PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

Hi guys, this is my first post here. So far I enjoy reading all posts very much indeed.

I have been recording all kinds of music for more than ten years now, using analog outboard equipment, some of which truely considered creme de la creme like Neves, Dakings, Neumanns and many more.

I am really thinking of "making a switch" to DAW platform and DSP Synthesizers, mixing and mastering in the box, and therefore thinking of purchasing Scope Professional.

Please help me decide.

Do you think that this platform is a decent meaning darn good all around solution for recording, mixing and mastering audio?

How does it sound compared to the sound coming from pro-studios?

Do the ADs for instance compare to Apogees soundwise?

I have never worked on Digital Platforms before, do I need a sequencing and editing software like cubase to record music or does the included software have harddisc recording abilities and midi editing, too?

I have narrowed it down to this chain so far. Amek/DMCL, Creamware Scope Pro with digital in (anyone know whether it has AES digital ins?), Computer with P4 and maybe one of the usual suspects in terms of recording software if Scope is not suitable for that.

Thank you very much in advance.

I am sorry if the above should contain too many questions.

Regards

Bill





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bill on 2005-06-08 09:08 ]</font>

Hello, Bill
In my opinion Scope is one of the best pro platforms.
Bundled software include only drivers and tool for managing and configuring virtual studio (the SFP - Scope fusion platform)
ADs a pretty good, but scope's max resolution is 96kHz

Scope Plus version has AES/EBU input and output

About sound - it is not compared to sound coming from pro studios, it IS the sound coming from pro studios (of course if you have good room, monitoring and power)

Every one who have once tried scope becomes scope-addict

On 2005-06-08 09:29, Vasfed wrote:
...it IS the sound coming from pro studios (of course if you have good room, monitoring and power)...

exactly - and the last part of the sentence can't be emphasized enough.
if you're used to outboard equipment you'll appreciate the routing flexibility a lot.
You're not restricted to the mixer's architecture but you can easily add dedicated processing according to what the channel needs.

I may be on the wrong track, but if you're used to the analog way the VDAT may be worth checking (you can download the online documentation, it's part of the regular SFP doc). Features exactly the traditional tape approach with absolutely no loss in quality - what you hear is what you record

cheers, Tom

Bill - it's a darn good all around solution for recording, mixing and mastering audio.

Seriously.

There's plenty of scope-native midi-tools, but you'll need a sequencer for midi editing.

Plenty of people here use cubase or logic as an audio/midi recorder/player, and mix all in scope.

I think if you are used to a real studio, you will like this system - an A16 is handy too

hi bill,

please don't believe the lies on the latest ComputerMusic magazine # 87(june) concerning a Scope review !!! Scope is very satable if your system is well confugered, I undestand the guys at CM didin't fully test it, tho there are some glitches that need be sorted out,

cheers, didier

Versatility-wise, I'd say it's light-years ahead of something like ProTools TDM. Sound-wise it is very good indeed, it is not the same (but not worse, just different) as analog or PT HD etc, and it has a depth which native mixing engines lack.

I'd say if you have a really nice A/D input stage and pipe it in over AES or ADAT etc, you'll be very happy with the quality. You should definitely go for a 15-chip card, or 2 6-chip cards, any more is a bonus (you can have up to 3 cards in a system).

Make sure you search through posts on the forum regarding OSX support and 96kHz stability if these things are important to you.

Yes, Scope has extremely good sound quality. If you're wanting to do multi-channel I/O, of course, you'd need to purchase the A16 Ultra or Alesis' AI3 for line-level ins or Mackie's Onyx rack for mic inputs. Also, the included EQ and reverb isn't that great; Sonic Timeworks makes awesome plugins, however. It'd be an investment, but the end result is well worth it.

Yes, you also need to purchase record software such as Cubase or Sonar. I use Sonar personally, though Cubase is supposed to be good too.

Good luck,

Shayne

if you're looking at top quality analog gear, you'll want to look to grace, apogee, swissonics, the a16 etc. for your ad/da, and yes, sonically you won't be disappointed. in fact, if you're used to traditional studios, you'll REALLY appreciate scope's routing, a treat worth the investment. the synths are top notch, too .

you won't be commiting audio suicide getting scope over pt.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: garyb on 2005-06-08 19:56 ]</font>

Thank you so much guys.

I did not expect so many replies.

Cheers.

