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SONAR 8 Producer Competitive Upgrade Review

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(More customer reviews)Sonar has been the best available Windows-based digital audio workstation software for a long time now - to the point where a fair number of producers and studios have migrated to Sonar from Pro Tools, not to mention a steadily increasing string of software and industry awards. (See Cakewalk's site for names, if interested.) And, of course, with Boot Camp, you can run Sonar native under Windows if you have a recent Intel-based Mac - running a Mac doesn't force you into Pro Tools for software at this level. Pro Tools is still the pro industry standard, of course, but while a few years ago you HAD to submit material in Pro Tools format, virtually all studios and mastering facilities will now accept Sonar-based material as well. Cakewalk's continuous investment in Sonar is second to none, and I expect to see it surpass Pro Tools in the next few years. In my opinion, it is already better softare.
Sonar Producer comes with a terrific package of high-quality effects plug-ins (actually the original reason I jumped into Sonar Producer). I've also found Cakewalk to have good customer service - one of the very, very few, in fact, where the response on customer service calls is as good as on sales calls. Cakewalk continues to improve the user interface with Sonar 8. Particularly welcome are edit changes, including multiple-clip edits, and optimizations targeted at running high track counts. Several instruments are included, and I'm particularly happy to see Dimension Pro, which includes Garritan Orchestral sounds, and TruePianos Amber. Your interests and activities will differ, of course (mini are Midi-heavy), and you should really look through the complete list of enhancements on Cakewalk's site. Enhancements for this version runs several pages long. This is a major upgrade from Sonar 7.
In addition to the software, buy a Sonar book or two, take the tutorials, hit one or two of Cakewalk's roadshows, and join a forum or two. There is a fairly steep learning curve with Sonar, as with any other pro-level audio suite, the good news being there is a ton of support out there due to the market's embrace of Sonar.

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Fxpansion BFD2 Acoustic Drums Module Review

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(More customer reviews)Not sure why the other reviewers were so disillusioned but I can't believe the realizm of this module. Is it complicated, yes, but so is recording acoustic drums and getting quality recordings. With the included grooves and those available online (groovemonkee) coupled with the ability to edit them within BDF2, I challange anyone to recognize it as a 'drum machine'. If you want to be up and running in 10 minutes, buy a Boss Dr. Rhythm box, but if you want lush, real acoustic drums, spend the time and learn this module - it's fantastic!

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Digidesign Transfuser Virtual Instrument Software Review

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(More customer reviews)It is not so easy to use it as Xpand, and think that there better products in the market than Transfuser. Perhaps, it is not the product for me according to my way of making music. Think first to buy it and try to watch the video in you tube first.

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Mackie Tracktion 3 - Project Bundle Music Production Software Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are considering buying Tracktion, take some time to read the independent Tracktion forum at KVR Audio (http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22). You will find that many users on both Mac and PC are having extreme problems such as the MIDI editor being unusably slow, other parts of the app being incredibly slow, and the whole app just suddenly disappearing.
When I tried to use Tracktion on my vanilla Win XP system, I found that the MIDI editor is basically unusable, not merely "slow." MIDI notes will not follow the cursor, so it's absurdly difficult to place them where you want them to go. I posted questions about this on Mackie's forums and got no response at all. I tried using it on my MacBook Pro and found that Tracktion is so unstable it won't run for more than a minute or two before abruptly disappearing.
In the forums, this last problem is called a "poof crash" and it's mentioned often by users. There are extended threads about it. I bought Tracktion 3 not too long after it was released and I have not been able to get any work done using it at all.
Shame on Mackie for releasing this severely flawed software and then leaving their customers out to dry, offering zero help or explanation. I posted repeated queries asking for some help with these problems on Mackie's own forums and was completely ignored.
There are several alternative packages available for both Mac and PC that cost less and have all the features of Tracktion if not more. On the Mac, I'm finding that Logic Express, which is $50 cheaper is a very powerful alternative. For the PC, Ableton Live Light has a strong reputation.
Note: even if you have Tracktion 2 and are considering an upgrade to this version, it is definitely not worth the money. I really liked Traction 2 and was really excited about all the new features promised in Traction 3. I was very disappointed to buy it, install it, and find out it's virtually unusable.
I very much regret wasting my time and money on Tracktion and I urge you to avoid making the same mistake. Some users seem to be able to get it to work on their specific systems. But enough users are having major problems that buying Tracktion 3 is gamble. You can't get your money back once you've opened it, so choose something else that doesn't have a lot of reported problems.

