I know this is a quite a varied topic, but feel free to chime in on anything you're familiar with. So, I just got a huge (for me anyway) bonus from work. So of course I'm thinking about music gear, which the wife says is fine. Anybody used either of these programs? I've got the cheap version of Tracktion setup on my Mac, but I wonder if it's worth upgrading to the full version. I was also looking at Logic. Even though I like Tracktions mastering tools, I keep defaulting back to Garageband, it's just so quick and easy.
The features I'm most interested in are: mastering tools, Amp sims, and pitch correction. Logic Express says it doesn't have pitch correction, but even Garageband has a rudimentary version of it (which is all I need). I could keep using Garageband, and spend some money on plugins, but I'd imagine if I got Logic Express or Tracktion Ultimate, I'd have what I needed. One beef I have with the Tracktion Project bundle, is the lack of a good amp sim, The one with Garageband is fine, so I'd guess I'd have access to it with Logic.
Ok USB interfaces, I'm figuring if I get one with the feature set I want I'd be fine, regardless of maker. Is that basically true? Are some brands so crappy and unreliable I need to avoid them at all costs? I keep hearing things about Firewire, that make me think it might go the way of the Nu-bus card, any thoughts?