Cubase 5 or Ableton Live8????

[bigvibes74]

Hi people,

I'm relatively new to the whole world of computer music (although I've been a DJ for 15 years and have played lead guitar in various rock/metal bands and have a grade 4 in Trumpet!). I have been using Sony Acid XMC since last September (have got real bored with sample/loopbashing!) and feel I now need a new DAW!

I have done a little homework and feel the only two options are either Cubase 5 or Ableton Live8. I'm really after some advice on which is best for me. I want a DAW that I can use to record live instruments but also something that I can use for electronic music. I want ease of use but am not afraid to try and learn a program. I want something that will basically do everything from cutting and splicing loops/samples to recording live and will include mixdown/mastering tools! Does this package exist?

Cheers,

Mark

[tehLORD]

Hi there

I've been using Cubase 4 for ages now, and version 5 is virtually identical in the way it works, workflow and layout etc. You certainly won't be disappointed with as it is a truly superb bit of software.

I did try Live 8 last week and was very impressed with that too. The workflow is arguably faster in Live, and definately geared more towards electronic music, loops and DJs. This is it's biggest draw but also it's biggest drawback, for me at least.

Cubase has by far the more in depth option for mixdowns, Live doesn't even really have a mixer as such.

For recording Live instruments I would only recommend Cubase out of the two, although you can do it in Live too.

Cubase includes all the tools you need for mixing and mastering (as does Live) but you'll probably want to go for some dedicated plugins after a while as the results tend to be better from the dedicated VSTs. You could even get an older UAD1 card now for about £100 which includes a very high quality Mix Essentials pack.

Live has a demo so it's worthwhile checking out, but sadly Cubase doesn't. I bought Cubase blind and was glad I did!

[JOBU]

I want something that will basically do everything from cutting and splicing loops/samples to recording live and will include mixdown/mastering tools! Does this package exist?

Cubase 5 does it all!
But if you want a software mixer for live gigs, Live8 is the answer; Cubase is too heavy for such a task imo. Otherwise I would definilty choose Cubase5, which I have.

[apeboy]

From what you have posted and what you want to acheive, both these DAW's fit the bill.

Personally I am live all the way.

Like the work flow, like the rack features, the onboard instruments are good enough.

Thing is I am a dj by heart, and learned to use live for DJ reasons, and I now love it, never liked cubase. ps I am still on live 6, and no plans to change that.

why not try the demo's first?

[apeboy]

ahh I have just seen there is no cubase 5 demo. Thats a pity, worth trying the live one though

[JOBU]

From what you have posted and what you want to acheive, both these DAW's fit the bill.

Well, they are very different apps, so I wouldn't say "both fit the bill". What bill are we talking about? I'm not familiar with Live, but to my knowledge it is far behind when it comes to mastering plugs. The plugins shipped with the app is not comparable either, better or worse isn't up to me to say, but different.

QUOTE]
why not try the demo's first?

No Cubase demo as you've discovered, but you may get a pretty good impression from:
http://www.steinberg.net/en/products...5_product.html
http://www.steinbergusers.com/vids/X...s_content.html

And if you have a nearby music shop they will be happy to show you, and probaly let you try it in the shop.

[apeboy]

the:

"I want something that will basically do everything from cutting and splicing loops/samples to recording live and will include mixdown/mastering tools!" bill

[soundsandgear.com]

Out of all the options available, I liked live...I liked the layout and workflow in it. If I were just going to be recording live instruments or vocals...I'd look at Propellerheads record. But when it comes to electronic music production, in a DAW I like live the best. I don't really care about the linear way of sequencing in other apps, but I can do that if I want to in live easy enough.

[soundsandgear.com]

double post, please delete, connection was acting up.

[JOBU]

Here are also two reviews/tests of each:

http://en.audiofanzine.com/general-s...ase-5/reviews/

http://en.audiofanzine.com/general-s...ive-8/reviews/

Dead links, it seems here?