Another one to Upgrade with doubts

Pasha · Post by **Pasha** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:10 pm

After sooo many testing, since the beta I have almost come to a conclusion but I'd like to share it with you and have some suggestions back.
I will upgrade to Live 7 for sure. Too many useful goodies for me there! Drum Racks and External Instruments alone are worth it. If I add better audio, hi quality mode, new compressor....
However, regarding the new content I really need Electric.
Tension sounds like a savage horse too me, and even the presets are far from being close to reality. Analog is a basic synth. I like Automat more than Analog and there are other alternatives to that (I already own Operator and I like it for it's more versatile). I didn't take Sampler in the first place but now many content from Puremagnetik has been released and I found some GM Drum Kits in SF format that can be useful for preliminary song writing. I already have Roland Drum Kits 808 & 606 in my Hardware.
At the end I'm facing a 99 + 129 Euro (228 Total) upgrade or for 50 Euro more I can get the suite. I have got Hardware MIDI Romplers (see signature) that fulfill my needs but steal time (MIDI should be converted to Audio) and Analog+Tension could be sitting there getting dust....
So the question is, will you spend 50 Euros more for the suite or stick with what I need (Live 7 + Electric)? (Truepianos offer his VST at 100 Euros - 20% off)

- Thanks for help
- Pasha

Pasha · Post by **Pasha** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:49 pm

I guess I'm alone.....

bubbd202 · Post by **bubbd202** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:57 pm

Let me start by saying I really love Live and use it all the time. With that said, I must say that all Live's instruments are sub-par for the $$$ they cost. I won't go into a long rant but I would advise anyone to buy the latest version of Live for composing and spend the rest of your money on some Native Instruments or Reason.(Much bettter quality in this price range) Just one persons opinion.......Happy Xmas

Lo-Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo-Fi Massahkah** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:58 pm

I'd go for the suite. Which I did.

But then I'm kinda neurotic even with "virtual mess". I like to keep my plug-ins folder neat. I'm looking forward to learning my all-in-one solution. Next time I do a clean sweep I won't even have to consider installing 10 different VSTs to get my old projects working. No hardware to deal with.

I've gone from a cluttered room to a single desk with everything within reach.

Pleased.

-M

jamief · Post by **jamief** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:05 pm

I went for the download suite. Sampler will be alot of use for me and for the extra money i could not justify leaving the rset of instruments and drum machine out. It just wouldnt make sense

Pasha · Post by **Pasha** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:19 pm

Thanks,
For those who replied and for those who will,
here is an Operator based rack that tries to emulate a little bit a Roland SH 201 I worked out recently...
Enjoy, an thanks for the candid suggestions.
http://www.savefile.com/files/1267609

- Best
- Pasha

Pasha · Post by **Pasha** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:30 pm

Lo-Fi Massahkah wrote:I'd go for the suite. Which I did.

But then I'm kinda neurotic even with "virtual mess". I like to keep my plug-ins folder neat. I'm looking forward to learning my all-in-one solution. Next time I do a clean sweep I won't even have to consider installing 10 different VSTs to get my old projects working. No hardware to deal with.

I've gone from a cluttered room to a single desk with everything within reach.

Pleased.

-M

Thanks,
I was in Malmo some years ago in June and I had to buy a Windstopper! It's the best Windstopper ever made, still works today to keep me warm. As is to say... A Malmoer suggestion is a one to take into account. Enjoy my little gift.
http://www.savefile.com/files/1267609
Even if I think I'll never get rid of my hardware I do agree with you on the Virtual Mess.... you should see my hard drive! I have this to help me track the space on my MacBook and keep it clean : http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/
Download the standalone version and you won't be disappointed. It works with Windows as well.

- Best

- Pasha

Lo-Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo-Fi Massahkah** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:34 pm

That's nice, Pasha!

A "vindjacka från Malmö". The best one made!

I'll check out that disk-util. Thanks.

-M

nate_D · Post by **nate_D** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:46 pm

i've been debating for a while now about what i'm gonna end up doing. i was thinking about whether i should go with either the live7 suite upgrade OR get just the basic upgrade and logic pro 8.
what i've figued out is that i really enjoy the work flow in live and i don't see any reason to buy a new DAW just because other people say it sounds great. live does pretty much everything i want it to do. plus i really like some of the new features. maybe in 6 months when i've got money in the bank i'll pick up logic, but for now i'll stick with live.

headquest · Post by **headquest** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:33 pm

I still haven't decided either. Some seem to be saying that Live 7 is very unstable, others are saying certain new features (Drum Racks and Sidechaining) very seriously hit CPU. I was ready to upgrade for the Christmas holiday, but I'm now thinking about waiting to see how this settles down.

As for the instruments, I'm with the other person who said Reason is far better VFM in this department. The Live 7 External instrument makes it much better to use as well. Having said that, I read that without buying the Suite, you get no content at all for the Drum Racks, which very much devalues their worth. And as Drum Racks are the most significant new addition to Live... well then we go full circle, so I'm not sure whether to even bother upgrading at all!!

Pasha · Post by **Pasha** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:25 pm

headquest wrote:I still haven't decided either. Some seem to be saying that Live 7 is very unstable, others are saying certain new features (Drum Racks and Sidechaining) very seriously hit CPU. I was ready to upgrade for the Christmas holiday, but I'm now thinking about waiting to see how this settles down.

