Subject:Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Posted by: Sudy_Nym

Date:6/19/2003 8:50:10 PM

Hello, everyone.

Basically, I'm an absolute beginner who has little to no experience with audio software or music production, but I'm greatly intrigued by the Acid software. I've already purchased quite a few Acid Loops CDs, and now just need to decide on which client to get.

I've read reviews, read through the site, and explored the community in general, but would like some guidance from an experienced user or two. I've also experimented with Acid XPress, though am waiting to get a full client before I really dig in. Is money an object? Yes- obviously, if it weren't, I would be asking this question. However, I don't have a problem splurging for Pro if I need to. Though if there's absolutely no reason for me to, I certainly would prefer to save the couple hundred.

I suppose you need to know what I want to do with the software, first of all. At this time, I believe the majority of my work would be loop-based- does Music 3.0 have everything that I need for me to be able to create CD-quality tracks and professional effects using content from Acid Loops CDs?

I know that the effects system in Pro 4.0 is more robust, but as a beginner who's mainly going to be using the program for hobby-style things initially, how far do I need to go? As I progress, I wouldn't mind contributing to a PC game mod, or something- but it isn't as if I need to produce a high-grade score for a film. I don't see myself needing VSTi or 5.1 surround support at this time- nor do I intend to do any video scoring (though I have to admit, it's an option that I'd like to have).

Would it, perhaps, be a good idea for me to look into Pro 3.0 compared to Pro 4.0 instead of Music 3.0, even?

Thank you very much!

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: RasKeita

Date:6/20/2003 12:11:37 AM

3.0 Pro, you'll outgrow Music Version. 3.0 Pro is relatively inexpensive these days, and it remains an industry standard....

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Acid_Pro_3_0__Win98_ME_2K/4014-3514_16-6752988.html?tag=pdtl-list

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: UGB

Date:6/20/2003 12:35:50 PM

I would suggest Pro 3.0 as well. At first the program will be a bit overwhelming, but there's plenty of room for you to grow into it and that's important to me for a purchase. As my skills get better I want my tools to keep pace w/that curve. Pro will do that. You'll have music3.0 mastered by your 5th song. Pro 3.0 gives you the busses, more fx, etc..

I'd also mention that you should get Sound Forge 6.0 as well. It's super for wave and loop editing to get 'more' out of what you have, and then taking your whole rendered wav file to another level. This is especially true if you want to make cd's.

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:6/20/2003 3:28:49 PM

I'd say go for Pro 4.0, if only to gain what that program has over Music 3.0 (which is quite a lot, depending on your needs).

I guarantee you'll want what Pro offers somewhere down the line.

If you ever intend to do professional work, it's also handy to have 24-bit capability, which is only in the Pro version. The Chopper tool comes in quite handy, and that's only in Pro as well.

If you ever intend to create your own custom loops, utilizing adjustable stretching properties is a must and that is only in ACID Pro too.

Musician's Friend has an ACID Pro 4.0 bundle for about $150 USD. You might want to hurry, as I've heard it's for not much longer.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: Sudy_Nym

Date:6/20/2003 4:20:37 PM

Thanks for the advice, everyone- I really appreciate it. I guess I'll go Pro as soon as I can find a good deal, then. These nine loops CDs that I'll be receiving soon will be getting lonely. ;)

mD, that is an absolutely *awesome* deal that you pointed me in the direction of. The only hitch is that I live in Canada. The best deal that I've seen around here for Pro 4.0 alone comes to around $191.28 USD. To get Sound Forge with that would be incredible.

I'd be tempted to import that deal anyway, but I'm pretty sure that I'd be slammed with customs and brokerage fees for bringing in new software that can be purchased here. Does anyone know otherwise? And furthermore, does anyone know of any really good Canadian retailers?

Oh, and do all copies of Pro 4.0 come with a light version of Sound Forge? Browsing around the internet, I've seen some mention of this on some packaging. However, I expect that it's a seriously crippled demo, anyway, if anything.

Thank you very much again, all of you.

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: Sudy_Nym

Date:6/21/2003 1:22:33 AM

And out of curiosity, can anyone tell me how much it costs to upgrade from Music 3.0 to Pro 4.0?

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: cloudspine

Date:6/21/2003 3:47:34 AM

quote:
I don't see myself needing VSTi or 5.1 surround support at this time

you never know what tomorrow brings. you might want to do something more after some time, so might be better off getting acid pro.
i got acid pro about two weeks ago, and it does look somewhat complicated at first sight, but it's really not that difficult to get into if you're so inclined

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: Sudy_Nym

Date:6/21/2003 5:06:12 AM

Well, I certainly am not opposed to doing so- I just have to find a good price, somewhere. :D I wish I could import it from one of these great sellers that I've found without having to bother with customs, etc. Other than that, the best price I've found is Canadian $260. But I wish I could get that deal that includes Sound Forge for only $150 USD- that's awesome.

As for its complexity, I'm thinking of picking up the "Teach Yourself Acid 3.0 in 24 Hours" book- I imagine that the basic facets of 4.0 are covered in it. Speaking of which, has anyone read it? Any good, from a beginner's viewpoint?

Thanks again, guys.

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:6/21/2003 2:28:18 PM

Hi again Sudy,

I'm not at all familiar with customs so I can't help out much there. Sorry. :(

Normally, ACID Pro 4.0 doesn't come with anything extra other than loops.

Those ACID Pro 4.0 bundles you see (like the one from Musician's Friend) usually come with Sound Forge Studio 6.0, a "lighter" version of the full Sound Forge 6.0. For example, Studio can only support up to 16-bit/48 kHz audio, while the full version supports up to 32-bit/192 kHz (and also 64-bit float). (Of course, your audio hardware must support those resolutions and sample rates.)

Still, Sound Forge Studio is a very capable audio editor and does a lot of the basics like normalization and ACIDizing. You can find out more info for the differences between the two versions by going here.

The "Teach Yourself ACID" book is pretty good and will get you started for the basics of ACID. You may be interested in picking up the full ACID 4.0 manual as well.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:Sound Forge

Reply by: DJFreaq

Date:6/21/2003 9:44:45 PM

To be honest with you, I would go with Syntrilliums software's CoolEdit PRO.
It beats the pants off of SoundForge to be honest. It also has built in multi-track editing. It's mult-track flexibility is no match for Acid PRO, but it still allows for interesting aspects.

It's an EXCELLENT wave form editor, with a good multi-track editor thrown in to boot.
Go for it!

Adam

Subject:RE: Experienced users: Music 3.0 versus Pro 4.0

Reply by: MyST

Date:6/21/2003 9:48:39 PM

http://kellysmusic.ca/clearance.asp?n=1&c=cdn&

Hello fellow Canadian!

Check the above link to Kelly's Music for a clearance of Acid Pro 2.0 for 29.99$ Canadian. Then you can go the upgrade route for not much $$$

M