Hi,
I´ve been using Logic myself for some years, but now I´m trying to get my ten year old into DAWs. He has his own computer, which is a PC, which means no Logic/GarageBand. A nice DAW would make for a good Christmas present. It would have to be very easy to get some results. He likes fiddling around with the drum machine and layering Apple loops, so I would need a DAW with a nice drum machine and some ready made loops. I used to have Fruity Loops back in the day, and that´s pretty much what I look for in a drum machine, and the forever license and open endedness is attractive, but I´m kind of wondering if there are any decent audio loops included. Reason seems nice, but not so versatile in the long run? Need something that can hook him pretty quick - need to compete with Minecraft - the "build your own virtual modular synth and tweak all your sounds from scratch can come later. Some GM type sounds would be nice too.
Been looking into FL Studio, Reason Essentials, Cubase Elements, Studio One 3 Artist, Live Intro etc.
DAW for kids
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Dec, 2016
Thanks! Not sure how Sequel flew under my Radar. Can it be kind of a gateway to Cubase at some later point? What bothers me a bit is that version 3 seems to be some years old. Is it a discontinued product now?
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- KVRian
- 1158 posts since 6 Jan, 2015 from London, England
He could start out with FL Studio Mobile 3 or Stagelight. The latter is more feature-complete at the moment. Both of them work on Windows 10, iOS, and Android, I believe, so if he has a mobile phone he could take his music with him.
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- KVRAF
- 3186 posts since 18 Mar, 2008
Take a look at MuLab too. 
http://www.mutools.com/mulab-product.html
Also Bitwig, Mixcraft. Music Creator (Cakewalk) and Music Maker/Studio (Magix).
http://www.mutools.com/mulab-product.html
Also Bitwig, Mixcraft. Music Creator (Cakewalk) and Music Maker/Studio (Magix).
Last edited by Zexila on Sun Dec 18, 2016 9:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This entire forum is wading through predictions, opinions, barely formed thoughts, drama, and whining. If you don't enjoy that, why are you here? 
ShawnG
ShawnG-
- KVRAF
- 35679 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
I don't know, but, it's true, seems like it hasn't seen a new version for quite a while now. Regarding the gateway, you can update to Cubase, but, it won't give you a bigger upgrade discount than from the Cubase LE versions, so, that's not much money saved. Might actually be better to consider Cubase Elements, as you already mentioned, it's quite a straight forward host too, and it's not too much of a adjustment, when you upgrade to one of the bigger versions. Actually, the reason why i mentioned Sequel is because it has a easier workflow, and also comes with a lot of content to start with, AFAIK.EldorBoye wrote:Thanks! Not sure how Sequel flew under my Radar. Can it be kind of a gateway to Cubase at some later point? What bothers me a bit is that version 3 seems to be some years old. Is it a discontinued product now?
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Dec, 2016
One of the attractions of FL Studio, is that he can work on things on the iPad and bring it over to his PC later. Stagelight is not iOS, as I see, so that does´t help for him. The pricing of Stagelight is good, it seems, but is the content included? I smelled a lot of pay in app there. MuLab did´t say much about content (as in readymade loops) either.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Dec, 2016
Yeah, as a way to start, it seemed to have a really low threshold to get something going, and that´s consideration number one right now, but I don´t want to limit him should he get more serious with time either. The plan is to get him hooked, after all.chk071 wrote:Regarding the gateway, you can update to Cubase, but, it won't give you a bigger upgrade discount than from the Cubase LE versions, so, that's not much money saved. Might actually be better to consider Cubase Elements, as you already mentioned, it's quite a straight forward host too, and it's not too much of a adjustment, when you upgrade to one of the bigger versions. Actually, the reason why i mentioned Sequel is because it has a easier workflow, and also comes with a lot of content to start with, AFAIK.
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- KVRAF
- 3186 posts since 18 Mar, 2008
Yeah, updated my post in the mean time, here's the links:EldorBoye wrote:MuLab did´t say much about content (as in readymade loops) either.
https://www.cakewalk.com/Products/Music-Creator
http://www.magix.com/int/samplitude-music-studio/
http://www.magix.com/int/music-maker/
http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/
http://www.acoustica.com/mixcrafths/
This entire forum is wading through predictions, opinions, barely formed thoughts, drama, and whining. If you don't enjoy that, why are you here? ShawnG
ShawnG-
- KVRian
- 1158 posts since 6 Jan, 2015 from London, England
Some, but not a lot, as I recall. The packs aren't all that expensive, though I'm guessing it will be you paying for them and not himEldorBoye wrote:The pricing of Stagelight is good, it seems, but is the content included?
