PreSonus releases a cross-platform DAW

[mhschmieder]

http://www.presonus.com/products/Softwa ... twareId=11

It's nice to finally have options other than Cubase for cross-platform DAW's.

If nothing else, it increases the likelihood of a collaborator sending project files in a format that we can open on a Mac.

I consider this option (buying a light version of a second Mac-based DAW) superior to running Windows emulation for Sonar or another Win-only DAW.

[1nput0utput]

It's nice to finally have options other than Cubase for cross-platform DAW's.

Ableton Live? Reaper? Audacity?

[mhschmieder]

Audacity is dangerous. Isn't Reaper Windows-only (last I checked, a few months back)? Ableton is not a traditional DAW in its workflow. Mackie's DAW might be cross-platform; I'm not interested enough to check (it isn't full-featured, nor on closer inspection is this new one from PreSonus).

[Jim]

It's nice to finally have options other than Cubase for cross-platform DAW's.

Ableton Live? Reaper? Audacity?

Tracktion, too.

[James Steele]

Isn't Reaper Windows-only (last I checked, a few months back)?

Reaper has an OSX version that's beta and it's got some interesting features. It's a bit clunky in areas but seems to work okay.

[James Steele]

Well this is definitely interesting. Thing is... as sort of a new kid on the block... I think Presonus will have to make some sort of demo available if they wish to gain any sort of market penetration. They may have something here. If they have captured some of the polished look of the Logic GUI and some of the good aspects of Logic without the infuriatingly obtuse aspects, then it seems like this might appeal to a lot of people. Frankly, I really am drawn to GUIs that are pleasing to the eye and have a look and feel graphically that equal or even surpass the underlying sophistication of the product. Sometimes, life seems too short for ugly GUIs, and if there are two competing products that do mostly the same things, I'll bend over backwards to use the one that is more appealing and enjoyable to work with.

[Matcher]

• Elegant single-window work environment
• Powerful drag-and-drop functionality
• Unlimited audio tracks, MIDI tracks, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels
• Content browser with convenient sort options and preview player
• Integrated mastering solution with automatic mix updating, waveform editing, effects, Red Book CD burning, and digital release
• Automatic delay compensation
• Advanced automation
• 64-bit processing (even on 32-bit machines)
• Easy-to-use sidechain routing
• Awe-inspiring 64-bit effects suite
• Stunning virtual instruments
• User-friendly sampler
• Most intuitive MIDI-mapping system available
• Real-time audio timestretching and resampling
• AU, VST2, VST3, and ReWire support
• K System metering
• Gigabytes of inspiring content
• Compatible with any ASIO-, Windows Audio-,or Core Audio-compliant audio interface

..and they have an actual forum of their own, with Presonus moderators participating. Looks good.

[James Steele]

• Elegant single-window work environment
• Powerful drag-and-drop functionality
• Unlimited audio tracks, MIDI tracks, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels
• Content browser with convenient sort options and preview player
• Integrated mastering solution with automatic mix updating, waveform editing, effects, Red Book CD burning, and digital release
• Automatic delay compensation
• Advanced automation
• 64-bit processing (even on 32-bit machines)
• Easy-to-use sidechain routing
• Awe-inspiring 64-bit effects suite
• Stunning virtual instruments
• User-friendly sampler
• Most intuitive MIDI-mapping system available
• Real-time audio timestretching and resampling
• AU, VST2, VST3, and ReWire support
• K System metering
• Gigabytes of inspiring content
• Compatible with any ASIO-, Windows Audio-,or Core Audio-compliant audio interface

Not sure why you bolded some of those items that DP does actually have... for example, Automatic Delay Compensation is a given.

..and they have an actual forum of their own, with Presonus moderators participating. Looks good.

What's this? Chopped liver? Granted we don't have MOTU moderators participating, but a company-owned forum isn't necessarily always better.

[Jim]

Can it interchange project and audio files from other DAWs? That'd be a plus.

[Matcher]

Not sure why you bolded some of those items that DP does actually have... for example, Automatic Delay Compensation is a given.

It wasn't meant to be a comparison with DP, the bolded stuff was just something I find very cool to find in a sequencer as young as Studio One.

What's this? Chopped liver? Granted we don't have MOTU moderators participating, but a company-owned forum isn't necessarily always better.

Again this wasn't to mark MOTU's weaknesses, and motunation is a great forum without MOTU, and sometimes MD even drops by to comment. But-- Presonus has a forum where Presonus mods reply to questions about bugs, updates etc. The developer interacts with the users in a respectful manner, and this is something I value very much. Ableton is another company which is a great example of customer relations IMO.

[mhschmieder]

The rumour is that this DAW was designed by the old Nuendo team.

[James Steele]

What's this? Chopped liver? Granted we don't have MOTU moderators participating, but a company-owned forum isn't necessarily always better.

Again this wasn't to mark MOTU's weaknesses, and motunation is a great forum without MOTU, and sometimes MD even drops by to comment. But-- Presonus has a forum where Presonus mods reply to questions about bugs, updates etc. The developer interacts with the users in a respectful manner, and this is something I value very much. Ableton is another company which is a great example of customer relations IMO.

No I hear you. I think however, that maintaining such a company-run forum might be more hassle than they'd want to deal with so long as there are places like this out there. Besides, one thing that I would just HATE dealing with if I had a company run forum is the issue of users who go online to publicly flame a company (and I'm talking about the ugly flying off the handle type of post) and then being ripped apart if you delete such a post. The whole issue of dealing with people who feel it's a God-given right to rip a company to shreds publicly on their own board would be difficult. I know it can be done, but I think they'd be better off focusing on ironing out some of the remaining wrinkles with DP 6.02 (which speaking for myself is working pretty well for me) before putting such a site up.

I'd still like to see a demo version of this Presonus app however...

[Matcher]

No I hear you. I think however, that maintaining such a company-run forum might be more hassle than they'd want to deal with so long as there are places like this out there. Besides, one thing that I would just HATE dealing with if I had a company run forum is the issue of users who go online to publicly flame a company (and I'm talking about the ugly flying off the handle type of post) and then being ripped apart if you delete such a post. The whole issue of dealing with people who feel it's a God-given right to rip a company to shreds publicly on their own board would be difficult. I know it can be done, but I think they'd be better off focusing on ironing out some of the remaining wrinkles with DP 6.02 (which speaking for myself is working pretty well for me) before putting such a site up.

I'd still like to see a demo version of this Presonus app however...

I agree with everything above. And, it's worth mentioning that Ableton for example, is an exceptional company that leads the way in some aspects of the industry. You could pretty much compare any company to them and find room for improvement, Apple for example. With MOTU, I see things developing the right way with their site, software and hardware. Of course, DP6 needs to grow to it's full potential, but .02 versions rarely are bullet proof. Looking forward to upgrade in time.

[bigdaddy]

Interesting.

I own and actually enjoy using Mackie Tracktion 2 from time to time, but if you want to see an example of a Company Run Forum at it's worst...

Also been playing with the demo of Reaper and if they keep developing it for the Mac side, with frequent updates, then they just might be on to something. Best feature so far is the easily customizable GUI. I've seen some AMAZING custom skins for Reaper online and as James already said, this is a biggie for some folks - I'm one of them.

It's part of the reason I like Tracktion. Although it's purely a 2D looking GUI (version 3 is more 3 D I think), you can customize the crap out of it and really make it comfortable for YOU.

Wink wink, hint hint... oh MOTU?

[Shooshie]

Has anyone figured out what this Studio One will cost? If it's in the same price range as DP (street price) and Logic, I might be interested in taking it for a spin.

Shoosh