Native Instruments TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I use Traktor Scratch Probably 5-6 times a week working on new mixes in my studio and performing for crowds and it hasn't crashed on me a single time, and this is using Windows 7 with my Dell Studio XPS 1640 with 4gig of RAM. The sound quality coming from the Audio 8 DJ is crisp and clear with very very low latency. I have used Torq, Serato Scratch Live and now Traktor Scratch Pro and I can say for spinning house/electro I like Traktor the best. For hip hop I do like Serato Scratch, something about having the wave forms side by side heading in the same direction makes it easier for me. But you really don't need it for House music. Having the capability of 4 tracks is epic when I'm playing samples or acapellas over another track. Also having 4 effects units that can work in a chain is pretty cool too. The digital vinyl is incredibly accurate, although I do like Serato's accuracy a little better, they're still both very very good.
You can midi assign just about every function in this program. What's nice too is using modifiers, a MIDI assigned key or button doesn't have to be used for the same function. Using combinations of keys/buttons you can have one button/key/knob perform multiple tasks, such as Dry/Wet or scrolling through the effects list.
Overall I have very very few complaints with this program, and the complaints I have are minor. In my opinion this is the best DVS on the market. There's a reason DJ's like Sharam, Pete Tong, Carl Cox, Umek, and Nick Fanciulli all use this program.

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Native Instruments TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO is built on the same hardware components as its predecessor, TRAKTOR SCRATCH, and is professional in every area. The TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO DJ system is built to last and made 100% for the club, providing rock-solid and reliable components, from the Audio 8 DJ Interface to the supplied control media and cables.TRAKTOR PROTRAKTOR PRO allows you to mix digital files on four decks, using the high-quality internal mixer or external hardware, and an incredible effects suite. It elevates your mix by integrating industry-standard workflows into a redesigned user interface,along with automatic beat-grinding of tracks, advanced beat detection, sync lock, and more. Among its other features are 21 professional effects, auto loop, a full-featured 4-channel mixer that emulates the Xone: 92, real-time track management, and supports multiple MIDI controllers and assignments.Audio 8 DJ InterfaceThe beating heart of TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO, this interface has incredible connectivity, super high-end audio quality, convenient status LEDs, and a rock solid, compact design. It has 8 high-gain outputs (4 x stereo) for mixing up to 4 decks via an external DJ mixer, or for routing signals to outboard effects. It also has 8 inputs for hooking up 2 turntables, 2 DJ CD players, or 2 turntable/CD decks, plus outboard gear and/or a microphone. It has MIDI In/Out, and a USB socket to connect to your Mac or PC for even more options. The Audio 8 DJ Interface uses Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters with 24-bit/96kHz resolution for high-quality sound; has ultra-low latency drivers; a high-gain headphone output with volume controller and source selector; and 20 status LEDs on top to provide full visual control.Control MediaTRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO closes the gap between digital and analog DJing. The control signal is formatted onto special CDs and vinyl, and feels like the digital file is cut into the wax. The media has a 2kHz carrier frequency, which offers twice as much tracki

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Apple Logic Studio Upgrade from Logic Pro or Gold Review

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(More customer reviews)If you've been using Logic 7 for a while, as I have, and then go through the hours of install (Literally) you'll find a different layout and another steep learning curve, though much is simplified from the earlier version. There are also some bugs in this upgrade, which Apple seems to have overlooked even in their updates. Some files depend upon GarageBand and are missing, if you try & use Logic 7 files you'll find 8 unable to always supply files to match it. This has caused me hours of frustration. Hence the 3 stars. Not a seamless upgrade, to be sure.

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Logic Studio, Apple's comprehensive suite of professional music and audio tools, provides musicians with everything they need to create in the studio, on the stage, and for the screen. Logic Studio includes Logic Pro 8, Apple's legendary professional music production application featuring a new, intuitive interface; MainStage, an innovative new application for music performance; and Soundtrack Pro 2 for audio post-production and sound design. It also includes Studio Instruments and Studio Effects, with 40 acclaimed instruments and 80 professional effect plug-ins; an expanded Studio Sound Library; and new production utilities--all in a single box at an incredible price.

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Apple Logic Express 8 Upgrade Review

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(More customer reviews)This update erases all Logic 7 voices and provides a new set of improved tones, although some needed instruments have been dropped (an '80's Yamaha DX7 electric piano, e.g.). If you cloned your hard drive before the upgrade, and with a lot of work, you can import most of them back as 'Performance' channel strips, including the old 'Ubiquitous DX'. No guitar sounds can be imported from Logic 7 so all guitar tracks must be reconfigured. Despite the incredible amount of work it takes to properly transfer Logic 7 files using internal sounds into Logic 8, I still give this upgrade the highest rating. However, I won't upgrade Logic Express anymore unless Apple makes the transition process much easier.
Apple dropped the price of Logic Express by $100 with this version 8 and wants $100 for this upgrade from Logic Express 7 owners! If Amazon didn't offer it for a much lower price, I never would have bought it.

