What is the best DAW for Windows?

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puerileboy wrote:
deaf dunderkwac wrote:from some 'other' thread there are several free daws for window.
Macaw, mulab, audacity, wavaosaur... look the the plug-in database and google.

Just starting to futz with macaw so I have no real opinion of it.
no offense, but i would hardly call any of these DAWs. good audio editors perhaps...
macaw and mulab seems fairly daw-ish to me...
I've never used an digital audio editor without recording/playback capabilities... do they exist?
There is a barely distinguishable line between modern editors and workstations as the editors incorporate vst and midi support. Just a bit harder to work with (beyond audio.)
...and I remember when reaper was hawked as a daw when in reality it was,at the time, just a barely usable multi-track recorder without good editing.

So a bit of leeway is, perhaps, ok for some. I'd rather use an editor for recording. Indeed, I have finished many a tune with 'just' an editor making editors for me... uhm... audio workstations with limited features. (just like some daws lol)


I also agree LMMS seems very limited in it's usefulness (recently downloaded and discarded it after a few days)

You should check out Macaw if interested in free win DAWs -I find it 'clunky' to use but it seems to have all the tools- still learning (although I'm currently just writing forum crap :D )
Mulab- if you can work around it's track limitations (the free version) seems pretty complete but I haven't done a track with it yet, as I'm still futzing with macaw
for entertaining porpoises only

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If you're switching from Mac, by all means check out the Babya Logic Suite. It's the Right Stuff for SERIOUS audio canipulations. No multicore support yet, but I get around that by running it on two single core machines at once.
Music is something you DO. Spend time, not money.
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spritex wrote:
lagavulin16 wrote: I like Logic quite a bit, mainly want to get my hands on some of the PC plugins out there, so I might be moving projects back and forth.
Just out of curiosity, what PC only plugins do you want to use?
Bootsy's plug ins.
UGO.
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/

These are just a few. More than anything, I'm just tired of hearing about a plugin or reading about a plugin and not being able to try it.

To be fair, I already have too many plugins. I don't need more, I'm not sorely lacking with anything, but I enjoy exploring the options out there and trying things out. I do want some flexibility if need be.

I also think learning a second DAW will help me understand how DAWs and recording music on computers in general works. I don't plan on giving up Logic or even making it my secondary option.

I ended up purchasing Studio One artist pretty cheap from someone who bought an interface it came with and plan on upgrading to the Pro edition. Just waiting to see if a coupon/deal on black friday makes it really cheap or else I'll just pay the 189.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.

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fandango wrote:I hope Ben[KVR] introduces a word filter onto KVR that turns "best" into something silly like "dessert spoon" or "wibble".
my vote is for 'ginchiest'

I replace it mentally whilst reading threads like this
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Kmeister wrote:
fandango wrote:I hope Ben[KVR] introduces a word filter onto KVR that turns "best" into something silly like "dessert spoon" or "wibble".
my vote is for 'ginchiest'

I replace it mentally whilst reading threads like this
I think there are places where it applies. My thread, indeed, may not be one of them as I'm asking for the "best" windows DAW.

But perhaps the best DAW for someone who is used to Logic but needs to use Windows.
The best DAW for someone who has learned Logic and doesn't want to start from step 1 all over again.
The best DAW for someone who has only used pro tools and wants to learn something completely different.

etc.

What I was hoping for when I started this thread, was a series of responses saying what each individual thought was best and why. I think the problem is people just write back "Logic" or "Cubase" but don't offer much reasoning/opinion behind it.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.

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lagavulin16 wrote:What I was hoping for when I started this thread, was a series of responses saying what each individual thought was best and why.
Kinda hard to do since you didn't really say in the OP exactly how you plan to use it. The subjectively best DAW (in someone's opinion) for scoring video with midi might not necessarily be the best DAW for tracking large bands and so on and so on, or the best DAW for time-correcting drums or whatever.

I could say "Cubase" and append that with "because yada, yada, yada...", but I've never really used Sonar or Samp so I'm not sure how valuable that would be.