As for the instruments, I'm with the other person who said Reason is far better VFM in this department. The Live 7 External instrument makes it much better to use as well. Having said that, I read that without buying the Suite, you get no content at all for the Drum Racks, which very much devalues their worth. And as Drum Racks are the most significant new addition to Live... well then we go full circle, so I'm not sure whether to even bother upgrading at all!!

I'd upgrade Live 7 if it wasn't for my doubts with the Suite. Compared to Live 6 when I record my Hardware using L7 External instrument the sound is clearer and matches the one I obtained from MIDI only. Considering that my equipment is not top notch Live 7 has made a big difference here. I think that it could happen because the Warp stuff doesn't kick in that way, if my understanding of the audio engine document is correct. If you want to use Drum Racks you can build your self some out of the Impulse Samples, and if not happy with that you can buy Single Shots kits from http://www.smartloops.com/ they issued good Xmas discounts and it's way cheaper than Session Drums. I think you can survive the lack of mics simulation. Personally I think that the new big kid in town in Live 7 might be Slicing. I have several Audio Drum Loops from the same site that after the Slice treatment give me the ability to play with them as if they were MIDI files! Amazing! So I'd upgrade to live 7 in 10 seconds if it wasn't for the fact that I like Electric and I'm getting closer to Live Suite that way. However the only reason to go towards VSTi is the lack of time. I'm not a Pro and thinking of recording MIDI 2 Audio makes me crazy. With External Instrument this process has been made easier but takes the same time as before even though the output quality of the recorded material is many times better as so makes the Hardware usage really competitive because I got it at no price, I already own it. My old friend Roland JV1010 paired with Nanosynth make a tremendous couple with lots of sound to choose from. If you buy the suite (download) you get Drum Machines. Good samples of 808 707 606 Linn Drum .... that you can download to test them from Ableton website.

wilxon · Post by **wilxon** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:26 pm

The thing is - its like NI komplete innit.

Nest year they will bring out a new synth or 2, and the upgarde for 7Suite users to 8suite will be cheaper than buying that synth and upgrading to live8.

Makes sence in the long term.

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:14 pm

Get the Suite. I have it and it rocks. I am not too enamoured with Analog as I own Zebra, Analog Factory and Massive, but Analog (unless racked up with lots of effects) is very light on the CPU compared to those (especially Analog Factory and Massive when not in eco mode).

Sampler is great, there are some nice presets with it in the Suite and stuff like Puremagnetik's P-50 which works really well in Sampler (great Roland D50 type sounds for very reasonable cost).

Plus all the tweaking and editing you can do to the sounds within the Live environment. Having hardware is great and some of that stuff can never be replaced but you will probably regret not spending the extra. Live is a streamlined and useful environment with all the new instruments in the suite and I can run it with lower latency than using third party vstis as it's integrated.

I am LOVING the Suite. Call me crazy but after playing with Tension a bit more, I really LOVE it. And Electric is the dogs nuts. The Drum Machines sounds, drum racks and clips are really nice too. I couldn't go back to Live 6 (plus sampler and operator sound better in L7 and the new instruments, drum racks and drum machines, not to mention side chaining, better EQ8, better compressor, multiple timing sigs, better quality mix engine, multiple automation lanes etc) I am mostly doing everything within the suite in terms of production and tracking, I am only using 3rd party stuff at the end for compression, limiting, analog tape saturation and the like on final mixdown. The spectograph also saves me having to use SPAN and is a handy addition.

Pasha · Post by **Pasha** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:21 am

leedsquietman wrote:Get the Suite. I have it and it rocks. I am not too enamoured with Analog as I own Zebra, Analog Factory and Massive, but Analog (unless racked up with lots of effects) is very light on the CPU compared to those (especially Analog Factory and Massive when not in eco mode).

Sampler is great, there are some nice presets with it in the Suite and stuff like Puremagnetik's P-50 which works really well in Sampler (great Roland D50 type sounds for very reasonable cost).

Plus all the tweaking and editing you can do to the sounds within the Live environment. Having hardware is great and some of that stuff can never be replaced but you will probably regret not spending the extra. Live is a streamlined and useful environment with all the new instruments in the suite and I can run it with lower latency than using third party vstis as it's integrated.

I am LOVING the Suite. Call me crazy but after playing with Tension a bit more, I really LOVE it. And Electric is the dogs nuts. The Drum Machines sounds, drum racks and clips are really nice too. I couldn't go back to Live 6 (plus sampler and operator sound better in L7 and the new instruments, drum racks and drum machines, not to mention side chaining, better EQ8, better compressor, multiple timing sigs, better quality mix engine, multiple automation lanes etc) I am mostly doing everything within the suite in terms of production and tracking, I am only using 3rd party stuff at the end for compression, limiting, analog tape saturation and the like on final mixdown. The spectograph also saves me having to use SPAN and is a handy addition.

That's a really good point. You nearly got me pressing the button!

wilxon · Post by **wilxon** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:25 am

just press it, pay for it,

And then you can smile and put all this behind you.

You will be the proud owner of the suite, and you will feel refreshed & relieved