favorite virtual studio software? Options

Hi there
This is my first post to this list. You all seem like nice folks. Looking forward to speaking with you.

I'm wondering what people's feelings are on their favorite digital studio/sequencer software to use.

I need something very simple and easy to use that lets me use DSP plugins.

I love reason, but I need to be able to use DSP plugins, record audio, sequence midi, etc.

Cubase seems pretty good to me, and it's the software I'm most familiar with. I just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

Logic has been recommended by loads of people, but it seems too complicated to me.

Is there another one of these programs that just really simple and easy to use to bring together the other software (plugins, reason, soft synths) that I've gotten used to using? Will I be missing something by just going with what I'm familiar with and sticking with Cubase?

[prutulz]

cubase is fine, if you're used with it.

logic, despite its relative complextity, is more rock solid and usefull, but really more difficult to master.

IMHO, protools (when a bit used with it) is the most, mac-like, simpliest software....

experiment yourself!

[Mr.T]

I'm also a Pro Tools user/fan but I wouldn't recommand it because it's a closed system: PTLE and TDM will only work with Digidesign hardware, Rewire (for use along with Reason for example) is not supported, PTLE is limited to 24 tracks, no Altivec or Dual proc. support.
I use it because I've been using it for years and because it's also being used in most of the studios I'm working in.
Check Digital Performer. A little more complicated than Cubase but worth the try.
Hope that helped.

[Synthetic]

PTLE does have a few more things going for it too... you can use DirectConnect and use PT with Sample Cell, Unity Retro (soft synth) and their soft sampler as well. Plus if you look at any recent music mag... you will see that there are lots more RTAS plugs coming out from soft synths to amp modelers that you can use with ProTools LE.

I bought my Digi001 system because it seemed like a good idea since most major and independent recording studios have a PT system of some type in use and sessions are easy to share between PT TDM and PT LE except for 24 track limit which is fine with me really. I have tried Logic, Cubase, and they didn't seem to make as much sense to me after I learned to use ProTools effectively so I have become a die hard Pro Tools user but I still use other apps like Reason, T-Racks, and Absynth outside of PT. If I had to choose another sequencer app... I would probably go with Digital Performer considering all the features and such I have read about in some articles.

[geedoubleyou]

If you know Cubase stick with it, it's worth the VSTinstrumens integration.

You have a wider choice of compatible hardware, free plugs.(never seen any FREE Pro Tools plugs).

If you need to interface with a large Pro Tools studio, the new version will add OMF export/import.

More tracks, I've tested to 50+ tracks on my lowly G4/400.

Then you are not tied to PT hardware to use the software.

I'm also running DeckII and DP3 on the same machine. With Pluggo and VST wrapper you can run VST efx, and instruments in DP3.

It also depends on what type of musician you are.

Pro Tools is more of a recording and engineering tool, the midi features are sparse to say the least. It does have good tools for audio editing. Pro Tools did add a list editor, but lacks a notation editor.

DP3, Logic, and Cubase are compsition tools, with a full set of audio features.
You can use DP3, Logic, and Cubase without any extra hardware if you don't have one of the newer Macs.

G-Dub

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

-Morgan