How does Vegas Pro 16 compare as a DAW to something like Cubase? Does VP support VST3 and MIDI? What sort of features would be lacking compared to a standalone DAW like Cubase?
Using a full DAW has several advantages over Vegas. I don't believe Vegas can handle things such as MIDI or Virtual Instrument plugins (although I could be wrong - but I have never known for it to be able to).
Magix has re-launched the Acid line for DAW if you want to look into that. I myself have a lot of xp with audio projects for recording music. I myself use the DAW called Reaper. It's just as good as the higher end ones like Pro Tools, but it's a simple $60 to purchase a license.
As a full DAW and the true capabilities you may need, Vegas is not something I would consider. It has some DAW like features, like Live recording from an audio interface with punch-ins and what not, but I personally would NOT use it as a full daw.
I used to use it before I needed MIDI, so it is great for recording live stuff and editing, but if you need more then probably not a good idea. Samplitude pro X is what I settled on and it has been great.
I find VP adequate for post audio and music mixing if MIDI, VST-3 FX or VST instruments are not needed. In the few instances I needed to track a band with a DAW, I used SloTools or Reaper. If the track count is relatively low, I use my Sound Devices film sound gear.
VST3 isn't supported .Neither is MIDI and Instruments .Vegas isn't a DAW. It's an NLE with decent audio tooling .
You can get SONAR Platinum for free in the form of Cakewalk by BandLab. You don't have to pay anything for a Pro-level DAW on Windows.
Vegas is good enough for film post and similar workflows. You aren't going to be using it for electronic music production, or any, I less you record your tracks and work only with stems.
Even then, you're going to be missing tools like VocalSync and Melodyne, among others. The time stretching, etc. in DAWs is also better, and they tend to have much better audio engines. This is why so many films have their Audio Mixing done in Pro Tools and other DAWs.
It would be truly awesome if Vegas Pro and Acid Pro could just be merged into one software, having the full greatness of non-linear video editing as well as being usable as a full DAW.
I agree, since they feel like they were basically built from the same code, and share a lot of features. Maybe keep a light version of Acid for Audio only, but add all the missing features to Vegas.
Does VP support VST3 and MIDI?
I hope they are working on putting MIDI inside of Vegas too. Would be a real game changer.
Does anybody know whether they plan to add support for VST3 effects to VEGAS?
They have to be planning it, since VST2 is over and all new plug-ins have to be VST3 moving forwards. Not planning it would be... a massive oversight. I don't see that happening. I can see the next version having VST3 support - but if it's MAGIX's VST3 engine... I will cry.
AFAIK, VST3 is on the list, but don't hold yo' breath.
MIDI? no.
Sonar (Cakewalk) is now free. At that price, this stable, unfancy, full-featured DAW can't be beat.
I use the Free Cakewalk and it is a powerful DAW. It is updated regularly and many features I haven't begun to explore.