Still waiting, but a little bit tired.Īpps were improved (well, the best ones, including Caustic), but now we're back to a buffer size of 1024 to run 16 tracks on a brand new machine! I've done that 10 years ago, and sometimes have to it now for large projects with lots of tracks, lots of plug-ins including fine compressors, convolutions verbs.
So, what's wrong with these new devices (Apple's and Android included)? Are the manufacturers thinking we'll spend more than 1000 dollars or Euros just to run Facebook or Skype or make selfies? Some years ago, we where thinking: wait a couple of years and we'll have horsepower to run our beloved music apps, better latency, full and fluent connectivity between apps, devices and external gear. For live purpose, I don't wan to use tricks and workarounds. Better use a laptop (my old Toshiba full of crap is still running fine with 16 tracks running with a 128 buffer size (wich is the minimum required for no perceivable latency, at least on fast transients sounds, as drums or percussive synths).
All 3 are enemies to each other! Anyway, I won't use one of these DAWs (Pro Tools, Cubase or Studio One) for live, but if the latest Microsoft device can't run them smoothly on such simple projects, It's a no go for me, as I have to run a live sequencer (maybe lighter than Cubase or Pro tools), but a guitar synth brain too. One thing I can tell is the best way to have audio problems, even with a high end PC, is to run Avid Pro Tools on PC with a Steinberg interface. But I noticed they offer a free unlock key for the best demo file -) I won't do it, not enough time. It's not an ad, I have no links with Mutools.
Not to mention Caustic was and is still in the same area for a new approach with making music on computer. I think for the live aspect, Bitwig is on the same road, and I will test it too. (It reminds me an old thread about faceplates for Caustic's modularsynth, by the way -) IMHO, this is the future fo DAWs: clear, fast and simple in surface, but a lot of power under the hood, flexible and modulable.
I mention it, because the philosophy behind this beast remind me Caustic: It's simple in a first approach, but if your take the time and and get involved, it's a real modular thing, you can build whatever you want/need: FX, synth, sampler, use your own VSTs inside a module, build your own interface. Check out the videos, interesting features: step sequencer can work as a module by itself, audio as source or target for modulations (idea for a new Caustic feature?) There is a free demo version (4 tracks and some limitations).
I was recently mentioning Mulab and Mux in a topic about modular, and just received an update offer by Mutools (I own Mux, installed in Cubase). Version 7 seems to have great improvements, I think I will crossgrade to full Mulab on my spare PC. Mulab is available for Won and Mac, but it seems that the Mux plugin only works with Win DAWs.