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Acoustica Musician's Bundle with Mixcraft and Beatcraft Music Software Review

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(More customer reviews)I really like Mixcraft. I'm one of the many people who played several instruments as a teen (and younger) and then when I got into college and into the workforce I dropped it (regrettably). And now with all the computer advancements in music, I'm eagerly trying to get back into it.
THE GOOD:
Mixcraft is a lot of fun. It really is very much "Garageband for Windows". Very similar interface, very similar functionality. Like Garageband, Mixcraft has a pretty wide variety of different loops that you can use "right out of the box" as well as virtual instruments that you can use to compose your own music.
It's really nice for things like coming up with some background music for a video project, or a game or something. And in doing so it saves you from having to worry about potentially sticky music royalties and rights and such. Anyone can come up with some decent music with this tool, and there is a very gentle learning curve. I was using it successfully just a few minutes after installing it and watching a couple of short videos from their website.
THE BAD:
The included instruments and loops are not admittedly not the highest fidelity. I'd say quite a bit below Garageband unfortunately. Also when you try to use virtual instruments (either mixcraft's own or 3rd party) they come in at an extremely low volume, which certainly causes problems.
Acoustica's registration is also big problem. It's baffling, and it's flat out broken. For the musician's bundle in particular, they've managed to make what ought to be a simple thing (entering a registration code) into an almost insurmountable task. Don't say I didn't warn ya there.
One other somewhat major drawback to Mixcraft is the omission of a way to play virtual instruments without a MIDI controller/keyboard (like Garageband can). So consider at least an inexpensive Midi keyboard (which will set you back $100 or so) a mandatory purchse if you want to make use of much of Mixcraft's functionality.
Overall I do definitely recommend Mixcraft, although it does have a lot of little annoyances. You'll get your money's worth in entertainment if nothing else, and undoubtedly generate some music that you can be proud of in the process.