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Logic Express 8 gives musicians everything they need to write, record, edit, and mix. It delivers the same innovative production tools as Logic Pro 8, including full notation, 24-bit/192kHz resolution, and Quick Swipe comping. A beautifully redesigned interface consolidates all windows into a single, efficient workspace made for musicians. Make music right out of the box with 36 instrument plug-ins from Logic Studio, including Ultrabeat drum machine, EXS24 Sampler, and ES2 synth. Shape music productions with 70 effect plug-ins from Logic Studio, including Guitar Amp Pro, Ringshifter, and full-featured Pitch Correction.

Get 48% OFF

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Cubase Essential 5 Retail Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am new to the world of music production. I needed a new hobby and reignited my passion of music I had when I was a child. My son taking piano lessons helped to reignite that passion, but onward to the review.
I was looking for an inexpensive, but fully efficient music production package. After a few months of use, I am confident I made the right choice for my needs. The price was decent, plus I had a $100 gift certificate :), but I would have still made the purchase. Here is what I like about this product:
*It is not intimidating - I downloaded a few demo versions of other software, and it looked like too much was going on at once. There were too many separate windows open that I didn't know what they were used for. With Cubase, you create a project and you are taken to the sequencer without all the extra windows, unless you open them up yourself.
*Great workflow environment - To continue from #1, I like that I am taken to the sequencer first. From there, I can add tracks, select an instrument, play and record. You can also add audio tracks and record vocals or external instruments. I just love the simplicity. I won't go into all the bells and whistles, but you can add effects, this has VST support, mixing features which I have only begun to explore, and great editing and recording features.
As I mentioned, I am new to the world of music production software and still learning Cubase Essential 5, so I am not able to provide a review that discusses all the features of this product. However, for my needs it is great and I would definetly recommend it. I took off a star because I think the manual could be better. Alot of the information just went over my head. They do have video tutorials on the install disk and youtube has been a big help with people uploading tutorials there. That is basically how I have been learning this software. Another note, and I won't fault the product, but I have had buggy instances. For example sometimes the metronome works and sometimes it doesn't, and also there have been times I have had to restart Cubase to recognize my midi keyboard even though I had already set it up in Device Setup. I am not holding this against the product because I have since started using a new computer and I no longer experience these issues. I am running Vista 32 bit on both computers, but the other computer is new and has more memory. I don't know if that is why I am no longer having issues or not, but I am glad the issues are gone!
One last thing, the higher end Cubase 5 or Cubase 5 studio is more expensive and has more features, but I am personally not looking to upgrade because of how good Essential is. I haven't gone through the full compare list, however the items Essential does NOT have that are included in Cubase 5 are Groove Agent One and VariAudio (which I understand is a great feature to edit vocals).


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Steinberg Cubase Essential 5 is your gateway to the world of the Cubase digital audio workstation. With an easy, intuitive approach to composing, recording, editing, and mixing, Cubase Essential 5 shines with the same user interface and award-winning audio engine as the Steinberg Cubase 5 advanced music production system used by countless professionals around the globe.

