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Showing content with the highest reputation on 08/22/2021 in all areas

  1. Some perspective from my viewpoint. Best by definition is going to be subjective, because even though Cakewalk is an incredibly deep and powerful DAW with its 30+ year lineage, there are other simpler DAW’s that may be more appropriate to some workflows because of their genre bias or other reasons. Live is a great example - if your primary interest is beatmaking you would be hard pressed to find something better for that workflow. If you leave behind very personal preferences or workflows, to the original question I would say that IMO Cakewalk has by far the deepest feature set of any free DAW out there. Its mature and has decades of experience baked into it which few other DAW’s including many paid ones have. Of course we have our share of quirks and bugs (that arguably others have too) but it has been our highest priority to solve the more serious issues since the last 3 years. To the last point I want to say that since day one our approach has never been “this is a free DAW now, so lets do the minimum to support it”. To the contrary, we have used this generous opportunity to obsessively make this as good as we can for our users. The effort that has gone in the last 3 years has been more than ever in the history of Cakewalk, to focus on improving stability as well as building truly usable and useful features. None of us have a free lunch mindset here - we do this because we care for the product and users and want to excel. As far as users cutting us slack because its free, while some more casual users might, we have thousands of professionals who make a living with this software, where the fact that its free makes no difference - the need to efficiently get their work done. We often work one on one with many users to ensure that our tools are robust and meet their needs as far as possible. The next release has a huge new feature directly based on feedback from many users working in exacting production environments with deadlines. All this to say that its as much of a pro product as anything out there and its being constantly improved with fixes and new features even more than some paid choices. Don’t let the free price tag fool you.
    9 points
  2. IK is like a crack dealer....😁
    6 points
  3. Version 5.4.0 GM (b3664, 3270d3fc00), 2021-08-18: Improved Improved user interface behavior when a license is removed after a protected product has been loaded. Improved Search strings are persisted across views in the iLok License Manager. Improved Better error handling in iLok License Server code in the iLok License Manager. Fixed Hide and Show context menus now consistent with Hide and Show buttons in the License Details view. Fixed Worked around stability problems on macOS 10.8 and 10.9 systems introduced by recent Apple development tools. Fixed In the Activation Experience, unregistered iLoks will be seen on the Locations screen and can be registered to your iLok account if you select it as the activation location. Run the iLok Manager to update!
    6 points
  4. Don't be so modest. The correct answer is YES! Just take a well deserved bow as the audience stands to applaud... t 😎
    6 points
  5. One person's trash is another person's treasure is all I can say. I own AD2, SSD4, EZD2, all the drums programs that come with Komplete Ultimate, Melda Drummer 2, Jamstix 4 and probably some others I'm forgetting. I'm a fanboi of all of them but mostly AD2 and EZD2. One thing that I still find appealing about these two is that the midi grooves are from professional drummers. This, of course, means that you have to invest a bit more to get as many packs as you can to have the options you want but this also makes the drum parts sound professional with the ability to still tweak them to your liking. Jamstix and Melda drummer, on the other hand are getting better with their programming to come up with natural sounding drum parts based on your input. Because of their learning curve I haven't given them as much time as I need to in order to compare but that also is another boon for AD2 and EZD2 since musicians need to be focused on making music rather than learning all the time. It's a catch 22, because without taking time to learn you don't make very good music, but spending all your time learning keeps you from making music. It's a balance. Saying that AD2 isn't good enough for pro music is BS. Saying that you don't like it due to it's workflow or other issues is fair. What I like most about AD2 are the drum kits, especially the Fairfax kits. They sound amazing. The good news is that If I want to use some of EZD2's stellar songwriting tools, I can send the midi out to AD2's fairfax kit and have the best of both worlds. Don't underestimate AD2's own features though. The Grid search is not quite as good as EZD2's tap to find but it still works fairly well. The beat transformer feature also works pretty well. I have used these features with great success. The Mixer features in AD2 is far superior to EZD2's mixer but it's not even close to SD3 or BFD2. Since I always set up separate tracks in my DAW for each drum and prefer mixing them with my own plugins, this is not a huge deal for me. I guess, in the end, if I'm being honest, the biggest selling point for me is the Fairfax Kit. I own almost every EZD2 kit and I still go back to the Fairfax often. I do, however really like the Claustrophobic kit in EZD2, even though it's old. It had a sound that you just can't find in any other kit I've tried and blends well with others as well. To each their own but I am at the point where I know what I like and don't like so a good walk through video and trial run convinces me much more these days than peoples opinions. Other than looking to find out if there are stability issues, I generally don't put much stock in opinions since we are all so different in how we compose.