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Sonar 8.5 Producer Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been a Cakewalk user for years, starting with their Pro Audio software and dating to when the company was known as 12-Tone Systems. Their software has only become better and better as the years have gone by. Sonar has been the best available Windows-based digital audio workstation software for a long time now - to the point where a fair number of producers and studios have migrated to Sonar from Pro Tools, not to mention a steadily increasing string of software and industry awards. (See Cakewalk's site for names, if interested.) And, of course, with Boot Camp, you can run Sonar native under Windows if you have a recent Intel-based Mac - running a Mac doesn't force you into Pro Tools for software at this level.
Be warned - if you are not heavily into audio, audio for video, MIDI, recording, sequencing, effects, looping, mastering, mixing, etc. - and possess the audio domain knowledge that all that entails, as well as a good understanding of the complexities of running full-on audio software from a technical standpoint - you can find yourself overwhelmed by this software, and you will be MUCH better off with Cakewalk's Home Studio version of Sonar. Sonar (particularly Producer) can be enormously complex, but that's not due to any design issues - quite the contrary! Rather, that's because it covers a vast array of audio activities, options, and capabilities. It is possible to use it simplistically, but I'd direct anyone with only those types of needs to simpler software suites.
On the other hand, if you do have the audio and technical knowledge, you'll find Sonar Producer is flexible, powerful, configurable, and responsive. It is also very stable and has been so for many versions now. Be aware that this type of software by its nature (high processing loads, need to control latency, timing control and issues among multiple devices and interfaces, etc.) can be compromised by PC setups optimized for multipurpose use.
The software comes with a terrific package of high-quality effects plug-ins. I've also found Cakewalk to have good customer service - one of the very, very few, in fact, where the response on customer service calls is as good as on sales calls. Cakewalk continues to improve the user interface with Sonar 8. Particularly welcome are edit changes, including multiple-clip edits, and optimizations targeted at running high track counts. Several instruments are included, and I'm particularly happy to see Dimension Pro, which includes Garritan Orchestral sounds, and TruePianos Amber. Your interests and activities will differ, of course (mini are Midi-heavy), and you should really look through the complete list of enhancements on Cakewalk's site. Enhancements for this version runs several pages long. This is a major upgrade from Sonar 7.
I do have one issue with Cakewalk, though I'm not knocking down the rating because of it as the software itself is too good. The problem is that Cakewalk hits their user base pretty hard on upgrade fees. You can pretty much count on having to spend a few hundred dollars per year to keep the software up to date if you take every version and keep your plug-ins up-to-date. I've always felt that companies should upgrade customers from the most recent versions for little or nothing if they have paid for a recent upgrade, at least for a download. There is some price tiering depending on what version you're running, but it's insufficient, in my opinion. At one point I unknowingly purchased an upgrade weeks before a new release - but Cakewalk still charged me the full upgrade price for the new version. That kind of pricing policy doesn't encourage customer loyalty. I understand that this is a minor issue for a pro or a studio, but Cakewalk also has a large installed base for Sonar Producer among non-pros.
My preference would be for Cakewalk to adjust their release approach to one of more incremental releases between major versions. It's far more disruptive to install a new version, taking on the setup and learning issues than it is to install incremental upgrades (Cakewalk does release some patches.). You do get what you pay for, however.
In addition to the software, buy a Sonar book or two, take the tutorials, hit one or two of Cakewalk's roadshows, and join a forum or two. There is a fairly steep learning curve with Sonar as with any other pro-level audio suite, the good news being there is a lot of support out there due to the market's embrace of Sonar.

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Antares Auto-Tune EFX Review

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(More customer reviews)Buyer beware!!! This company has no customer support. I had problems with registering it through iLoc and it wouldn't work. I tried to contact the company (which can only be done through email) they voided my reg code. I found a phone number in the yellow pages and they hung up on me when I told them their customer service was lacking. When I finally contacted the company by email they told me to go somewhere else and try another product. They never offered any help. If you buy this, you are on your own. Buyer beware!

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M-Audio Pro Tools M-Powered 7 M-Audio Compatible World-Class Production Software Review

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(More customer reviews)The guy in charge called me and helped me get the right product after I placed the order. They had the foresight to call me and make sure that all was compatible with the computer nthat I have and its current software. The item was then delivered quickly and correctly. Love these guys

