you have a minute, please offer advice, suggestions, etc. I know many of you have DAWs, so let me know what your opinions are, please.
Thank you!
The wombat of jazz aka Bob
Bob, couple of thoughts.
First, about SONAR, I have X1 after using SONAR 3, 5, 7, and 8.5. Be aware that all those were very similar to version 4, but X1 is a very different animal. I like it, but it takes some relearning. Most of the deal-breaker bugs are fixed now but a couple of very specific ones remain. There's more to this, of course, if you need it.
Second, about M-Audio, I also read some warnings here about drivers and Windows 7 64-bit. It is my understanding that the problems people experienced were mostly a year ago, and that the drivers have been updated and things work fine now. Others may have a different view, but my Fast Track Pro works great.
ps I LOVE Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, running from a SSD boot drive. Not one BSOD in over a year!
also ps: forgive some repeated info. I see you are the same poster where we corresponded about having two soundcards.
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also ps: forgive some repeated info. I see you are the same poster where we corresponded about having two soundcards.
Hi Matt,
Hey, sometimes I need to hear things several times before they sink in, so repeat away 
Seriously, nice to hear some good things about the M-Audio interface. Its specs are impressive and it's the right price. I just hate hearing of the problems.
Thanks for the advice!
Bob
My M-Audio Fast Track Pro 2 is on it's 3rd computer and has not complained yet. And their support is very good, just like here. Web page with a user forum....
I have to ask why so many inputs? Don't you put everything on it's own track? If you are going to record in real time, just use a mixer and pan L&R. Advantage is speed. Disadvantage is that one player's clams hurt the whole take. Discreet tracking let's you tweak one track only, like I have to do with my foghorn like vocals....
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I have to ask why so many inputs? Don't you put everything on it's own track? If you are going to record in real time, just use a mixer and pan L&R.
I have limited space (desk space) and didn't want to add additional hardware, so I wasn't interested in getting a mixer, but I understand why it would help. I really only need 4 analog inputs (2 Mics and 2 plugs -- for the Ketron) plus the midi, but I got burnt on my EMU, which only has two, so I figured err on the side of too many this time 
. I wish I had a better reason, but no.
When I ran out of space, I built UP. Made some stacking shelves, bought a table top 12 space rack to screw everything in to.... but everybody's studio is different in what they have and how they use it, so it really is a case of what works for you. And the older school you are (like me) you know "your way" to do it.
For me, I do BIAB first. Then I put it through a mixer that has a digital reverb looped through it. I then record the BIAB tracks panned left and right to track 1 and 2 of an 8 track Tascam direct to disc recorder. Then I sing onto track 3 and 4. That leaves me 5,6,7 and 8 for additional keyboards, harmonies that come from a vocoder, guitar parts....
But again, that's just what I do and it isn't necessarily the way everybody does things.
On topic, that M-Audio Fast Track will work for you.
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I know many of you have DAWs, so let me know what your opinions are, please.
Do you know what is available in REAPER? It is quite impressive.
Hi Bob,
Like Dan above, I now use Reaper as my DAW. I used to use Sonar (from versions 4 through to 7). Then I started hearing some terrific productions in the User Showcase forum on here where people used Reaper for the final product. Reaper has a great deal going for it. Once you learn to use it, the user interface is incredibly versatile and gives very professional results.
Also, the Cockos plugins that come with the software are excellent (these days I pretty much only use these plugins even though I have around 500 other ones).
Lastly, there is some terrific documentation available for Reaper to help you get the best out of it. I purchased a couple of PDF books from the Cockos website that are fantastic and I also purchased a hardcopy book through Amazon. Because of these books, I'm understanding Reaper in 12 months a whole heap more than I ever understood Sonar in 6 years.
What is amazing is that Reaper is incredibly cheap to buy.
Regards,
Noel
Ya, what Noel said..
I am also a Reap user, but if you use midi a lot, then you might want to take a long look before you buy. All tho the midi works fine for my needs, there are folks who say it is missing a lot of every day workflow parameters....
Then again, you can grab it for $40 at the moment, which gives you updates to 4.99...at the is something you don't find too often....
Have you tried Real Band as a DAW ? Comes free with Biab and is loaded with some very usable plug-ins . My M-Audio works with everything, not always with the ASIO drivers that came with it . Save your money for Biab updates !
Want great sound, rock solid drivers and monitor's that will blow you away, not for the faint of heart price wise. I this case the saying "you get for what you pay" apply's here.
Interface= RME USB Fireface UC $1298.00 CAD
Powered Monitors= Focal CMS 65 $825.00 CAD each
Total= $2948 CAD +tax
Most people try to reproduce what they hear on commercial recordings right?, well, you can't do it on the cheap. Get a great interface with solid driver's and great sounding monitor's and you won't regret it. RME are known all over the world for there rock solid driver's and clean pre-amps under XP, Win7 x86 or 64. Go demo this gear and you will buy. This equipment is top notch and will last a lifetime. You only need to buy once and be happy.
