Product Reviews by KVR Members

Let's face it; all hosts involve work to get things done. So, while Renoise has its *$#(&$(#* moments, it remains - overall - more efficient or just plain 'better' than other, piano-roll DAWs.

It is missing some things; mainly, the ability to multitrack. If you need to record multiple audio tracks in real-time, you'll probably have to use something like REAPER, and import the 'audio stems' into Renoise. If, on the other hand, you're able to work with recording just a single real-time track at a time (lay down a guitar, then lay down a vocal, then lay down a real-time or step-sequenced track, etc.), then Renoise is a self-contained solution.

I find the 'tracker' interface to be super-efficient for step sequencing, and for real-time 'jamming' and step-editing (if desired) later, and even for working step-edited parts around ('in and about') an existing, lengthy audio track. Overall, I can't emphasize enough; how efficient this 'spreadsheet' or 'tracker' method of step sequencing can really be.

For the automation, it does help to be able to do basic hexidecimal math, but it's not necessary. You've got (hexidecimal) automation columns in the tracker view, but you also have the 'automation view window' and can do more broad-based automation there. So you can do super fine-tuned automation with the hex codes, or more 'big picture' automation in the 'automation window'.

Feature-wise, there are a number of things which could be added; i've got a whole list as a matter of fact. But none of them are deal-breakers.

One amazing thing about the ongoing development of Renoise: In my experience with software programs, an updated version - with all of its new features - tends to inevitably be bigger and slower than the previous version. In contrast, Renoise is the first program where it seems that with every update, it gets faster and faster. I don't know what future updates hold in this regard, but this has been my experience thus far.

So, if you need 'live multitracking' like an old-fashioned recording studio, you'll need another host. Renoise can do everything else. The 'signal follower' alone is a super-powerful 'device', which it seems most - if not all - other hosts have overlooked.

So yeah, i find that working in Renoise involves just that - work. But it's the best host in any event. I don't think any other hosts are even close in matching Renoise's overall efficiency and 'creativity-sparking'.

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I didn't have a lot to say here, except for this: If you're into free VSTs, and you don't yet have these; by all means download them. Rumour is that they're going to go 'pro' at some point, and as a result these will no longer be free. I haven't explored these in detail, but they have a unique sound all their own. The 3.x pack are all - more or less - software clones of top-of-the-line hardware from yesteryear. In general, these Modern effects have a much subtler sound than many of their free VST counterparts. Some of them - such as the Dynakiller ('limiter') are also capable of some really fine 'dirt' sounds. If you want to expand your studio effects palette, and arrive at place between 'sledgehammer-type' effects on the one hand, and something often barely discernible, these are the effects for you. That's a really long-winded way of saying, 'These VSTs rock! Make sure you get them!' Without having scratched the surface with these, Dynakiller in particular has found fairly substantial use in my 'studio.' It looks like the original offerings (which included Dynakiller and Painter) are in a separate, 3.x file; and the new offerings (which I'm downloading whilst typing this review) are in a separate file. This is all an extremely long-winded way of saying, "Download whatever this developer makes available to the public." I've sussed it out a bit. At this writing, the version 3.xx pack is all of the original VSTs, including Dynakiller and Painter. The new, 'fullpack4050' has the 7th Sign, Premier, and Flashverb. I can't wait to try these out. One more time: Get these if you don't have them already. They will definitely add more nuanced shades to your musical color pallette. It would be interesting to use nothing but these VSTs on a given collection (album) of songs, and see if the final result were painted with shades of the '70s era. Addressing documentation, presets, tech support, pricing, and stability: I haven't looked for any documentation; haven't used any presets; haven't needed tech support; didn't pay a dime; and they've never misbehaved as far as memory serves. Get these before they go $$!Read Review