Sound Design at DVinfo.net

Ben Outerbridge · April 11th, 2006, 06:22 AM

I was just wondering, what programs do you all use for sound?

Im looking specifically at programs that will help with creating music that are somewhat composition-based. Im getting kinda sick of the old frootyloops, do you guys have any suggestions?

Boyd Ostroff · April 11th, 2006, 06:34 AM

Hi Ben, and welcome to DVinfo. I've moved your post to our audio forum where I think you'll get a better response. But first I think you'll need to tell us what kind of computer you're using....

Douglas Spotted Eagle · April 11th, 2006, 07:14 AM

ACID, Sonar, Soundtrack Pro, Logic, CuBase, Musicator, Sound Forge, Peak, Audition, Protools, Voyetra, and so many more are all tools with which you can create sound or juice existing sounds.

Dan Brown · April 11th, 2006, 07:50 AM

CuBase when I need the editing power and 4-channel simultaneous recording, but I really like the simple little SoundStudio applett that came with my Mac.

Joe Carney · April 11th, 2006, 08:50 AM

If you're on a budget you can try Audacity, a free open source recording and editing program for windows. They claim up to 16 tracks can be recorded at a time with proper hardware. A version came with my M-Audio Microtrack 24/96. I have Soundforge and Vegas so I don't need it, but it appears to be quite handy.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Steve House · April 11th, 2006, 09:53 AM

If your budget will allow, the combination of Wavelab and Nuendo, both from Steinberg, are starting to give Protools a run for the money in the broadcast and feature film markets.

Allen Kaufman · April 14th, 2006, 10:11 PM

I use (in any order according to the project and/or creative whim of the moment) Steinberg CubaseSX, Nuendo, a collection of VST Plug-Ins (tons), VST Instruments (Halion, Stylus RMX, others), SoundTrack Pro, Garage Band, Bias Peak, and my 3 most useful assets: artistry, creativity, and experience. (when functioning!) :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Outerbridge

I was just wondering, what programs do you all use for sound?

Im looking specifically at programs that will help with creating music that are somewhat composition-based. Im getting kinda sick of the old frootyloops, do you guys have any suggestions?

Jared Silvia · April 18th, 2006, 07:27 AM

Ben,

I use Logic for composition because it has the handy little feature of allowing you to output video to a client monitor via a firewire video output during playback, and timecode built in. It's great for composing, especially because of the really high quality instruments it comes with (the exs24 sampler is amazing, for instance).

Also, for standard audio editing, protools is a good option, and not as expensive as it has been in the past (mbox or m-audio card with protools mpowered are both very affordable complete recording, editing and mixing systems)... pretty much any of the popular daw's will work for you - cubase, sonar and digital performer can be nice and functional programs.

I suggest trying as many as you can and seeing which one you really feel comfortable with, features and operationally.

Phil Hover · April 20th, 2006, 01:02 PM

Vote for Nuendo! Or Pro Tools if you want to spend the money.

Jared Silvia · April 22nd, 2006, 06:37 PM

yeah, the major benefit of Nuendo over pro tools is that it comes with the ability to edit with timecode out of the box... where as Pro Tools LE requires the "DV Toolkit" to be added (it's almost a grand extra).

on the other hand, if you don't need timecode for anything (again, it's useful to have the timecode in your digital audio workstation match the timecode of your edit reels), Pro Tools might end up being cheaper (mbox is 550 with the factory bundled fx and comes with protools software, where as nuendo is 1999 and pretty much comes with everything).

Steinberg's Cubase software (Nuendo's little brother) is pretty darned capable as well, and can also handle a video track in projects.... and it's only $500.00

April 11th, 2006, 06:22 AM	#1
Ben Outerbridge New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6	Sound Design I was just wondering, what programs do you all use for sound? Im looking specifically at programs that will help with creating music that are somewhat composition-based. Im getting kinda sick of the old frootyloops, do you guys have any suggestions?

April 11th, 2006, 07:14 AM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	ACID, Sonar, Soundtrack Pro, Logic, CuBase, Musicator, Sound Forge, Peak, Audition, Protools, Voyetra, and so many more are all tools with which you can create sound or juice existing sounds. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 11th, 2006, 07:50 AM	#4
Dan Brown Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 235	CuBase when I need the editing power and 4-channel simultaneous recording, but I really like the simple little SoundStudio applett that came with my Mac. __________________ dB

April 11th, 2006, 08:50 AM	#5
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	If you're on a budget you can try Audacity, a free open source recording and editing program for windows. They claim up to 16 tracks can be recorded at a time with proper hardware. A version came with my M-Audio Microtrack 24/96. I have Soundforge and Vegas so I don't need it, but it appears to be quite handy. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ __________________ Boycott Guinness, bring back the pint!!!

April 11th, 2006, 09:53 AM	#6
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	If your budget will allow, the combination of Wavelab and Nuendo, both from Steinberg, are starting to give Protools a run for the money in the broadcast and feature film markets. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

April 11th, 2006, 06:34 AM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Hi Ben, and welcome to DVinfo. I've moved your post to our audio forum where I think you'll get a better response. But first I think you'll need to tell us what kind of computer you're using....

April 18th, 2006, 07:27 AM	#8
Jared Silvia New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 23	Ben, I use Logic for composition because it has the handy little feature of allowing you to output video to a client monitor via a firewire video output during playback, and timecode built in. It's great for composing, especially because of the really high quality instruments it comes with (the exs24 sampler is amazing, for instance). Also, for standard audio editing, protools is a good option, and not as expensive as it has been in the past (mbox or m-audio card with protools mpowered are both very affordable complete recording, editing and mixing systems)... pretty much any of the popular daw's will work for you - cubase, sonar and digital performer can be nice and functional programs. I suggest trying as many as you can and seeing which one you really feel comfortable with, features and operationally.

April 20th, 2006, 01:02 PM	#9
Phil Hover Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Costa Mesa, The OC, CA Posts: 87	Vote for Nuendo! Or Pro Tools if you want to spend the money.

April 22nd, 2006, 06:37 PM	#10
Jared Silvia New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 23	yeah, the major benefit of Nuendo over pro tools is that it comes with the ability to edit with timecode out of the box... where as Pro Tools LE requires the "DV Toolkit" to be added (it's almost a grand extra). on the other hand, if you don't need timecode for anything (again, it's useful to have the timecode in your digital audio workstation match the timecode of your edit reels), Pro Tools might end up being cheaper (mbox is 550 with the factory bundled fx and comes with protools software, where as nuendo is 1999 and pretty much comes with everything). Steinberg's Cubase software (Nuendo's little brother) is pretty darned capable as well, and can also handle a video track in projects.... and it's only $500.00