I am a CUBASE SX user. Moved to sx from regular cubase audio.. Accually been with cubase since the Atari days. I use Cubase because all the years I spent with it I think I got it mastered to a point where if I wanna do something I don't eaven think twice, I just do it. I have custom shortcuts for all the options I use on regular basis + I use my Mackie Control universal to "control" the mixer inside cubase and some other things. Sometimes I eaven noticed that I totaly get avay with NOT using a mouse. I guess that's when I am really into recording and the fastest thing is to press a shortcut or hit some button on the mackie controller. Accually you can set up you SX and Mackie controller to totally ignore the mouse, which can be nice for a change.

Cubase SX is a great program, but I don't understand why people make all this fuss about which software is better. Cubase is a mature software product that has been here longer than some of the people here been producing, just like Logic. People should warry about what works for them, not what everyone is using. I tried most sequencers out there, demos, and full versions at friends studios. I am still the most comfortable with Cubase, because I know how it works, and I can do everything that I require, and more. I thought about moving away from cubase, going ableton Live, or Logic, But after playing around I didn't find any significant changes that made me work faster or better using the other software. So back to the same spot. I am back to SX and I love it.

Most of the software that is out there and is targeted at the professional/amateur musician is more than capable of creating proffessional resoults out of the box, But only if you know what you're doing. I heard mixes form Logic, and Cubase, that a friend of my put to shame with fruity loops. It's because he knew how to get what you want out of the software. I heard amazing tunes done in reason, or Orion. People who start producing have way to many options now, than fiew years back. And I think it can get quite overwelming with all the sequencers, and vst's that are out there, in fact so overwelming that people keep thinking they need the lates software to make a hit song. Well wake up. If you're really good, than you'll make a hit with any software there is, as long as you know what you're doing

I had fruity loops before for a while, I used it to make quick loops, than exported it to wave and throw them into cubase. I could make a whole tune in Fruity Loops, but the reason I never did is I don't like the interface. I just don't like the way it is laid out, and i really can't stand looking at the colors. I am sure you can change that since, there are templates for it. But Fruity loops isn't me. So I suggest you try everything you can get your hand on. Than play around with the software, see which is the most enjoyable and stick to it. One day when the software becomes second nature, you'll thank yourself that you finally can do everything fast without thinking how to do it all the time. You'' make tunes and that's why you're here in the first place. Using Cubase, will not make you any more pro than using Fruity loops, if Your music sucks. It's the music that matters, and how you made it don't really matter to most people.. yes I know us producers like to know, it must be contageus... But regular folks don't care, they just wanna enjoy the tune...

I am sure Armin or any of your favorite producers could make a killer track using fruity loops, cubase or Logic.. You need more than software, and that's Talent