Subject:Home Studio XL just released...

Posted by: Maruuk

Date:3/22/2002 1:30:08 PM

...from Cakewalk and it has practically EVERYTHING for about $150 street. Acid looping, DXi synths, unlimited audio, full piano-roll midi support, extensive built-in notation/printing, great FX, etc etc etc. Even comes with an extensive library of Acid loops.

I say this only to throw down the gauntlet to SoFo once again--we want to stay in the SoFo/Acid world, but you guys have to step up to the plate bigtime, and FAST!

Subject:RE: Home Studio XL just released...

Reply by: Maruuk

Date:3/24/2002 2:01:20 PM

It's interesting Cakewalk was able to co-opt the Acid looping system and then simply add exactly what everyone is asking for in this forum--full audio, full midi, ReWire, DXi, synths, etc and even a bunch of things no one realized they needed, like extensive integrated notation + printing. The question is, did they have to license Acid technology from SoFo, or is it considered public domain since it's based on the .WAV format?

The reason this is interesting is can SoFo make a killing licensing technology rather than selling it to the public. Should they concede the battle lost and just sit back and let everyone else fight out the standards war while cashing licensing checks? If you look at what Acid 4.0 has to have in it to be competetive, it is such a vast leap forward for SoFo it's almost mind-boggling. It's possible that SoFo simply doesn't have the cash flow or the tech breadth to keep playing frantic catch-up in their own backyard.

The solution for SF is to climb down off the ivory tower and form strategic partnerships and license right back. I'm thinking we will see some competitors' names in the tiny copyright print at the bottom of the 4.0 packaging. And users will be the grateful beneficiaries.

Subject:RE: Home Studio XL just released...

Reply by: Spirit

Date:3/25/2002 3:45:09 AM

I don;t think SF has to concede anything. SoundForge is still considered among the best - if not THE best - sampler availble. It's the standard. Acid is still THE audio loop software that everyone compares themself to. It also has many of the little things such pan and volume anvelopes, DX effects, EQ etc. And it has a beautfully simple interface.

The only big thing missing is MIDI. The other wishlist stuff is good but not even vital. Things like ASIO, DXi/VSTi etc. Hell, Reason doesn't even have MIDI out and they're doing fine !

The MIDI spec doesn't have to be brilliant, just a Reason-style piano-roll (IMHO).

Even adding ASIO, DXi, and Rewire doesn't make it a huge job.

But I am gettign a little impatient. I was a user of earlier Acid versions and have just upgraded to AcidPro. I did this in spite of NEEDING a midi sequencer because I'm confident SF will deliver and I don't want to change camps. I don;t like VST or Logic. I am tempted to get either FruityLoops or Orion in the interim, and I think that's the real danger: don't keep 'em waiting too long.....

Subject:RE: Home Studio XL just released...

Reply by: Maruuk

Date:3/25/2002 11:27:55 AM

You speak for a lot of us Acidheads that are happy with the friendly interface and simple, straightforward loop interaction. But the midi support is a joke, and the other laundry list of needs is getting critical. Once SF drives too many users into the open arms of competitors who feature full Acid loop support now and they take the time to learn the admittedly more awkward interfaces of these apps, a lot 'em ain't coming back. In the real world of limited-funds musicians, a commitment to a $300 app can't be a passing fancy--if that app has all the things you need NOW, you gotta go down that one-way road and like the song sez, "I won't be back, tom-orowwww!"

Subject:RE: Home Studio XL just released...

Reply by: Spirit

Date:3/26/2002 5:55:42 AM

Agree 100%.

I've recently been on a complete upgrade mission and am only halfway through. I've got a budget for software and and wrestling with the options. So far I've only committed to AcidPro because I love the workflow. But then the problems start. I do need MIDI - but not much - I prefer working with audio. But AcidPro isn't good enough. So I think I should stay away from VST & Logic etc and wait for AcidPro 4 MIDI. But when will it happen ? Can I wait that long ? Will its MIDI specs be any good anyway ?

And I want to get Reaktor. But without a decent MIDI sequencer you're throwing away half of what Reaktor can do. So now do I not buy Reaktor until I see what AcidPro 4 has ? Or do I get Sonar or Cubase instead so Reaktor can run as a VSTi. But then I've blown my budget way out.

All this turmoil is because I'm waiting for AcidPro 4 MIDI.

But I can't wait forever, and as you point out, once you spend the $ you're committed.

Waiting...... waiting........

Subject:RE: Home Studio XL just released...

Reply by: SHTUNOT

Date:3/26/2002 2:50:29 PM

What I'm going to do is buy Sonar if things don't pan out. I went to their site and read through the feature list of it and must say it would complement sofo products best. There are "competitive upgrades" for Sonar. If you own a full version of say vegas,cubase,acid,logic,etc...you could buy Sonar for a reduced price. I think that I saw one at: http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=i.home&z=1332039587678

Vegas has the dame sales pitch for adobe premier products at Safe Harbor.
http://www.sharbor.com/
If I find any others I'll post again. Let me know if any of you find them either.

I'm the last to want to jump ship on ANY sofo product but I can't just sit by and watch my audio sequencing product fall behind in AUDIO features just because they want to break into a VIDEO market. Sofo...you've been warned.

Subject:RE: Home Studio XL just released...

Reply by: Maruuk

Date:3/27/2002 12:24:54 PM

Here's an amazing upgrade example that should leave SoFo quaking in their boots: if you're a registered owner of ANY Cakewalk product (you can buy Plasma, say, for $39), you can get Home Studio 2002 for $49! HS 2k2 has most of what XL has including DXi, the complete Edirol Sound Canvas (one of the best GM sets anywhere), a couple of other DXi synths, full audio and midi support, NOTATION (are ya listening SF???)and of course full Acid support, plus a jillion other things Acid doesn't have. Another $49 will get you XL with compressors, more sophisticated synths, etc.

These are people prices, these are mass-market realistic numbers for extremely complete and professional products. When Acid brings 4 we demand cheap upgrades!