Seq. To Record Analog Hard, What to chose for trance... Options

[CatloveX]

Hi all,

I'am building a studio to produce trance and I need a sequencer. I am on mac.

The fact is that I want to use analog hardware gear; I have an andromeda that I will use as a controller/synth and I now I will buy some other analog hard for bass and effects, if I find something that convinces me and my pocket.

As I am using a Powerbook I thought of Logic for the perfect integration but this one seems an integrated studio with all the VA synths and drum machine, and I wonder if I need all these features as I already will have my hard gear.

Digi 002 PT LE seems another option as I am going to record audio, and the interface seems a bit less complicated and white clear (vs. brown/dark in Logic); I won't have much time to study my soft and I don't want to lose my creativity with a mouse and midi.

Get DP, not so many plugs, cover the basic for recording, audio core rivals Logic quality I imagine and still have access to midi features if needed?

Please, what would be your advice?

Thanks.

Blue

[lepetitmartien]

Mhmm analogue gear (drool)

There's already a lot of threads on DP vs PT vs Logic vs Cubase and a few others. i'd sum this into:

- DP ia a professional package, MIDI and audio, there's a learning curve, good quality overall, it's MOTU which s…s
- Logic is a professional package, maybe THE MIDI package, steep learning curve but worth it. You have Apple behind now, so it's rock solid, even if the upgrade policy s…s too. The dongle give headaches to some (especially when the key breaks itself). There's a light verison of Logic which helps getting into it.
- ProTools as enough MIDI for most people, and certaily the most powerdull audio editing, and fast editing. Learning curve too, but easier than logic. Now PT need Digidesign hardware (it's their dongle) and everything ends in PT, the almost dead end in PT and the way Digi software doesn't play the game like others (like the core audio driver is all for PT once you open PT, you can't share with another app the audio interface). Now it's a pro reference for a reason. certainly the best sounding around (logic then DP close behind).
- Cubase road is clearly set on PCs now, and performances show it. Also Cubase even if very comparable to DP or Logic (I'd say DP feature wise, MIDI in Logic is "definitive") sound quality for some hears, and certainly the untightness about the clock are the bad points, now a lot of people enjoy it. (I don't)

There is Metro that I don't know enough to give a clear advice. And there's Numerology which is only based as a modular "analogue" sequencer, it's worth a look, but it's a midi sequencer only.

I'm not sure a hardware sequencer is the good way to go, save some oldies worth for the groove they can put into music, even if I'm a vintage maniac. Doepfer sequencers are known to be a bit confusing or just a step under the stage they would be GREAT. It's a shame. As most of their sequencer line is getting out of production, I wonder if they are not preparing something. Now there's a lot of modern alternatives but it's expensive anyway. The people I know who use hardware sequencers are making electronic music for years (some for 30 years) and really know what they need from it. It's a high end choice needed in some situations.

I'd counsel you to try DP, metro, PT and Logic if you can at some place to see what it's about. The interface differences may be enough for you to choose from.