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The M-Audio Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 World Class Production Software puts the industry standard in audio/MIDI production on the fast track, letting you enter the exciting world of Pro Tools on your own terms. There is no "lite" version here -- Pro Tools M-Powered has the same user interface as Pro Tools and Pro Tools LE, all while expanding your creative hardware options to nearly 20 M-Audio interfaces (requires a supported M-Audio hardware interface to function properly). Session compatibility with all current versions of Pro Tools software means you can seamlessly move your projects between pro, project, and mobile personal studios. Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 is the serious music production choice for power, compatibility, options and ease of use, without spending "serious" money.
This software is not a watered-down version of Pro Tools. It is Pro Tools. There are actually three flavors of Pro Tools, all of which basically share the same user interface and file format. The primary distinction has to do with hardware -- Pro Tools HD 7 runs on Elite Tools HD hardware; Pro Tools LE 7 works with Digidesign's Mbox, Mbox 2, Digi 002, and Digi 002 Rack; and Pro Tools M-Powered delivers even more options via compatibility with nearly 20 affordable M-Audio interfaces. There is no excuse for not having this industry-standard Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in your creative toolbox.
Produce with the Industry Standard -- Anytime, Anywhere The combination of M-Audio gear and Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 lets you work anywhere, anytime with the industry standard in music production software. This tool seamlessly collaborates with any system running a current version of Pro Tools, including across platforms (Windows XP and Mac OS X). Take your projects to just about any recording studio to have it mixed by a professional, or take your pro studio projects home or on the road. With Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1, owners of most M-Audio interfaces instantly become members of the largest community of digital audio workstation users in the world.
Professional Recording, Editing and Mixing With up to 32 simultaneous tracks of 16- or 24-bit digital audio, and support for up to 96kHz sample rates, Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 is an ideal companion for M-Audio interfaces and audio interface keyboards. Once you've finished your recording, you can fine-tune your performances with Pro Tools' unmatched, nondestructive editing tools -- you can shape sounds, compose parts, add effects with the RTAS instrument and effect plug-ins, and create polished mixes with professional mixing features and full mixer automation. Quantizing MIDI data is one thing -- but did you know that Pro Tools M-Powered also enables you to quantize audio? With Beat Detective LE, you can automatically analyze and tighten your rhythm tracks. You can even create groove templates from other loops or songs and apply them to your own material. With this software, you've got the tools you need to create professional mixes.
Advanced MIDI Sequencing Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 features a fully integrated MIDI sequencer that allows you to record, edit, and mix up to 256 MIDI tracks alongside your audio tracks. New dedicated instrument tracks combine the audio and MIDI elements of a given virtual instrument into a single channel strip to streamline your workspace. Launch your favorite instrument plug-in to get just the sound you desire, or you can engage loop recordings to quickly develop a multi-layered drum pattern -- no matter what you do you'll be impressed with the software's functionality. Turn on real-time MIDI processing to quantize your performance as it goes down, and use new advanced editing features to easily tweak everything to perfection.
Plug-ins, Plug-ins, Plug-ins Not only will you have access to award-winning software when you get the Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1, but you'll also instantly be able to take advantage of a variety of RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins designed by the recording industry's largest professional third-party developer community. For example, you can track with powerful host-based vintage instruments like GForce's Oddity and Minimonsta:Melohman, or add spice with Wizoo's Latigo and Darbuka virtual percussionists. You can even polish your mixes with affordable effects and mastering plug-ins, such as iZotope Ozone and Spectron, that surpass even the most expensive hardware. Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 also includes more than 43 DigiRack and Bomb Factory plug-ins right out of the box, including EQ, dynamics, delay, reverb, and much more. You also get Digidesign's exciting virtual synth powerhouse and Xpand! with over 1,000 factory patches (up to four parts, four built-in arpeggiators, and two effects processor). The bottom line is that this software is expandable, powerful, and inspiring, and it will help you make your music sound just like you expect it to.

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PreSonus Studio One Artist to Pro Upgrade Review

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(More customer reviews)Do the research. Cubase, Abelton, ProTools and the list goes on. I have done my homework and I know my budget. You can't get all the features this Pro version offers for less than $600. And THAT is an upgrade from their "light" (AKA "Lite" or "LE") versions or freeware that come with a product that is overpriced for the "free" software. I bought the AudioBox USB for $150 and was going to use it with the DAW I already own. After installing the "free" Studio One Artist that came with it, I realized it is 100 times better than any of the "light" versions of various DAWs I have receied and decided to go ahead and upgrade through their website. I am AMAZED. Not only does it give you 64 bit processing, it gives you the ability to digitally publish your music. Yeah, to any website you want. You can use Redbox CD, Facebook, MySpace, whatever. You can even publish to SoundCloud directly within the software. And it comes with GIGS of more instruments and loops. It has VST plug in support, too. Oh, and you just want to export to MP3's, make a CD for your friends? It has that, too. Try finding a DAW with this one's simplicity and "never-done-this-before" ease and I'll pay you back. I've been at this for 23 years. I know Cubase, Cakewalk, Ableton, ProTools and Logic and they are all great. However, all of them require a serious amount of dedication and education to be able to even mix down a single song. My 12-year-old can use Studio One (sorry, Kevin, it's true) to master a CD. You can't say that for any of the other DAWs that cost at least half as much more. Don't believe me, download the 30 day free trial from the PreSonus website and see for yourself. Just come back here to buy it since this is where you found it.

