DAW's Does it Matter Which One?

[asimmd]

Hi All

I was bored over the weekend so I downloaded the M-Audio Pro Tools software,and I wish I had left it where it was,cos I like it.

I have been using Sonar for 2 years now,but I wondered if it made any difference sound wise which DAW we used?

I must say that my recorded stuff sounded better in playback in Pro Tools,or was that just my imagination?

Any input welcome.

Thanks

Alan

[TrevCircleStudios]

There is no substantial difference in terms of sound (technically there will be algorithmic differences but unless you have golden ears they are unlikely to be noticeable to you). Put it this way, when did you ever hear anyone whistling the sound of a particular daw! People prefer different daws primarily for workflow and features reasons. Just don't sweat it, go with what feels best and make some music.

[asimmd]

Many thanks for the reply,I agree with what you said but,does the same thing apply to the interface?

Mine is a rather ancient M-Audio Delta 4/10?

Thanks

Alan

[modz1]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Many thanks for the reply,I agree with what you said but,does the same thing apply to the interface?

Go get it Trev!!

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Many thanks for the reply,I agree with what you said but,does the same thing apply to the interface?

Mine is a rather ancient M-Audio Delta 4/10?

Thanks

Alan

I would say defintely. There is no way the older Delta can compare with a more recent Echo, RME or Lynx offering IMO.

If you are currently looking for an interface here is a discussion where that question was met with quite a few responses. Even more responses to a similar question can be found here. Another topic here discusses a sound card purchase.

As you may already know room treatment is yet another important consideration. (On my list of to do's)

But as modz1 implied...Trev is without a doubt one of *the* hardware experts on this forum and will be able to go into more detail than I can.

[sureno]

you know im no expert far from it but i love the way a mix sounds "better" when mix down in pro tools, i dont know what it is but it just does, it's very subtle but its as if it gives it that little bit extra. its probably nonsense but thought id through my bit in, il wait a little to have it angrily thrown back

[Dave Boulden]

Originally Posted by sureno

you know im no expert far from it but i love the way a mix sounds "better" when mix down in pro tools, i dont know what it is but it just does, it's very subtle but its as if it gives it that little bit extra. its probably nonsense but thought id through my bit in, il wait a little to have it angrily thrown back

I'm not disagreeing with you, but perhaps it's not the PT audio engine itself that makes it sound sweeter to your ears but possibly the way PT leads you to mix your tracks makes it sound sweeter... a different workflow may lead to setting up your FX chain, bussing and routing differently. It may well be a useful exercise to go over the order in which you apply things in PT as compared to whichever other DAWs you use and try the same order as far as you can in your other DAW to see if it gives you that same "sweeter sound".

[sureno]

even bouncing stems out of logic and putting it in tools just sounds crisp???
fully acknowledge it could be a number of reasons but im certainly not complaing

[asimmd]

Well I am glad it's not just me who thinks Pro Tools sounds better,but I couldn't tell you why either.

The chat we had about an interface a couple of months ago was fine,I was all for getting a Fireface 400,then what,they put the flippin price up???

OK,I was also thinking of an HDSP 96/32 PCI Card,but the new PCI-E cards are due soon(Ha Ha)so would I be buying old stock if I went for one of these?

I definately need help.

Alan

[TrevCircleStudios]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Many thanks for the reply,I agree with what you said but,does the same thing apply to the interface?

Mine is a rather ancient M-Audio Delta 4/10?

Thanks

Alan

Actually while the 410 is a bit ancient and converter quality has probably moved on to the extent that it would be worthwhile upgrading when you can, you would likely see a bigger difference in quality by adding a decent preamp and/or some room treatment to your setup before changing your converter which IMO are probably the last thing in your chain worth changing (in bang for buck terms).

You can find out more about room treatment, preamps and upgrading your interface on Monarch's helpful index page, here:

Start Page...

[TrevCircleStudios]

Originally Posted by asimmd

[snip]...but the new PCI-E cards are due soon(Ha Ha)so would I be buying old stock if I went for one of these?

I definately need help.

Alan

If the PCI will work in your computer the PCIe will not. Work out what you need before buying or you could find yourself with an expensive white elephant/interface you have no use for.

[asimmd]

Hi Trev

Thanks for the replies.

I don't understand your comment about the PCI or PCI-E cards working in my computer,I have both slots available.My computer is a self build;

Intel Quad 6600 on an Abit IP35 Pro - 4Gig Ram - BFG 8800 Graphics and my M-Audio Delta 4/10.

Signal path is all D.I Equipment as follows.

Guitar into Vox Tonelab - into Zoom RFX 2200 with Custom Echo's - Behringer Composer Pro Compressor - into Spirit M4 Mixer - into Sonar 8.0.

My question regarding the RME HDSP 96/32 was that as the new PCI-E versions of this are due soon,would It make sense to wait for those,or purchase a PCI HDSP 96/32 now?

I look forward to your comments.

Alan

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by asimmd

OK,I was also thinking of an HDSP 96/32 PCI Card,but the new PCI-E cards are due soon(Ha Ha)so would I be buying old stock if I went for one of these?

I definately need help.

Alan

If your PC can take a PCI -E card and has a free slot...then personally I would wait for the new versions.

If you can wait (no idea when they are coming out) then that is the route I would take. I would wait for a driver revision or two, but RME are pretty solid all round from what I have read.

[cane creek]

Doesnt matter at all which DAW you use , as long as its either Cubase or Logic

[cane creek]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Hi All

I was bored over the weekend so I downloaded the M-Audio Pro Tools software,and I wish I had left it where it was,cos I like it.

I have been using Sonar for 2 years now,but I wondered if it made any difference sound wise which DAW we used?

To be honest most DAW's (Pro-tools/Logic/Cubase/Live) will seem better than Sonar , Sonar is just about the only DAW ive demo'ed that i didnt like.