Bitwig is Bigfun!

[EnGee]

I'm spending a great time with Bitwig. It can be my only DAW/Instrument really. I was missing Reason when I sold it, but with Bitwig I can do most everything I could do with Reason!

I admit that at first, I didn't like Bitwig and felt it just a copy of Live, but it is not after you give it enough time with open mind. It always kept in my mind one or two things about modulations and note expression. Finally, I bought Bitwig Trk-8 for $10 and kept going back to it and exploring it, then finally I realized that this is what I really need. I took the risk and traded my S1 for it.

I believe that Bitwig is a great alternative for Live and for those who like to combine both Reason + Live, IMO Bitwig is fantastic in modulations (Reason) and clip/arrangement workflow (Live). There are some things missing, but for a moderate user I don't think there is something essential missing.

What I like a lot and consider them positive points (for me):
+ Hardware Instrument (This is fantastic, I just drag and drop this device and set the midi to my synth keys and output to stereo output - Done! One instrument track that record in midi and output in audio. Excellent!)

+ Modulations (insert PolySynth then in the FX FM4 and I can modulate most FM4 parameters with the modulators in PolySynth) - That is Reason

+ The instruments are first class IMO. I like them more than Analog and Operator in Live. I don't know, they have very pleasant sound (is that what Surge sounds? I never had it, but I know the developer of Surge is one of Bitwig developers? I need to read more about this). In short, PolySynth and FM4 are fantastic synths covering maybe 80% of what I need

+ Cpu usage is low and stable, better than S1 and better than Live itself! In my machine, I didn't see any spike for any synth.

+ Analog Lab crashed twice, but the 'boxing' works in Bitwig, and the program itself (Bitwig) didn't crash and gave me the option to unload the plugin. I didn't have troubles with other Arturia instruments.

+ It shows both the 32bit and 64bit plugins, so that made me able to load VAZ modular inside it and it worked fine.

+ Midi is fantastic, I have yet to explore the expression thingy, but editing and environment are excellent.

+ Authorization is easy and nice. I installed it in both my Desktop and Laptop without any problem.

+ It has everything needed to start making music (especially Electronic music and synth based one).

Now the negatives are really few, some of them:
- Can't find a way to write mapping for other drums instruments (it is the same in Live though). I wish there is a way to display the names of the notes (like in S1 or Reaper).

- EQ doesn't have spectrum analyzer like in Live, Reaper, and S1. It is not biggie for me, but it would help me with mixing more.

- I can't think of something else!

Those negatives never spoiled the fun and creativity I'm enjoying with Bitwig. So, my purpose of this post or thread is to bring the attention to Bitwig as a great creative tool for those who in sound design and midi/audio manipulating. It is not my choice for Mixing and mastering, but this is not fun for me. The fun is creating unique sounds and modulations with a pleasant environment and workflow. Bitwig is fun

[tbritton]

Awesome!! Fun is the key ingredient, I agree. Your post is another push for me to explore Bitwig as a composing tool.

Terry

[glokraw]

A very accurate description! I also like the hardware instrument,
and the effects implementation/variety. I hope they create
and sell an effects-rack version! The Bitwig linux version works fine for me,
and has access to some very nice linux vsts: Zynaddsubfx, Helm, Obxd,
TAL Noisemaker, Dexed, Amsynth, Discovery Pro, Bliss, PianoTeq, Zebra,
Diva, Hive, and the rest of the growing U-he collection. Throw in some
favorite vintage hardware synths, crank up a nice effects chain,
and hit the record button!

List of Linux vsts:

http://linux-sound.org/linux-vst-plugins.html

[SoundGoddess]

I think Bitwig is pretty great too. It's the first DAW I've tried that is intuitive enough that I can figure out what I'm doing and focus on the music instead of wondering how to do something. I really like the interface.

[Kraznet]

I like Bitwig alot as well particualy for external midi intruments but I need time signature changes which it doesn't have at this time.

[ObsoleteAcc99]

[DELETED]

[EnGee]

Thanks all for the positive feedback and to keep it calm and friendly thread

I'm still learning it, but it will take some time, although I think if someone is good with Live, would be more comfortable with it than me as I'm not very familiar with Live's details. Anyway, I think Bitwig is little bit easier but the manual needs to be more detailed (like in Live and Reason for example).

I don't know about the time signature changes. I thought it is for some endings in songs or in some creative way in few songs (like Queen's bohemian rhapsody), but most of the songs I hear have one tempo. Which genre uses tempo changes?

[BDeep]

Actually, Live has an external instrument device which does exactly the same (it seems) as Bitwig's... not that you were saying otherwise btw
But great that you're enjoying BW so much, it can be such a relieve to be using a piece of software/equipment that just feels right to you.

[EnGee]

I need to check if the intro version of Live has external instrument device. I'm keeping Live's intro anyway. Not sure I would upgrade to Standard because it is too much for me to have so many DAWs. I think it is either Bitwig or Live. I could also be happy with Live Standard Those two are really great musical DAWs. They push for creativity and to use more advanced and complex blocks or chains.

I need to replicate BDeep's example in Spark's thread because I couldn't find a way to integrate it with the Drum Machine. It would be great if I can.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

I don't know about the time signature changes. I thought it is for some endings in songs or in some creative way in few songs (like Queen's bohemian rhapsody), but most of the songs I hear have one tempo. Which genre uses tempo changes?

tempo refers to speed, time signature defines beats in a bar

[BDeep]

I need to check if the intro version of Live has external instrument device. I'm keeping Live's intro anyway. Not sure I would upgrade to Standard because it is too much for me to have so many DAWs. I think it is either Bitwig or Live. I could also be happy with Live Standard Those two are really great musical DAWs. They push for creativity and to use more advanced and complex blocks or chains.