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Secrets of the Pros Pro Tools DVD Vol. 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)What I mean by that is... it's a DVD-ROM. It does not, repeat DOES NOT, play in a DVD player like one might expect when ordering a DVD. For this title, you must insert it in your computer and watch quicktime movie files on your computer media player.
As such, I cannot comment on any of the content of this disk... I haven't been able to watch it. Shame on me... maybe there was some fine print on the order screen that I did not see... when I ordered a DVD, I thought I would receive a PLAYABLE DVD that would work in my DVD PLAYER... get it?
Ultimately, the content may even be great... someday, maybe I'll actually get to see it and figure that out for myself. It's just that what was delivered to my mailbox is not what I expected or what I wanted.
Just for information and comparison purposes, subsequent volumes within this series (Volumes 2 & 3 specifically) ARE playable DVDs and DO work in a DVD Player... as I would expect... and in accordance with what I wanted and ordered.

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M-Audio Pro Tools M-Powered 8 Review

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(More customer reviews)I am running Pro Tools 8 with Windows 7 64-bit and it works great. Yes, there were a few MINOR bugs with the initial release, but Pro Tools has made it very clear that Windows 7 64-bit is not yet officially supported. Their latest update however works PERFECTLY with Win 7 64-bit. In fact, the application runs very smoothly with minimal stress on CPU and memory. I typically use a lot of tracks and plug-ins. To date, this is the best application I've used in terms of system stress and audio quality.
These bad reviews seems to come from rookies who aren't quite sure how to use Pro Tools. Newer audio production apps are geared toward home studio/rookie musicians. Because of this, these same rookies pick up Pro Tools because it's the "industry standard" and immediately go back to SONAR because it's too complex for them. Just give it some time - learn the application and you'll love it.

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Pro Tools M-Powered 8 software puts the industry standard in audio/MIDI production on the fast track, letting you enter the powerful world of Pro Tools on your own terms. Pro Tools M-Powered has the same user interface as Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools LE, all while expanding your creative hardware options to dozens of M-Audio interfaces. Session compatibility with all current versions of Pro Tools software means that you can easily move your projects between pro, project and mobile personal studios. And at just $299.95 MSRP, anyone can become a member of the Pro Tools community. Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is the serious music production choice for power, compatibility, options and ease of use--without spending serious money.

