What's The Best Audio Software For Trance/techno?, recommended software Options

[Aeric_Audio]

Hi, I have been using Pro Tools for years on my PC and I'm about to get a powerbook soon. I was hoping someone could help me with a software question. What software would be recommended for someone who writes and records trance/house/techno songs on his comp? Thing is I LOVE pro tools for my rock stuff but I'm not crazy about it for sequencing and drum loops.

I hear good things about Reason from propellerhead but what would all of YOU recommend? I want something that's good for sequencing through a MIDI keyboard as well as has good built in drum sounds and samples. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Arnolfo]

Give Ableton's Live 4 a try: www.ableton.com
They have demo versions for Win and Mac.

[johntennant]

Many of the top Detroit producers are using a combo of Logic and Kontakt. Battery is also amazing. I'd go for Logic over Live because the clock in Live can be fishy sometimes and it's difficult to get a transparent mix.

Logic w/ Battery as a start has my vote. If you're really into the Trance thing, you can't go wrong with the softsynth Vanguard. It's totally classic sounding. It make me glad I never bought Virus.

-J

[angryman]

Live and Reason are both good and you get cut down versions designed for use with Protools - best of both worlds there!

[rmb303]

I would strongly recommend Reason (not that I use anything else!)
It has a wonderful collection of sounds built in, especially if you want to use it to make trance/techno, and is very easy to llearn/use.
The addition of the new eq, compresser limiter etc, and the beautiful combinator means it does 'almost' everything I want.

semihere

[coldharbour]

Many of the top Detroit producers are using a combo of Logic and Kontakt. Battery is also amazing. I'd go for Logic over Live because the clock in Live can be fishy sometimes and it's difficult to get a transparent mix.

Logic w/ Battery as a start has my vote.

I'd also recommend Logic. Ableton Live is great for live, but in my opinion it's not very well suited for studio use.

[johntennant]

I on the other hand feel that the way most people use it, Ableton Live is terrible live. It's got potential, but most people (aka everyone I've ever heard use it) don't take advantage of it.

-J

[Jsegura]

Logis is a monster great and deep. It always surprises to you. He is very complex but you can make any musical thing with him.

[arvidtp]

Yeah - having used logic and pro tools as well as cut down versions of Reason and Live, I would say Logic. Logic is great for Writing music i find, though you gotta get around a few things first, like the complexity of the program! (After a year still every few times I use it i discover a new command or key shortcut that helps solve a problem i was having before or something i though was tough to do.)

I dont know about the apple loops thing in Logic 7 because I still use ver 6.4, but it sounds neat for stuff - somewhat similar to Live?

There is a logic express demo version somewhere on the apple site.

[pep78]

live &/or reason wired into pro-tools or logic is the way to go...

Has anyone used Mackies 'Tracktion' sequencer yet? looks interesting ...
http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion/

[B3 Basher]

This sort of question results inevitably in recommendations that are based on what you are using personally. in that vein, I get great results out of MOTU MX4 2.0

- This has all the power (and more in my opinion) that Reason's synths provide, but at the same time is far less processor intensive. When used in Logic Pro, it is far less fiddly to rig up in your sequencer (Reason's REWIRE interface is not as 'integrated' as AU or MAS plug ins - By that I mean there's much toggling of windows and patching of Buses in order to feed the sound into your sequencer)

Logic 7.1 has finally nailed the one aspect that prevented us Logic users really 'grooving', by way of PDC. Delay compensation is a remedy to the 'lag' ie. certain tracks in your tune can be a few milliseconds later than others (Due to more processing on that track). Logic 7.1 compensates for this now by 'knowing' how much it should shift the track forward in time in order to have it arrive at your ears at the time you played it into your sequencer prior to processing it.

Finally, much has been said about Reason's Recycle format (REX). Apple loops are the same thing and seeing as Logic now a) comes with much to be getting on with (1000's of bundled loops), b) There are many librarys to buy and c) You can make your own in Logic 7.1 as well as with Sound Track Loop Utility if you have a large library from your past of WAV's, AKAI etc...(Free with Logic), then Logic will always get my vote over Reason.

Logics synths are also a major plus, Sculpture with a side chained Noise Gate would eat Reason for Breakfast when it comes to creating the Oakenfold/Sasha trance Oddysey sounds you seek.

Finally, the proof is in the listening.

Listen below to a track made entirely with the bundled sounds of Logic 7.1 and MOTU MX4 2.0........

http://homepage.mac.com/joeadhemar/Watch_T...Depeche_Toi.mp3

Good Luck in whatever you do Aeric_Audio - One thing for sure, the tools at your disposal will not hinder you. Everything nowadays helps you get results fast. What matters though is whether the results are original or not.

P.S. I have Reason btw so I'm not biased. One day I'll get Ableton Live and Melodyne but I'll let users of these programs recommend them!