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Sonar 8.5 Producer Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been a Cakewalk user for years, starting with their Pro Audio software and dating to when the company was known as 12-Tone Systems. Their software has only become better and better as the years have gone by. Sonar has been the best available Windows-based digital audio workstation software for a long time now - to the point where a fair number of producers and studios have migrated to Sonar from Pro Tools, not to mention a steadily increasing string of software and industry awards. (See Cakewalk's site for names, if interested.) And, of course, with Boot Camp, you can run Sonar native under Windows if you have a recent Intel-based Mac - running a Mac doesn't force you into Pro Tools for software at this level.
Be warned - if you are not heavily into audio, audio for video, MIDI, recording, sequencing, effects, looping, mastering, mixing, etc. - and possess the audio domain knowledge that all that entails, as well as a good understanding of the complexities of running full-on audio software from a technical standpoint - you can find yourself overwhelmed by this software, and you will be MUCH better off with Cakewalk's Home Studio version of Sonar. Sonar (particularly Producer) can be enormously complex, but that's not due to any design issues - quite the contrary! Rather, that's because it covers a vast array of audio activities, options, and capabilities. It is possible to use it simplistically, but I'd direct anyone with only those types of needs to simpler software suites.
On the other hand, if you do have the audio and technical knowledge, you'll find Sonar Producer is flexible, powerful, configurable, and responsive. It is also very stable and has been so for many versions now. Be aware that this type of software by its nature (high processing loads, need to control latency, timing control and issues among multiple devices and interfaces, etc.) can be compromised by PC setups optimized for multipurpose use.
The software comes with a terrific package of high-quality effects plug-ins. I've also found Cakewalk to have good customer service - one of the very, very few, in fact, where the response on customer service calls is as good as on sales calls. Cakewalk continues to improve the user interface with Sonar 8. Particularly welcome are edit changes, including multiple-clip edits, and optimizations targeted at running high track counts. Several instruments are included, and I'm particularly happy to see Dimension Pro, which includes Garritan Orchestral sounds, and TruePianos Amber. Your interests and activities will differ, of course (mini are Midi-heavy), and you should really look through the complete list of enhancements on Cakewalk's site. Enhancements for this version runs several pages long. This is a major upgrade from Sonar 7.
I do have one issue with Cakewalk, though I'm not knocking down the rating because of it as the software itself is too good. The problem is that Cakewalk hits their user base pretty hard on upgrade fees. You can pretty much count on having to spend a few hundred dollars per year to keep the software up to date if you take every version and keep your plug-ins up-to-date. I've always felt that companies should upgrade customers from the most recent versions for little or nothing if they have paid for a recent upgrade, at least for a download. There is some price tiering depending on what version you're running, but it's insufficient, in my opinion. At one point I unknowingly purchased an upgrade weeks before a new release - but Cakewalk still charged me the full upgrade price for the new version. That kind of pricing policy doesn't encourage customer loyalty. I understand that this is a minor issue for a pro or a studio, but Cakewalk also has a large installed base for Sonar Producer among non-pros.
My preference would be for Cakewalk to adjust their release approach to one of more incremental releases between major versions. It's far more disruptive to install a new version, taking on the setup and learning issues than it is to install incremental upgrades (Cakewalk does release some patches.). You do get what you pay for, however.
In addition to the software, buy a Sonar book or two, take the tutorials, hit one or two of Cakewalk's roadshows, and join a forum or two. There is a fairly steep learning curve with Sonar as with any other pro-level audio suite, the good news being there is a lot of support out there due to the market's embrace of Sonar.

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Sonar 8.5 Producer gives you what you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. Get innovations that matter, from exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that keep you in control, all backed by the industry's leading 64-bit audio quality. And Sonar 8.5 delivers the go to production tools you want with the best collection of virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering effects found in any DAW. With unlimited tracks, creative tools, and the most complete delivery capability between other DAWs, Sonar Producer is a cut above and your best choice in a digital audio workstation.

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Cakewalk SONAR 7 Producer Edition - Windows Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have used Cakewalk products for about 10 years now. I have always been impressed with how user-friendly their software is and it is great that a company out there makes PC-specific software. I have used other software and have found that Cakewalk's is the most logically (pun intended) set up.
The reviewer who has commented that they had trouble opening the program also stated that they did research before they ever purchased a single program, implying they are new to the computer recording world. I wouldn't recommend a Ducati to someone who just started driving a bicycle. One need's a foundation before stepping up to the next level. I would suggest that if you buy this software you'd better have some foreknowledge of audio technology. Also, if you are just starting, then look at Sonar's Home Studio products first. They are much more affordable and can do much of what this product does minus the effects, soft synths, and processing power.
Also, you will need a powerful computer and audio interface (not just any sound card will do) to run this software. If you do buy this, make sure you invest in a high quality sound card too, otherwise what's the point? It'd be like buying a great stereo receiver and connecting it to two-inch speakers, then wondering why it doesn't sound like the awesome stereo your neighbor has. You need the proper equipment to run this, it's not end-all-be-all product, and neither are the other DAW's.
I highly recommend this product. I have had great results using it, but it does require a lot of knowledge. I also highly recommend you purchase a user guide to help exploit all this product can do. Check out "Sonar Power" they have always been helpful.

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SONAR 7 Producer Edition offers a remarkable experience that excels at every step of your production-from its inspiring, open and customizable environment, to intuitive music creation and editing tools, to polished mixing, editing and delivery-with the recognized best audio quality in the industry.Get the perfect take with the best comping, editing, and take management tools available Create and edit MIDI in new and intuitive ways with an integrated Step Sequencer, Smart MIDI Tools, and other extensive MIDI enhancements Upload songs directly to the Internet and build song players for your website, with Cakewalk Publisher Burn your mixes directly to CD with integrated CD burning Score to video with a thumbnail track and output to 1394 FireWire devices Deliver audio and video in virtually any format including Sony Wave-64, AIF, CAF, FLAC, SD2, WAV, QuickTime, MP3, WMA. Export to OMFI and Broadcast WAV for collaboration with Pro Tools and other DAWs New Features -Integrated Step Sequencer view provides the most innovative step sequencer feature set available in any DAW today. Complete MIDI overhaul with Smart MIDI Tools and dozens of other new featuresTrue linear phase mastering plug-insInternal sidechainingDelay compensation for external hardwarePitch to MIDI functionality with Roland V-Vocal 1.5Operating System Windows XP / RecommendedWindows XP/Vista (32 and 64-bit), can be run on Mac OS X with Boot Camp

