Originally Posted by vqc

I hear Pro Tools is the shit.

The last time i recorded something I did it super ghetto style and used (the now defunct) Cool Edit Pro, so I cant really help you.

Will the opus be better than a dream theater song? =)

Originally Posted by mixchange

I do professional audio software design for a living. I work for Antares, making VST/AU/RTAS/TDM plug-ins for various host applications. I have to know all the hosts -- Sonar, Digital Performer, Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, etc. Basically I get paid to be an expert in the software you speak of. I also know all the propellerhead guys.

I've done some of my own music and played shows, its more in aphex twin/autechre type of music.

Sonar 7 is MUCH better than older versions, a lot due to their VST support.

On the drum samples, I would not bother recording your roomate for samples if you have BFD. Their samples will beat the pants off anything you record with him, unless you have at least 4 mics and know how to record. The only thing I would consider is recording him for loops or larger sections of playing. BFD will beat any "one off" samples you record.

On the host, I much prefer Cubase or Nuendo to Sonar. Cubase will work better with almost any VST plug-in, such as reason. It also, imo, has a much more intuitive user interface...I'm also familiar with almost all its functions, where I know less on Sonar if you want to use me as a reference.

I've used almost every single piece of commercial audio software made, I'm an expert in Reaktor, excellent with Battery and other NI products. Before my current job I ran my own musical instrument/pro audio retail company over the internet.

Battery and BFD accomplish 2 different things, imo. Battery is better for making your own custom drum kits, often from non-drum sources. BFD is the best sampled kit of drums built into a VSTi. If you want professional sounding samples in a vst instrument, stick with BFD.

I'd imagine most of your problems have to do with understanding how the host application interacts with the VSTi, and getting around inside it.

Kevster, on the topic of compression you will find that the cheap hardware boxes are now worse than the software compressors of the same price. You will need to spend over $1000US to get to the point where the hardware compressors have some obviously superior aspects, and this has to do mostly with tubes and transitors that are in them that generate a pleasing "color" to the sound. For just compressing audio without coloration, software can easily equal hardware.

anyone that has questions can IM me on AIM, snuffprawn