On Choosing A DAW

[Danny]

I am a long time Sonar user and never had any issues. As a matter of fact, It is a 10 year old version.

As my friend says who is an Audio Engineer and Recording Tech teacher, all a DAW really does is take various Wav and Midi files from your hard drive and organize them in a sequencer. The actual performance and tracking quality are the important components.

[artturner]

Thanks for sharing the article!

I started with Cakewalk a long time ago (1990S), now I'm SONAR Platinum lifetime. However, I've started the learning curve in Cubase to get some of the MIDI editing that SONAR doesn't have. On a late night whim, I picked up Mixbus 32c on a flash sale and may start trying it out for mixing.

And if anyone is looking for a free option, I actually just learned about Ardour (http://www.ardour.org), which is open-source.

[jonnybutter]

And almost free is such a fantastic value these days. It's nice that we now have apps like Reaper and Tracktion, that are full featured, light, modern, and cheap.

I think the reason I switched away from DP to Logic in the first place many moons ago was I didn't feel like paying big $ to upgrade DP at some point, or there was a deal on Logic, or something. DAWs used to cost an arm and a leg! Hell, an advanced version of Tracktion is free now.

[Tunesmith]

Hi...I spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen for my work, so like a different environment for my music space. And I am coming from the reel to reel era..4 track, 8 track...right now I use a Roland VS1680 for my DAW. I do have to have a computer that syncs with the VS....mono screen Atari ST using Dr T's KCS LevelII Sequencer and MPE modules.. Probably sounds archaic, but that sequencer is incredible..I'm am biased as well..I worked for them.

Anyway, I am looking around at the software DAWS and the Traction that some of you are using...it's free??? That's amazing!

Cheers!

Linda C

[jonnybutter]

Hey, whatever works Linda! (You worked for Dr T?! )

The latest version of Tracktion is not free, but all the versions prior to the latest are free. And they are full featured, not hobbled at all.

[Paulie]

I think for many their first DAW is the one they have first access to. I learned on Performer 2 on a Mac SE in 1988. When Digital Performer came out I couldn't afford the hardware needed to do hard disk recording right. Then Is stepped away from writing for a long time, getting back into it with Garage Band. I liked what I saw and bought Logic Pro for $199. Since I was using GB the transition was pretty smooth. I've also purchased Abelton Live but have not yet become comfortable with it. It's just, different.

[jonnybutter]

Hey Paul,

Yeah, I could never get into Live either. Just hard to feel comfy with non-linear.

Like Linda, I started on an AtariST, but I used the forerunner to Logic, which was called Creator. Once the Mac llci came out, I got Vision. THAT was a great sequencer. Gibson bought it and killed it, for some reason...

[Len911]

Like Linda, I started on an AtariST, but I used the forerunner to Logic, which was called Creator. Once the Mac llci came out, I got Vision. THAT was a great sequencer. Gibson bought it and killed it, for some reason...

I remember emagic logic, I bought it because it had a really cool reverb program, but it crashed my not-powerful-enough mac.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emagic

Things have certainly come a long way!

[Lipskimusic]

If you own a Mac I think LP X offers a lot for the money.

It comes with a lot of decent sounding virtual instruments (e.g. the Drummer, Alchemy etc.) for composing and the built-in plugins are also pretty much all you need to get started.

The only thing it does not offer, which I like very much in Protools is the option to edit multiple midis at the same time within the arrangement window.

Cheers,
Matt

[Tunesmith]

I posted a new post this morning here and it never posted! Anyway, yes I did work for Dt T's which was lots of fun..I know all about their software if you ever have a question..I did all the trade shows and contract work with Casio, Roland, Commodore basically demonstrating our software with their products..

And now, I am probably going to step up to a PC based Daw as my VS1680 needs to have ample space on the hard drive. I have to keep backing data up, deleting tracks and clearing space..

I was wondering what you all use for a Windows PC system and what type monitors for the PC? (Not audio monitors)

Thank you in advance and it's fun to see what you use and what you started with!

Now, hopefully this will post!

Best,
Linda C