Upgrade Cubase or Go Pro Tools

[Morsoccer92]

I recently purchased a Presonus Firepod and it came with Cubase LE. I am looking to possibly to upgrade to maybe Cubase SE (if there is any difference) or pro tools, but I dont really want to spend more than $300. I've heard about Sonar, but do not really know. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[tech1]

Well, Pro Tools will NOT be able to use the Firepod. It is limited to Digidesign hardware only (or M-Audio hardware if you get Pro Tools M-Powered). So this will leave Cubase and Sonar. If you've used one of them already (i.e., Cubase LE), then it will be easier as far as the learning curve to simply upgrade. You can currently get a crossgrade for Cubase 4 Studio, which will probably be your best bet right now if only have experience with Cubase LE.

[Morsoccer92]

is there honestly any benefit to upgrading to the cubase crossgrade studio 4 and what are they...besides just saying you have it haha

[Andrew_Malloy]

More tracks, more plugins, better audio engine and more virtual instruments.

I think that is a good enough reason to upgrade.

[Morsoccer92]

What is an audio engine? I am learning alot but I am still a newbie. Is there a way to change the bit rate in cubase le or is that anther reason to upgrade.

[Andrew_Malloy]

The audio engine is the heart of what makes a DAW tick.

It handles audio playback, mixing, effects, routing and a long list of other background processes.

You will hear a difference between the old VST audio engine in Cubase LE and the new VST audio engine in Cubase 4. The mix bus just sounds better.

[tech1]

To put it another way, the audio engine is what processes the recordings and plugins, and calculates the mixed signal to be sent to your speakers.