DAW Templates

[ramseysounds]

So I used to be an advocate of drawing up a template then using that at the start of each new song / track / beat (delete as applicable).
However, for the last few tracks I've produced, I started with a totally empty page and added audio tracks, midi tracks, FX channels, busses etc. as I went. I found this made me think more about where the song was going rather than sticking to the same tired trusted formula. I rediscovered plug ins I hadn't used for a while. I made up fresh FX chains. I think my production now sounds fresher and I will not be going back to templates, regardless of them saving a bit of time.

My thoughts anyway; yours?

[Winstontaneous]

Depends on which DAW I'm using. With Ableton Live I find it incredibly quick to set up signal chains, (or pull up saved device Groups) and insert them into whatever tracks/busses are needed. So, I rarely use templates. I find Logic way clunkier, especially with its Mixer channel/track distinction and aux bussing/soloing, so once I get a setup that works I tend to use that as a template.

[sin night]

It depends on the template: I set up mine in Cubase with a midi track for each hardware synth (each with the right midi output), a few audio tracks for recording from my mixer busses and a Maschine instance with 16 active outputs and each pad on a different output (but without any pre-loaded sample). The midi tracks are grouped into a folder and ordered by name, so it's a matter of seconds to use whatever synth I want (I just need to find the right track).

Mine is not a rigid template, it's more an "extended configuration" of the daw, so I can work faster with the otb part of my setup (by leaving out the boring/technical parts, like setting up the midi tracks or the individual outputs, which would remove me from my creative workflow). But I have no pre-configured effect chains o summing busses, that's something I decide while working. Then, on each project, I use only the tracks that I need. I find this faster than going through track presets (and it's also helpful for trying different solutions on the fly, because every hardware item is ready to be played).

To be honest I have a pair of effect on the aux of my mixer (which I use for my synths, before my soundcard inputs), so that's almost a template, but I set up up them so I'm ready to jam (without a computer), rather than having them as templates for tracking/mixing. For the same reason, I have some fx chains sitting "permanently" on the Minilogue (so I only need to turn them on and jam), but I change them every so and so (so they are not really permanently)...

But these things are not enough for forcing me to stick to the same formula everytime I create something, these are just "workarounds" for the boring parts, while each template is completely free from any song idea, so it's still a blank canvas to start.

[Mister Natural]

my LIVE scratch template is pretty basic :
2 audio channels with a chain of utility, compressor, eq8 for GTRs(plus GTune vst)
1 audio chan for vocal w/ same ^ chain
1 midi bass instrument chan w/ this ^ same chain
3 midi chans totally bare for synths / piano(piano would get a compressor)
1 midi drum chan for either Geist2 or uTonic beats w/ ableton "vintage channel strip 1" chain(have not yet tried the new L10 "Drum Bus" device)
1 send for verb w/ eq8 in front, verb vst of choice(lately it's just VVV - love it), compressor, followed by another eq8(can't remember why I add a second one here, don't ask me :=)

I might start writing a tune with a simple GTR line or a piano line/chords or even just beats & build from there. While working on something new, I'll write a new bit, then CTL+, - file folder - save current set as default. Build up a full arrangement this way, always re-writing the template in case I"m called away and have to come back to the project later - until the piece is pretty roughed-out, then save-as a "working name" & put into my projects folder.
Finally, erase all the clip content, automation, and arrangement view of the built-upon template and "save current set as default" again for the next new thing.
peace

[Rameses]

I actually used to do that for a short time period, at least I had some sample project files with pre-named busses and such.

[AsPeeXXXVIII]

I can definitely see some upsides in templates, especially as far as time conservation is concerned, but I've never used them. I start every track I make on an empty slate.

[funky lime]

I like to create track templates in Reaper for my most commonly used stuff. I can add a piano in one click, or a fully-routed string orchestra in one click. This way, I don't have to lock myself into a specific project template, and can sort of build my project as I go along, using these "modular template building blocks."

It's nice to be able to, for example, just click a "low brass" button and it drops pre-configured tracks into my project, giving me tuba, trombones, cimbasso, loaded and ready to write. Or "guitar" button that gives me, in just one click, an audio track with a tuner and an amp sim, and a midi track with my expression pedals already routed to the amp sim's wah and volume pedals, just ready to rock.

I've found that making project templates is too confining, as some of you have pointed out above. But track templates are essential to my workflow. I've also found that project templates sort of back me into a corner where I feel compelled to mix as I write, which is counterproductive in my opinion. I'd rather do all the composition first, then worry about how I'm going to mix it all later.

[Aro]

I just started using templates in my songs. I'm still working it out. I like that its a place to start, when I don't have an idea for a song yet. But I think for it to be effective and efficient you need to know your software relatively well. I just got Komplete 11 last summer, and its taking a while to get familiar with the instruments. My template feels a bit daunting because I'm clunky at manipulating these massive instruments. So I take it slow.

I recently made an attempt at the One Synth Challenge for March. I really appreciated how smoothly everything went, and actually enjoyed the restriction. So I'm thinking I might try to put together a template a bit simpler, and see how that goes.

[MadDogE134]

never use a template lol... i think i tried once and ended up changing it all around. i think it was mostly wasted time. lol every diddy needs it's own stuff i find and it is easier for me just to populate as needed. but then i am not in a bloody race cheers

p.s sorta like fx chains... only fx chains i have is for delays and reverbs. the rest sorts itself out

[ramseysounds]

I start every track I make on an empty slate.

That's me now, definitely

[MogwaiBoy]

Every track needs to be as creatively open-ended as possible for me, so I've never been interested in templates.

[kevvvvv]

Appreciate Mogwai Boy and Ramsey Sound's need to abandon templates for now, so as to avoid becoming too stereotyped.

But sin night makes a good point for me.

Mine is not a rigid template, it's more an "extended configuration" of the daw

This is the approach which Groove3 specialists are teaching.

I'm currently migrating to using templates for hybrid orchestras, as they're so big with so many tracks, busses, fx racks, different type of instrument sections (strings, synths, winds, guitars, percs, beds, brass, fx etc)

It's quicker to use a template for a big setup than start from scratch (maybe not so when writing a trance track???)

It's easy enough to do, as it only requires taking a recent big song and deleting the midi tracks to get a re-usable template.

Tracks can be replaced with other instruments, as & when needed.

I'm following a Groove3 tutorial that explains all this, complete with handy little tips.

I also feel some music-making routines are good things, that promote good, well thought-out work.

It's easy to get lazy when writing complex multi-track songs, and not feel bothered adding an extra track or bus, or effect, even when you can hear in your head that it's a better idea.

Let's see if it hurts my creativity

[kevvvvv]

saved a massive hybrid orchestra template in S1 this evening.

i'll test it and see if it drags me down, or lifts me up.

[Unaspected]

I use templates for mixing, soundbank creation, drum kits and tracking audio. But when I'm composing, I start with an empty project.

[kevvvvv]

Unaspected,

Does this mean you insert different templates during song production?

I've not tried doing this for years as it never worked properly when I first tried, and always seemed to overwrite something I had in place.

Prob my fault

But is that right? You can insert different templates mid song?

Sounds cool