Topic: Soundforge/Wavelab/Samplitude/Reaper which to buy?

[ethan]

Opinions?

I primarily want to start using some VST plugins. It looks like Audacity is not going to cut it so I'm going to have to suck it up and pay for some software.

I'm curious what people recommend? Are these too bulky to run on a laptop? I have a dual core 4GB Ram windoze 7 laptop.

[dorrcoq]

I've got Sound Forge Pro 10.0a and Wavelab 6, but I haven't really played around with any plug-ins.  No problems with SF on my laptop with Windows 7 (actually works faster that on my desktop with XP), haven't tried Wavelab on it, though.

[H₂O]

I like Wavelab 7 - Unfortunately you have to use a USB dongle to run it, but one copy will work with both Windows or Mac OSX

[dorrcoq]

Yeah, the dongle is a pain in the ass

[ScoobieKW]

Reaper by Cockos. 64 bit VST, free trial, cheap too, $60 unless you make over 20K with it.

[zowie]

I've run wavelab on far less powerful old laptops than yours.  All the functionality was there except I had wait a while for it to render a whole show, and it could stutter if I previewed a multiple stacked a lot of processor intense plug-in (which was almost never).  I don't think you'll have a problem but you can get a full-function trial IIRC to see.

[Gutbucket]

I use Samplitude.  There used to be a $50 SE (lite) version, but not sure they still offer that.   If I was looking for new editing/daw software today, I'd give a serious look at Reaper.

[kcmule]

I'll vote for Samplitude.  I've not used Wavelab 7 or ProTools.

Repear was OK, but then I used Samplitude.  I should note that
I'm doing pretty much strictly multitrack work these days.  YMMV

[kcmule]

If I was looking for new editing/daw software today, I'd give a serious look at Reaper.

No EQ's on the strip was a deal breaker for me with Reaper.  I realize you could use a plugin
but for something as simple as a quick EQ a plugin seemed silly.

[rodeen]

I've been using Samplitude for a long time too and and quite happy with it.  Samplitude is pretty much the only thing I use Windows for anymore.  I really should find a suitable OSx replacement for it.

I'll vote for Samplitude.  I've not used Wavelab 7 or ProTools.

[12milluz]

Reaper by Cockos. 64 bit VST, free trial, cheap too, $60 unless you make over 20K with it.

Yep, love it.

[dnuggs]

I found only a few VST plugins work with Audacity with no problems (Stereo Expander, Leveler). The time it takes when applied is a headache (30 min to 1 hour)and if your not happy with the results you wasted your time. 

I made the switch to Wavelab. Everything is applied instantly as far as plugins go and it is pretty straight forward/user friendly.

[anr]

I've tried Soundforge since v4.5 > through to v10.  But I prefer v6e for all my editing tasks, except creating a matrix.  For that, Wavelab 6.   I have W7/64bit, 8GB, Quad Core.  Your system will be fine.  I know it is a very personal thing, but I prefer the Soundforge interface.   

[ethan]

Looked at Samplitude...can't figure out if it supports VST plugins

[kcmule]

Looked at Samplitude...can't figure out if it supports VST plugins

Yes, it does.

[OFOTD]

SoundForge vote here.

[ethan]

Reaper sure does seem interesting. $60 is VERY attractive. Leaves extra money in the bank for plugins. They're upgrade policy is also cool. I'll probably give this a trial.

I'm going to give a Sound Forge 10 pro trial a go. The mastering functionality added to 10 from 9 seems like many of the third party plugins I'm looking at would not be necessary.

Looked at the Wavelab machine requirements. My laptop is too close to the minimums.

[OFOTD]

Something to remember about SF10.  The iZotope Ozone plugins are now built it.  No need for a third party mastering plugin.

[ethan]

Something to remember about SF10.  The iZotope Ozone plugins are now built it.  No need for a third party mastering plugin.

yep...that's the main thing that is swaying me towards SF10

[kcmule]

The time it takes when applied is a headache (30 min to 1 hour)and if your not happy with the results you wasted your time. 

Didn't SF used to be this way as well?  I've not used it in a long time, hopefully
that is not still the case.  If it is still the case, yuck.

[ethan]

The time it takes when applied is a headache (30 min to 1 hour)and if your not happy with the results you wasted your time. 

Didn't SF used to be this way as well?  I've not used it in a long time, hopefully
that is not still the case.  If it is still the case, yuck.

Another reason why I'm getting away from audacity. I'm working on Jam Cruise this year and will have to master 4 sets per night for 5 nights to nugs.net specs. That's a s*** load of processing. No way I could do this with audacity. I've got about 2 months to figure out my workflow but if I have to spend an hour per set I'll be working 12 hour shifts anything more I'm f***ed.

I'm forgoing multi-channel and going to do a live 2-track mix down using my Soundcraft mixer. I'll have to record it at 24/96, normalize/compress, quantize to 16/44, track/tag then convert to MP3 and flac. In addition I'll have to create a non tracked continuous  MP3 for the JCTV which plays in the cabins the next day.

[ScoobieKW]

on cheap hardware 3 year old $500 machine, I'm getting 10-1 ratio in rendering time 2 track 48-24 down to 44-16 wav, with mastering bus limiter and parallel compression. Reaper also has a render queue which would be helpful in a festival workflow. Multitracking is solid, my friend does 16 and 24 tracks onto a mid-range dell laptop with it.

[OFOTD]

I've got about 2 months to figure out my workflow but if I have to spend an hour per set I'll be working 12 hour shifts anything more I'm f***ed.

