Cakewalk HS 2004XL vs Protools MBox on a PC Platform

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Member Since: Apr 28, 2004

Greatings!

I was thrilled to find this site as I need a lot of help dipping my foot into the world of DAW.

I have limited DIY multi-track recording experience (Tascam 788) and I'm wanting to purchase THE RIGHT software for a DAW. I'm completely open to suggestions but the two software packages in my topic header are what I'm looking at right now.

I have four primary questions:

1) Which has a steeper learning curve?
2) Which is easier to use once you know what you're doing.
3) If I go with cakewalk, what hardware do you recommend I purchase for my guitar/mic interface?
4) I have toyed around with Sonic Foundry Acid and have built up a large collection of loops that I will want to incorporate. I know that Cakewalk is compatable. Is there anyway to convert Acid files for use with Protools?

thank you

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 28, 2004 01:12 pm

I like Cakewalk, but I must admit I have not even looked at ProTools in well over a year. From what I know based on my experience and the experiences of trusted friends it would seem they are both pretty easy to learn and can both get very professional results.

Regarding the audio interface, thats what makes Cakewalk up a leg in my opinion. Cakewalk allows you to use whatever you want, ProTools you are stuck with ProTools hardware. And upgrading gradually gets very expensive. Which one is best for depending on how you plan to record and what other gear is available to you. How many tracks you record at any one time...stuff like that...

Not sure about working with Acid Loops, I know Cakewalk does, not sure about ProTools, something makes me doubt that it will tho.

Welcome to HRC :-)

Member
Since: Apr 29, 2004


Apr 29, 2004 11:14 am

I've used cakewalk HS for years, later upgraded to Sonar. It's a great platform. So it protools, but I've found once you get used to one DAW platform the others seem annoying and confusing. That's just how it goes with learning software.

dB Masters makes a good point about hardware compatability. There's also a good price difference between the two. If you're on a budget, don't plan to interface with pro studios or other PT users, and don't need all the latest and greatest plugins (though many of them can be used in CWHS), CWHS is a good choice. The fact that you can upgrade later to Sonar without really losing money is great too.
You might look at the cubase family of software as well, adobe audition, n-tracks (ultra-cheap, that one). Sorry to confuse, but there are lots of options.

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