    6 points
  6. A big shout of THANKS to all who took the time to listen and comment; you are all too kind! I either had to license this over at H. Fox or take it down; chose the latter. t
    5 points
  7. IK has always been good about extending GBs to reach the max level but this max is way higher than it's ever been. Anywho I think it's time for me to jump in.
    5 points
  8. I can certainly vouch for the first sentence. Noel & Co. have really moved Cakewalk up another notch (or two) since BandLab took over. As to the second sentence, if you're a professional, you don't cut slack and you don't judge based on price. You judge something on whether it does the job you're paid to do. Whether it costs $0 or $2,000 doesn't matter, because the cost will (at least hopefully!) be a fraction of the income it allows you to earn. At my various workshops (even if I'm doing my demos with a different program), I always recommend that Windows users download Cakewalk, no matter what program they use. I wouldn't be able to make that recommendation if it wasn't free. There are functions you can do in Cakewalk (like create Acidized files or extract tempo) that are at least difficult (if not impossible) to do in other programs. IMHO the "best" DAW is the one where you feel comfortable and inspired working with it.
    5 points
  9. XLN is constantly updating their software - they just aren't adding features. To say it's abandoneware is to ignore the definition of the term. It's a tool that works well - and that for me is the bottom line.
    5 points
  10. Eight. Ten per hour would do it. (Trying on optimism, seeing how it feels.)
    4 points
  11. Just completed this myself. Kinda looking what else to get. If I run out of ideals will start grabbing stuff from Peter’s work desk like a monitor haha
    4 points
  12. Not sure about release dates, but I bought the Classic Studio Reverb (CSR modules in TR5) way back in the day (through a CW/IK promotion) and they sound just as good today as they did back then before they were a TR module. I also bought Amplitube 2 Live 10 years ago because it had the best clean sound of any amp sim back then. In fact, I still use it in AT5, it's still has the same clean sound as it has in every version of AT. The point I am trying to make is that when IK nails it, it's nailed!! So just because a processor may be an older release, don't let that be the judge. Listen.... then make your choices. You got time.
    4 points
  13. I's coming Chris,...it's coming.
    4 points
  14. Good question! But I own all 3 Leslie's from IK, so I'm covered! Hammond B-3X (integrated Leslie) T-RackS Leslie (so I can run any instrument through a Leslie) Amplitube Leslie (well, just because... Leslie)
    4 points
  15. 4 points
  16. If you were doing research online I’m assuming you likely ran into this comparison from a user. I initially got the Amplitube version but then used another freebie to get the tracks version as the standalone plugin appealed to me. Some of the JS presets in Amplitube used the Leslie so spoiled with freebies I don’t regret it. Here is the comparison from couple years ago but still applies: T-RackS Leslie: -- is a single plug-in, which will run in a DAW, T-RackS 5 (the (free) Custom Shop program or a paid-for edition) or the TR5 Suite plug-in, -- the GUI has 3 panels, -- the first panel is for the Setup, Amp and EQ controls -- the second is for selection of amp (from 5) and cab (from 6) and for mic positioning, -- and the third is for mic mixing, -- the Amp controls look generic. AmpliTube Leslie: -- is 11 separate gear models: 5 Leslie Amps and 6 Leslie rotary-speaker cabinets -- they can only be loaded into the AmpliTube program or plug-in (the free Custom Shop program or a paid-for edition, v4 onwards), -- in AT4 CS the Cab Room GUI will look and be simpler (as for other AT cabinet models), -- the Amp controls are on each AMP GUI, which look like the different models, -- pop-out panels on the Cabs show Cabinet selection, mic mixing, EQ, (and speaker and room browser?), -- you can (when released) download full working models from the AmpliTube Custom Shop and try them out free of charge, -- I presume that they can be mixed and matched with other AT4 gear models.