One of the best workflow features in SF10 is the Batch Converter.  I used to spend time scripting to get my big workflows done.  Now Batch Converter takes care of most of that work.

As I am sure there are ways on other pieces of software here is my real quick workflow with BC.

open file > adjust levels on each channel > fade in and outs > File>Tools>Batch Converter.     

From the Batch Converter menu I can now add multiple processes together. 

Start with the iZotope Bit Depth plugin, add iZotope resampling, add additional preferred VST > save as source resolution and save a second copy of the dithered resample version.   

Once you get the levels and fades in then the time consuming part of processing and saving gets automated at one time.   So do your initial levels, set it, forget it and come back later and its done.

[kcmule]

One of the most flexible aspects of Samplitude, that I have found, is the object-based editing.
You can split a track into multiple objects and apply effects on a per-object basis.  Extremely
useful in the multitrack environment and really pretty damn cool 

[ScoobieKW]

One of the most flexible aspects of Samplitude, that I have found, is the object-based editing.
You can split a track into multiple objects and apply effects on a per-object basis.  Extremely
useful in the multitrack environment and really pretty damn cool 

How is this better than splitting a track, and moving the new piece to a different track? Then it's a new object with it's own gain, fx chain, etc.? That's how I would do the same in Reaper. Or am I missing something?

[kcmule]

One of the most flexible aspects of Samplitude, that I have found, is the object-based editing.
You can split a track into multiple objects and apply effects on a per-object basis.  Extremely
useful in the multitrack environment and really pretty damn cool 

How is this better than splitting a track, and moving the new piece to a different track? Then it's a new object with it's own gain, fx chain, etc.? That's how I would do the same in Reaper. Or am I missing something?

I guess the end result is the same but Samplitude works in a virtual environment (VIP projects
do not change the orginal files).  One example where I've used this in a recent multitrack:  Vocal
banter between tracks is low and I'd like to raise the gain so you can hear what the person is
saying.  So I split each section of banter into thier own objects.  Crossfades are applied by default.
I can apply the effect or gain on a per-object basis or I can route the objects to an AUX and apply
the effects/gain for those objects where the same modifications are desired.  Does that help?

[ScoobieKW]

All possible in Reaper, in the end workflow is often a matter of taste. Will have to check out Samplitude and see which I prefer.

[kcmule]

I used Reaper for the trial period.  It was tons better than Wavelab (again, for
multitrack work).  As I mentioned before, the lack of EQ's on the strip in Reaper
seemed really odd to me.  I've picked up Samplitude pretty quick, much faster
than other applications I've toyed with over the last few years.  The little bit I
did with Reaper was also fairly straight forward.

[Brian E.]

what is your goal?  there are VST plugins in Audacity.

[ethan]

Played with SF10 last night. Crazy amount of functionality spend most of my time in the help. Still feeling my way around.

I did manage to run some 24/96 wavs through. I'm impressed with how snappy and fast it is. Most processing took just a couple minutes including word length reduction,


The Izotope 64 MBIT+ SRC with the highest quality settings however took 45 min on and 1:20 minute set. This is real good compared to audacity but I hope I can get by with lower quality settings or just recording 24/44.


I found the CD tracking cumbersome. Still don't know how to chop up the WAV's,save/name individual tracks and do multiple CD sets. Lot to learn.

Played with Wave Hammer. Works well and is fast. I just bypassed the compressor and worked with the volume maximizer. I couldn't figure out how to navigate around the WAV to preview. Preview just starts at the beginning of the WAV.

Will probably work with Reaper trial on the same data over the weekend.

Anyone know if the Samplitude trial is fully functional?

[kcmule]

Anyone know if the Samplitude trial is fully functional?

I don't think anything is disabled in the trial.  Certainly functional enough to
kick the tires and get a good feel for it.

[ScoobieKW]

Anyone know if the Samplitude trial is fully functional?

I don't think anything is disabled in the trial.  Certainly functional enough to
kick the tires and get a good feel for it.

Reaper trial is 100% functional, with no time limit.

[kcmule]

Reaper trial is 100% functional, with no time limit.

There is the increasing slower nag screen that you must wait for (not a big deal)

[ethan]

Changed the topic cause it look like ProTool's is the odd man out.

Thanks everyone for all the insight. I'll post my experiences with Samplitude and Reaper.

[dorrcoq]

Reaper trial is 100% functional, with no time limit.

It does say you must purchase a license after 30 days...but you can hit "still evaluating" and it lets you use it.

[kirk97132]

MY brief and granted limited use of Reaper I saw it as a good recording platform but for me it fell short on the mixing/editing side.  DISCLAIMER: I did not use it for long so it could be I never got to explore everything it could do.  OF the other three you listed I've tried them all but ended up with Adobe Audition and I will use Soundforge too for some things.   

[live2496]

It looks like you can now buy a version 11.5 called Samplitude Producer directly from Magix for $199.
http://www.magix.com/us/samplitude-producer/detail/innovations/

Keep in mind that this is a consumer version, but it appears to have all lot of the functionality including burning of CD's.

This would be a dongle-less product. I don't know if they have an upgrade path from it to Samplitude Pro X which is the latest greatest. As an idea of cost, to go from V8, V9, or V10 professional to Pro X is $299. V11 to Pro X is $199.

As far as software for windows. I would recommend Reaper (for cost) and then Samplitude in that order. Just saw today that Voxengo has a 16-band linear phase eq for free if you need a VST based eq. 

Gordon

[Charlie Miller]

I've been using Samplitude for 10 years. Love it.

[One Cylinder]

"Yeah, the dongle is a pain in the ass"

>>>>  I don't know what that means, but it sounds kinky.