Real Pro Tools Pro Tools M-Powered is Pro Tools. There are actually three flavors of Pro Tools, all of which share the same user interface and file format. The primary distinction is the hardware they complement. Pro Tools|HD runs on elite DSP-powered Pro Tools|HD hardware. Pro Tools LE works with a variety of Digidesign hardware including the Mbox 2 family. And Pro Tools M-Powered delivers even more options via compatibility with dozens of M-Audio interfaces.
Produce with the Industry Standard--Anywhere, Anytime The combination of M-Audio gear and Pro Tools M-Powered 8 lets you work anywhere, anytime with the industry standard in music production software. Seamlessly collaborate with anybody running any version of a current Pro Tools system, including cross-platform between Windows and Mac OS X. Easily take your projects to just about any recording studio to have it mixed by a pro. Or take your pro studio projects home or on the road with you. With Pro Tools M-Powered, owners of most M-Audio interfaces instantly become members of the largest community of digital audio workstation users in the world.
Flexible and Portable--More Choices for You A wide variety of M-Audio PCI, FireWire and USB hardware interfaces are compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered software, giving you more options in where, when and how you work. Whether you need just a little I/O or a lot--or a desktop, mobile or hybrid system--you'll find the perfect solution with our PCI, USB/USB 2 and FireWire audio interfaces. Mix live and in the studio with the NRV10 interface/analog mixer. Experience compact productivity with an M-Audio audio interface keyboard. And DJs can enter the world of Pro Tools with our Torq products.
Easy to Use Elegance and power are the reasons why Pro Tools is used in the majority of professional recording studios around the world. At the same time, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is very simple and intuitive. And once you know how to use one version of Pro Tools, you know how to work in any Pro Tools environment--from personal to pro studios. And if you want help, Pro Tools is supported by more educational materials and classes than all other DAW software put together.
Stunning New Look and Interactivity With a sleek new look, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is as easy on the eyes as it is to use. All of the Pro Tools M-Powered functionality you know and love is still in place--now with double the inserts per channel, more customizability, easier access to editing options and more. Customize the toolbar to show only your favorite tools and rearrange them the way you want. Tile or cascade your window arrangement. Change the color of your channel strips, tracks, regions, groups, and markers to any hue. Navigate through sessions quickly using the Universe view. And with the QuickStart dialog, you can jump right into an existing session, quickly create a new session from scratch, or start from one of the new session templates.
A Well-Stocked Studio Pro Tools M-Powered 8 comes fully packed with a huge, comprehensive collection of music creation and sound processing plug-ins--giving you a well-stocked studio right out of the box. You get an incredible array of 70 DigiRack, A.I.R. and Bomb Factory plug-ins right out of the box, including EQ, dynamics, delay, reverb and many more. You can also create and play music with six groundbreaking virtual instruments from the renowned Digidesign Advanced Instrument Research (A.I.R.) group: the Mini Grand piano, Boom drum machine, DB-33 tone-wheel organ, Structure Free sample player, and Vacuum and Xpand!2 synths. See the complete list of bundled software.
As if that weren't enough, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 software also lets you take advantage of a variety of RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins designed by the recording industry's largest professional third-party developer community. Track with powerful host-based vintage instruments from GForce and Way Out Ware. Polish your mixes with effects and mastering plug-ins from iZotope that surpass even expensive hardware. See more plug-ins from M-Audio, Digidesign and our partners.
Professional Recording, Editing and Mixing Pro Tools M-Powered 8 software enables M-Audio hardware enthusiasts to easily access the powerful recording, editing and mixing features of Pro Tools. Now with up to 48 simultaneous stereo tracks of 16- or 24-bit digital audio, and support for up to 96kHz sample rates, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 is an ideal companion for M-Audio interfaces and audio interface keyboards--whether you're recording solo or entire bands. And the optional Music Production Toolkit 2 expands Pro Tools M-Powered 8 to up to 64 mono or stereo tracks, and adds more effects and instruments, a multi-track version of Beat Detective and the Pro Tools MP3 Option.
Once you've finished your recording, you can fine-tune your performances with Pro Tools software's unmatched nondestructive editing tools. Shape sounds, compose parts, and add effects with RTAS instrument and effects plug-ins--then create polished mixes with professional mixing features and full mixer automation.
With Pro Tools M-Powered 8, your system has even more editing and mixing capabilities. Lock regions to the timeline to prevent them from being inadvertently moved or edited. Use the Automation and Controller lanes to view and edit track automation (such as volume, pan and plug-in automation) and MIDI CC data (such as velocity, pitch bend, and modulation) without changing track views. And with ten inserts to play with per track, you can now use more plug-ins than ever before.
Looping Tools Pro Tools M-Powered 8 features a variety of tools that make loop-based music creation faster and more imaginative than ever. In addition to importing REX and Acid files, the Loop Trim tool also makes it easy to turn audio or MIDI regions into loops. The Elastic Time and the new Elastic Pitch features make it a breeze to change tempo/time and pitch on the fly. As a result, you can integrate a wide variety of loops and audio files with your current session throughout the entire writing process. And DigiBase--the program's internal database--even has a Loop Preview feature that allows you to preview loops in sync, in real time, before bringing them into your session.