And for Daw, if you do a internet search you will find many. the better come with a little learning curve. But in the end you'll be glad you put your head to it. Nuendo and Cubase come to mind here witch is what I use. Pro to the max, jam pack with very usefull features. Lot's to think about here but, how serious are you about making music that will satisfy your ears. Food for the soul here.
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My major use of my DAW is recording my saxophone over backing tracks. If the backing tracks are midi, I pipe through a Ketron SD2, which then inputs through analog.
I'd like to keep the total cost of hardware and software to $500-600, but I might go higher if the increased cost translates to better quality.
The wombat of jazz aka Bob
I think 2k + is a little out of the price he was looking for!
No matter WHAT software & hardware you go for, just MAKE SURE that there are solid drivers for Win 7 64bit, and that the software is 64bit capable. One reason that I did not go for Win7 64 until a few weeks ago was because of the buggie M-Audio drivers for my Delta 66. In Win7 32bit they were fine, in 64 they were....not....
Triple check the SW and HW to make SURE that it has good Win7 64 bit support, and you will be good to go....
If he is buying a new interface, there will be Windows 7 drivers. Used gear.... ah, now we are dealing with a different breed of cat!
Gotta believe for 2 large he gets Windows 7 drivers... LOL!!!
Thanks for the help and useful advice.
FYI: Right now, I am leaning towards the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra and Sonar X1...
Best regards,
Bob aka jazzwombat
That's $3k, people. And doesn't include the recommended software. Nuendo has some of the best automation out there--for $1500 to $2000 by itself. Naturally, you'll want a machine worthy of that, so there's another $2k to $3k, plus dual high-resolution monitors. And, of course, a multitrack interface and control surface--say $3500. Oh, wait--now you'll want 5.1 surround, too. Multiple speakers x4 plus a sub. Hmmm . . . since I don't have an ideal space to record in, I'll be wanting IK Media room-correction software and a reference mic, too. Do the maths.
I know. I have a close friend who has all of the above and even lets me play with it from time to time. What does he do with it? We don't even have a name for it. (I call it "acid Dixieland," code for 100% improvisation from individuals with varying degrees of talent and ability.)
Look, you can spend anything you want to at this. I think the point was to work with what we have courtesy of PG Music, with some good low-mid speakers, mics, and interface. Everything is going to end up in 16/44.1, anyway, and few of us have aspirations to the moonrock level of excellence. Maybe we should, but I suspect that most of us don't.
Wasn't that fun?
R.
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Hi Bob,
Like Dan above, I now use Reaper as my DAW. I used to use Sonar (from versions 4 through to 7). Then I started hearing some terrific productions in the User Showcase forum on here where people used Reaper for the final product. Reaper has a great deal going for it. Once you learn to use it, the user interface is incredibly versatile and gives very professional results.
Also, the Cockos plugins that come with the software are excellent (these days I pretty much only use these plugins even though I have around 500 other ones).
Lastly, there is some terrific documentation available for Reaper to help you get the best out of it. I purchased a couple of PDF books from the Cockos website that are fantastic and I also purchased a hardcopy book through Amazon. Because of these books, I'm understanding Reaper in 12 months a whole heap more than I ever understood Sonar in 6 years.
What is amazing is that Reaper is incredibly cheap to buy.
Regards,
Noel
plug ins come with reaper? is that like the VSTs i read about, the bass, keys, and drums sounds?
i was not sure if reaper included these plug ins...i am just learning!
+1 for Reaper. It comes with some excellent ReaPlugs (effects such as reverb, compression, EQ, etc.), and there are many many good free VSTs and VSTi's that can be used with it. The online support community for Reaper is excellent and extremely helpful. As the OP said, for $40 you really can't beat it, and plus IMHO it is better than most other DAWs that I have seen for 10x the price.
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FYI: Right now, I am leaning towards the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra and Sonar X1...
Best regards,
Bob aka jazzwombat
Bob, I leaning that way myself. I currently use Sonar 5.2. I’m planing on having a new 64bit Win 7 machine built. I’ve been researching USB, PCIe and FW audio interfaces and the Fast Track Ultra is the leader as of right now.
Let me know how you make out or if you have found anything better and I will do the same.
Hi vishnu,
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plug ins come with reaper? is that like the VSTs i read about, the bass, keys, and drums sounds?
Yes, plugins come with Reaper but they are effects and not the instrumental, MIDI kind. Instrumental ones like VSC, DXi, etc., can be used very easily, though.
Regards,
Noel
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Hi vishnu,
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plug ins come with reaper? is that like the VSTs i read about, the bass, keys, and drums sounds?
Yes, plugins come with Reaper but they are effects and not the instrumental, MIDI kind. Instrumental ones like VSC, DXi, etc., can be used very easily, though.
Regards,
Noel
One question about Reaper: Is it and its VSTs Window 7 64-bit compatible? I've read in a few forums that several VSTs don't work in a 64 bit OS. Just curious,
Bob aka jazzwombat
Reaper is Windows 7 64-bit compatible (there is a separate version for 64-bit systems). If you are concerned about third party VSTs, however, 32-bit Reaper works absolutely fine on a 64-bit system.