FL Studio migration - DAW for my specific workflow

[Distorted Horizon]

Reason? Anyone?

[telecode]

it often happens that my project file contains both the whole mixed beat with routing and active

FL Studio is really great and I have seem some insanely complex projects being done on it on YT and some other people I worked with. Perhaps double check the manual and their support forums. Maybe you are doing something wrong in the way you export and share. It seems hard to believe the application itself bottlenecks. Hell, theres is a guy on YT that does Hans Zimmer orchestral scores with it.!!

How about the Cubase for the all around large project file process? Would the Artist version be enough for my needs? I’m still a student and can’t really afford the Pro version, not happy about the 0.5 paid updates either.

Now, I have quite a few options available and I know there isn’t the overall winner, but I’d like to take any opinion of yours or maybe someone with the similar or even the same workflow could share his experience.

Which solution would you guys recommend?


Thanks alot!

I am a Cubase user and love it. Artist would be enough, but really depends on how many tracks you use and which effects you want from Steinberg included.

But if I were only focused on making hip-hop, I think I would switch to FL full time. IMO, Cubase is more for old skule music making work flow type guys (like me!). It doesn't have the kick ass simple to use sequencer that FL does and the lightning fast window switching. Just my 2 cents. I would suggest duble check thei forums and the manual.

[SoundPorn]

Reapers made for the beat maker who also record artists with it's Project In Project feature. No Daw handles audio better especially now with they're automatic tempo stretch.

[jonljacobi]

The advice here often depends on which evangelists of which DAW show up first. Trust the hard info, forget the opinions.

[tooneba]

Bitwig would be my choice for beat making solely, but for recording, mixing, editing and etc, guess would pick between Logic or Cubase, would gravitate towards Logic if all that involved laptop at some point. (opposed to just work inside of studio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUHcYX1-9Y8

IMO, nothing beats Macbook and Logic on the go, it's insane how stable, optimized and featured that combo is for music production.

Then why a lot of machead are blogging about how apple screwed their mac? It's anomaly considering their usual behavior of 24/7 praising apple.

[tooneba]

I'm well aware of the EDU versions, shame (or not) I already occasionally work comercially, which if I'm not mistaken is prohibited on student licenced DAWs.

Ableton Live's educational license allows commercial work. It is just like a normal license, only difference is when you want to transfer it to someone else, that person has to be eligible for the educational discount too.

Live's PDC has one problem, it is not random or unexpected, it happens in very specific circumstances, is 100% predictable, and Ableton acknowledged it and explained it in Live's manual and in the Help section in their site:

"Built-in device modulation synced to the Live transport (i.e., synced to a specific beat-time position) is not compensated"

It causes problems if you have a latency inducing plugin before devices synced to the transport, because those devices start immediately with the transport, while the audio before it is delayed by that latency inducing plugin.

It is predictable, preventable and easily fixed by the user (a mere phase or offset adjustment will solve it in many situations, making the synced device match the delayed audio).

It is not really a "bug", it is a conscious choice, since there are (M4L) Live devices that load as "audio FX" but can be used to modulate stuff before it, like instruments or even MIDI generators, so delaying those with PDC could actually delay the generation of events or sounds too (kinda like a feedback loop).

Ableton had to choose one, they chose to keep it simple and keep everything that is synced to the transport (even audio devices), well, synced to the transport.

That's called compromising in real world.

[frnsh]

Without a doubt Studio One.

Thanks for listing all of the interesting features. I can see a great potential in S1 workflow, but the unfamiliar navigation and frustration still holds me back. Will have to dive deep into the trial version while it's still up.

[frnsh]

I like having a dongle.

I wouldn't mind having a dongle. It's something I'd enjoy tbh, but I'm on the go quite often and I'm too afraid of losing it.

[frnsh]

I'm well aware of the EDU versions, shame (or not) I already occasionally work comercially, which if I'm not mistaken is prohibited on student licenced DAWs.

