Cubase LE vs Logic LE vs ???? for use with Firebox and Mac

So, I just got a Presonus Firebox a few days ago and it came with a copy of Cubase LE. My goal is to do some good quality recordings with multiple tracks, primarily of my acoustic guitar playing (with guitar, mandolin, banjo, flute, and/or violin accompaniment recorded in different tracks). I'd like to get as close to professional sounding results as I can get (and maybe produce a CD of my original pieces and arrangements), but I am not a professional musician and don't plan to become one.

I am almost completely new to home recording, and there is much that I need to learn, but my impression is that Cubase LE is a more sophisticated and overall nicer program than GarageBand (though Cubase seems to have a steeper learning curve - I have not figured out how to do much of anything yet other than recoding multiple tracks, whereas in GarageBand it is pretty obvious how to add effects, for example). So, if it was down to these two programs, I'm thinking I'd go with Cubase LE and put the time into learning that program.

However, Cubase LE seems to be more restrictive in its licensing than most programs. Other software I have, such as Photoshop for example, can generally be installed on two computers (e.g. a work computer and a home computer), but it seems that Cubase LE can only be used on one computer, and it seems that the licensing is cumbersome enough that moving it between computers might not work well. I'd like to be able to move back and forth between using my work computer and home computer for capturing and processing audio.

So, I've been looking into Logic LE, which is not too expensive (though all my recent music-related expenditures are starting to add up!), and seems to have some very nice features (and presumably is not so cumbersome in its licensing). I'm wondering whether I would rather invest my time into learning Logic LE rather than Cubase LE?

Does anyone here know both of these programs? Can you advise me on which of these programs is the better option, and why?

Or, should I just be using Garage Band? My gut feeling though (based on minimal time spent with the various programs) is that I'm quickly going to want more power and more sophisticated features than what Garage Band delivers.

Thanks for whatever insights you can give me.

Garageband is surprisingly more capable that one would expect. I don't use Cubase or Logic, but I have friends that do. Both get good reviews, but Logic (being an Apple product) is more user friendly and is a natural step up from Garageband. The new Logic Express (http://www.apple.com/logicexpress/) is supposed to have a bunch of cool features just for guitar players. Scroll down this page (http://www.apple.com/logicexpress/whats-new.html) and watch the demo's for the Amp Designer and Pedalboard.

Garageband. Use it until you run into a major limitation and then you can make the move to logic. Don't buy more than you need at the moment...

The 09 version of garageband is really stable and whatever you make in that is vertically compatible with logic without effort and easy to port if you go another direction (like to protools or something like that)

I can attest to the coolness of logic express.... but, the amp sims in the 09 garageband and the stompboxes are good as is.

most folks who I've talked to that thought they needed 'higher end' just didn't know the capabilities of GB... this book is a pretty good resource (http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781933671567/?CMP=AFC-ak_book&ATT=Take+Control+of+Recording+with+GarageBand+%270 9%2c#description).. although the online tutorials (free) are very good too.

Garageband. Use it until you run into a major limitation and then you can make the move

that's what worked for me. within months, i was getting some pretty good semipro results from GB. it has a lot of features that don't immediately meet the eye, and the quality of the effects and so forth are pretty decent.

after a year of learning in GB, i stumbled into a ProTools rig, and what i'd learned in GB really eased the learning curve, because i understood how the workflow unfolded and the steps you need to take for a successful recording. of course any new program will have different nomenclature and interface quirks, but learning the ropes in GB will give you a big-picture view you can then translate to your new software.

Thanks everyone.

I have GarageBand 08 on all my computers. I might get the 08 version of the book mentioned above.

I've transfered my tracks that I recorded the past few days (using Cubase) to GarageBand and have been having fun playing around with them. I think this is the way to go for now.

Among other things, now I think I need to curb my urge to add too much reverb and echo to my recordings!

Also, it wouldn't hurt to have me play some of the things I play a little better.

Actually, one of the advantages of doing this sort of thing is that not only do I create nice sounding audio documentation of my original pieces and arrangements (my daughter has been bugging me to do this for years so I don't accidentally lose some of my pieces by forgetting them) but I think it will also help improve my playing.

Even more so, I think being able to play along with my own music helps me to develop complete multi-instrument compositions better. It helps me to experiment with counter-melodies and harmonies and such in a way that I would have a really hard time doing otherwise.