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IMusic Tools Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Better then spending a ton of money at Best Buy. Works great for transfering music from your ipod to your computer.. NOTE* When using this..if you have music on your computer, it will put in another folder that you have you re-arrange before putting on your ipod. if you're like me and like things organized, then it can be a project. WELL worth the money!!! LOVE IT!

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iMusic Tools EssentialsTMIf you only knew what your iPod® can do!Simple to use features make the most of your iPod's potential. Easily organize your music any way you want from your desktop or laptop PC. Customize folder and file names, transfer music files, organize playlists and folders, edit song properties, search for songs on your PC and transfer them directly into your iTunes, plus so much more!

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Music Creator 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have to agree 100 percent with the reviews below: This software was written without any consideration to the end user. Just getting the thing to make a sound--any sound at all--is a major undertaking. Instead of just programming the junk to use your soundcard, it is made so that it will remain mute until you search out the soundcard manually and inform the software to use it. Each and every @!?%$#@*&!!!! time you copy or create a track, you have to tell the software AGAIN to use the soundcard. I'd love to get an explanation from the manufacturer as to why this is--were they under the impression that some users would want to program music and then NEVER LISTEN TO IT?!?!?
There are 4 or 5 possible 'views' of each tune on this software, but the layout, and the archane instructions that come with the software, could lead you to believe that that is really an astronomical figure. The guide book is written in an amazingly, astonishingly complex manner, making it virtually unuseable.
I've had the software 3 weeks and have yet to get a second's enjoyment out of it. I've played music all my life and have done some composing on my computer before, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt I will never--NEVER--get any use out of this overly complex piece of junk. Everything about this appears to have been overdone by software engineers looking to impress other software engineers, with no thought of any kind given to the end user or how the software would be used.
A complete and total waste of money. I'll never buy anything from Cakewalk again. Never.

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Discover the musician inside youFrom the leaders in music and sound software comes Cakewalk Music CreatorVersion 2. It's the fastest, easiest, and most enjoyable way to createmusic and sound on a PC. Get started quickly with an onlinetutorial. Then plug into your PC and start recording with any musicalinstrument or your voice. You can record and play back unlimited tracks ofaudio and MIDI. Use included ACID -format audio loops by leading producersor import MP3s to get your creative juices flowing, and layers to your songs, orcreate entire tracks with no experience necessary.MusicCreator is ideal for:
Musicians
Music enthusiasts
Singer/songwriters
Bands
Choir groups
Music teachers and students
PC hobbyists
The entire family

Play back your MIDI tracks with hundreds of high quality instrument soundsusing the included Virtual Sound Canvas DXI soft synth. Edit and arrangewith the click of a mouse, and mix with professional audio effects. Whenyou're finished, print beautiful sheet music. Even save it as an MP3 fileand put it on the Internet, or export audio for burning CDs!

Unlimited Maximum number of audio and MIDI tracks
Unlimited Maximum number of virtual instruments
Click and Drag loop tools with ACID loop support
Virtua

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M-Audio Pro Tools M-Powered 8 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am running Pro Tools 8 with Windows 7 64-bit and it works great. Yes, there were a few MINOR bugs with the initial release, but Pro Tools has made it very clear that Windows 7 64-bit is not yet officially supported. Their latest update however works PERFECTLY with Win 7 64-bit. In fact, the application runs very smoothly with minimal stress on CPU and memory. I typically use a lot of tracks and plug-ins. To date, this is the best application I've used in terms of system stress and audio quality.
These bad reviews seems to come from rookies who aren't quite sure how to use Pro Tools. Newer audio production apps are geared toward home studio/rookie musicians. Because of this, these same rookies pick up Pro Tools because it's the "industry standard" and immediately go back to SONAR because it's too complex for them. Just give it some time - learn the application and you'll love it.

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Pro Tools M-Powered 8 software puts the industry standard in audio/MIDI production on the fast track, letting you enter the powerful world of Pro Tools on your own terms. Pro Tools M-Powered has the same user interface as Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools LE, all while expanding your creative hardware options to dozens of M-Audio interfaces. Session compatibility with all current versions of Pro Tools software means that you can easily move your projects between pro, project and mobile personal studios. And at just $299.95 MSRP, anyone can become a member of the Pro Tools community. Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is the serious music production choice for power, compatibility, options and ease of use--without spending serious money.

