New Category: DAW Talk
I like DAW talk. I enjoy trying new ones. I have a few old favorites. I don’t get hooked on one DAW because I find certain things easier depending on which one I use. I think they’re all sounding fantastic tho, that’s the main thing.
Back in 2000 or so..
I started in Cool Edit Pro 2.0 back in 2000 or so. I was hooked. It was a simple DAW, but the things it let me do in my Pentium 2 were amazing. It had issues Windows used to give you with hooking things up, not working correctly. It also didn’t sound super great. But I was excited.
Free great DAWs everywhere.
Today? GarageBand sounds great, it’s easy, it works. I recommend it for a first DAW. Also, given it’s free, I don’t feel bad about it. GarageBand on the iPad gets used a ton around here for tracking in shower, garage, even an old stage downtown, or even outside! GarageBand and tracking outside of the studio room go hand in hand.
When I’m done tracking in GarageBand I can either open that up in Logic (same company), or export to Reaper, or even Waveform Free. If there’s a time limit, or if I intend to learn informs that decision.
Logic Pro and Protools are not the only kids on the block for good sound.
I’m fastest in Logic Pro, so, if it’s a hurry up job, I just take care of it there. I’m really into learning Reaper and Waveform Free, so if I have time, I’ll head to one of those. I’d like to ditch Logic someday but until I know everything in the other DAWs that I know in Logic, it’s my speed DAW.
It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s what you prefer.
One thing I’d like to stress I’ve discovered is that DAW doesn’t matter. I might like them, prefer a few, and talk about them. But I’m not “right.” I’ve merely found what’s working for me. Even Audacity these days is a viable DAW. Unbelievable, but true. I’ve tried it. It’s fine.
The brain is what is important, DAWs are a dime a dozen.
The software isn’t the issue with DAWs. It’s the brain. Some DAWs require me to know a bunch of stuff I don’t know. Some let me hit “play” and mess with it until it sounds right. Some like Ardour tend to appeal to our geeky side and make things harder than they need to be, (personal opinion, of course), but some folks really like that. That’s cool, that’s your DAW.
I’ve found slightly different sounds mixing in multiple DAWs. But I haven’t found a crappy DAW sound for years. All viable, all sound great.
Why is this important?
I think this is important because you may be unhappy out there with your software and not know there’s so many options. If you’re willing to try a new DAW, it’s often free. It always educates. And it may be what you need. If you’re super happy with your setup, you’re amazing. I’m just rarely there for software. Or if I am there, they fucking change it! Ugh.
I hope you get to make all the music you want. I hope your software works for you. I hope you got muscle memory going for those keyboard shortcuts and you’re flying. But if you’re not, and it’s free, what does trying new software hurt?
I am currently in love with Reaper.
Most recently I picked up Reaper. They have an irresistible free trial and I had to give them my money. It was only 60 bucks too. I’ve been watching Kenny Gioia’s videos on YouTube. Reaper is an amazing DAW. I’ll be there someday with it. Goals. I think Reaper is my favorite because I feel in control. I set everything up. Reaper feels great to me because it doesn’t give me the sense it’s doing anything I don’t want it to do. Logic Pro has lost that sensation for me at the moment. But I’m still quicker in it. It still gets used for worky work type stuff. But if I’m exploring with no time limit, I’m on Reaper. Hope to make total switch someday. I think Reaper is actually better for me. Just not smooth yet.
Have to mention Waveform Free. It rules.
Mentioning Waveform Free for those who dig free software. It’s truly free. Won’t ask you for money. They have a pro version, but it isn’t needed here. Maybe you might need it. Can’t say. What I can say is I’ve mixed a few songs on it and it’s easy. It has complicated features, sure. But being able to use the plugins I’ve bought over the years mitigates a lot of learning different effects. They might be good, I don’t know. I just used ones I already knew and liked. If I was just starting out and didn’t have a Mac, I’d check this bad boy out. Even with a Mac, you’re looking at slightly more features than GarageBand. Also free. So.
Good luck, make lots of music, have fun.
It’s important to realize there’s no wrong answer for a DAW nowadays, even BandLab (but wow, try that one last). There’s a DAW that’s right for you. I hope you find it. Good luck.🍀
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