Help With Software Decision Options

[djvee08]

Hey everyone. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm about a month into my new Mac. I use Reason 4 to create instrumentals for remixing music, and producing music. I currently sync Reason with GarageBand to tie together the instrumental with the acapella . When I was on a PC, I was using SONAR for the acapella and other audio tracks, which would sync with Reason (ReWire), and produce my final mixes.

I feel like the preciseness in audio editting that I'm looking for lacks in GarageBand.

So mainly I'm looking for the best software for me to use. Software instruments don't need to be anything special, as I take care of most of the instruments in Reason. Mainly I need a program that I can dig into and chop up audio tracks, add clean effects, etc. for the acapella audio tracks.

Any help appreciated,
JV

[mortalengines]

I really like Ableton Live.....Logic, DP and ProTools are all fine DAWs as well.

www.myspace.com/mortal_engines

[fishboisfo]

Reason 4 rewires to several DAW's. I use Pro Tools and Live. If I had to choose between the 2, Ableton Live 7.x wins every time.
1.) No ned to buy dedicated hardware -- ie, Pro Tools will not work with out at least 1 compatible piece of propriety hardware -- ADDA converter, etc. Live Supports virtually any ADDA converter, many that are less expensive and better quality ADDA converters than M-Audio or DigiDesign offer -- like MOTU, for example.
2.) Live is plug and play. It is simple, straightforward.
3.) Everything can be altered seemlessly.
4.) It has a large host of features that no other DAW offer -- like my favorite: Audio track to MIDI.
5.) Side chaining feature is included.
6.) A huge assortment of effects
7.) EVERYTHING is fluid / flexible / elastic.

Having worked for ( rhymes with Snapple ) before, I don't know why you don't just pick up Logic ?
If you're familiar with how Garageband works, it is a natural progression to Logic.

However, for my money, Ableton Live is the clear choice for me -- time after time after time.

download the demo:
http://www.ableton.com/

best of luck with your decision

http://www.fishboisfo.com

[houstonmusic]

I'll put in a good word for MOTU's DP 5. your vocal editing is about linear tracks, and DP's got that going on in spades. decent effects, pitch and spectral shifting, excellent windows management. it comes down to personal taste, but i like the way DP looks and handles.

additionally, the midi editing in Reason, though vastly improved in 4, leaves much to be desired, and I use my Reason rack as a source only, tracking all my midi instruments in DP. Rewire allows midi to flow to Reason, not just transport sync and audio, and I'm much happier having my reason window sit in the background while i work in one, coherent, environment.

my two cents