Real Pro Tools Pro Tools M-Powered is Pro Tools. There are actually three flavors of Pro Tools, all of which share the same user interface and file format. The primary distinction is the hardware they complement. Pro Tools|HD runs on elite DSP-powered Pro Tools|HD hardware. Pro Tools LE works with a variety of Digidesign hardware including the Mbox 2 family. And Pro Tools M-Powered delivers even more options via compatibility with dozens of M-Audio interfaces.
Produce with the Industry Standard--Anywhere, Anytime The combination of M-Audio gear and Pro Tools M-Powered 8 lets you work anywhere, anytime with the industry standard in music production software. Seamlessly collaborate with anybody running any version of a current Pro Tools system, including cross-platform between Windows and Mac OS X. Easily take your projects to just about any recording studio to have it mixed by a pro. Or take your pro studio projects home or on the road with you. With Pro Tools M-Powered, owners of most M-Audio interfaces instantly become members of the largest community of digital audio workstation users in the world.
Flexible and Portable--More Choices for You A wide variety of M-Audio PCI, FireWire and USB hardware interfaces are compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered software, giving you more options in where, when and how you work. Whether you need just a little I/O or a lot--or a desktop, mobile or hybrid system--you'll find the perfect solution with our PCI, USB/USB 2 and FireWire audio interfaces. Mix live and in the studio with the NRV10 interface/analog mixer. Experience compact productivity with an M-Audio audio interface keyboard. And DJs can enter the world of Pro Tools with our Torq products.
Easy to Use Elegance and power are the reasons why Pro Tools is used in the majority of professional recording studios around the world. At the same time, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is very simple and intuitive. And once you know how to use one version of Pro Tools, you know how to work in any Pro Tools environment--from personal to pro studios. And if you want help, Pro Tools is supported by more educational materials and classes than all other DAW software put together.
Stunning New Look and Interactivity With a sleek new look, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is as easy on the eyes as it is to use. All of the Pro Tools M-Powered functionality you know and love is still in place--now with double the inserts per channel, more customizability, easier access to editing options and more. Customize the toolbar to show only your favorite tools and rearrange them the way you want. Tile or cascade your window arrangement. Change the color of your channel strips, tracks, regions, groups, and markers to any hue. Navigate through sessions quickly using the Universe view. And with the QuickStart dialog, you can jump right into an existing session, quickly create a new session from scratch, or start from one of the new session templates.
A Well-Stocked Studio Pro Tools M-Powered 8 comes fully packed with a huge, comprehensive collection of music creation and sound processing plug-ins--giving you a well-stocked studio right out of the box. You get an incredible array of 70 DigiRack, A.I.R. and Bomb Factory plug-ins right out of the box, including EQ, dynamics, delay, reverb and many more. You can also create and play music with six groundbreaking virtual instruments from the renowned Digidesign Advanced Instrument Research (A.I.R.) group: the Mini Grand piano, Boom drum machine, DB-33 tone-wheel organ, Structure Free sample player, and Vacuum and Xpand!2 synths. See the complete list of bundled software.
As if that weren't enough, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 software also lets you take advantage of a variety of RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins designed by the recording industry's largest professional third-party developer community. Track with powerful host-based vintage instruments from GForce and Way Out Ware. Polish your mixes with effects and mastering plug-ins from iZotope that surpass even expensive hardware. See more plug-ins from M-Audio, Digidesign and our partners.
Professional Recording, Editing and Mixing Pro Tools M-Powered 8 software enables M-Audio hardware enthusiasts to easily access the powerful recording, editing and mixing features of Pro Tools. Now with up to 48 simultaneous stereo tracks of 16- or 24-bit digital audio, and support for up to 96kHz sample rates, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is an ideal companion for M-Audio interfaces and audio interface keyboards--whether you're recording solo or entire bands. And the optional Music Production Toolkit 2 expands Pro Tools M-Powered 8 to up to 64 mono or stereo tracks, and adds more effects and instruments, a multi-track version of Beat Detective and the Pro Tools MP3 Option.
Once you've finished your recording, you can fine-tune your performances with Pro Tools software's unmatched nondestructive editing tools. Shape sounds, compose parts, and add effects with RTAS instrument and effects plug-ins--then create polished mixes with professional mixing features and full mixer automation.
With Pro Tools M-Powered 8, your system has even more editing and mixing capabilities. Lock regions to the timeline to prevent them from being inadvertently moved or edited. Use the Automation and Controller lanes to view and edit track automation (such as volume, pan and plug-in automation) and MIDI CC data (such as velocity, pitch bend, and modulation) without changing track views. And with ten inserts to play with per track, you can now use more plug-ins than ever before.
Looping Tools Pro Tools M-Powered 8 features a variety of tools that make loop-based music creation faster and more imaginative than ever. In addition to importing REX and Acid files, the Loop Trim tool also makes it easy to turn audio or MIDI regions into loops. The Elastic Time and the new Elastic Pitch features make it a breeze to change tempo/time and pitch on the fly. As a result, you can integrate a wide variety of loops and audio files with your current session throughout the entire writing process. And DigiBase--the program's internal database--even has a Loop Preview feature that allows you to preview loops in sync, in real time, before bringing them into your session.
