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Hey all:

I've used Peak as an external wave editor since version 1, and have continually upgraded through version 4. Now that version 5 is out, and looking at the upgrade price, I'm wondering if it's time to look at alternatives (the upgrade price to Peak 5 is $179). So here's what I've seen as possible alternatives:

1. Sountrack Pro ($99 for the upgrade from Soundtrack)
2. DSP-quattro ($149 as a new user)
3. Wave Editor from Audiofile ($250 as a new user)

All of these options are in the same ballpark as the Peak 5 upgrade price! So I'm wondering if Peak is even worth it when compared to the alternatives. Has anyone used any of the alterate editors, and if so, what would you recommend?

I'd been using Peak till version 3, but couldn't afford it anymore.
So I bought DSP Quattro. It's almost an exact replica of Spark.
Plus you can play and record instruments too.

Is Peak LE an option for you? I think it runs around $99. I use it and find it suits my needs well enough.

chrispick wrote:Is Peak LE an option for you? I think it runs around $99. I use it and find it suits my needs well enough.

I have the full version of Peak 4, but I don't know that spending $200 for an upgrade to Peak 5 is worth it when compared to the prices of the other wave editors.

One question - do you really need to upgrade to Peak 5 ? Unless you are having problems why change yet ?

So I bought DSP Quattro. It's almost an exact replica of Spark.
Plus you can play and record instruments too.

You can record to Bias Peak too - I do it all the time.

I am used to Peak and would find it difficult to change now (its taken me years to get used to DP after using Vision so don't need more software trauma).

shepherdgary wrote:One question - do you really need to upgrade to Peak 5 ? Unless you are having problems why change yet ?

So I bought DSP Quattro. It's almost an exact replica of Spark.
Plus you can play and record instruments too.

You can record to Bias Peak too - I do it all the time.

I am used to Peak and would find it difficult to change now (its taken me years to get used to DP after using Vision so don't need more software trauma).

I think he means the ability to load VIs into DSP-QUattro and play/record them directly in the app.

Okay - Peak can't do that - thats what DP is for !

billf,

I find Peak 5 (and Peak Pro 5 XT) add many useful features. IMO, its "competition" is Wavelab, which is PC only. I have not upgraded yet, but I'm planning to.

Cheers

shepherdgary wrote:One question - do you really need to upgrade to Peak 5 ? Unless you are having problems why change yet ?

So I bought DSP Quattro. It's almost an exact replica of Spark.
Plus you can play and record instruments too.

You can record to Bias Peak too - I do it all the time.

I am used to Peak and would find it difficult to change now (its taken me years to get used to DP after using Vision so don't need more software trauma).

I'm a Peak 4 user as well but I recently tried the demo for DSP Quattro and liked it so much that I bought it. The GUI isn't as elegant as Peak's but it gets the job done and is about 1/3 the price. There isn't much of a learning curve. If you know Peak you'll be able to run DSP Quattro without cracking the PDF manual. Being able to play and record virtual synths is just icing on the cake. All this for $149.

billf, download the demo and give it a spin. It's fully functional with the exception of being able to save a file.

Hi tried Wave Editor from Audiofile which is really cool specialy the Layer approach. It's just what your need to get a better wave editor than what's in DP. The price is a little High I think for "Just a Wave Editor".
If you already have Peak then the Best would be to stick with them since you can do much more with it specially on the mastering side and the choices of plug that come with it.

Why not just download, demo and make a decision based on that?

sdfalk wrote:Why not just download, demo and make a decision based on that?

Because not all of the choices have downloadable demos.


Plus, I am curious what other DP users think of these external packages.

buddhabelly wrote:

shepherdgary wrote:One question - do you really need to upgrade to Peak 5 ? Unless you are having problems why change yet ?

So I bought DSP Quattro. It's almost an exact replica of Spark.
Plus you can play and record instruments too.

You can record to Bias Peak too - I do it all the time.

I am used to Peak and would find it difficult to change now (its taken me years to get used to DP after using Vision so don't need more software trauma).

I think he means the ability to load VIs into DSP-QUattro and play/record them directly in the app.

Peak can't do that. But... why would you want or need this functionality? If I've created the audio track in DP, and go to edit the wave file, is there a reason I'd want to record a VI?

Archer wrote:billf,

I find Peak 5 (and Peak Pro 5 XT) add many useful features. IMO, its "competition" is Wavelab, which is PC only. I have not upgraded yet, but I'm planning to.

Cheers

Archer - what are the additional features they've added in v5 that you like? Looking at their marketing material it doesn't sound like that much is different.

They've added in a lot of new features in Peak 5 that are geared toward mastering projects. Probably the biggest change is in the playlist. It now has a graphical waveform display so that you can see the regions as waveforms, slide them around, edit crossfades, start times, pauses, etc. all visually. Also they added the ability to burn ISRC codes, and CD-Text from the playlist. Some other features include an RMS Normalize function, and the ability to host VST and Audio Unit instruments (including recording through them). They have a video on their website that goes over a lot of the new features, you can take a look here:

http://www.bias-inc.com/peakProMovie/