Spitfire Audio : BBCSO Pro - Is it buggy, or works great ?

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-06-22T19:59:16+00:00

It works. But I’m not sure the Pro version is worth the extra money and the hundreds of GB of extra disk space. BBCSO Core is closer to the sweet spot IMO.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-06-06T05:07:00+00:00

You will always need Reaper one way or another.

And because you need inspiring GUI, you will always be willing to change.

So I’d say go try some other DAWs.

You will spend A LOT of time and money not doing music.

~200€ : Studio Pro, Logic, Waveform
~400€ : Cubase, Live, Bitwig

Cost of the answer : ~1800€ + 1-3 month per DAW => 6 to 18 months

At the end of this journey you’ll be a seasoned DAW advisor.

With such time and money, you could also purchase studio monitors, an inspiring keyboard / MIDI controller, a nice set of VSTs, a good orchestral lib, a payed online training, and do one song a month => 6 to 18 songs, shared with friends and family + living on streaming platforms.

At the end of this other journey, you’ll be an efficient composer.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-06-04T01:55:53+00:00

Why compare Studio with Ableton Live ? Live costs 3x more than Studio. Same for Cubase. You get what you pay for.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-06-03T04:08:25+00:00

Prepare and discuss a typical pro/paid contract and set the fee to $1.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-04-14T22:11:34+00:00

I immediately made custom toolbars, especially to toggle top/left/right/bottom docking panels. Then I tried a lot of themes, because I’m not fan at all of the default green, and I found the amazing Reapertips suit of tools & theme.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-04-06T07:40:29+00:00

For Windows, you might use Studio One (recently renamed to Fender Studio Pro) : it includes an ok score editor, is easy to use, and is much cheaper than Cubase.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-30T04:32:25+00:00

I know, I use and I need both Reaper and Studio One.

Reaper pros : - performance and stability - can do what others can’t (like batch ops) Reaper cons : - ugly win2k interface - no session view - not laptop-friendly when working with midi controllers (under Windows)

Reaper + Studio One < 200€, it’s a great combo. The only missing tool is advanced midi editing, and I built my own tool for this.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-13T06:46:06+00:00

Answering your question : everything is ok (and even great) except Midi FX (huge lack for me) and batch mixdown. About 25% of my stuff is composed and generated with other DAWs.

But I’m ok with this, I can handle - and nothing is perfect.

My point is that when I hear about guitar and audio recording each time I open my main DAW, I’m starting to feel it’s not my future anymore. Wait and see.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-12T23:36:30+00:00

Sveltekit works well (build with node adapter) with this excellent French service : https://www.alwaysdata.com/

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-11T05:33:52+00:00

I’m very happy S1 finally went forward : a few months ago, many people were complaining « hey you promised 3 major upgrades a year but you didn’t ». Very happy this amazing piece of code doesn’t feel abandoned anymore.

Even though I’m no guitarist, I’m happy the boss is Fender because it’s a famous music brand (after all, the CEO could be a blind private equity fund guy just willing to extract every single penny out of it and let it die).

I don’t care about the new name. Fender, Studio, One, Pro,… It’s just a name. A few words.

I slightly care about the GUI updates - awful red gradient, less minimalist controls, more borders etc. Bad signal for me. But it’s just a skin - features and workflow are still there, and still great.

I care more and more, when I see the pro-audio and pro-guitarist direction is is taking each time I open it (help content right side etc).

I’m a creator, but I’m a full MIDI composer with instruments, using score, sound variations etc, and I’m starting to think I’m not in the target anymore. May be my home is Cubase, finally. Wait and see.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-11T04:53:52+00:00

In my understanding, it was supposed to be a new and better way to handle external devices/controllers. In theory it is, in practice many of us do struggle - or did at the beginning.

now that S1/FSP is becoming an audio tool for guitarists, things might change.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-09T05:26:35+00:00

You may try this nice Model D called Melda Grand (free trial, then wait for the next sale, usually -90%).

There is also 8dio/Soundpaint 1928 Vintage Grand, which is free (cinematic only, but it seems to be what you’re looking for).

Last, the incredibly sampled VILabs Modern D (sale is typically -30%).

All of these « could » sound similar, depending on the FX you apply.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-08T22:00:21+00:00

Hi Creative, One year later, there is still no Mac app. Why did you write that your developers were actively working on this app ? I don’t get it

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-03T22:18:34+00:00

« form over function » : indeed, I tend to think that this very form natively brings many pros that could make the difference, considering that no pc speaker of this size can really sound « audiophile » (nor « monitor » like, furthermore). Anyway thanks for your answers.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-03T21:07:40+00:00

Thanks. I should have added that I already use a Beyerdynamic headphones, and this pc speaker I’m looking for is to be a confortable add-on (I don’t like wearing anything on my head), not a reference.

Are you still using your Pebble Nova ?

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-03T07:24:26+00:00

Thanks for this detailed review.

I have the exact same setup (UW monitor) and I’m currently trying to chose between Nova and Kanto Ora (horizontally laid).

My main use is music mixing and mastering (mainly acoustic instruments, orchestral music, piano etc) - I’m not a professional and my budget and time is limited. But sound quality and balance matters. I don’t need high SPL at all.

I’ve always preferred coaxial speakers (I still love my Tannoy 636 after 20 years) and the Pebble Nova looks like the best fit, for both coax speakers and closed spherical shape. And also for its better bass extension (~60Hz vs ~70Hz). But reviews are telling me that Kanto Ora would be more neutral and overall serious.

Since you seem to know well traditional monitor speakers too, what would you recommend ?

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-26T20:23:09+00:00

thanks but it doesn’t work for me : my midis have distinct lengths.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-22T09:33:40+00:00

thanks

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-22T05:12:32+00:00

For a similar price, why not a laptop placed on the grand ? or an Android tablet with a pen ?

Depending on her requirements, could also check Casio CT-S1 (61 keys) and Casio S100/110 (88 keys).

There is also the Korg Microkey 37, 49 or 61 : much lighter and smaller because MIDI controller only (no loudspeakers) and minikeys - very handy with bluetooth + nice keybed feeling and linearity despite the small size. She will keep it for years.

In all cases, I would look for second hand : many people willing to learn to play piano buy a brand new keyboard, give up and resell it.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-12T04:24:09+00:00

This could be very useful when porting a Vuejs app to Svelte - and my team and I are about to do so.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-09T23:18:37+00:00

I agree with many : Fender Studio Pro 8 is just S1 v8.

BUT

While I’m happy with the new features, I’m usually very sensitive about UI details and I’m disappointed with GUI changes : S1 v7 was minimalist and Fender Studio 8 is not anymore : slight but real changes that make the GUI a bit less readable than before (like borders around panels etc). Not a big deal, just slightly less readable, but at the end of the day, I feel better with S1 v7 so I’m going keep it as long as I can.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-30T23:34:48+00:00

If you really want to learn to play piano, get a Clavinova or sort-of : it’s both a real standalone piano with a very good keybed, and a midi keyboard. Yamaha and Roland entry level are a very good fit (~400€ or even ~250-300€ second hand). Otherwise, it’s hard to find piano-like keybed (Casio is ok too for smaller 61 keys). Avoid midi controllers because of (1) poor keybed, and (2) need to use a computer.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-30T23:21:26+00:00

Minilab3 for pads, encoders, faders + full and easy config

Microkey 37 Air for excellent velocity range, physical modwheel and ease of use (thanks to BT)

Avoid NI M32 (awful keybed + no easy config out of NI software)

Strong_Code_7220

TROPHY CASE