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.