Can someone explain the differences in the programs

Ableton is a real time production software for live remixing etc and also studio use.. reason is also a production software but lacks any external imput abilities (I think) And protools will leave you bankrupt

There are 3 levels of protools sytems. Mbox's, 003's, and the HD systems. Honestly if you planning on recording vocals or instruments, the Mbox and 003 preamps aren't really that great. The problem with protools is it requires it's own interface to even run, just like how SSL and Torq do. Last there is the option for the M-Powered version of ProTools which allows you to use an M-Audio interface.

It all really depends on what you're planning on doing. Ableton's great for remixing, ProTools is good for more studio recording of live instruments and vocals. IMHO

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJCaleb,

Lets talk plug-ins with Pro Tools.... You can create a pro tools platform that is as good as any studio going, and most producers use Pro Tools to get demos and some final products produced.....

What are you trying to accomplish????

Record, produce, make beats, remix songs, yada yada yada

I would start with a moderate program tocreate muisc and do your edits. if your looking for Midi, you've got alot of choices. I like Abelton live and find it a nice program with a moderate cyrve for some featured uses. I also use a freeware program called Audacity for my edits, and it's very Sound forge like in it's approach.

I am a fan of starting small and cheap and then getting the big guns once your dedicated to it. the Audacity is free and the Abelton is a bit of money, but great to use. i look forward to what others have to say on the recs for you.

But once your there, go full pro tools and get famous!!!!

Put aside the brand loyalties and just pick something and dive in. Buy the book printed for the software and plan on attending your own college class, taught by you. And be a good student.

I have tinkered around mostly, using pretty much everything that's out there either in a friends studio, or in my own. Having a couple pro friends with pro-tools has made me lazy.

I will recommend sound forge(editing from quick cuts to ridiculous details), FL Studio (beat making), and I grew quite familiar with Sonar (recording).

I am currently messing about with ableton, as everyone has praised it and I want to see for myself.

But I think the most important thing to remember, this is not like a CDJ, where you can just plug it in, do a quick familiarization and go about business. These are now suites of software with INCREDIBLE abilities, and with those abilities, features, and functions, comes weeks of study. Really. All the pros will tell you whatever software you buy, learn it well, before you try adding. Its easy to do with all the stuff that's out there. Don't give in.

It's about functionally getting from idea to finished track, and you must put in the time. I was in studio with Keith Litman a few years ago, all proud of myself for a section of a song I had made, over a period of several hours. He listened to it, and duplicated it (6 tracks) in about 10 minutes on his massive pro tools / analog synth set. Pro tools is IMO the toughest interface to master, as it has so many (very small) things to adjust and manipulate. I am functional in the suite, but slow. He wielded it in a way that I couldn't even comprehend. I wanted to go hide myself. What good is a tool you don't know how to use well.