Subject:Long-time Acid user looking to add Project5..

Posted by: DJ_Don

Date:8/21/2005 6:34:48 AM

Hi all,

I've been using Acid Pro faithfully since 2.0, and I'm looking to add a software package that will allow me to trigger loops, one-shots, etc in real time. I know that Live is an amazing software package, but the interface doesn't thrill me. I read a review of Project5, and it looks like it has the linear look and feel of Acid (which I want to stay with, as I'm so used to it) with the ability to trigger via MIDI the way I'm hoping to. I don't want to give up Acid (I LOVE Acid!), but I'm thinking of adding Project5 to my setup. So my question is, since I'm used to Acid's GUI and workflow, how big will my learning curve be if I try out Project5? Surely there are some forum users who use both. Also, does Project5 have any sort of feature that allows you to open any track in an editor of your choice? I love how I can easily pull any track in Acid into Sound Forge for further editing. BTW, my main apps are Acid, Sound Forge (obviously), and Reason 3. Thanks in advance!

-Don

Subject:RE: Long-time Acid user looking to add Projec

Reply by: MyST

Date:8/21/2005 7:58:07 AM

Project 5 has a demo available.
Maybe you could download that and see if it works well in your workflow.

Mario

Subject:RE: Long-time Acid user looking to add Project5..

Reply by: merlyn

Date:8/21/2005 9:16:44 AM

Just my opinion, but if you're looking for Acid's GUI or ease of workflow, the bottom line is that you're aren't going to find it....anywhere. Believe me, I've looked. For all of Acid's faults, that's the one thing that it beats every other program out there in hands down. I've tried Project 5 on numerous occasions because I'm thoroughly unsatisfied with Acid's convoluted midi implementation, but I keep coming back to Acid because it's so much easier and intuitive to work with. I've said it before.....Acid's workflow is so addicting that it's like software crack! Again all this is my opinion, so you may want to give the Project 5 demo a test run and see for yourself.

Subject:RE: Long-time Acid user looking to add Project5..

Reply by: DJ_Don

Date:8/21/2005 10:00:35 AM

Myst--I did just that after posting this. I downloaded the demo and started playing around with it. Although I agree with Merlyn, in that the workflow in Project isn't as smooth as Acid's, it is close (or at least closer than any other software app I've tried--Sonar, Live, Cubase). The main winner with Acid's GUI and workflow is the browser, and being able to quickly grab files and bring them into your project already synced and ready to go. But I also love the idea of being able to trigger loops and one-shots from a MIDI device, and Project seems to do this VERY easily. It's a tough call. On the one hand, I do my music part time, and I've invested hundreds of hours into Acid. If I need to do something in Acid, I know the exact steps I have to take to do it--no problem (well, no problem outside of Acid's bugs and shortcomings, but that's another issue!). On the other hand, Project5 seems to be able to bridge the gap in a way I've been looking for, so it MAY be worth my while to get to learn it. Again--tough call. I guess it depends on how much I want to get to learn another program, and how much I can accomplish with it once I've mastered it. See, one thing I didn't mention is that I am working on a CD of original material (electronic-based stuff--think Crystal Method, Prodigy, etc). Once I'm done, I would like to be able to take a laptop out and perform with it. I saw Uberzone do this the other night at a small club in my town, and it blew my mind. I can't see how Acid could possibly do this, unless I just press play and pretend to do something useful. :o) Again, Live would be ideal for this, but the learning curve on that seems much higher, and the interface still seems out of whack with the way I want to work. So that's where I'm coming from, if it helps any.

Oh, and Merlyn--software crack? LOL!! I like that analogy!

Subject:RE: Long-time Acid user looking to add Project5..

Reply by: merlyn

Date:8/21/2005 9:56:38 PM

Glad you checked out the program for yourself. You're right...for the type of live performance that you're interested in doing, Acid isn't at the top of the list. If learning curve is all that's keeping you from making the move, don't let that stop you friend. The main winner for me with Acid is the user friendly grid. I program in mostly one shots, so Acid's grid makes this a cake walk for me when I program a beat out, split up loops and rearrange them on the grid to make them my own, or even play synth lines with one shot synth notes. If you're interested in doing a live laptop show ala Uberzone, you may want to really get into the guts of Ableton Live and give it another chance (although I'm not exactly sure what Q is using in his show these days since I haven't spoken to him in a while). You can really do some super cool things live (and in the studio) with that program even though the interface makes me want to jump out of a window. Good luck with what ever you end up with.

Subject:RE: Long-time Acid user looking to add Project5..

Reply by: jmeredith

Date:8/21/2005 10:22:01 PM

Hi Don,

I purchased Project 5 recently and one of the main reasons is that it was the closest thing I could find to the Acid GUI - I'm still very new at the program but love it so far

You may want to check the Project 5 forum out... lots of knowledgeable people there

Julie