I use Cakewalk Home Studio for MIDI but I don't like it anywhere near as much as Dr T on my trusty Amiga 2000...

For midi both my partner and I use Sonar 2.0XL. Makes projects that he writes at his studio completely compatible with mine. Great program...BUT...The next version of ACID PRO 4 WILL have full midi implementation[plus a boatload of new features]. To keep moving along this "compatibility" theme I would recommend to wait untill the demo is released so to see if it meets your needs. All sofo apps work great together. Do you have a copy of acid already?

Go to the acid forums for more detail+if you want to see the new features of acid pro 4 download the .pdf file[click"view file"]...http://www.sonicfoundry.com/registration/catalogrequest.asp

Again I think Sonar is a great all around program,but I feel more comfortable working in Vegas/Acid/soundforge.

<<The next version of ACID PRO 4 WILL have full midi implementation...wait until the demo is released so to see if it meets your needs>>

I feel better about waiting to check out Acid 4.0.

I'd also like to look seriously at Cubase SX, Nuendo and/or Sonar. I'm looking for feature tips, suggestions for Midi software complementary to Vegas, compatibility concerns, etc. What makes Sonar unique for you? (...other than compatibility with a working partner. ...which BTW is a good reason!)

I'm hoping to keep from getting burned again. (I recently almost bought Logic, glad I waited...) Years ago, I shelled out the >$600 cash for Pro Tools 4.0 for my Mac using DAE PowerMix, w/o Digidesign hardware. Shortly thereafter Digi released their 'free' software version to be used w/o Digidesign hardware!

I use Vegas, Acid and Sound Forge XP (since 2000) just for editing audio files 'off-line'. I upgraded to VV3.0 and Acid 3.0 and find these applications to be FANTASTIC! I've been on the upgrade path for more than a few years. I've just recently decided to get the Windows PC plugged into my 'real' recording environment and picked up a MIDISPORT 2X2 USB midi interface. ..haven't plugged it in yet. Which has led to my software (?) question.

I discovered Vegas since my very powerful newer PC had outgrown my midi-less and older Mac. My first look at the Vegas 2.0 demo sold me! This was a huge improvement in interface and functionality! I like it better than ProTools! The same is true with Acid...

But, Midi was left out. I've only briefly reviewed the Acid 3.0 implementation. I'm not replacing Dr.T just Yet! I've got a project recording room where I use an Atari ST with Dr.Ts KCS, a ton of midi and recording gear with keyboards, modules, effects, acoustic and electric guitars. So, I'm kinda stuck in the middle of matching 80's/90's gear with my newly upgraded PC. (Win2k, single 700 MHz CPU and planning on building the super-cool dual CPU system very soon!)

The midi implementation in ACID 4.0 is great. While it's not as deep as some of the other apps, it's pretty good. For me, the looping, midi, surround sound, ASIO, and some of the other tools are well worth it. One thing I'll say for certain. IT'S DAMN SOLID!!!
We'll be showing it on our VAST tour next month, check us out if you can.
www.sundancemediagroup.com/vvtour.htm

<<IT'S DAMN SOLID!!!>>

I've been super impressed by Sonic Foundry products so far! This sounds BIG. You’ve got my attention. I believe the product is maturing and SOLID is a good word!

<<the looping, midi, surround sound, ASIO and some of the other tools are well worth it>>

Can someone please explain ASIO? This is a new term for me. Also, what is ASIO2? ...or WDM/MME drivers?

I am doing all my music in Sonar 2 and I think it is much better suited for midi and writing music. It is technically a great product. Very low latencies with most sound cards (down to few ms) and the software synth implementation is great.
I recently bought Vegas Video 3 for mastering purposes and I will use it too for some tricky audio transfers that will require MTC timecode.
The big "pro" of using sonar instead of Acid for instance is that Sonar is on its second generation and very stable and has lots of feature on the virtual synth and plug-ins side (DX8 automation for instance...).

Thanks for the second opinion on Cakewalk's Sonar 2.0. I haven't tried it yet. I'm familiar with Steinberg products having used them on the Atari, but I have yet to try Cubase XS on the PC.

Sonar 2.0 highlight (from their web site)
"WDM Kernel Streaming for faster audio processing and mixing, live input monitoring of effects, and lowest-latency DXi soft synths. (Requires WDM-compatible audio hardware)."

-AND-

Cubase XS feature (from their web site)
"ASIO soundcard support for low latencies e.g. Steinberg Nuendo 96/52."

What's this all about? How does it relate to Vegas/Acid?

Hey SPOT... Are you taking the VAST tour out to Florida. I'm in Orlando!

If you have a decent sound card, it probably has WDM kernel streaming drivers and ASIO drivers and you will get about the same latency in Sonar and Cubase.
I think that since Cubase SX, it is now more a matter of taste between Sonar 2 and Cubase. They do have all the same core functionnalities. You should download the demos and play with them to decide. What I do like the most in Sonar is that I am able really quickly to have my ideas down in a song. All the midi and audio editing are very intuitive.

And about WDM/ASIO and Vegas/Acid, I think Sofo are using WDM kernel streaming drivers (ASIO are proprietary by Steinberg as WDM are specification by Microsoft).

After looking at the new features for Acid 4.0 in the (PDF) catalog, it seems Cubase SX may be a winner...

ASIO Driver Support.. "ASIO support provides users with lower latency for faster, professional results."

VSTi plug-ins.. "VST instruments allow you to play back your MIDI tracks through classic synths,filters, and effects. ACID PRO 4.0 supports VSTi plug-ins from Native Instruments, TC Works, Muon, Applied-Acoustics, Sonic Reality, and many others."

The ad also mentions..
MIDI Event List Editing
MIDI Piano Roll Editing
MIDI Step Recording

I went with Cubase SX over Sonar 2.0. Rock solid and the audio engine turns out a fine mix.

I know this is a SF forum but a quick question for SHTUNOT or SonicErik - How did you guys get your latency in Sonar down to a few ms? I am using a Delta 66 with the latest drivers and I couldn't get lower than 43ms or something using the demo. It was brutal. Is there a certain settings layout that you guys use? I have been hearing all sorts of good and bad regarding the WDM drivers in Sonar...but haven't been able to really try it out without this huge latency.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Cuzin B

You can email me at erik@starfighters-now.net and I will try to help you, give me more details on your setup through ;)
Most people in the Sonar forum are reporting latencies around 4ms with Delta sounds cards so there must be something wrong with your setup !

Erik.

I'm going to start a new thread on connecting midi apps with Timecode...

where is the Sonar forum? Is it online(at a site) or an email app type of thing?

I'm stilling using Opcode's Studio Vision for midi, although it isn't available anymore. Still works great, and has the best user interface around. I will probably continue to do so, until Acid's midi abilities supersedes it. I'll check out Acid 4.0 and make that decision.

SF can you have 4.0 support opening of .VSN files or I guess I'll probably have to save as standard midi files?

waynegee

http://www.cakewalk.com/support/newsgroups.asp

MJ