Transpose Audio with Elastic Pitch As a complement to Elastic Time, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 introduces Elastic Pitch, which allows you to you to effortlessly manipulate or correct the pitch of any audio region in real time, right inside the Edit window. Easily transpose an entire audio region in semitones--up to four octaves in either direction--without affecting its timing or tempo. Fix a less-than-perfect vocal performance by altering the pitch of individual notes in cent intervals. You can also create cool sound effects by linking pitch changes with time compression/expansion using the Varispeed algorithm.
Stretch Your Sound with Elastic Time Pro Tools M-Powered features Elastic Time, a powerful real-time tempo manipulation feature that makes it easy to change tempo or time on the fly. For musicians, composers and music producers, Elastic Time puts loop-based music creation in the fast lane, giving you the freedom to explore different tempos and experiment with loops and audio files that sync with your current session throughout the entire writing process. For post-production editors and engineers, Elastic Time makes it easy to stretch or squeeze audio tracks to fit video time frames, using high-quality algorithms that make your time manipulation virtually undetectable.
With Pro Tools M-Powered software, you can change the tempo and timing of loops, music, dialogue and other sound files without cutting up audio. Easily create loops from any audio file--even entire compositions--with the help of powerful tempo and transient analysis. Want to hear how a certain audio bit will sound in your song? The new Context Preview lets you quickly audition loops and audio files in sync with the tempo of your session. Even imported audio files and loops automatically conform to match your session's tempo.
Pro Tools M-Powered also makes it easy to perfect the timing of performances. You can improve errant beats by quantizing audio to your session's Bar|Beat grid--or to grooves extracted from other audio or MIDI performances using the Beat Detective feature, which offers better peak detection accuracy than ever before. You can also fine-tune "Elasticized" regions, with precision control over each individual beat, using the new warp track view and warp markers. You can even make the same precise changes across multiple grouped tracks while preserving timing offsets in multitrack recordings, such as with drums.
To ensure that you get the highest quality results, Elastic Time delivers some of the best-sounding processing in the industry. You can choose from several premium time-stretching algorithms on a per-track basis. You can even adjust the decay and processing window length to tailor the audio processing for each track, rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all algorithm.
Comp Tracks to Perfection Creating flawless performances is easier than ever with Pro Tools M-Powered 8. New track compositing features let you quickly and easily piece together the best possible version of a performance from multiple recording passes. Simply loop-record multiple takes on an Audio track, view and audition the takes in Playlist view, select the best parts from the track's alternate playlists, and copy them to the main playlist with a single click. You can also rate regions on a scale of one to five to help identify which takes you like the most when compositing playlists.
Advanced MIDI Production Pro Tools M-Powered software's fully integrated MIDI sequencer and editor allow you to record, edit, and mix up to 256 MIDI tracks alongside your audio tracks. Dedicated Instrument tracks combine the audio and MIDI elements of a given virtual instrument into a single channel strip to streamline your workspace. Launch your favorite instrument plug-in to get the sound you want. Engage loop recording to quickly develop a multi-layered drum pattern, then use Groove Quantize or Groove Templates to give it the right feel. Switch to MIDI Step Input to lay down a difficult passage. Turn on real-time MIDI processing to quantize your performance as it goes down.
Pro Tools M-Powered 8 also features a comprehensive array of new MIDI tools to streamline production with both virtual and traditional instruments. Gain extensive MIDI editing power through MIDI Editor windows, which can display MIDI and automation data for Instrument, MIDI and Auxiliary Input tracks. Work with new features that let you separate, consolidate and mute MIDI notes; scrub and shuttle through parts; view superimposed MIDI and Instrument tracks for easier arrangement editing; color code MIDI notes by track, type or velocity; audition velocity changes; and play MIDI notes when tabbing. Edit MIDI automation and continuous controller (CC) data through multiple Automation and Controller lanes. You can even watch your musical handiwork scroll by in real time during playback.
Score Your Music Based on the Sibelius notation engine, the new Pro Tools M-Powered 8 Score Editor window lets you view, edit, arrange and print MIDI data as music notation. Whether you want to compose music using the notation tools--or transcribe recorded, imported, drawn (with the Pencil tool) or step-entered MIDI data into notation--the Score Editor features everything you need and nothing you don't. Write parts on a single staff--treble, bass, alto or tenor clef--or grand staff. Place and edit notes, and edit the meter and key signature on a whim. Add chord symbols such as Dm7 and guitar chord diagrams to sessions. Transcribe MIDI parts in real time. Print out a score in its entirety or print only certain instrumental parts. You can even export sessions as Sibelius (.sib) files for further finessing in Sibelius.
ReWire Torq and More Fans of M-Audio Torq DJ software and other standalone applications can utilize ReWire within Pro Tools M-Powered for the best of both worlds. Simply send Torq software's output streams into Pro Tools M-Powered via ReWire for further mixing and processing. Pro Tools M-Powered also accepts MIDI directly from ReWire applications for recording controller data to a Pro Tools MIDI or Instrument track. With Pro Tools M-Powered and ReWire, the creative possibilities are endless.
Control Surfaces If you want the tactile feel of a pro console while enjoying the benefits of a personal or project studio, Pro Tools M-Powered supports both the M-Audio ProjectMix I/O and Digidesign Command|8. Both give you control over the software's mixing and transport functionality. ProjectMix I/O even incorporates a built-in 18 x 14 FireWire audio interface complete with eight preamps so you don't need any extra gear. If you're a DJ, Torq Xponent gives you a familiar DJ mixer surface combined with an audio interface and RCA outputs. And now with Pro Tools M-Powered 8, you can map plug-in parameter controls to almost any encoder on your controller, and access each track's ten inserts.

