On Choosing A DAW

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jessecarrigan
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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by jessecarrigan » Mon Feb 13, 2017 1:26 am

I'm experimenting with a full-iOS workflow - synths, virtual instruments, DAW, the whole thing. Using Auria or GarageBand for DAW, iMaschine for some electronic stuff. I'm figuring out the limits of what I can do. The software is way less expensive with a corresponding (though not proportional) dropoff in capability, but the price means I can get more of it and learn how to maximize it. Thinking about making some screencasts as I go to share what I learn, but that's yet another thing to do... :?

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by Danny » Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:33 am

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.

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by artturner » Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:12 pm

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.

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by Telefunkin » Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:38 pm

Warren Huart mentioned a free DAW called Stagelight recently. Here's a Youtube video for anyone who wants to know more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh5-PdYcqsM
I think he's creating music for Pacman-The Movie or something, but it can probably do more and better (at least I hope so)! ;)
You can download it here ...
http://us.openlabs.com/whats-new/
Graham (UK). Still composing a little faster than decomposing, and 100% HI.

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by jonnybutter » Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:05 pm

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.

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by Tunesmith » Tue Feb 14, 2017 6:08 pm

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

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by jonnybutter » Tue Feb 14, 2017 6:26 pm

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.

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by Paulie » Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:37 pm

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.

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by jonnybutter » Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:19 am

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...

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Re: On Choosing A DAW

Post by Len911 » Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:51 am

jonnybutter wrote: 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!
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