> - Which one would you say has the best sounding overall
> built-in (non- 3rd
> party) DSP plug-ins (Eq - compressors - delays - verbs etc.) ?
I've never done any in depth listening tests, but I would give Logic the
tilt for the included effects being easier to adjust and I like their method
of handling user presets better too.
> - Which one would make the best sounding mix using only it's
> own (non- 3rd
> party) tools? (This would also include stereo imaging /
> timing issues etc.)
I'm too green in this area to be of any usefulness. Currently I find that
the Audio tracks I'm recording with Logic sound very digital. This may be a
setting somewhere or it could be my TASCAM US-122 that's causing it. I
didn't notice this with Sonar, but then I didn't use the US-122 with it.
> - Which One is Less Painful to work with? - (pick your poison)...?
I find Logic the hardest to learn, Sonar and Cubase about equal and to me at
least, much easier to get started with. Once learned, I find Logic faster to
get things done.
> - Which One plays best with others - (3rd party apps / plugs etc.)...?
Your guess is as good as mine. Which tool do you blame when something goes
wrong, the exporter or the importer?
> - Any other general comparative comments...?
To a large degree what is best is going to be different for different
people. I tried Sonar, Logic and Cubase. I ended up with Logic, but it could
have possibly gone to Cubase except for some crashing problems that probably
weren't Cubase's fault, but I just wasn't willing to put more time into it.
I wanted to get working.
Cubase's pros were ease of use, fantastic external synth support, a much
better help system (Logic has none) and it runs on both PCs and Macs. (I
prefer the PC platform.)
Its cons are that MIDI editing is slightly less efficient (for me), included
plug-ins had poor user interfaces compared to Logic. By that I mean they
were harder to adjust.
Logic's pros are fantastic flexibility, MIDI editing that is second to none
(for me), and a workflow that is very productive (once learned).
Its cons are steep learning curve, very poor support for external sound
modules and synths, no help system.
Sonar, although the most stable of the three in my experience, is just a
slight bit behind in MIDI editing than the other two. It's workflow is very
nice though and if you are open to working on a PC, that might just be what
makes the difference for you.
If you buy Logic, you can get the Cubase competitive upgrade for $300 and I
suspect there is a competitive upgrade for Sonar too. If you can at all
afford it, you should try all three. That is the only way to really know
which is best for you.
Kamm
