Post
by hacktheplanet » Sun Apr 03, 2005 2:24 am
Yeah, sure, Live is probably not optimized to run a thousand different VSTi's and the like. Like many others have said, when it comes down to it, it's all about making music. If Cubase or Logic is more powerful for running VSTi's for you, then use it or rewire it.
However, I use Live because it's easy as shit to work on the music I want to produce. I get the most performance out of using a few software effects, Impulse, and a few hardware synths MIDI'ed up. A $600 multitimbral synth can provide you with maybe 16 different voices, depending on the synth. There will be absolutely no compatibity issues (MIDI), and your CPU usage will be at an all time low.
If you're stuck on softsynths as I once was, I used this method of saving CPU: The three softsynths I used each responded to MIDI CC to change the patch. I could get by with relatively low CPU usage by organizing my music in such a way that there wouldn't be more than a few noises going at once. If I wanted to add a sound, the CC would change the patch I wanted to use. That way I could have a number of different sounds coming from one softsynth and save lots of CPU.
Resampling is another option, and Frank Hoffman pointed out to me how to use the EQ Three as a basic LPF or HPF for sweeps instead of the Filter. That saved some CPU too.
So I say get creative! If you've got the cash, invest in a decent hardware synth. You'll save CPU, and actually have a piece of hardware in your studio. I got a smokin' deal on my Alesis Ion ($400 used), and it beats the crap out of most VSTi's I've used. Not to mention it's real easy to get 4 different voices out of it simultaneously. I could run 4 tracks to my Ion, a few more to my Ensoniq ESQ-1 ($160 used), and a whole lot more to my Roland MC-505 ($250 used), another mess to my Akai S2000 ($120 used) for drum hits and loops... You get the idea.
Even after all that, I've STILL got CPU real estate for a few softsynths, or a whole mess of VST effects. Plus, hardware is infinitely more reliable than software. Use both. You can have the reliability and fidelity of hardware, and the ease of use and simplicity of software.
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