Ok… I am remixing some of my friends new songs and I only have limited experience with audio proggies - here is the deal:
On my end everything is top notch (multi- track machines, best decks, mixer etc). He is giving me some CD based recording as well as some 4 track stuff (I dont think this makes any difference, but for those with experience maybe it does)…
I’ve used Acid Pro and Fruity Loops, and I have a friend who has CuBase.
What I need to do is real-time multi track layovers (about 10 -20 tracks: and yes my sound card can handle it). And then be able to compile that and remix it as midi over alll the component tracks. Basically I am looking for some serious ability in a proggie, does anyone here have any experience with this, or advice?
Thus far I’ve found CuBase to be the best, but I don’t have much experience with it so I could be wrong and I don’t want to waste my time learning sub-standard software.
Any and all help would be great - I know it is an odd place to post this but at a few DJ forums it just started a flame war over what proggie is better.
I tried to use cubase once but it’s much too complicated for amateurs such as me, since then I did not try anything else…
I still use fruity loops though because I find it easy to use, but it’s not at all the same thing than Cubase…
i like acid for all my mixing needs. why do you need a midi? not to be rude or anything, i’m just wonderin. good luck man, cuz i don’t do midi, but my friend is working with them, and he calls me every night with a migraine and pullin out his hair. hehe. so best of luck to ya.
I used to use Cool Edit 2000 when I was working with multimedia at my last job. It’s probaby not as well known as most programs though, but I think it’s free. At least, it used to be.
cool edit has a trial version for free, but either you can’t save it, or soem features are diabled, i cant remember. its a shame how all the good free programs usually start not being free. hehe.
CuBase VST will mix 32 seperate digital tracks, allow you to apply filters to each one seperately or there are also master effects. Out of the programs you listed I would use CuBase. It is the most powerful software mixer I have seen that does not require special hardware to run.
Do you know how well it runs in real time with a midi interface? I know my sound card can keep up, and my CPU should be fine - so I am curious on how well the proggie (CuBase) can handle it. I know a guy with a studio, but I’d have to pay him to use it so that is why I’m looking for a PC solution.
Lynx: Fruity Loops is a nice program: easy to use and decently powerful, considering you are not looking to do anything too complicated. I would definitly recomend it for new audio proggie users.
why do you need a midi? not to be rude or anything, i’m just wonderin. good luck man, cuz i don’t do midi, but my friend is working with them, and he calls me every night with a migraine and pullin out his hair. hehe. so best of luck to ya. 