Bill

It's indeed everything you need and since your going to buy a pc it works wonderfull with windows xp. For pc i can recommend cubase or nuendo as sequencer.

On 2005-06-08 09:03, Bill wrote:
Do you think that this platform is a decent meaning darn good all around solution for recording, mixing and mastering audio?

How does it sound compared to the sound coming from pro-studios?

Do the ADs for instance compare to Apogees soundwise?

I have never worked on Digital Platforms before, do I need a sequencing and editing software like cubase to record music or does the included software have harddisc recording abilities and midi editing, too?

I have narrowed it down to this chain so far. Amek/DMCL, Creamware Scope Pro with digital in (anyone know whether it has AES digital ins?), Computer with P4 and maybe one of the usual suspects in terms of recording software if Scope is not suitable for that.

1) I would say it's more than darn good in terms of audio quality and functionality. All it should take are a few quick listens to some of the music produced on CW products to convince you. If you haven't already, check out the music section on this website. I also have a few MP3 samples on my website that were all produced here in my studio using Scope Project.

2) I think the sound quality is on par with that of the "big dogs". Depends to a certain extent on the person using the gear in the first place. I've heard some real doggy doo doo coming out of local big studios around here

3) Get the A16 Ultra - you'll thank me for that

4) You will still need a recording platform to go along with Scope. A lot of people around here are using Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar, Logic, etc. Let your budget and needs decide which way to go. I'm a Sonar guy myself and love it.

5) Sounds like you will end up with a fine system

Caveats - it's never easy:

Creamware is a fine company. But the truth of the matter is they don't have the resources in terms of support and talent that some of the bigger boys do. That's always been one of their sore points. You'll likely get more help here on PlanetZ than you will dealing direct with CW. It can be a real problem if you're waiting days or weeks for activation codes and whatnot. Just something to consider.

Also, the software, while amazing, has it's warts just like anything else. I don't know what the future holds for this product line, but it's unlikely you will see a major upgrade anytime soon. CW is usually tight-lipped about that. We'll see.

In spite of all that though, Scope just simply rocks! I have been running a successful business based on this platform for the past 5 years. If nothing else, that should count for something. Good luck!

Before you get your PC, the spec of the PC is VERY VERY important, make sure it is NOT a Via PC, as the PCI Bus transfer for the cards is critical.
Check out this forum for recommended PC motherboards, if you come from a Mac background you won't realise the importance of this. Ignore what your PC supplier says, unless they know Creamware cards, which is unlikely.

I have a gig of RAM, you need at least 120 gig harddrive, fast, plus an external for backups. Some people record onto the external drive etc - check out the computer press, or here, for advice on setting up a PC for audio.

Add in extra cash for third party effects (Timeworks reverbs etc). Synths are less important as the Creamware ones are great (Minimax, Protone, SB404, Six String all recommended). There are some free ones around too.

Actually the Creamware Synth Pack with Minimax etc is pretty good anyway as it has some of the above.

Also the Mix n Master pack with Vinco, Optimaster etc pack is very good value.

Vinco is essential for good input compression etc.

If you buy a 6 dsp card (with AES etc), you could also buy a 12 DSP 'booster' card (no IO), you get the Synth pack AND the Mix n Master pack included with the booster card. This is a GREAT deal - it was only £750 here in UK. Check your CW supplier.

You will need the extra dsp, it gets used up fast.

You could get Cubase, Sonar, Live etc for audio and midi editing (Sonar & Live I use, v g), mix either in Scope mixers, or via an Audient Sumo type summing mixer (if you want the extra expense, there is an slight change in sound, perhaps do an AB listening check yourself, as it is not essential, just taste - my pals say it is 'phat' which means good allegedly! But if that was not the sound you are after, don't bother with it).

Also you get the fun of the PlanetZ forum.

But another point, the M-Audio interfaces have Pro Tools LE (MP) available, this is very useful if you want to take projects elsewhere, as many or most studios have a PT setup. I have an M-Audio firewire 410 which I use with Creamware cards, just as extra inputs/outputs. Perhaps this would work out similar cost as buying full spec Cubase, Sonar etc. If you are mainly doing audio, not midi, this might be a solution.

Or the Digidesign M Box has PT LE with it at about £300. These devices also give you some mic preamps. If you think of the cost of a sequencer (Sonar, Cubase etc) then with the M Box they are practically giving the hardware away with the PT software.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: geoffd99 on 2005-06-10 10:10 ]</font>