Minimal Sequencer

emzee · Post by **emzee** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 5:22 am

Justlooking for comments on an intuitive simple sequencer that compliments the Pulsar/SFP combo. SFP looks so fabulous, I don't really want to get lost in SX/Nuendo. I just want to play and record. Quick setup, easy use for a geriatric newbie?

Suggestions?

bosone · Post by **bosone** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 7:21 am

i teach a friend of mine how to use cakewalk 9 in less than an hour (only how to record audio, anyway...)

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 8:04 am

Do you want to work mainly with MIDI or with audio ? I think this is the absolutely crucial distinction to make. But if you say "I want excellent tools for both" then your choice is much harder - and probably more expensive.

emzee · Post by **emzee** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:05 am

Hey, thanks for those responses.

Two areas of industry. One is backing tracks for my duo - cover versions. Mainly midi. The other is original material, with full backing and audio.

I hope to use mainly samples, I just prefer the sound. I have some AKAI format discs already. SFP has so much capability I don't see the need to repeat it with a huge package. Plus I like to keep things simple.

I found a program called Tracktion, which is in the vein I'm seeking. It does both midi and audio and accepts VST plugins. I might have another look at Intuitive MX, but I don't think that one does midi, even though it's called a sequencer.

Any further suggestions welcome.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-07-22 11:38 ]</font>

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 1:19 pm

Orion for MIDI is very good. It's just US$99 download and has a very "classic" function. The automation is exceptionally easy, mixing is good.

The downside is that it won't record audio. I've heard it's a "to come soon" item.

I'm a huge fan of AcidPro, and that's what I mainly use. With a decent computer you can just record "one-shot" full-length audio tracks. This, combined with Acid's famous ease of use, makes it very attractive to me. AcidPro 4 also does MIDI and hosts VSTi, but is not very good in this area.

I've heard very good things about Traktion. Even downloaded the demo and had a play, but it's still a "under development" app for my tastes - sort of reminds me of a poor man's Ableton. I found it's operation a bit arcane. On the plus side (I think?) it gets tweaked and updated every few weeks (have a look at the current crazy version number

).

The way I work now is a mixture of audio direct into AcidPro, drum-loops made in FL Studio 4, and the more complex MIDI-based musical arrangements bounced to audio from Orion.

I put everything together in either AcidPro or Vegas.

I'd love to do all-in-one but I fear that, just like the old "three-in-one" stereos, individual specialised components will always be superior.

I definitely wouldn't recommend Project 5 (just MIDI anyway), and even Cubase seems to have problems with SFP.

Sonar might be an option ? I haven't tried it, but it would seem to cover your needs. On the downside I hear that it's audio capabilities are not as good as Acid.

If you wanted pure audio have a look at Ableton, perfect for SFP, but no VSTi and no MIDI....

Ah, so many choices... Let us all know how you get along in your decision-making

marcuspocus · Post by **marcuspocus** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 4:13 pm

Personnaly i found that FL Studio4 is very good in midi actually.

And since now it can also record audio, i think it's a pretty good app. Very fast and responsive, support VST, VSTi, DX effects DXi, can use asio capabilities using it's mixer. Automation is so easy it's almost a joke. can drive and automate all parameters of sfp too.

For 149$, it's hard to beat imho

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:34 pm

Yeas, I use FL Studio a lot too, but have never been able to quite get my head around its piano roll. So instead I just use it for making 32-step drum loops - at which it is brilliant

The automation also confuses me

I certainly think Orion is much easier.

But let's not have an Orion versus Fruity war (as so often seems to happen)

emzee · Post by **emzee** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 12:46 am

Discarded Tracktion for similar reasons....work in progress at this point..but does look very promising.

The Fruity software is remarkable...I just don't like the interface. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Orion looks good. Muzys also looks sensible to me.

A dumb question. If I load up a sampler as a VST instrument, and use midi to trigger the Akai samples, does the sequencer software need to support 96KHZ samplerate if I mixdown to an audio recorder? Orion Platinum ($199) does support 96K, while Pro ($99) only goes to 48K.

Comments wanted on this and Muzys....please.

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 3:59 am

Have you checked the Muzys forum here:
http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=21

Caleb's a big fan of Muzys. Start a Muzys thread and he will telepathically sense it.

It has some ardent fans, but when I tried it it - like Traktion - just seemed a bit non-standard. I didn't want to have to fluff about learning a new operating method...

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 5:00 am

whoa, and caleb's even in the special thanx list of Muzys.

emzee · Post by **emzee** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 5:23 am

Thanks for that forum. I'll have a look. There's certainly plenty of support out there for Muzys since their Computer Music collaboration.

I understand what you say about learning new ways of working. If it ain't broke, why fix it....Sometimes the benefits aren't worth the time and effort lost. I might have another look at Tracktion. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what I use, provided it suits me, and it works, and I use it.

Thanks again. I guess from here it's just personal preference.

emzee · Post by **emzee** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 8:46 am

Well had another look at Tracktion. It impresses the hell out of me, but it's just not ready as was previously mentioned. This leaves Orion and Muzys at this point. We're spoiled for choice nowdays....blessemall.

emzee · Post by **emzee** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 9:06 pm

Today it looks like Orion gets the nod. Thanks for all your input. It certainly helps. I'd say I'll end up fairly conventional ...thanks Spirit....Orion and Acid Pro or similar. Ableton looks powerful and very cool. Thanks for that pointer. I'm spent out for this month, but I'll keep you posted.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mikka on 2003-07-23 22:26 ]</font>