Now if I only had more time to do this sort of thing......

I never really thoguht about using cubase on 2 machines but I guess that could be a problem. I haven't used the others and I'm sure they are just fine but for me Cubase is just like sitting behind a console when computers were still things that needed a whole room.

I never really thoguht about using cubase on 2 machines but I guess that could be a problem. I haven't used the others and I'm sure they are just fine but for me Cubase is just like sitting behind a console when computers were still things that needed a whole room.

So it sounds like you use Cubase routinely? Are you using Cubase LE or the full version? In addition to the general feel of the interface (which I really like as well), are there other things that you particularly like about Cubase?

I have not actually registered my copy of Cubase LE yet (it works for 30 days or so without registering) because I had not decided which computer I wanted it on. So, I'm not certain about the restrictions on multi-computer use, but based on reading the license info I'm pretty certain.

Apparently the full version of Cubase comes with a USB dongle thingy that needs to be plugged in to the computer to use the program. I guess the idea is that this allows you to use the program on several computers, but on only one computer at a time.

I used LE for 6 months or so and the bought 4. Now on 4.5 and getting ready to order 5.

Yes, the full version comes with a dongle and a better sounding engine. If you like LE then actually buying it will light up your life. I had no idea until I did it. Like I said I never checked into multiple machines because I have no need for it. Sorry I can't answer that but Steinberg has a huge forum and it's probably already posted over there.

We cut our last CD using a 2 channel Tapco box into GarageBand. And except for drums, no problems. (I've been learning Logic using those GarageBand tracks...no problems there, either.) What I aim for on any project is a clean recording of a good performance. So whether its GarageBand, Logic or ProTools, there's not much change in the process.

As for effects, maybe a touch of compression and a little echo on vocals. I will pull back on some frequencies if things get too muddy. Just about any app will do that.

I guess the point of all this is find a program you're comfortable with. Don't let working the machine distract you from making music.

(We'll probably upgrade to something like Firebox to be able to record drums properly sometime this winter--GB will handle 8 channels and as luck would have it, we have 8 appropriate mics. Hopefully have the new CD out March or April.)

Martin
E. Christina Herr & Wild Frontier (http://echristinaherr.com)

You'll need a Firestudio to do 8 at once. A friend has one of hte Tascams he's real happy with. It's more like the firestudio Tube (16 vs 14)) as far as number of inputs but about half the price.

Thanks. I'm looking at both Firestudio and something by Art MP. I'll look into the Tascam.

Price-wise, I'd probably be better off renting studio time and recording the drums there. But then of course I wouldn't have another cool box with blinking lights on my desk.

geez...

Martin
E. Christina Herr & Wild Frontier (http://echristinaherr.com)

Well, if you are shopping right now I just got an MF email this morning that has discounts on Tascam gear and the model I'm talking about (1881 I think?) is usually $399. They have a B stock for $349 and a discount (15%) on top of that. It might get it close to $300.

hmmm.....and I got $25 certificate for taking one of their surveys.....


If we weren't pinching pennies to afford the Americana Festival in a few weeks I'd just about do it.

Thanks for the info. Hope it's around in December.

Martin
E. Christina Herr & Wild Frontier (http://echristinaherr.com)

So you're coming here?

hey if we are switching to capture boxes on this thread... I'll put in a good word for the very simple and very inexpensive alesis io26. it is 8 tracks at once, firewire and the pre's on it are cool. it is the simplest box I've used (beyond testing really, really expensive surfaces at work) we got one at GC for 200.00...

It has worked perfectly for us.

We'll be in Nashville from about 9/13 to 9/20. Went to Americana last year and it was like returning to the tribe...(and having a Jerry Garcia tribute one night didn't hurt.)

I was going to post something about needing local info. So far the only thing we're going to other than the Festival events is Family Wash, (if Kevin Gordon is playing, he did a house concert at our place.)

So where does one find a good time in Nashville?

Martin
E. Christina Herr & Wild Frontier (http://echristinaherr.com)

Usually at my house.

I'm playing the 12th in Murfreesboro but so far don't have anything after that. I'm in another "I'm gonna quit playing" phase. I just need to put my own band together. Bill Hullet is playing with his son the 18th in Brentwood and the 19th in Murfreesboro. Maybe we could get a group to go see them.