DAW OR DAWLESS

[Dowi]

Just for recording (Ableton), even if sometime I add ambient effects to give more depth to the sound.

[D.o.S.]

Who is my other singularity brethren?

[dandy13]

I use Logic for recording. Sometimes to add basic effects, like reverb on vocals. I’d like to get to know midi , softsynths, etc at some point just to make sure I’m not missing out. For now I just prefer live playing real instruments because that’s what I know and love.

[lordgalvar]

Zoom R16 or Tascam Porta02.
The only "pro" recordings I ever did in a studio were on ADAT.
Tried DAWs. They take too much time to setup. Fought midi in Abelton long enough to never want to look at it again.
I use audacity to chop the ends off digital files and maybe change the volume.

[Faldoe]

I use Logic for tracking and sometimes for writing music in MIDI. To me it’s great, I can’t imagine tracking into tape or hard disk/whatever anymore, for me it’s just much more convenient to use a DAW.

I need to become familiar with Logic.

I use Live and cause I’ve used it for so long it’s easier for me to arrange and control stuff.

I got an Arturia BSp which is cool to trigger my DFAM but I prefer sending midi clips to my external devices and to orchestrate that way.

[friendship]

Bumping this thread because I've started getting excited about recording music again, and in dusting off the cobwebs have come to the same realization that I already posted in here: I don't like using a DAW for tracking and building a song, but a DAW is an absolute dream for editing and polishing.

I still have my R16 but am looking at upgrading it since it's become a bit beat up in the 10 years I've had it. I watched a comparison of the Zoom R24 and the newer R20 and the R20 preamps sounded significantly better... but the R20 has a touchscreen DAW-like sequencer which sort of defeats the purpose (though I suppose I could just like, tape a piece of cardboard over it and freeball). So probably sticking with the R16 for now.

Just curious if anyone's setup/workflow has changed!

[JTurbide]

I have always had Abletoncto record but I was using it as minimally as possible. I recorded on a single track with no fx or maybe just a mastering plugin. I just bought myself a presonus quantum and am now recording multiple tracks simultaneously with different fx on each one (reverb, comp, etc). I don't do any midi or instrument stuff in the daw, I prefer hardware for that but for fx and mixing, I think it is great.

[John]

These days I like to do my tracking outside the box on a digital 16 track recorder, then dump the files into a DAW for editing and mixing.

This is exactly what I do. Zoom L-12 dump to Logic FTW

[chromandre]

Just for recording too. Reaper.

same... er I just recently got into tossing a little MIDI->VST synth noises in the mix but nothings actually "snapped to the grid"

[Bartimaeus]

when i start a track, i always say i'll just use it to record my live playing, like a tape machine with a built in mixer. but then i add some reverb and delay and modulation effects, and then i figure a vst electric piano wouldn't hurt since i don't have one, and next thing i know i'm deep in it haha! that said, the music seems to turn out best when i have a lot of material going in, and just use the daw to augment it. composing within the daw rarely works well.

[Blackened Soul]

I been using daws for almost 20 years.. do I find them useful? Yes. Willi ever whole heartedly love them? No.
Any more I stick to studio1. I use to use logic a lot in the past. As time has gone by I find I don’t fuck is maddeningly complicated automation and sequencing projects as I just don’t find it fun anymore.. feels like work now. Other than drum samples triggered by real drums for occasional fixes, not using any in the box instruments or soft synths… I will have an project down the road where we will have to use ivory a bunch for piano songs that were recorded through midi that someone played a while back… Plug-ins.. mostly use UA with a few others, I tend to stick to the same 20ish things for 85% of everything…

[fcknoise]

I used logic and now have ableton. I really miss logic, it was so much easier for me to use and I haven’t really gotten any ableton controllers (which was my intention).

I essentially only record a stereo mix down, and use some reverb or EQ at the end. I do intend on getting better at this though

[friendship]

that said, the music seems to turn out best when i have a lot of material going in, and just use the daw to augment it. composing within the daw rarely works well.

It me! The DAW gives me executive paralysis, the mortal foe of creativity.

Last night I spent a half hour cleaning off my be-gunked R16. Tonight I'm going to plug some shit into it.

[MaxMaps]

I have spent so little time recording its all new too me.

I have used Reaper and feel like an idiot - just getting it to recognize my interface and arming a track is for me at times... difficult.

Right now I am using Gurage band and it works great after I re download and delete the program. I want to use some plug/in based things in the future but I am still trying to figure out how to properly get my daw to run through Zoom for my weekly lesson.

[Blackened Soul]

GB is a ok learning tool for getting your feet wet.
Issues are all the space the in the box loops take up and the over all sound.. the program has a sound..

It’s been years since I’ve done a test but best way to check the program is to set up your direct signal and converters and record something and then play it back with the same monitor setup as you recorded it, NO plugins/effects/eq/channel strips! Does it sound Exactly the same?