Transpose Audio with Elastic Pitch As a complement to Elastic Time, Pro Tools M-Powered 8 introduces Elastic Pitch, which allows you to you to effortlessly manipulate or correct the pitch of any audio region in real time, right inside the Edit window. Easily transpose an entire audio region in semitones--up to four octaves in either direction--without affecting its timing or tempo. Fix a less-than-perfect vocal performance by altering the pitch of individual notes in cent intervals. You can also create cool sound effects by linking pitch changes with time compression/expansion using the Varispeed algorithm.
Stretch Your Sound with Elastic Time Pro Tools M-Powered features Elastic Time, a powerful real-time tempo manipulation feature that makes it easy to change tempo or time on the fly. For musicians, composers and music producers, Elastic Time puts loop-based music creation in the fast lane, giving you the freedom to explore different tempos and experiment with loops and audio files that sync with your current session throughout the entire writing process. For post-production editors and engineers, Elastic Time makes it easy to stretch or squeeze audio tracks to fit video time frames, using high-quality algorithms that make your time manipulation virtually undetectable.
With Pro Tools M-Powered software, you can change the tempo and timing of loops, music, dialogue and other sound files without cutting up audio. Easily create loops from any audio file--even entire compositions--with the help of powerful tempo and transient analysis. Want to hear how a certain audio bit will sound in your song? The new Context Preview lets you quickly audition loops and audio files in sync with the tempo of your session. Even imported audio files and loops automatically conform to match your session's tempo.
Pro Tools M-Powered also makes it easy to perfect the timing of performances. You can improve errant beats by quantizing audio to your session's Bar|Beat grid--or to grooves extracted from other audio or MIDI performances using the Beat Detective feature, which offers better peak detection accuracy than ever before. You can also fine-tune "Elasticized" regions, with precision control over each individual beat, using the new warp track view and warp markers. You can even make the same precise changes across multiple grouped tracks while preserving timing offsets in multitrack recordings, such as with drums.
To ensure that you get the highest quality results, Elastic Time delivers some of the best-sounding processing in the industry. You can choose from several premium time-stretching algorithms on a per-track basis. You can even adjust the decay and processing window length to tailor the audio processing for each track, rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all algorithm.
Comp Tracks to Perfection Creating flawless performances is easier than ever with Pro Tools M-Powered 8. New track compositing features let you quickly and easily piece together the best possible version of a performance from multiple recording passes. Simply loop-record multiple takes on an Audio track, view and audition the takes in Playlist view, select the best parts from the track's alternate playlists, and copy them to the main playlist with a single click. You can also rate regions on a scale of one to five to help identify which takes you like the most when compositing playlists.
Advanced MIDI Production Pro Tools M-Powered software's fully integrated MIDI sequencer and editor allow you to record, edit, and mix up to 256 MIDI tracks alongside your audio tracks. Dedicated Instrument tracks combine the audio and MIDI elements of a given virtual instrument into a single channel strip to streamline your workspace. Launch your favorite instrument plug-in to get the sound you want. Engage loop recording to quickly develop a multi-layered drum pattern, then use Groove Quantize or Groove Templates to give it the right feel. Switch to MIDI Step Input to lay down a difficult passage. Turn on real-time MIDI processing to quantize your performance as it goes down.
Pro Tools M-Powered 8 also features a comprehensive array of new MIDI tools to streamline production with both virtual and traditional instruments. Gain extensive MIDI editing power through MIDI Editor windows, which can display MIDI and automation data for Instrument, MIDI and Auxiliary Input tracks. Work with new features that let you separate, consolidate and mute MIDI notes; scrub and shuttle through parts; view superimposed MIDI and Instrument tracks for easier arrangement editing; color code MIDI notes by track, type or velocity; audition velocity changes; and play MIDI notes when tabbing. Edit MIDI automation and continuous controller (CC) data through multiple Automation and Controller lanes. You can even watch your musical handiwork scroll by in real time during playback.
Score Your Music Based on the Sibelius notation engine, the new Pro Tools M-Powered 8 Score Editor window lets you view, edit, arrange and print MIDI data as music notation. Whether you want to compose music using the notation tools--or transcribe recorded, imported, drawn (with the Pencil tool) or step-entered MIDI data into notation--the Score Editor features everything you need and nothing you don't. Write parts on a single staff--treble, bass, alto or tenor clef--or grand staff. Place and edit notes, and edit the meter and key signature on a whim. Add chord symbols such as Dm7 and guitar chord diagrams to sessions. Transcribe MIDI parts in real time. Print out a score in its entirety or print only certain instrumental parts. You can even export sessions as Sibelius (.sib) files for further finessing in Sibelius.
ReWire Torq and More Fans of M-Audio Torq DJ software and other standalone applications can utilize ReWire within Pro Tools M-Powered for the best of both worlds. Simply send Torq software's output streams into Pro Tools M-Powered via ReWire for further mixing and processing. Pro Tools M-Powered also accepts MIDI directly from ReWire applications for recording controller data to a Pro Tools MIDI or Instrument track. With Pro Tools M-Powered and ReWire, the creative possibilities are endless.
Control Surfaces If you want the tactile feel of a pro console while enjoying the benefits of a personal or project studio, Pro Tools M-Powered supports both the M-Audio ProjectMix I/O and Digidesign Command|8. Both give you control over the software's mixing and transport functionality. ProjectMix I/O even incorporates a built-in 18 x 14 FireWire audio interface complete with eight preamps so you don't need any extra gear. If you're a DJ, Torq Xponent gives you a familiar DJ mixer surface combined with an audio interface and RCA outputs. And now with Pro Tools M-Powered 8, you can map plug-in parameter controls to almost any encoder on your controller, and access each track's ten inserts.