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Logic Studio Retail Review

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(More customer reviews)I use to use Logic Pro back in the day of Atari Falcon and STE1080. then i went to PC and used Logic 4.7. Though i never used the audio with it back then due to the instability of the product. It was easier to use a Mackie HDR 24/96 with midi clock to sync.
Before obtaining Logic Studio i was using Ableton Live versions 5,6,7 and now 8. The reason i bring this up is that i am now back to Logic Studio Pro on a MacPro 8 Core. The major reason for this change back to Logic was for 3 main reasons that blow away Ableton 8:
* Midi control for external and internal instruments
* Clean, Tight, Dynamic Headroom, clarity of sound. Audio Engine is far better then Ableton even at 44.1 (though i use 96k)
* for the price and what you get, this software is incredible!
The new features of Logic Studio 9 is the Flex and Guitar suite. Though i have not been impressed with the flex (perhaps because i am not sure how to use it correctly yet) the Guitar suite is AMAZING. I have owned a Line 6 pro and a Line 6 bass pro and this Guitar Suite is amazing if you run it under 96k.
The Logic Pedal board has a great slew of guitar stomp pedals that sound amazing and better then most other emulations i have heard. the distortions are warm and tube like, unlike more software emulations i have heard. it rips just right even with a guitar straight into the A/D and processed by Logic. They have a Tape Delay that emulates the Roland 201 tape echo or EHX Memory Man Deluxe and it sounds sweet and mixes very well.
The automation features are tight and crisp as well. Though it takes a bit more time to get setup on Logic for controller setup then Ableton, it is tight once you get it there.
User friendliness is not as good as Ableton but then you are getting a more PRO engine then Ableton has thus been able to deliver. In Ableton it seems the 'warp marker' technology seems to 'fuzzy' then audio in such a degree that the clarity is not tight. the dynamic headroom and stereo separation is not there. I was wondering if i was loosing my mind, but it is not the A/D Presonus firepod it was the engine of the Ableton 8. Once on Logic Studio 9, the clarity and tightness of the mix returned. This proving this engine is far superior to Ableton for a studio mix.
NOTE: if you can handle the disk space and processing power required to run 96k, do it. It will tighten your mixes amazingly.
Should you buy this? here is my suggestion:
If you run a Mac it is worth the cost. for what you get for such a pro engine and features and plug-ins this blows away the competition. At now version 9.0.2, the system on Snow Leopard is stable. very stable. It runs cleaner and crisp on snow leopard with the 64bit processing. It utilizes all the cores effectively as well. With the new imac @ 4 cores, it really could be a mini pro monster for recording.
If you own a PC, you can't use Logic, so you have to consider Sonar, Cubase, Ableton, ProTools.
I have not tried protools due to the cost of upgrades and truly to use it as tight as the industry standard, it takes a year for upgrades to happen after a new OS and the cost is outrageous compared to Logic.
I have not tried Sonar. I have used Cubase. the engine is clean though cumbersome to use.
Hope this is helpful.