Ableton Live's educational license allows commercial work. It is just like a normal license, only difference is when you want to transfer it to someone else, that person has to be eligible for the educational discount too.

Live's PDC has one problem, it is not random or unexpected, it happens in very specific circumstances, is 100% predictable, and Ableton acknowledged it and explained it in Live's manual and in the Help section in their site:

"Built-in device modulation synced to the Live transport (i.e., synced to a specific beat-time position) is not compensated"

It causes problems if you have a latency inducing plugin before devices synced to the transport, because those devices start immediately with the transport, while the audio before it is delayed by that latency inducing plugin.

It is predictable, preventable and easily fixed by the user (a mere phase or offset adjustment will solve it in many situations, making the synced device match the delayed audio).

It is not really a "bug", it is a conscious choice, since there are (M4L) Live devices that load as "audio FX" but can be used to modulate stuff before it, like instruments or even MIDI generators, so delaying those with PDC could actually delay the generation of events or sounds too (kinda like a feedback loop).

Ableton had to choose one, they chose to keep it simple and keep everything that is synced to the transport (even audio devices), well, synced to the transport.

I see. Thanks for explaining this. How's the audio manipulation in Live though? I heard it's not the best DAW for mixing and mastering the whole song and wouldn't fit into my workflow.

[frnsh]

I would suggest duble check thei forums and the manual.

Will do. I've been using FL for quite long and I think I have pretty decent knowledge about this specific DAW.
I even use my custom template with a few timesavers, but the recording and mixing process still feels clunky. Idk, maybe it's just my personal preference or it's really just my personal knowledge error.

One does never know, right. Thanks for the recommendation.

[telecode]

I would suggest duble check thei forums and the manual.

Will do. I've been using FL for quite long and I think I have pretty decent knowledge about this specific DAW.
I even use my custom template with a few timesavers, but the recording and mixing process still feels clunky. Idk, maybe it's just my personal preference or it's really just my personal knowledge error.

One does never know, right. Thanks for the recommendation.

What are you recording and mixing that is that large? Vocals??

[frnsh]

Reapers made for the beat maker who also record artists with it's Project In Project feature. No Daw handles audio better especially now with they're automatic tempo stretch.

Didn't know about that feature. Thanks, Imma check it out 4sure.

[antic604]

I'd say Studio One would fit you very well!

v4 added lots of stuff dedicated to beat makers: improved SampleOne XT & Impact XT (sampler & drum machine respectively), Pattern Sequencer, ATOM pad controller. It's easy to work with samples & MIDI / VST, comping vocal takes is apparently a breeze, you can start with simple sequence and then work out progressions and harmonies with Chord Track (that works for both MIDI and audio) and keep different versions in separate Scratch Pads, non-destructively experiment with flow of your tune with Arranger Track. Mixer is great, automation is seamless, extended FX chains make it easy to do parallel processing stuff that's hard to replicate in e.g. Cubase (splits by L/R, M/S, frequqncy bands), etc. There's dedicated project page and tools for mastering.

Check this tutorial, it's quite comprehensive but concise:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... y2IUIEVhlB

If it's still too long, then perhaps this video will convince you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lOhFWCK6sg

Or those two, that seem to be focused on BEAT MAKING:

https://youtu.be/sOweY1RumRU

https://youtu.be/7QZdxXn54Zo

[frnsh]

I would suggest duble check thei forums and the manual.

Will do. I've been using FL for quite long and I think I have pretty decent knowledge about this specific DAW.
I even use my custom template with a few timesavers, but the recording and mixing process still feels clunky. Idk, maybe it's just my personal preference or it's really just my personal knowledge error.

One does never know, right. Thanks for the recommendation.

What are you recording and mixing that is that large? Vocals??

Both vocals and the beat tracks in the same file.
My project window usually looks like this

Capture.PNG

[antic604]

Both vocals and the beat tracks in the same file.

Why would anyone split them to separate project files?
That's a normal way to work, nothing unusual in it.