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- KVRian
- 811 posts since 10 Sep, 2015 from You haven't unlocked this character yet
I once gave a Live 9 Lite serial to a teenager along with a bunch of the "better" free plugins out there that I knew of and they got really busy on it. I would suggest that whatever you choose, maybe consider spending an extra dollar and buy the Expand2! synth to get things started. It's only $1 right now. That will give them everything to start making something worth listening to. The only thing that will tear a young boy away from Minecraft is either a girl or a car. LOL...just kidding.
Don't be discouraged if after your effort to distract them from games that they just go back to gaming. Honestly, Live is the way to go on a lot of levels. There is the option to add dedicated hardware which makes it crazy simple and versatile. It's easy. There are more videos tutorials, presets, projects, templates, and files for that DAW than any other DAW on the market. Just for that alone, Live is my first suggestion for anyone getting started and provides long term usability. Guys that compose for movies that use Digital Performer, use Live for creativity. Its Session view became a big game changer for composers, like myself. That can be incredibly fun especially if you can find an APC40 for a good price. It's not worth buying a new one...used is fine.
Good luck. I hope you find something awesome!
Don't be discouraged if after your effort to distract them from games that they just go back to gaming. Honestly, Live is the way to go on a lot of levels. There is the option to add dedicated hardware which makes it crazy simple and versatile. It's easy. There are more videos tutorials, presets, projects, templates, and files for that DAW than any other DAW on the market. Just for that alone, Live is my first suggestion for anyone getting started and provides long term usability. Guys that compose for movies that use Digital Performer, use Live for creativity. Its Session view became a big game changer for composers, like myself. That can be incredibly fun especially if you can find an APC40 for a good price. It's not worth buying a new one...used is fine.
Good luck. I hope you find something awesome!
...and the electron responded, "what wall?"
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Dec, 2016
Thanks, Live looks great, although I can´t get my head around how it really works, and the feature set does not mention included loops. Plus the entry version looks like it´s fairly crippled, compared to entry versions of Cubase, Reason etc.
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- KVRian
- 811 posts since 10 Sep, 2015 from You haven't unlocked this character yet
It's definitely not garage band. What you look for may require a little effort to make a complete solution. For the loops, there are free wav sample libraries you can download. There are tens of thousands of free samples online. If you get Live Full or Live Suite, not Lite or Into, there are free sample loops and projects you can download directly from the Ableton website.
Back in the day there was something called Acid Studio, and that came with two CDs of loops galore. It was like garage band. Maybe check out something a little older?
If I had a kid, I would get something like Live Studio, an MPD32 drum machine, an APC40, Komplete 11, and learn to make something awesome with him.
Another potential solution could be getting a serial for Komplete 10 or 11 and any DAW. He'd be set for years. In worst case, you can sell that and not lose a dime or use it yourself.
I guess I may as well mention Sonar at this point because out of all the DAWs on the market, even Live, it has more exclusive features at the entry level and is the least expensive. It's really easy to use also. In some ways, it's similar to Live or Bitwig in terms of workflow but still has that studio track feel like Pro Tools or Digital Performer.
Cubase is great but a little pricey for what you get...which isn't much.
Whatever you choose, I'm sure he'll be really happy.
Back in the day there was something called Acid Studio, and that came with two CDs of loops galore. It was like garage band. Maybe check out something a little older?
If I had a kid, I would get something like Live Studio, an MPD32 drum machine, an APC40, Komplete 11, and learn to make something awesome with him.
Another potential solution could be getting a serial for Komplete 10 or 11 and any DAW. He'd be set for years. In worst case, you can sell that and not lose a dime or use it yourself.
I guess I may as well mention Sonar at this point because out of all the DAWs on the market, even Live, it has more exclusive features at the entry level and is the least expensive. It's really easy to use also. In some ways, it's similar to Live or Bitwig in terms of workflow but still has that studio track feel like Pro Tools or Digital Performer.
Cubase is great but a little pricey for what you get...which isn't much.
Whatever you choose, I'm sure he'll be really happy.
...and the electron responded, "what wall?"