Cubase & Pulsar : Enough for a professional Studio?

raboz · Post by **raboz** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 3:46 am

Hi all, I'm a happy new pulsarII+ProPack user.

I expose immediatly my fundamental doubt:
I've heard about many complains regarding the various Cubase-Sync problems, might be with Pulsar too.

My wish is to build ( within a pair of years ) a professional digital studio and using a not-well-sync sequencer is not a good starting point. If I add an audio card that's not intended for professional recording I go completely towards a disaster.

The question is: am I wasting my time studying Cubase & Pulsar or it's better thinking to evolve to a better couple ? ( of course Scope might be an answer but It's always the same philosophy so the acknowledge remain valid ).

Is Pulsar & Cubase really used nowadays for professional recording? Any Important production to mention?

I WANT to say that I DO respect Creamware and Its efforts and Its products too, I'm simply trying to understand how things in real world works!

Thanks in advance for your kindly answer

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 6:14 am

Well... uh how should I put it... depends what you want to call "professional". It could mean a "standard" studio setup, which leans towards protools if you ask me.. or it could be a personal, "jam all you want and maybe get a record deal" setup which could very much be a cubase+pulsar combo.

Oh yeah, if you're really serious about going commercial, you'll probably need some more gear than just a cubase+pulsar combo. You'll need some strange gadgets to create your signature sound. Again, you choose what you like. Outboard comps, preamps, hardware keys and synths.. yikes, I'm drewling. As for me, I do some commercial work on a Triton+Nord modular+Pulsar+Nuendo. Not too much gear if you ask me, and I do feel like I need more gear. Especially outboard effectors, but I'm still in the process of honing my Pulsar effects skills.

What kind of music are you planning to make by the way? The gear really depends on your workflow and style. These things, you should know best.

[ This Message was edited by: kensuguro on 2002-03-05 06:18 ]

raboz · Post by **raboz** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 12:51 am

Hi kensuguru! Tks for the answer. Exception made for the external gear ( as a good channel strip for the voice and guitar, hw finalizer and so on ) my fear is only related to sync ( sequencer related problem )and sampling qualities ( audio card related problem ).

I intend to offer a cheap digital studio for versatile production.

Cheers

JoeKa · Post by **JoeKa** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 7:54 am

Cubase´s sync problem have vanished, the last really untight syncin´ Cubase was 3.7, and only if used with either a bad setup/crappy audiocard/weak system.
I´m on VST5.1 since the first days of its release, and it works great. Well, generally MIDI-clock is not to be trusted, but even my most clock-sensitive synth, the Fizmo, syncs absolutely stable for hours in a row.
And if you get a nice ADAT convertor box for your Pulsar (e.g. A16, A16Ultra, Motu, Swissonic, RME,...) You´ll have a really fine setup for quality recordings.
It´s at least a good basic setup which makes gives you many ways of working far beyond the usual native software solutions.

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 8:14 am

I would think Cubase and Pulsar are great pre-production tools but to get a really pro sound you do need a lot of outboard gear. Most people think of the mixing board as simply a way to control the volume, effects and pans but pro engineers know that a good (and very expensive) board is ever so important, as well as compressors, gates, preamps, Lexicon reverbs, you need a really nice pair of monitors. It helps to have a room in which the walls are at an angle so the sound doesn't bounce off the walls too much. You need a drum booth and a microphone booth, accoustic tiles, It's all very expensive. One day the computer will sound as good as a real studio but that's got to be 20 years off.

Post by **garyb** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 9:38 am

you CAN definitely do pro work with that gear.everything hinges on what you are trying to do.you may need other gear to acheive an effect or you may need acoustic treatment for your room(s) if you are recording live instruments or vox.

[ This Message was edited by: garyb on 2002-03-06 09:39 ]

johnwho · Post by **johnwho** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 4:44 pm

You know it is possible to do pro work!!!
I've done a Nelly remix, Mary J Blige remix and im currently working on a Craig David Remix. Im also doing some stuff for Sugar Babes etc. It's all done with Cubase and a Pulsar2 card. So be happy and not a gear freak you can do great with this stuff. I would say that you should try Logic 5 or Nuendo because it's better than Cubase. The only problem with Nuendo is that you can not change sounds from any external mididevices within the software. They will probably solve that midi problem in new releasses.

johnwho · Post by **johnwho** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 4:49 pm

By the way I'm also using a Triton (you should get one of those), Roland JV1080 and a Fender Rhodes. A Kurzweil is also a good idea. But then again it depends on what kind of music your doing or wanna do.

