DAW Software ?

[24track]

hi all,

i need a daw software, easy to use
what would you prefer & why ?

studio one
cubase 6
logic
protools native

other ?


thx

[Itsmorning]

Originally Posted by 24track

hi all,

i need a daw software, easy to use
what would you prefer & why ?

studio one
cubase 6
logic
protools native

other ?


thx

Any of those would work. Just remember cubase for windows and logic for mac.

My preference is ableton live for clip launching which the other do not support

[kcearl]

I use Ableton...but Id always advise trying Reaper first

its got an uncrippled demo and at $60 is the best value out there...no harm in seeing if it works for you before shelling out on more expensive software

[Rimwolf]

If you're on a Mac, Garage Band is the obvious choice. You can upgrade to Logic later when and if you feel the need.

[djugel]

For sequencing VSTs and hardware...

Ableton or Reaper?

[Meow]

I like Reason the best so far, and it's pretty easy to use! Plus as you learn it you learn exactly how to wire up and route/configure in a pure hardware setting!

You can download the demo and the only limitation is you can save but can't open projects.

[baskervils]

Originally Posted by djugel

For sequencing VSTs and hardware...

Ableton or Reaper?

Ableton Live works well with VSTs. Reaper probably does too.

I love Ableton because I am a songwriter. It's a great arrangement tool. Other DAWs are like tape recorders.

[Vidichai]

I would recommend studio one. Coming from workflow killing cubase it was a real eye opener

Theres a 30 day demo. Try it out!

[EvilDragon]

I use and recommend trying out Reaper before spending tons of money on other famous and sometimes hyped DAWs.

[Rogue Ai]

Originally Posted by Itsmorning

Any of those would work. Just remember cubase for windows and logic for mac.

My preference is ableton live for clip launching which the other do not support

Cubase can work on a Mac.

[24track]

thx all ! i wanna check Ableton Live too :-)
the workflow on studio one looks more easy like cubase6..

[kcearl]

studio one is very good workflow wise, never tried cubase myself..Ive had sonar before..it was like running through mud

[Analog Prophet]

Any major DAW is awesome. Anyhow, it depends on how you intend to work. Of course you can use any DAW for any type of music and music tasks, but this can be a rough "guide line":

- ProTools is the best mixing tool. But not the best composing tool.
- Logic (Logic Pro, Logic Express or the "light version" Garageband) is a very good composer tool. Mac only.
- Cubase is a nice tool for PC.
- Fruity Loops is good for making pattern based music such DubStep etc. PC only.
- Reason is used by many techno and EDM producers
- Alberton Live is used by many electronic artist and is perfect for live performance.

Easiest to learn? No clue.

Then if you ask, everybody has their personal favorites (if you ask me I answer according to my personal taste and choices I've made: Logic Pro - ask someone else and you got another answer). Check Youtube clips on these DAWs according to the rough "guide lines" above.

[Yoozer]

Download the demo version of everything - that's what demos are for. Test one at a time for 2 weeks or so (which is nothing in the grand scheme of things, seeing that you'll probably be hooked to a DAW for several years). All DAWs are hard; they're tools for specialists and they've been evolving over the years.

The choice for a DAW is not always based on sanity. Sometimes people choose it because their friends use it (and because of that, their friends can help 'm set the first steps). Sometimes people choose it because they made the choice long ago when the software still ran on an antique Atari computer and they simply stuck to it. Or sometimes it's because that's what the salesperson told 'm. So - personal opinions in that case mean nothing. It's whether you feel the software actually helps you to write songs, or if it actively works against your way of thinking. The tricky part is to determine whether it does so because you didn't read the manuals/followed tutorials, or because it just is made with a different philosophy than your own.

What you can do with it is largely similar. Let your operating system decide what you can actually run, and let any hardware peripherals decide as well - if a plugin for a certain synth doesn't work in a certain DAW and you want to use that, you have to keep such a drawback in mind.

That said, Cubase and easy are not two words I expect to be in the same sentence

[enossified]

Originally Posted by Yoozer

Download the demo version of everything - that's what demos are for.

The choice for a DAW is not always based on sanity.

That said, Cubase and easy are not two words I expect to be in the same sentence

DAW choices can be dictated by your computer: Sonar, Fruity Loops, Acid are all PC only while Logic is Mac only.

DAW choices can be dictated by your hardware: Yamaha gear comes bundled with Cubase AI. A lot of audio interfaces and MIDI controllers come bundled with Ableton Live Lite or Cubase LE. When you get a free DAW you're going to at least try it, right?

DAW choices can be dictated by plugin availability: Logic can only run AU plugs, Cubase can only run VST plugs, ProTools can only run RTAS plugs, Reason can't run any plugs.

I agree that Cubase is not the easiest DAW to learn. I personally found GarageBand (free with all Macs), Reason and Ableton Live to be quick to pick up.

I also agree with downloading demos to fool around with and see which ones click with you.

[Mr Arkadin]

Originally Posted by enossified

I agree that Cubase is not the easiest DAW to learn. I personally found GarageBand (free with all Macs), Reason and Ableton Live to be quick to pick up.

And just to prove there's no right answer, I get on fine with Cubase but had no idea what was going on in Ableton when I tried it.

[Papanate]

Originally Posted by 24track

studio one
cubase 6
logic
protools native

What are you using the DAW for? Commercial enviroment?
Do you need to be compatible with other studios or clients?
Do you do any Post work?

That said I use Logic and Pro Tools to accommodate our studio and client needs as well as interfacing with other production houses.
I understand them; my engineers are extremely fast on them; and the plugin sets included are very good.

[clixor]

I would recommend starting with Fruity Loops, and after a while, if you prefer linear sequencing Cubase, or if pattern/clip based Ableton. Assuming PC though.

[verve92]

Originally Posted by Itsmorning

Any of those would work. Just remember cubase for windows and logic for mac.

My preference is ableton live for clip launching which the other do not support

Excellent advice. Just wish I knew it before. Though Cubase 6 I hear works great with Mac.
I have Cubase 5 and Windows 7 and works great.

[tsutek]

Easy to use? Check out Reason. The latest version supports recording and editing audio so it should qualify for most needs now..

For the best "bang for the buck" DAW app go for Reaper. But that one is not perhaps the easiest one to start with..

[Kaoz]

Originally Posted by Meow

I like Reason the best so far, and it's pretty easy to use! Plus as you learn it you learn exactly how to wire up and route/configure in a pure hardware setting!

You can download the demo and the only limitation is you can save but can't open projects.

This.

Really is a great place to start.