I'm wondering what DAW's people are using these days? what are the people's preferred applications? I guess for that matter, samplers and libraries as well. HHHmmm, and what about platform? I ask the platform question because I've come to discover that game developers seem to be PC's, while I tend to think of musicians/composers as being MAC's. I know this is an oblique and slanted statement, and I'm not trying to fuel a debate over which is better, since I've used both and really don't subscribe one way or another; My reason for asking is about how to overcome the hurdles of having to go back and forth between OS's? Or is this even an issue? As for me, I've been working in Digital Performer 5 for the last few years and for the most part, satisfied. I do sometimes tell myself "there must be an easier way", as it seems that DP is a nightmare to navigate because everything is in multiple window layouts. If I had a 30" monitor I most likely wouldn't be complaining about this. Well, I'd probably be complaining about something else with DP. I'm also running Kontakt 2, and had I the ability to make this choice again, I probably would. Although, I'm not sure what direction I'd head in. I guess for the price, it's not too bad, and for it's ability to handle essentially any file format, it's pretty strong; but the samples it comes with is pretty inadequate at times.

At the office: Mac Pro with Pro Tools 7 and Logic 8 Pro. I also have Kontakt 3, VSL Cube and the East West Complete Composer's Collection.

At home: PC with Sonar 7 Producer, Reason 4, Acid Pro 4, Sound Forge 8 and Finale 06.

I want to get a Mac Pro for home but my funds are totally strapped right now. Anyone care to donate to the Nathan Madsen fund?

Nathan,

Sounds like you've got all the bases covered.

Back in my PC days, I had acid, right before it went to strictly PC format I believe, when Sony took over. I really got a lot of mileage out of the app and wish there sere something comparable for MAC, and maybe there is that I just don't know about.

So, I'm wondering:

VSL versus EastWest. I'm guessing each of these libraries have pro's and cons, but do you find yourself using one or the other, or do you pull from both for certain projects, or certain needs.

Kontakt 2 comes with a modest assortment of VSL instruments; however, they're lacking in dynamics, articulations, solo instruments, effects... they sound great, but I find myself always in need of the samples/sounds that I don't have.

I've been looking at the IMacs lately. A little bit more in my price range than the MacPros, and might be a bit easier to wrangle up the donations. :)

Well, actually, nothing is in my price range at the moment and I just count my blessings that this old PowerBook doesn't fail me!

keith

Both are great but have different uses. Most East West orchestral samples have hall reverb embedded in the sample. VSL samples are produced dry. For large, Hollywood sound the East West packages are fantastic. For intimate, smaller settings (or ensembles) then VSL is better. The East West platinum package comes with various mic positions, so you can tweak it but all lower levels of that bundle only come with one.

The VSL package also has some fantastic ensemble FX that I've yet to find in East West.