Just Switched To Mac, What Sequencer Should I Use?, Cubase SX? Cubase SL? MOTU DP? Protools? Options

[Kyle]

Hey everybody. I just recently switched from a PC to my wonderful new PowerMac duel 1.25GHz G4. While on PC I used Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 and Sonar for all my recording/sequencing. Now that I'm on a mac, what should I look into? I seem to have noticed that the big players are Protools 6, MOTU Digital Performer, and Cubase. Any others I should look into? Thanks in advance.

[sazerac]

Just thought I'd add my two cents - I started out as a Deck user (4-5 years ago I guess). Very basic, but a totally painless introduction to computer based multitracking. If it had any sequencing capability, I didn't know it.

Later I bought a Digi001 which took care of the hardware/software compatibility issues and hand a pretty intuitive interface. Any other PT set-up was entirely not an option because of the huge leap in price. Not being an expert in midi, I still managed to get up and running without too many headaches. But plug-ins were SO expensive (and nearly all the most desireable ones were TDM only) and I couldn't figure out how to automate keyboard module parameters, etc.

Then last year, although a few articles I read mentioned at least one feature in DP that sounded very cool, the Audio Instruments (virtual synths - I love my ES2!) and a reputation for the deepest midi control - and the boatload of included plug-ins pushed me towards Logic.

Here's my evaluation of Logic (and there will be some seemingly irrelevant information included in the interest of full disclosure):
(My host machine is a Titanium Powerbook - 400Mhz)
Midi is unbelievably great. And I think it's safe to say that I've only scratched the surface of Logic's midi potential.
Audio is in no way inferior (to my ears) to PT. (And believe it or not, I'm using an $30.00 iMic as my Audio In until a reasonably priced firewire solution becomes available - if the FireStation was made for OSX I'd probably use that). I used an EZBus for a short time, but found that it was not appropriately named and returned it.
Automation is so wonderful that I don't how I could possibly overstate it.
Hardware Compatiblity has been my biggest concern with Logic, but that has as much to do with my being an OSX user as anything else. So I'm just taking my time and waiting until what I want is available.
Plug-In Availability is surprisingly not a big problem for me. The only thing I MUST have that I can't get are the wonderful GRM plugs as VST2 or AU.
CPU Overload has never been an issue (even on this - by comparison to yours - meager machine) unless I have more than 5 ES2's working SIMULTANEOUSLY in combination with a bunch of plug-ins. I have not yet overloaded the CPU with audio sources+plug-ins+a couple of virtual instruments only.

In conclusion, I think Logic is wonderful. And the features of Logic 6 look VERY useful.

Since this is my first post on the MacMusic forums, I'm sure I've broken several rules. My apologies in advance to the moderators.

p.s. If you don't already own it, go buy Reason 2. Trust me.