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With over 200 new features and enhancements, the new Logic Studio delivers everything musicians need to write, record, produce, and perform on a Mac. The center of Logic Studio is Logic Pro 9, which makes it easier than ever to create your own compositions. Produce and play nearly any sound imaginable with a huge collection of effects, instruments, and loops, including the new Amp Designer and Pedalboard plug-ins. Use MainStage 2 to perform live with the instruments, amps, effects, and sounds you used to make your tracks. Logic Studio also comes with applications and utilities that expand your creative options into audio post-production and mastering, including Soundtrack Pro 3, WaveBurner 1.6, and more.

Logic Studio. A studio on your Mac as big as your ambitions.

Top Features New Pedalboard with an assortment of 30 virtual stompbox pedals inspired by the classics.

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Samplitude Music Studio 14 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After buying a new Dell PC in early 2009, I decided it's time to try my songwriting/Home recording chops on MIDI. I had everything I needed-A keyboard with MIDI (Via USB)support, an internet at my fingertips that seemed to have tons of free VST effects and VSTI virtual instruments and now, a PC that could handle it.After getting my feet wet with Reaper, a friend told me about a program he had called Samplitude Music Studio 14. At the time, I was considering either this or Mixcraft 4.2. What attracted me to both was the library of virtual instruments in each for the price (below $100.00). I did alot of research into both programs and picked Samplitude.
As this was my first real excursion into MIDI, I had alot to learn. When I recieved the software I had a time installing it. After taking about 5 minutes installing all of the components, I got an error message which was vague explaining that the program couldn't start due to security reasons. I emailed their online support who sent me an Unlock code, which didn't work. So I joined their online support forum. Nice guys, but I suspect most are German and can't understand or communicate well in English. It just so happened that, fortunately my aforementioned friend was also a member of the forum and advised me to turn off my McAfee Security suite before installing, which finally allowed me to launch the program. Well, the first thing I started doing was playing with the sound library. There are many to choose from. Most contained in a module called VITA, created by Yellow Tools, but there's also a "trial" version of Sampletank which also has some decent sounds. Long story short, the "rock" sounds, ie drums, guitars,basses, keyboards and synths are GREAT!! In fact, there are so many synths that I really haven't scratched the surface of what I can do with them. Like their hardware counterparts, you can use factory presets or program your own sounds by manuipulating the virtual knobs and switches, which is really cool. These are mostly models of analogue synths. Naturally, it will except most free VSTs you can find online too, but the other sounds like horns and strings in this program don't pass the realistic test at all. The mixer is superior including the Vintage Effects Suite, which is a series of "footpedal" effects, but you can use them on anything you want and includes Flanger, Delay, Chorus, Phaser and Distortion. And again, you can use your own. Well, last May, I bought the other choice, Mixcraft, and the sound library on that is unreal. String sounds which are very realistic, horns and brass which are much better. But I'm not sorry I bought Samplitude because there are some features of that program that are better than Mixcraft, so I use them together in projects and so far it's worked quite well. I have three "Hybrid" projects where I import/export the sounds via wav files back and forth between programs. Hey, this is digital. No loss of fidelity. So I have two MIDI programs where one's insufficiencies are made up by the other, which is great. Best of both worlds with a total price tag of about $150.00, which isn't bad at all. I'm happy!

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Samplitude Music Studio 14 is the top-grade solution for professional music production on your PC – ideal for bands and musicians, podcasters and multimedia artists.

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Music Studio 12 Deluxe Review

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(More customer reviews)I replaced pro tools with this software, because I was looking for something easier to use and have been surprised by how much this software will do. It is definitely worth the money and extremely easy to pick up on. The instructions are excellent as well. I definitely recommend this.

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MAGIX Music Studio 12 deluxe provides beginners and advanced musicians with the necessary tools and an intelligent assistant for sophisticated yet easy-to-use home recording: Audio and MIDI in one program optimally equipped with superior handling and a huge selection of effects and virtual instruments.Powered by Samplitude: Benefit from the advanced technology and years of experience in audio editing based on the digital audio workstation Samplitude: the reference product for professional music production.System Requirements:Processor:Intel® Pentium® or AMD® Athlon® 700 MHzOperating system:Microsoft® Windows® 2000 / XPRAM:256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended)Hard disk:min. 1.5 GB free hard disc spaceGraphics card:min. resolution 1024x768 with 16-bit high colourAudio playback:Full duplex 16-bit sound card orASIO-enabled sound card (recommended)Other:DVD-ROM drive Microsoft® compatible mouseOptional:Burn CD & DVD with CD / DVD+-R(W) recorderFormat: WIN 2000XPVISTA Genre:PRODUCTIVITY UPC:639191022562 Manufacturer No:639191022562

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