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Fri, 04 Aug 2023 19:49:15 +0200 last edited: Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:05:48 +0200

_jayrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

Assisting a Pro Tools mix job for neo-classical cello music at Berlin's Calyx Mastering.
Steep learning curve, discovering great features, and some completely obnoxious constraints of proprietary commercial DAW software. However, on macos and Windows audio engines of proprietary software outperform even sthg. only half commercial such as Reaper. Can't say anything about Linux-based audio, though. As much as i wish otherwise PT, Cubase, Nuendo (WaveLab) and Logic deliver depth, width, exactness and overall body of sound much more naturally, than even Reaper, which overall sounds glassy, slightly thin, a little flat.

Ableton and BitWig don't get there, sounding generally foggy, smearing transients.

As a musician i prefer to pay for sound, if that's the current option, rather than going for a cheap compromise or sthg. under-developed.

Checked on modified Genelec 1038a and Genelec 8030, all eq'd to room acoustics.

Although within those high end realms the gains seem minimal today - compared to audio engines 10 or 15 years ago - there is still a very noticeable lead of the 4/5 DAW mentioned above.

If anyone should do actual direct comparisons of Linux-based DAW with commercial DAW (mostly macos/Windows) I'd be HIGHLY interested in exchanging experience.

Thanx!

@audiopro group #proaudio #daw #protools #logic #cubase #nuendo #wavelab #reaper #bitwig #ableton #mastering #mixing #calyxmastering

pro audio

show all 13 comments

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 19:55:04 +0200

avlap

avlap2@mastodon.nl

@jrp @audiopro On Linux you've Ardour, Mixbus, Reaper, Bitwig, Qtractor and more.

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:02:31 +0200

_jayrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

@avlap Yeah, am aware of that. Sadly Linux doesn't seem to support any AD/DA (Lavry, RME etc.) so a decent comparison seems difficult.

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:04:44 +0200

avlap

avlap2@mastodon.nl

@jrp @audiopro Not sure what you mean by audio engines, but I don't think there is difference in sound, comparing same soundfiles, no matter which DAW.

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:06:00 +0200 last edited: Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:08:06 +0200

avlap

avlap2@mastodon.nl

@jrp Linux does support everything. These companies doesn't support Linux. There are RME Linux drivers for for several devices, ask the @ardour forums.

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:06:40 +0200 last edited: Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:11:07 +0200

_jayrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

@avlap That would be typical for a non-ideal listening situation. No pun intended.
What is yours like and how do you compare exactly?
@audiopro group

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 21:09:30 +0200

gurftastic

gurftastic@space-pirates.org

@jrp that old adage of “Pro Tools just sounds better” is less of a large gap than it used to be. I think it’s entrenched in a lot of studios for hardware reasons, but the paid programs do sound better, it’s true.

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 01:01:46 +0200

avlap

avlap2@mastodon.nl

@jrp I think you don't need any ears for it. 'Just' the theory behind digital audio.

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 22:58:38 +0200

Ardour DAW

ardour@fosstodon.org

@jrp https://www.admiralbumblebee.com/ has a ton of research on various DAWs, including free/libre ones

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:54:47 +0200

_jayrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

@OdoSendaidokai :soundmachine: Ha, you're a funny one, though a bit of a solo-theoretical high horse ;) We've regular listening comparison sessions with up to 15 different professional engineers (30 ears) - try this with actual people.

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 12:16:43 +0200

_jayrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

@OdoSendaidokai :soundmachine: Obviously we test without plugins. We're interested in basic features, most of all simple summing with exact same channel setup. Real-time & offline render qualities already vary depending on DAW. The the intertwinings with an OS come into play. As a simple example Logic on macos and iOS don't sound the same, which is an OS problem, as an iOS device internally converts anything to 48K before it spits it out. The problems are complex, as you know. Even if audio engines probably use all the same math the trouble already starts, when a DAW interacts with an OS. And so on and so forth.

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 14:28:25 +0200

jonbutter2

jonbutter2@mastodon.world

@avlap2 @jrp _jayrope is right. The burden would be on you to prove, in a blind test, w/same room, monitors, converters, mix position, and amplitude, that there were differences between e.g. Logic/Pro Tools vs Reaper. There’s some chatter about DAW’s internal (software) summing mixers but if you can hear the difference between the major 64 bit DAWs, you might have bionic ears. The clock, audio drivers, monitors, room, all matter much more nowadays.

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 14:39:48 +0200

jonbutter2

jonbutter2@mastodon.world

@avlap2 @jrp BTW, I am not trying to make you or anyone feel bad. I just want to push back on info that really might be misleading to people, including you. Maybe you do have bionic ears! But differences in sound originating from the major, 64 bit DAWs themselves would be incredibly subtle.

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 14:59:29 +0200 last edited: Sun, 06 Aug 2023 15:02:43 +0200

_jayrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

@jonbutter2 Agreed, they are subtle today - and depending on listening habits as well as fine ears. Obviously a mastering studio should be commited to allow only the best. I just posted results from those circumstances, and i do enjoy their findings in my own music making since many years. Has drastically simplified my - otherwise one-person - decision making.