Ableton vs Logic engine

[stevemac]

The engine for rendered sound is (as good as) the same.

Some people have mentioned that playback isn't as good as Logic's, hence why so many people go on about it.

Not sure if this is true, but it seemed to make sense to me.

Also, as someone said, Logic's FX are better.

[timothyallan]

Uncompressed sound in a DAW is the same as uncompressed sound in another DAW. 1011010 is exactly the same in any DAW.

My sounds are identical in Logic and Live because I know them both very well. I don't, for example, leave clips warped, leave something dithered, consolidate at 16 bit etc. and then whine because the DAWs sound different.

The placebo effect is very real.



Edit: Englishing

[re:dream]

It is well known that Logic Pro is better integrated with Mac OS than Live. There is a tiny little bit of space between the Live sound engine and the audio interface of Mac OS. And that causes additional echoes and resonances inside Live, which are not there for Logic Pro.

The effect is even more pronounced on a desktop machine, because the spaces are bigger.

In addition, the skeuomorphic design of the Logic Pro GUI means the interfaces and control surfaces are more tightly bolted on, while the thinner GUI on Live can cause rattling and buzzing, especially with low frequencies.

[timothyallan]

It is well known that Logic Pro is better integrated with Mac OS than Live. There is a tiny little bit of space between the Live sound engine and the audio interface of Mac OS. And that causes additional echoes and resonances inside Live, which are not there for Logic Pro.

The effect is even more pronounced on a desktop machine, because the spaces are bigger.

In addition, the skeuomorphic design of the Logic Pro GIU means the interfaces and control surfaces are more tightly bolted on, while the thinner GUI on Live can cause rattling and buzzing, especially with low frequencies.

Yeah, but it's so subtle, (unless you're using very low sub bass), that I'd almost forget about it.

[mikb]

My friend and I both feel Ableton Live 9.0.5 sounds better than Ableton Live 8.2.8. Sound is not theory. Sound is what you can hear. Sound is not just about summing. The reasons behind differences may be complex.

Why exactly can't an engine in practice sound better than another? Why even bother developing a new version of an engine unless you can make it a little better? The more effective a sound engine is doing the process load the more CPU power is freed and usable for further processing. Differences may be small but they do add up.

Comparing with Logic, often I think that some specific "sounds" (as in the total sound) are easier for some people to achieve in a specific DAW and this is a main reason why some people feel one DAW sounds better than another.

[Tarekith]

Think you can trust your ears?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ

[dazzer]

It is well known that Logic Pro is better integrated with Mac OS than Live. There is a tiny little bit of space between the Live sound engine and the audio interface of Mac OS. And that causes additional echoes and resonances inside Live, which are not there for Logic Pro.

The effect is even more pronounced on a desktop machine, because the spaces are bigger.

In addition, the skeuomorphic design of the Logic Pro GIU means the interfaces and control surfaces are more tightly bolted on, while the thinner GUI on Live can cause rattling and buzzing, especially with low frequencies.

Yeah, but it's so subtle, (unless you're using very low sub bass), that I'd almost forget about it.

Something thin, like a cigarette paper, stuck between the sound engine and Mac OS helps to tame the vibrations.

[tedlogan]

It is well known that Logic Pro is better integrated with Mac OS than Live. There is a tiny little bit of space between the Live sound engine and the audio interface of Mac OS. And that causes additional echoes and resonances inside Live, which are not there for Logic Pro.

The effect is even more pronounced on a desktop machine, because the spaces are bigger.

In addition, the skeuomorphic design of the Logic Pro GIU means the interfaces and control surfaces are more tightly bolted on, while the thinner GUI on Live can cause rattling and buzzing, especially with low frequencies.

Yeah, but it's so subtle, (unless you're using very low sub bass), that I'd almost forget about it.

Something thin, like a cigarette paper, stuck between the sound engine and Mac OS helps to tame the vibrations.

Can't believe you forgot about the aural dynamic jitter the above introduces. Easily avoided by clamping 150hz frequencies.

[Tarekith]

Magic speaker stones, done.

[yur2die4]

I don't have a second pair of monitors, but I could drag my dad's speakers out from the garage, start up a second laptop and do a side by side comparison. Settle this once and for all.

[eyeknow]

Something thin, like a joint paper, stuck between the sound engine and Mac OS helps to tame the vibrations.

I fixed it, for you!

[eyeknow]

I have crystals on every audio input. Definitely makes a diff.

On a more serious note, it's not "stupid" to use the term "sound engine" because that is term that dates back to avid days (iirc)

Besides, EVERYONE knows cubase has the better engine. 20-40% (if you don't get the joke, consider yourself lucky)

[Because789]

Think you can trust your ears?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ

I miss the McGurk effect at the beginning of the workshop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-lN8vWm3m0

Mainly because of its beautiful name, it probably will not make a difference for people convinced of the infallibility of their perception.

Btw, if I'm not happy with the sound of my DAW I just mess around with the ambient light: http://www.cirmmt.mcgill.ca/activities/newsletter

[loko]

I found the same, logic sounds slighter better but as someone said, this is down to the stock plug ins (in my opinion) I reckon if I was to use un warped audio files in live & the same files in logic without fx, there would probably be no noticeable difference. I reckon the logic plug ins have stood the test of time. Also ES2 is awesome. Saying that its not so noticeable that I decode to not use live, its more a case of me wondering "does this sound better?" I'll go back into live & start wondering if I imagined the difference!

It's probably me though as I do the same with Reason, comparing it with the other daws & thinking Reason sounds better! Samples that is. At the end of the day I'm more than happy with the sound coming out of all of them.

[3dot...]

there are so many things that influence "sound" that honestly..
unless y'all have an extremely well treated room with extra revealing speakers and "golden ears" hearing..
you're better off moving to another topic..than commenting subjective dribble...
"better sound" is in the ears of the listener...
or more accurately.. in the space between the ears..