WayneSim · Post by **WayneSim** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 2:03 am

I just wanted to add my 2 cents about Cubase.

I believe that Hans Zimmer used Cubase for many many things back a few years ago. I don't know what he uses now. But if cubase is good enough for Hans, an Acadamy Award winning composer. Man, don't knock it. If it works for him and it works for you, that is all that matters!

dxl · Post by **dxl** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 7:50 am

the answer is NO.

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 11:26 am

Well dxl is in the minority here, most of us have totally professional systems that we're absolutely thrilled with. My setup has never been smoother (for ME), but each person works differently and some work best when they only have a guitar and they pay for studio time...

I am a Logic+Creamware user, and find that I can do production that sounds every bit as good as "pro studios" with a lot less outlay. My gearlust has also declined quite a bit as I can do almost everything that I need on my system.

I still think a "complete" system includes not only a sequencer & audio card, but also a few key pieces of outboard equipment (your favorite synth, your guitar, a few mics, some mic pre-amps, maybe a few 'signature' outboard effects), but Cubase+Pulsar would make a nice foundation for a studio. So in this sense, I agree with dxl, a few well (and personal) chosen outboard pieces would complete your sound.

dxl · Post by **dxl** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 11:48 am

subman.

creamware gear isn't bad
jsut a single Pulsar2 board and a cubase isn't going to get to pro level , you need something like.... powerpulsar
or at lease 10 DSP

dxl · Post by **dxl** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 11:50 am

On 2002-03-11 11:48, dxl wrote:
subman.

creamware gear isn't bad
jsut a single Pulsar2 board and a cubase isn't going to get to pro level , you need something like.... powerpulsar
or at lease 10 DSP

but if you are recording for bands, need convertors, yet, one pulsar 2 is enough power for that

sandrob · Post by **sandrob** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 12:29 pm

my friend made pro hip-hop material with cheap computer, soundblaster card, rode-ntv mic, tla preamp/comp and some monitors.
if you have just one luna card and few good microphones, preamps, compressors, studio space, monitoring and more important - knowledge, you can make pro-production.
even you don't have to buy propack to be pro

natives goes better and better

with power-cpu you can make mirracle!

_________________
"without deviating from the norm, progress is not possible" - frank zappa

[ This Message was edited by: sandrob on 2002-03-11 12:33 ]

dxl · Post by **dxl** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 4:49 pm

can't wait to see that happen

Basic i/o · Post by **Basic i/o** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 1:24 am

Pulsar II Propack , and Cubase??? Hell yes!
Don't let anyone tell you that you need more outboard gear to make Pro Music. First of all
I read that brain cell guy's comment, there will always be those people who will try to
put the neg vibe on all you do. Trust yourself and your ears.

Air_PoLLo · Post by **Air_PoLLo** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 3:11 pm

Ok, first of all, why the hell did we buy ProTools HD (mac, of course) when a Pulsar card is enough?

Anyway, http://www.lucky.se and see the swedish site (english version referes to old pics and equipment.)

Also Logic is prefered.

So, to be "up there" you need a Mac, Logic Audio, and TDM-cards.
At least.

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 3:14 pm

Ok, first of all, why the hell did we buy ProTools HD (mac, of course) when a Pulsar card is enough? 

Good question. Care to explain?

Air_PoLLo · Post by **Air_PoLLo** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 4:35 pm

First of all, I wish you get the chance to hear Digidesigns audio/plugin quality.

Sencondly: That's today standard gear. Allowes me to use the sessions in ANY studio. (with mix and all)

Lastly: STABLE! (trust me on that!)

So that's how the BIG studios work (unless they use Studer 24-track digital multitrackers, even then, they use ProTools to edit with.)

Post by **garyb** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:18 am

big studios are NOT driven by logic(no pun intended) in their purchases no matter what they say.the only thing making a big time studio buy gear is their stoooopit clients who want what they saw in a magazine or what that other rich guy had on his money maker.(yes i know studio owners with oxford and euphonix consoles)tape is still king for those who can afford it. in fact for those with money,30 year old gear is still king.so what! there are songs on the radio done on ADATs of all the possible crappy formats!(adat is certainly consumer at best, definitely NOT pro)everything depends on what KIND of pro production you are doing. for sonic QUALITY(whatever that is) a daw based around a cw card is MORE than sufficient to use for pro apps.(cw won an oscar for sound in gladiator remember? ain't that pro?)still, you might want some other outboard gear for some sonic VARIETY..........