markhimley wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2019 2:21 pm
I used to hate the idea of templates for the same reason, however I think it just depends on how much you have set up in the template. I have a dozen or two templates now, although I really only use 2-3.
I have one template in particular that I have labeled "Starting Basics" - 99% of my sessions start with this template.
Similar to Cass - this template has some vst's loaded but no presets or patches or anything. It has several different track stacks (basically bus groups if you're not a Logic user) already set up and color coded for different instrument groups, has all my sends (reverbs, delays, parallel compression, parallel saturation, etc) set up, and all my settings the way I like (for example Logic Pro defaults to using 44.1khz so in this template I have it set to 48khz so I don't have to change it every time). Bunch of little stuff like that; it doesn't confine me musically, just takes out busy work that I'd be doing before getting started every time. Basically it doesn't matter what genre/style I'm doing, I can open this template and get writing instantly without having to set up/route stuff.
^^^^ this.
don't create VSTs and choose patches unless they are things you use 100% of the time. Like maybe you do virtual orchestration and there are 30 standard string patches you use. In that case load 'em up. You can always just delete tracks that you don't need for a certain genre. If I am doing a pop thing and can't imagine using strings I just delete all that stuff, and my project is instantly way smaller, and way less CPU intensive.
The most time saving comes from having the project architecture set up just as Mark said. Especially things like defaulting the project to 48khz, and setting up standard bussing options for reverb. You can still change the reverb plugin on the Aux for vibe or for a different sound, but at least you don't have to start at the start every time.
You can also setup your project with things you need to add for every project - like a fade out on the master track at 2+ minutes. If you know your DAW well you can move that around much more quickly than redrawing it from scratch every time. If you like having SMPTE time and bars / beats displayed you can have all that preset.
Like EO said th0ugh - its not necessary, especially if you record a lot of stuff live, or don't use Slate Virtual console or Waves NLS on every track. There is just a lot less to bother with in those cases. If that's your thing, maybe you don't need a template.