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Pro Tools 9 Software Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)(FYI i purchased PT MP/8 from Amazon and upgraded to PT9 directly through Avid)
Yes, PT is the de facto standard among studios. Yes, PT is very rich in cool and useful features. Yes, with version 9 Avid has finally un-crippled Pro Tools so that it works with any interface and unlocks features previously available only to users of their dedicated-hardware TDM version (of course these features and the ability to work with any interface have generally been available in competitors' products).
But the sad truth is that the big studios that use Pro Tools use it on Mac-based systems with tens of thousands of dollars worth of specialized TDM hardware, and they have service contracts with technicians who keep it configured and running smoothly.
As a PC user running PT9 on native hardware, I have found Pro Tools to be extremely buggy. I installed PT clean on a new PC, and followed the (several pages of) hardware guidelines for setting up the box so that PT would be happy. I am using a new Avid interface. The virtual instruments I use are limited to either Pro Tools Instrument Expansion (PTIE) and Native Instruments Komplete (the latter of which never hangs or crashes under other hosts). Nonetheless, I have experienced frequent crashes and hangs. In particular, I can reliably expect that when I close PT down and try to restart it I get a message the "Pro Tools did not close properly and your system will need to be restarted." Likewise, Pro Tools intermittently fails to recognize my licenses for PTIE's Structure, and will crash if I open up too many virtual instrument tracks. Users who have invested in a 64-bit system should be aware that PT9 is a 32-bit product, by the way.
I have given PT9 a solid try but I have found that it is too unreliable for recording. I also own and use Ableton Live Suite (also limited to 32 bit), Reason/Record, FL Studio 10 (Producer), and Reaper. None of these products have the bugginess / crashing problems that PT9 has.
If you just want to learn Pro Tools, then getting PT9 for the PC is an OK choice. But if you really want to use it you may have to get a Mac (I can't absolutely vouch for this, but on the DUC message board I do not see Mac users complaining about these things the same way PC users do). If you can't afford to invest in a Mac, then you should probably check out Reaper, which despite its criminally low price continues to amaze me as I discover its capabilities.

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