MOTUnation.com

95% audio for me. Wouldn't miss the last 5% of MIDI at all.

I record audio only... see you

I have to say 90%audio/10%MIDI..automation and MTC stuff, i also usually record the keyboard tracks with original audio and a MIDI track too. It gives me options during mixdown..Once in a while I record a kik trigger to MIDI, only if I am not thrilled with the kit said client has brought in.Of course then I have to line it up because of MIDI lag time.

G5 dual 2.5
DP4.12
Otari RADAR 2
G4 dual500
Reason 2.5
Soundcraft ghost
lotsa outboard and plug-ins

Wow. I'm really surprised at the responses. So I am curious: Are you audio-centric users guitar players and audio engineers? (drummers?) Seems like composers and keyboard players'd be more into VIs.

95% MIDI in the composition stage. I use mainly hardware instruments, sampler, several drum brains and 2 synths. VI's are more conenient and portable but considering the horsepower saved with hardware instruments plus the added freedom for audio manipulation through the course of the project I'm gonna keep on abusing MIDI to it's fullest, plus having everyhting readily available for live performances. Don't do much audio work in DP until it's time for final mixing/mastering.

Originally posted by dix:
Wow. I'm really surprised at the responses. So I am curious: Are you audio-centric users guitar players and audio engineers? (drummers?) Seems like composers and keyboard players'd be more into VIs.

Well, there you go. I'm both a guitar player and an audio engineer. And a producer and a composer. I mainly compose with pencil and manuscript paper. I work with musicians in the studio and gigging. I decided that things sound much better and are much quicker for me if I just write it and give it to a great player. Trying to get the drums to sound like real drums is a drag. Same with bass. I play bass but not good enough to satisfy me. I'm a very good guitar player. I have a MIDI guitar but I can't stand it. My keyboard chops are slow. I'd rather practice guitar than spend time/waste time practicing piano.

Originally posted by dix:
Wow. I'm really surprised at the responses. So I am curious: Are you audio-centric users guitar players and audio engineers? (drummers?) Seems like composers and keyboard players'd be more into VIs.

I play piano, guitar, bass, drums, violin, cello, bass, and can hold my own on brass, though my major was upright bass.
But 95% of my recording is audio because nothing sounds better than the real thing in my estimation.
Don't get me wrong I love VI. I just tend to play them live instead of MIDI track. I don't own a Rhodes, so Electrik Piano and Lounge Lizard are God sends.
When I compose for my string orchesta, I use Sibelius, or Tracktion (can handle way more VI's"

Yet another 100% audio DP user.

Bassist, guitarist, live sound and studio engineering. I worked at an all-analog studio for several years in the mid-90's, and have worked as a computer tech (hardware and software) for a variety of companies in a variety of industries.

My first foray into digital recording was with a Blue&White Mac + MOTU 2408 + Audiodesk. I always really wanted to be able to record live, so I waited until MOTU released DP for OSX to upgrade, got an 828 and I've used every version since then with a PowerbookTi667 and now a 12" Powerbook 133. Until recently I've used the 2408 with lightpipe going into the 828, and a variety of external drives, my last recording with this setup was New Years Eve with my main band, 16 channels at 24/48, not a glitch (once I found out about turning off the "Detect Beat" option - had the spins before that).

I just set up a friend's studio with the 2408, so she can take all three ADAT's into her Mac through lightpipe. Worked like a charm, though I've recommended a pair or more of Firewire drives, set up as a RAID for speed.

My next investment: Mackie Onyx 1620 with the Firewire card, along with the 828 and good drives I'll be able to fully mic the drums at future shows - woohoo! Also thinking about a Powercore Firewire, since I'm mixing on the Powerbook still.

Sorry about the length, but that was fun to think through...

I also record my band live. Though I use Metric Halo interfaces and a 2408mkII through lightpipe. 18 channels, though I don't always use all 18. I haven't found DP to be the most reliable under these circumstances. Maybe I haven't deselected "detect beats."

I hope this thread is recognized by MOTU because it's obvious 'audio' is in predominant use.

100% Audio

Still getting good stuff with a two-track cassette too on occassion!

I hope this thread is recognized by MOTU because it's obvious 'audio' is in predominant use.

I have no doubt Motu has a much more accurate idea of their user demographic. Their marketing department is very savvy. A few respondents on the MOTU UBB is not an accurate sample base any way. Even so I doubt seriously whether they'd change their strategy. The DAW world is a VI/Audio/MIDI one. And unless DP wants to lose more of it's market share it's got to remain competetive. And that means it's got to offer at least as much and hopefully more than Logic, Nuendo etc.. Even if user don't presently use VIs nobody wants to buy something where they can't. Their mind might change.

<small>[ April 04, 2005, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: Henry Robinett ]</small>

50% / 50% VI. I don't even like calling it "MIDI" anymore.

I used to use DP for EVERYTHING...until Reason 2 came out and I could actually get at my sample library more effectively. I've been using them in comibnation for a couple years, with a brief foray into Nuendo for audio (which ended because of the wackiness). I'm actually about to move back into more DP for programming with Mach 5. Reason is not exactly friendly to music with meter/tempo changes.

DP4 has been an interesting/infuriating experience. I'm in it almost exclusively now because of my UAD card. Which has completely changed my mixing forever. I still long for the CPU overhead of OS 9, but I love that certain functions in DP don't completely take over the computer anymore.

very interesting thread. I am on Audio Desk as I have no need for MIDI. Since you all seem to record mostly audio, why not stick with Audio Desk only? Or should I say would I gain anything by getting DP?
thanks in advance
dmoll

Likely so Henry.

I'm just now discovering the coolness of VI's. As far as savvy marketing, not so sure considering the newer hardware & OS requirements BDE and DCPUM suggest.

It seems with no 'off' pref for DCPUM in 4.52, they have slowed lap users too, although I don't use a LT. I would love to be able to make big session recordings at 96K by just carrying in a Powerbook though. Like 24 tracks at once with couple of firewire IO's and HD's. Maybe a 'next generation' G6 PB with 2 FW 800's will allow this, this summer?

Here's me hoping.

Cheers,