Debating: MuLab vs. Tracktion 13

[bermudagold]

While I realize: "try it and see" is the ultimate answer, I'm wondering if anyone dug into both of these deeply enough to make a meaningful comparison? FWIW my music is mostly in a "classic rock" vein. I play guitar & keys, have EZD3 and Modo Bass 2 as primary tools.

Two of my 3 favorite DAWs over the years.

from what I have seen from the anecdotal data of my circle and the kids in my classes; there is nothing faster to finished song across most musical objectives and thus functional use cases than mulab... Simple, minimal, uncluttered, non intimidating, single window interface....3 views of the same underlying data accessible from a single button toggle with minimal pop ups...the power user functionality is always immediately accessible, but completely invisible and out of the way until you want it...the fastest loading and snappiest interface I've ever used...

based on what appears to be ur use case of traditional songwriting centered around guitar, Tracktion may take the lead as it has one of the largest sets of compositional tools; arranger track, audio follow chord track, chord and phrase generators...as well as bundled autotune and melodyne for vocals...For the guitarist use case, a feature that may be a higher priority is comping. Tracktion has robust comping facilities. And all of this has a relatively shallow learning curve.

Some unique features of mulab are the "composer module" which essentially allows project/edit inception...the "audio sequences" facility creates parallel "audio lanes" per track and can be used in many ways including for comping...also allows separate complete plugin rigs per voice which they call "polyphonic FX"

Both have object orientation philosophies that allow you to work and think in modular compartmentalized chunks to maximize reuse...and both have "session views" to compose in loop pedalboard workflow...cant really go wrong with either...I really hope both survive and thrive

[jens]

If I am not entirely mistaken, Mutools still doesn't even have loop-recording yet (not to mention some kind of comping/take-management)

You are entirely mistaken.
MuLab actually has quite clear and elegant implementations.

How so? Here it still just records a single long continous clip (i.e. if I record four takes over a four bar loop, what I end up with is one 16bar long clip) - I also didn't find any setting that would change this behaviour...

from the MuTools Docs:

"When you have recorded events, e.g. by playing on your MIDI keyboard or tweaking plugin parameter knobs, MuLab will check whether there is a selected sequence clip with a matching target module.

If not, then the new recorded events are put on a new track in a new sequence clip.
But if a sequence clip is selected, you get these options:

Merge: The new recorded events are merged into the existing sequence.
New Clip: The new recorded events are put into a new sequence.
Overwrite: The new recorded events overwrite all events in the existing sequence.
Punch: The new recorded events are put into the existing sequence, but in such a way that all existing events that fall in the recorded time area are overwritten, the other events are kept.
Cancel: The new recorded events are trashed."

https://www.mutools.com/info/M9/docs/mu ... rding.html

also see 'Sequence Loop' in:
https://www.mutools.com/info/M9/docs/mu ... ditor.html

the default Preference is to "Auto Loop New Sequences"

also search 'loop' in the Shortcuts to speed workflow. Just pick a Shortcut & tap a keyboard or controller key to map.

also many r-click context menus

Ah... now I get it... it seems you completely missed that I was talking about audio-recordings all along - the OP is mainly a guitar-player.

[Michael L]

Haha, yes that is true!

[Teksonik]

I play guitar

I'll answer your question with a question. Would you ask someone's advice on which guitar was best for you?
Or would you try out various models by actually playing them to find the one that fits your hand size, playing style, etc best?
There is simply no substitute for hands on demo time. No one can tell you what's best for you other than you.
I know which one I prefer but I won't even bother to say because my opinion should mean nothing to you since we all make different music and we all have different wants and needs.

That's the logical answer. In fact it *is* the defacto answer.
But it's not the KVR way.
KVRists post threads to get a plethora of replies. It has nothing to do with sincerely needing help or wanting honest to goodness advice.
It's all about how many replies can I get to fulfill my attention whoreness.

I'm afraid you're right. I call it the "look at me syndrome".

I'm not saying it applies to the OP in this thread but it has reached epidemic levels here.

[VOODOO U]

I call it the "look at me syndrome".

I call it THE INTRANCER virus.

[Teksonik]

I call it the "look at me syndrome".

I call it THE INTRANCER virus.

That's exactly who I had in mind......