    4 points
  17. I’m contemplating doing a purchase at the $49.99 level to get the Cinekinetic and Electromagnetik libraries. It depends on how many freebies we end up with. I figure that’s the way to maximize the freebies rather than using the $199.99 and $99.99 tier freebies.
    4 points
  18. I've got a cover of All Right Now with Sunset Reverb all over it, mastered up in Lurssen if you want to hear it... (moved the link to the Songs Forum so you can comment over there) t @InstrEdthere's your link, should probably put it up in the Songs Forum here's the settings on the Lurssen
    4 points
  19. Kinda like after eating too many beans haha
    4 points
  20. I don't think discussion is about AD2 sounding bad, because it doesn't. I don't think this discussion is about AD2 not having enough ADPaks or MIDI packs, because they have more than enough. I think actually we all are taking about the expectation of just seeing a new GUI with AD 3 and maybes some additional changes. Think about this, especially the true drummers, (not you kitchen counter top wooden spoon tappers). You take the same drum kit to play gigs for years and never complain about the kit, but when you want to make a change, you change the drum head or maybe exchange a symbols. Well SD2 allows us the change the kit pieces, however, it's not enough. We want to change out the GUI as well just because it software and we've had it for a while. I love SD2 but I think it's time for a new GUI with some slight modifications and we all would be happier for a while. 😎
    4 points
  21. $25.95 intro price https://zero-g.co.uk/products/vintage-electric-rnb
    3 points
  22. This suite was inspired by a trip taken to Oregon in 2017 to witness the Solar Eclipse, but expanded with a fictional account from an Indonesian photographer for dramatic and metaphorical effect. This is the first time I've used Cakewalk By Bandlab for every aspect of the production, including Mastering. (-14 LUFS average). BandCamp: The Prodigal Sounds: Annulus Suite Thanks for listening; I hope you enjoy.
    3 points
  23. Useless to me now. I own everything including an AXE I/O. Oh wait. I don't have ARC 3 anymore, since I gave it away after I went with the iLoud MTMs (which each came with a measurement mic). So if it goes to 7 I might as well get that just in case I ever get rid of the MTMs.
    3 points
  24. Thank you for discussing with me! I've been using Cakewalk for nearly 10 years. I've tried several other DAWs but Cakewalk just fit me best. There are only a small number of things which I think could be better. So I decided to post some FR's and bug reports hoping to help make Cakewalk better.
    3 points
  25. The tiers were different though, with fewer participants required to reach them. By the end of the month, this group buy will definitely pass the 2019 one, in terms of participation. And that's with the 2019 group buy having been extended by a month. Looking at the evolution of previous group buys, it's easy to see why IK were extending them, as they might well do with this one. By the first deadline, the bulk of their active customer base has already joined. So sales don't really ramp up during an extension, but it helps with trying to get new customers on board. This edition is no different. I will probably enter a second and third time (on lower tiers) and was doing the math on how the final number of freebies might affect this. As it turns out - not that much, unless we end up with 20, 20+ freebies at the end (maybe a tall order but certainly not because of the quality of the deal). And even then, my 'loss', compared to the best scenario, would hardly be upsetting.