Try all of them that you can. The one you like best is the best?

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LawrenceF wrote:
lagavulin16 wrote:What I was hoping for when I started this thread, was a series of responses saying what each individual thought was best and why.
Kinda hard to do since you didn't really say in the OP exactly how you plan to use it. The subjectively best DAW (in someone's opinion) for scoring video with midi might not necessarily be the best DAW for tracking large bands and so on and so on, or the best DAW for time-correcting drums or whatever.

I could say "Cubase" and append that with "because yada, yada, yada...", but I've never really used Sonar or Samp so I'm not sure how valuable that would be.

Try all of them that you can. The one you like best is the best?
Why even have a message forum if we're just supposed to try everything out and come to our own conclusions without the input of others?
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.

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lagavulin16 wrote:
Why even have a message forum if we're just supposed to try everything out and come to our own conclusions without the input of others?
Well, it really does matter what you intend to do with the "best" daw.

I knew exactly what I wanted and no forum question/answer ever gave me a clue. I ended up searching for a year or so with no one recommending what I ended up buying... because it fits my working/thinking methods.

I used PT,logic (for win) cooledit and Sadie before I went looking for an alternative for win that would just be quick for throwing together ideas. Now I use it exclusively because it's the 'best' for me.
for entertaining porpoises only

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lagavulin16 wrote:Why even have a message forum if we're just supposed to try everything out and come to our own conclusions without the input of others?
Very good point. Cubase is best... except for Studio One which is also best. :lol:

Seriously though, I think you missed the gist of my point. He didn't ask what Window's host people happen to like and why... he asked "what's the best DAW for Windows". I don't personally believe there is any such thing so maybe I should have just stayed out of the discussion.

My bad. :( Please carry on.

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i'd say reaper or podium would be your best on-the-cheap options. they're pretty schnazzy for the $.

kell

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I use Logic Studio 9 and Cubase 4.5 on my Mac and on my Windows 7 PC I use Sonar Producer 8. I have Reaper but just feel more "At Home" with Sonar. I tried out Studio One's demo and it seems real nice but Sonar is my choice so far.
Now the proud owner of an avid 11 Rack, Running Pro Tools 10.3.3 - for me it's heaven!

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Without a doubt the best DAW for windows is the one you buy, and then actually take the time to learn to use. Do this with any of the "seasoned" players, (Cubase, Sonar, Live, Samp, and yes.... even Reaper) and you will have found the best.
Dell desktop Win 10 /2012 MacBook Pro
Cubase Pro 10/Mixcraft 9

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Dewaine wrote:Without a doubt the best DAW for windows is the one you buy, and then actually take the time to learn to use. Do this with any of the "seasoned" players, (Cubase, Sonar, Live, Samp, and yes.... even Reaper) and you will have found the best.
This post does not add anything to the conversation.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.
THIS SIGNATURE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE KVR FORUM RULES.

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kelldammit wrote:i'd say reaper or podium would be your best on-the-cheap options. they're pretty schnazzy for the $.

kell
I have found podium and MULAB pretty hard to work with, Reaper a little less so, but it does have layers and layers of subtle stuff that i don't use. FL9 is still a go-to with me, but there's a lot in it i don't use or want -- loop-oriented stuff that is just as well done in Sony ACID 7, and more easily.

The temptation to try out Orion is beginning to enter my mind...it's not very expensive and comes with a few interesting features

=fn<x>
Every Potemkin village needs its idiot savant

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lagavulin16 wrote:
Dewaine wrote:Without a doubt the best DAW for windows is the one you buy, and then actually take the time to learn to use. Do this with any of the "seasoned" players, (Cubase, Sonar, Live, Samp, and yes.... even Reaper) and you will have found the best.
This post does not add anything to the conversation.
Sorry I wasted everyone's time.
Dell desktop Win 10 /2012 MacBook Pro
Cubase Pro 10/Mixcraft 9

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