Cubase Sx Or Digital Performer 4.5 Options

[Milca]

Cubase SX or Digital Performer 4.5

I know guys that this question was here couple of times but even though I went through almost hundred of post covering this topic I did not get my answer.

So this what I currently have G4 – laptop,Pro tools – Digi 002 rack and Reason 2.5 and some VST plug - ins .
I’m pretty happy with Pro tools as far as audio but Midi part as we all know is not that good. Since I’m planning to get Garritan personal orchestra and in general start to work with MIDI - I want to get other application( in addition to pro tools which would be able to handle the Midi better than PT.I’m thinking about Digital Performer 4.5 or Cubase SX – and that’s basically my question.
For now I’m leaning little more towards Cubase so Let me write down couple reasons why – if you have some experience with those issues I would really appreciate if you can give some feedback what do you think about it.

ENOUGH POWER?
Both application requires pretty much the same requirements.
Like I said I have 1GHz – power PC G4,512 MB and my main concern is that after I install the one of those programs - My computer won’t have enough power to run it or there will be other difficulties down the road. Is anybody out there who’s running one of those programs on Mac G4 , 1GHz.
I’ve also heard that cubase SX has so called “offline audio processing “ which might be also a big advantage as far as saving some CPU .I don’t thing DP does have that?

LEARNING CURVE?
I’ve heard a lot of opinions but mostly people claim that cubase is easier to learn than DP?

OPEN SYSTEM ?
Since I have DIGI 002 rack – I would like to use it as hardware front for Cubase or DP .I think I can use it for CUBASE (audio core) but I’m not sure I can use it as a front for DP. Anybody knows?
One thing which was making me thing about getting DP was “Enhanced Pro Tools Support”. But recently I’ve found out this is only for HD system which I do not have .Even here cubase seems like better choice – not to mention that I have couple of VST .

SOUND CARD
I’ve read couple of times that if you want to get maximum out of cubase you better buy some good sound card in order to get great sound.I’m wondering if using cubase together with DIGI 002 rack would solve this problem ?

MIDI
As far as MIDI editing and recording I really don’t know .They’re for sure both great programs for that .
From my experience with PT it’s great to learn the software on real musical examples. Couple days ago I’ve checked out the book – HOW TO GET CREATIVE WITH CUBASE. Even it is not a video tutorial it is a great book with real orch. score ,radio jingle and other mus. examples which is another reason I want to go with cubase . Could not find anything like this for DP.

Sorry for a long post but I was only trying to explain the details.
If you have some advice for me – I would really appreciate that. Hopefully it will be helpful to other guys as well

Milan

[macyu]

It seems like you pretty much have your heart set on Cubase, but here are just a few points for DP since you asked. DP's workflow is a bit more like Protools, especially with the new consolidated window on DP4.5 While DP doesn't have too much books written on it, partly is due to the very comprehensive printed manual that comes with it. As for offline processing, DP has both offline plugins (destructive effects) as well as 'freezing' of tracks to free up cpu power. Otherwise, there's also Chunks and Sequences in DP that is like an advanced version of Play Order Track of Cubase SX3, where you can have many subsequences that you can put together to make your piece.. sometimes nice with big orchestral pieces that have recurring themes. As for audio interfaces, Digidesign is not known to be very friendly with other music software, but I'm sure it'll work alright.

[Dave Bourke]

Couple days ago I’ve checked out the book – HOW TO GET CREATIVE WITH CUBASE. Even it is not a video tutorial it is a great book with real orch. score ,radio jingle and other mus. examples which is another reason I want to go with cubase . Could not find anything like this for DP.

"Producing Music with Digital Performer," by Ben Newhouse, published by Berklee Press, ISBN 0-87639-056-4, comes with CD-ROM of audio and MIDI files, $29.95.

Incidentally, I've been earning my living by producing music for almost 10 years on Macs. I bought both Cubase and Digital Performer. Cubase almost cost me my business. Performer saved my ass. Cubase is now installed in the back of my cupboard. Digital Performer is installed on my Mac.

Name one single big-name Hollywood film composer who uses Cubase. You can't.

Name one single big-name Hollywood film composer who uses DP. Danny Elfman. Mike Post.