    3 points
  26. Just wanted to point out that ARC 3 is not based on Audyssey, However, if your microphone has a calibration file it will work.
    3 points
  27. I would agree with this being a different kit. I have had it since it came out and have used it in certain instances. It does have a sound all it's own. And I haven't heard it anywhere else!! I think I still have some un-redeemed kits from a sale XLN had a while back. I really like the Black Oyster kit. Keep going back to that. As far as getting a ITB drum "feel", to me Jamstix 4 is the best. After learning how to get what I want out of it (and it is a curve, but so worth it) I use it almost exclusively on the start of a new song. And then most of the time I route Jamstix to AD2. I love EZD2 for fills to be honest. So easy to find a great fill I need using the browser, then I can adjust it as needed. XO is not to be discounted. Great tool right there. Outstanding features that allow you to tweak it just the way you need. And I haven't even learned all it features!! If a program is developed well codewise, it will last. I have CE2K installed on my machine. It's only 32bit, but that hasn't stopped it from working. I know people still use WinAmp!!
    3 points
  28. This dedication is certainly a big part of what makes it the best for me. Notwithstanding the fact that it is excellent to work with. I'm a fan!
    3 points
  29. I was getting all gas'd about this, but then what did I find? The Resonator, right there on my hard drive since 2016. 😆
    3 points
  30. I ordered Arc 3 with the mic so I'll be entering a second time when it gets here next week. I decided to go this route since Arc 3 with the mic also gets me T-Racks Deluxe.
    3 points
  31. I've been running ARC for years (1 then 2 now 3). CPU usage is not an issue, its a light footprint. t
    3 points
  32. Okay GAS got a hold of me and I'm in with Amplitube5. I know these four are for sure items. Mixbox ARC System 3 - Software only Lurssen Mastering Console for Mac/PC SampleTron 2
    3 points
  33. just make it $29 for the upgrade, and not $129, and I'd be happy too
    3 points
  34. I have less that 1TB left of my 8TB samples drive. One man's ceiling is another man's floor?
    2 points
  35. I'm under the assumption that NONE of the collections got updated for AT5. Just the new collections released since AT4, and the new speaker and cabinet modelling to make them all sound better!
    2 points
  36. And once you are in, you are stuck in quicksand. You can't get out. Fwiw. I have limited my investment into this GB at $15 . If this gets me the rest of AT and Tracks it was money well wasted.
    2 points
  37. Or 12 free if you double dip..hint hint do it for the children hahah
    2 points
  38. It's happened to me, but not often. It's not a big deal to fiix either.
    2 points
  39. Thanks for the clarification! Since ARC 2 was based on Audyssey MultEQ® XT32, I wrongly assumed ARC 3 was still using some form of Audyssey. That means that ARC 3 is a totally new product, not just an upgrade from ARC 2, cool! 😎 I do have the UMIK-1 measurement microphone with calibration file. I bought it a while back to use with the free REW measurement software. Although it is a USB microphone, I read that using ASIO4ALL it is usable within ARC3. I do regret buying a USB measurement mic, I should have gone with the Dayton EMM-6 instead at the time. 😕
    2 points
  40. 2 points
  41. I think it sounds great. If I wasn't already overburdened with reverbs I'd definitely have bought it already. I'm still tempted to get it anyway.
    2 points
  42. and i thought those group buys get more than half freebies....think we need extension as last year....
    2 points
  43. You'd really better know your scales to use that bass! (A minor observation naturally! 😜 )
    2 points
  44. It might get up to 8 without the Group Buy being extended.
    2 points
  45. When I buy any software my only expectation is that it works as advertised and that I will be able to use it for as long as I choose to. I really don't care if the next version of that thing that I bought comes from the same company or a different one. Toontrack's upgrade your version now or we will no longer recognise you as an existing customer approach is as bad an example of customer care that I have ever seen anywhere, yet people fall over themselves to praise them for their constant development. Each to their own and all that.
    2 points
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