Software advice
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Posted on Oct 16, 2008 11:19 am
Martín González
Martín
Member Since: Oct 15, 2008
Hi, I just got my new interface and mics. I'll be using SONAR 6 and Cubase SX 3 for recording and editing, but I want to know which mastering software or plugins do you recommend me. Also a little technical advice, my interface (a TASCAM us 1641) has L and R monitor outputs, but it says (BALANCED). I don't get this cause' I've always thought that mono outputs are UNBALANCED, but here and in the manual indicates they are BALANCED. I'm wondering if I plug a TS cable out of the outputs it could damage my monitors.
Well, i hope you can help me.
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Oct 16, 2008 12:48 pm Balanced is a mono signal. But it uses a TRS style 1/4" plug, or an XLR plug.
Balanced sends 2 signals, one is 'in phase', one is 'out of phase', and the other is ground. When received, the 'out of phase' signal is inverted and applied against the 'in phase' signal. This will negate any noise picked up along the way.
So;
Unbalanced = TS 1/4", or RCA
Balanced = TRS 1/4", or XLR
If you use a TS cable to connect to your monitors, you'll only be picking up the 'in phase' part of the signal (i think). It shouldn't have any ill effect. Though, I'm not entirely sure that you won't have some noise introduced by not having signal on the 'out of phase' side. I think someone on here has brought up the idea that there may be noise introduced. I highly doubt anything could be harmed though. It's just line level signal, so nothing to worry about.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Oct 16, 2008 12:51 pm Oh yeah, I just do my own home-grown mastering, so no real help there. I use mostly VSTs included with reaper.
I'm not mastering for success though, just balance and polish, if possible.
Oct 17, 2008 01:12 pm and what about REAPER, I heard thats a freeware software?
Oct 17, 2008 01:14 pm Reaper is cool, but not technically freeware...you have an evaluation period, after that you are asked to buy it (it's cheap) if not it doesn't get crippled, it still works...
Oct 17, 2008 01:22 pm the installation file its less than 5 MB!! , in terms of quality and functionallity, how good it is?
I just downloaded the evaluation version and the schemes and interface are kind of crappy, but I dont know, I'm used to SONar, cubase and protools, so , maybe I'm just judging a book by its cover..
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Oct 17, 2008 03:07 pm I've been on with this app for around 1.5 - 2 year now, and it just keeps getting better.
The author is the same guy that wrote winamp.
I've been working in it fully for over a year now, and i've been very happy. I use FL Studio as my midi/soundfont/synth engine, so I don't use reaper for midi much. But for audio, the app is very slick. Fast for edits, and logical workflow. But, you do have to get used to it. The basics are pretty easy to get onto, but there's a lot under the hood.
The themes are plentiful, so you can skin it how you want, but the basic layout doesn't change much.
There are updates every few days, to every few weeks. The developers are very keen on making this for the user-base, not for the company's benefit. They fix bugs very quickly, and add functionality often. The devs are in the forums often, and will jump in to help or give advice / opinions.
There are some very good plugins included with reaper, as well.
dB's right, it is shareware, you should purchase a license if you're going to use it (50$us), and purchase a commercial license (200$) if you're going to use it in a business setting (making real money with it).
But the company doesn't want to hinder people first, and then let you use it, they'd rather let everyone use it, and the honest people will respect their business model, and purchase a license.
And if you don't like it, the delete routine completely removes the app, as there are no additions to the windows registry. So there's no risk of leftover DLLs or registry inclusions mucking up your windows down the road.
Oct 17, 2008 03:25 pm Deleted By Martín González
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Oct 17, 2008 05:18 pm as far as mastering goes, there are alot of post recently about the subject. I see you've said that you use , sonar, cubase and PT ( a little redundant IMO) I use sonar for tracking and it can be used for some pre-master stuff ( rule of thumb if you can try not to master you're own stuff, if you can). I also rock PT's (for the simple reason that i work with a # of people who do ). When i do, do a little mastering (more pre-master) I like to use wavelab . as far as plugins go , a good multiband compressor ( i like waves products) and i use waves L2 most of the time . But I'd focus more on the mixing and tracking aspect before overloading your self with the art of masteringing.
Oct 18, 2008 02:04 am Reaper, if nothing else, is bulletproof. I've been using the beta release on my MacBook for some fairly high-profile live tracking. I've yet to have an issue with it. And they're freaking beta releases... WAY more stable than programs I've dropped rather large bucks on for my Mac...
NightcapVeni, MIDI, ViciMember
Since: Jul 02, 2008
Oct 18, 2008 01:16 pm Hm, glad to hear that your opinion about Reaper is so positive, MM. I purchased a Reaper license last night. Reasons for my choice? Price, great VSTs, ease of use, more than enough possibilities for my needs and a light footprint. Other things that were important in my decision: an active forum and the fact that the developer keeps in touch with the users. The frequent updates are proof of that.
To give credit where credit is due, pjk's posts mentioning Reaper made me curious enough to investigate Reaper. Resulting in being a user now. :-)
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Oct 18, 2008 02:48 pm Reaper is a great application. Very low overhead and you can run it off of a USB key!!
I'm locked into Sonar so I don't use it right now though. Reaper is a big contender and shouldn't be overlooked by anyone.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Oct 20, 2008 08:25 am Hee Hee, i should get a commission =)
Hope it works out for ya, i'll probably see you over on the reaper forum. I'm in there less frequent than here, but I usually check every day.
NightcapVeni, MIDI, ViciMember
Since: Jul 02, 2008
Oct 20, 2008 12:35 pm You should get a commission! :-)
So far, after almost 3 days of exploring, I'm really impressed with what Reaper has to offer. Finding the goodies takes some searching sometimes, but overall it's a breeze. I was curious about automation and I found that it works great! Also, the manual is a lot better than I'd expected and it's very helpful.
I still have to become a member of the Reaper forum, but I will soon. Will see ya there.
Again, thanks for being such a Reaper fan. Your enthusiasm convinced me.