OK, that's two, but that's all I have to say on this matter.

[gdoubleyou]

I recently sold SX2 because of poor performance, when compared to Logic6, and DP4.

SX choked my 1Ghz Powerbook with 8-10 tracks, the same machine can easily do sessions of 32-48tracks with DP or Logic.

I have songs in Logic that use 10+ virtual instruments+ fx, no problem.

If you want to use SX I suggest a dual G4, G5. Your Powerbook barely meets minimum equirements, SX3 requires more cpu power.

DP4 and Logic6 run fine on my ancient G4/400. SX2 was unuseable because of sluggish graphics performance, and I couldn't add any fx without it grinding to a halt on the G4/400.

The quality of the plugins included ith DP and Logic are superior to the SX throw-ins.

For more insht from SX users check out http://forum.cubase.net/cgi-bin/cubase.net...et/Ultimate.cgi
Graphics performance is a big issue now.

[macyu]

gdoubleyou makes a good point actually... It's true that SX seems to have a bit higher requirement. For the powerbook, most people seem to swear by their Logic setups. I like DP's workflow, but for a really good performance, I'd say go with Logic. One minor concern with Logic Pro and Cubase is that they have a usb hardware key tho... so if you get it, don't loose it I'm kinda tempted to get Logic Express just because it doesn't require that like DP with the added benefit of performance. On the other hand, I have also heard that Logic's main performance advantage is if you primarliy use the built-in effects. They are optimized to work really well in tangent with the actual sequencer, so thats another thing you might want to consider.

[Milca]

Thanks a lot guys - your informations
really helped me.

Milan

[dixiechicken]

DP-4.5 can be used as a front end to various Pro Tools TDM systems and the DAE-engine.
Check the MOTU website for a listing of the Pro Tools
systems it supports.

In DP-4.5 you should also have full support for the RTAS-plug ins and automation etc.
Again check the MOTU website for more details.

You may also want to post a question to folks at
Unicornation website and at Osxaudio.
http://www.unicornation.com/ubb/ultimatebb...p?ubb=forum;f=1
http://www.osxaudio.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=23

Cheers: Dixiechicken

[budbringeren]

Why not Nuendo? Nuendo is great! Very much like Cubase but the big brother.

DP is also great.

[MrDee]

i used protools for the EWQL symphonic orchestra silver - and that chocked protools couldn't really handle it. So i went on to DP for orchestrations (this is DP4, not 4.5) - it saved me bigtime.

You will not go wrong with DP. It has a big learning curve, and i say its like the many features of cubase, with the logic of um... logic, and the audio power of protools.

Midi sequencing is very similar to protools - so you will love it. Cubase uses a separate midi editor i believe.

For DP4 u can't use the DAE, but the Motu Audio System worked fine with the MBox under Core-Audio mode.

My computer that i ran it on was an eMac G4 1GHz with 640Mb RAM running Panther, and it runs beautifully.

You can freeze tracks, you can bounce OFFLINE (which is a godsend) it is what protools should be but isn't.

[slowintrepid]

k so heres my two cents.

I started producing music using Cubase SX not bad at the time but mind you I was on a PC.

now that I've moved to the mac (actually a while ago) I've started Using Logic 7 and I wouldn't have it any other day. mind you I have DP4.5 as it was required for a class I'm taking as school.

I know DP pretty well and I must admit, I hate it with a passion. the interface the work flow the plug ins the whole nine I just hate it bleck.

Cubase nice little interface but I'd say this is considered ammaturish to most people.

most serious people who use macs either have: DP Pro Tools or Logic.

logic has sooooo many features that make it better than any sequencing apps around.

especially since 7 came out.

1. its an apple app and rock solid.
2. comes with great high quality plugs and effects and virutal instruments.
3. uses AU protocal which is based off of the coreaudio engine which is much more stable than RTAS and VST.
4. once you learn it, its very fast to move around (slight learning curve nothing worse than DP though bleck)
5. Logic node, now you can hook up multiple macs and steal their DSP.

If I we're you I'd seriously look at logic.

also I have the same exact setup as you man.

1ghz G4 512 Mb's of Ram witha 002 Rack and Logic works great.