I need to replicate BDeep's example in Spark's thread because I couldn't find a way to integrate it with the Drum Machine. It would be great if I can.

Just checked, it's only in Standard and Suite, didn't realise that. I'm sorry, that previous comment wasn't at all to convince you to use Live. If you like BW, I'd stick with that. I'm sure there are ways to integrate Spark or other drumsynths/samplers in the same way. Only exceptions are ones with a variable grid, like Battery, they're a pain to do like this.

[EnGee]

I don't know about the time signature changes. I thought it is for some endings in songs or in some creative way in few songs (like Queen's bohemian rhapsody), but most of the songs I hear have one tempo. Which genre uses tempo changes?

tempo refers to speed, time signature defines beats in a bar

Oops! Yes I needed to read it better!
And what examples you can give about time signature changes?

[EnGee]

Just checked, it's only in Standard and Suite, didn't realise that. I'm sorry, that previous comment wasn't at all to convince you to use Live. If you like BW, I'd stick with that. I'm sure there are ways to integrate Spark or other drumsynths/samplers in the same way. Only exceptions are ones with a variable grid, like Battery, they're a pain to do like this.

I didn't feel that your comment was trying to convince me at all Actually before I get Bitwig, I did asked for Live's Standard or Bitwig as trade for S1 because I felt anyone of them would do it for me. I'm little bit happier though because Bitwig is what I could get

[Scotty]

It is an enjoyable platform for sure. I am at the dabbling stage with Bitwig for now as I am wanting to get into more clip and scene styling composing to supplement Cubase Pro. Bitwig is a platform that draws you in and it easy on the eyes and very impressive across a couple of monitors. When new clients come into my studio and Bitwig happens to be on the screen they are very impressed with this appearance.

I'm spending a great time with Bitwig. It can be my only DAW/Instrument really. I was missing Reason when I sold it, but with Bitwig I can do most everything I could do with Reason!

I admit that at first, I didn't like Bitwig and felt it just a copy of Live, but it is not after you give it enough time with open mind. It always kept in my mind one or two things about modulations and note expression. Finally, I bought Bitwig Trk-8 for $10 and kept going back to it and exploring it, then finally I realized that this is what I really need. I took the risk and traded my S1 for it.

I believe that Bitwig is a great alternative for Live and for those who like to combine both Reason + Live, IMO Bitwig is fantastic in modulations (Reason) and clip/arrangement workflow (Live). There are some things missing, but for a moderate user I don't think there is something essential missing.

What I like a lot and consider them positive points (for me):
+ Hardware Instrument (This is fantastic, I just drag and drop this device and set the midi to my synth keys and output to stereo output - Done! One instrument track that record in midi and output in audio. Excellent!)

+ Modulations (insert PolySynth then in the FX FM4 and I can modulate most FM4 parameters with the modulators in PolySynth) - That is Reason

+ The instruments are first class IMO. I like them more than Analog and Operator in Live. I don't know, they have very pleasant sound (is that what Surge sounds? I never had it, but I know the developer of Surge is one of Bitwig developers? I need to read more about this). In short, PolySynth and FM4 are fantastic synths covering maybe 80% of what I need

+ Cpu usage is low and stable, better than S1 and better than Live itself! In my machine, I didn't see any spike for any synth.

+ Analog Lab crashed twice, but the 'boxing' works in Bitwig, and the program itself (Bitwig) didn't crash and gave me the option to unload the plugin. I didn't have troubles with other Arturia instruments.

+ It shows both the 32bit and 64bit plugins, so that made me able to load VAZ modular inside it and it worked fine.

+ Midi is fantastic, I have yet to explore the expression thingy, but editing and environment are excellent.

+ Authorization is easy and nice. I installed it in both my Desktop and Laptop without any problem.

+ It has everything needed to start making music (especially Electronic music and synth based one).

Now the negatives are really few, some of them:
- Can't find a way to write mapping for other drums instruments (it is the same in Live though). I wish there is a way to display the names of the notes (like in S1 or Reaper).

- EQ doesn't have spectrum analyzer like in Live, Reaper, and S1. It is not biggie for me, but it would help me with mixing more.

- I can't think of something else!

Those negatives never spoiled the fun and creativity I'm enjoying with Bitwig. So, my purpose of this post or thread is to bring the attention to Bitwig as a great creative tool for those who in sound design and midi/audio manipulating. It is not my choice for Mixing and mastering, but this is not fun for me. The fun is creating unique sounds and modulations with a pleasant environment and workflow. Bitwig is fun

[dsan@mail.com]

I don't know about the time signature changes. I thought it is for some endings in songs or in some creative way in few songs (like Queen's bohemian rhapsody), but most of the songs I hear have one tempo. Which genre uses tempo changes?

tempo refers to speed, time signature defines beats in a bar

Oops! Yes I needed to read it better!
And what examples you can give about time signature changes?

Tempo changes can be present is just about any genre; country, hip-hop, R&B, etc.. Classical music makes use of tempo changes frequently, especially when a passage needs to evolve slowly into higher energy.

But most music is written in standard 4/4 or 3/4 time.

As for time signature changes, while I am positive there are others, one artist that uses a lot of different time signature's in a song will be Yanni. His compositions used just about every time signature known in one work He seemed to have favored multiple time signatures, which made his works quite complex.

I believe John Tesh is another that likes to use multiple time in his works. Can't say with certainty though.

Glad you are liking Bitwig, Engee

Cheers!