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.

[lepetitmartien]

but what about hardware?

That's a different question, please make another thread

I'm curious, what leads you to think that Metro is buggy?

Look closely on this thread (but you know it already) there are some issues, I don't say it's bad, unusable etc. only that it must be ironed out to be ok. I've been a bit quick on this last night.

I believe most of what Metro and Cakewalk had in common was distribution.  I'd classify Metro as good for the money - especially if upgrading.  There is a no-save/quit after 25 minutes demo available at www.sagantech.biz so you can check it out.

Certainly it's a bargain, but it seems to need a bit of extra work.

no surround

I don't think a lot of users will be really annoyed by that

I don't have any in-depth/recent experience with DP/PT/Logic so consider that as you read my post.  On the other hand, I can make music with Metro and not feel stifled.  I could see a huge advantage to PT if you are delivering your music to others in project form.

PT and Logic are definetly (for the time being) the project form of choice.
It doesn't mean that everyone has to be on PT and Logic, the world would be a boring place

Ahem, LPM, I don't know if I'd call Cubase SX "less pro". It already has certain features that Logic seem to have "borrowed" for the 6 update.

They all borrow from each other. All the major midi sequencers try to match PT on the audio side, and PT is gaining in midi.
Some are better at this game than others.

Plus SX is VST compatible, which opens you up to a whole world of plug-ins that Logic simply can't use (BTW Kyle, Pro Tools plugs are often VERY expensive - disproportionately so).

You are damn right
I'm on DP, no VST but you can live with it. Almost no free plug-ins, but they are good.

Logic is very good: SX is very good. Personally, I prefer the interface of SX - it's been much easier to get into with and I'm working quicker than I ever was with Logic. I know I'm in the minority here, but it suits me.

Logic is well known for it unlogic behaviour and its deepness in midi stuff. It can't be beaten on midi (I'm still waiting on synch reports upon SX, is it as bad as pre SX cubase or better).
Cubase has still an awfull record of bugs and quickinesses to make forget. there's a lot of new things in SX, I hope the better. But it's not viewed as pro. But the ease of use of the midi part is a good thing.
On the Audio side, Nuendo is definetly in the pro league and worth a look.

As for Digital Performer, well they seem to have a terrible record on updates...

That side of MOTU is their weakness, but if you wait a little all gets in order. MOTU users have the habit, and you have a good sequencer, pro level , deep enough but not encyclopedic on MIDI, and good audio.

Have a look on Five12 Numerology, it's just out of beta, and trys to be original (analogue sequencer style)

Now some of the contenders are just available in X (PT) or still on the waiting list (DP)

sigh!

I think that if you can, you should really have a taste of the contenders before to decide. If you're a bedroom user, some interest of the pros won't appeal to you, but ease of use will be the main thing. And each seq has its strongholds.