Why do people use multiple DAWs?

[fuzzlightyear]

There are plenty of different scenarios that may result in needing, wanting or just having more then one DAW.

...and one of them is just pure fun of trying and using different DAWs. If one's able to actually finish a piece of music in the process then that's an added bonus

Not everyone makes music like playing video games.

[RexBanner]

I'm poor so I can only afford one.

[whyterabbyt]

There's prototype music to build.

Again with this 'music' preoccupation. Sheesh.

I know many excuses too, I just choose not to use one.

So your excuse for not knowing why people use different tools for different jobs is because you choose not to have an excuse?

You're not cloned from a guy called Numbanoid are you?

[fuzzlightyear]

There's prototype music to build.

Again with this 'music' preoccupation. Sheesh.

I know many excuses too, I just choose not to use one.

So your excuse for not knowing why people use different tools for different jobs is because you choose not to have an excuse?

You're not cloned from a guy called Numbanoid are you?

I'm not sure what you're talking about, sounds like you're projecting your insecurities or something.

Anyways, what was said was...

...That kind of ties into the theory that some people are always bouncing between DAWs and starting new projects, but never really finishing one they're completely satisfied with. Which naturally comes from creative people making music. So they kind of feed off each other.

That would only be one scenario, another would be always looking for some kind of creative spark of inspiration that may result from playing around in a new and different environment. Costly, but applicable.

There are plenty of different scenarios that may result in needing, wanting or just having more then one DAW. But, the main thing is that you use/choose one that fits your workflow and needs and hopefully with a DAW company that listens to your feedback and treats you like a human being.

If you have trouble finding everything you need in one DAW, then maybe the company has some work to do, or maybe that's not the DAW for you or you can make it work. But, if you have expendable cash, why not have more toys, experiments, lab gear, etc. There's prototype music to build.

[whyterabbyt]

I'm not sure what you're talking about, sounds like you're projecting your insecurities or something.

Why would anyone be insecure about using different tools for different jobs, exactly?

[vurt]

i use one daw but multiple software hosts.

[recursive one]

Hi all,

I looked for another plugin developer to give this answer, but didn't see it:

For testing purposes and verifying problems.

There can be very large differences between DAWs in the way they initialize, operate, etc. Some of the differences are maddening.

Unfortunately, those of us who release free plugins cannot either justify the expense or cannot obtain NFR releases, so we cannot justify support for all hosts. Sometimes we can obtain demos or cut-down versions that seem to work, etc. Our lives would be a lot easier if everybody used the same DAW. Two major problems for me personally and probably for other developers are 1) Users don't believe that their DAW is ever at fault, and 2) Some DAW companies take forever to fix problems while others are very quick about it.

Regards,
Dave Clark

Actually i wanted to add this option to the poll but then i decided the poll would be too big if i include all possible scenarios (and no place will be left for the fish option ). I think this is more or less self evident that developers test their plugins in as many daws as they can, so i mostly meant the people who make music in this or that form.

[chk071]

I occasionally used the one or the other DAW beside Studio One, but, for a while now, I only have Studio One installed. Don't see the point, TBH. It will most likely only lie around catching dust anyway.

If Cubase will go dongle free at some point, I'll take another look on it, as I've always had a soft spot for it. But, for now, I don't need anything else apart from the main DAW.

[fuzzlightyear]

I'm not sure what you're talking about, sounds like you're projecting your insecurities or something.

Why would anyone be insecure about using different tools for different jobs, exactly?

I think some people tend to pick and choose what they read and others pick and choose what it means. If you can't understand what I was trying to say, without you having to agree with it, then there's really no answer to your questions.

[whyterabbyt]

I'm not sure what you're talking about, sounds like you're projecting your insecurities or something.

Why would anyone be insecure about using different tools for different jobs, exactly?

I think some people tend to pick and choose what they read and others pick and choose what it means. If you can't understand what I was trying to say, without you having to agree with it, then there's really no answer to your questions.

And yet your answer to not understanding what I was trying to say was to concoct a childish ad hominem. How interesting.

[anomandaris1]

I have found that many DAWs have like non-existent or limited, or bugged midi/keyboard functionality support, if I want to play my MPE and polyphonic aftertouch gear.
Tracktion Waveform is very underrated DAW, that's all I can say.

[fuzzlightyear]

And yet your answer to not understanding what I was trying to say was to concoct a childish ad hominem. How interesting.

The point that's trying to be made is, not getting caught up in the idea that you don't have what you already "need" to make music, sound, audio or whatever. Sure, there's plenty out there to make you life easier or whatever.

The point is maybe it's a good idea to work on one's musicianship rather then relying on their tools to do the work for them. Sure, you get things done quicker and other people's ideas inspire you to create something new from it. But, that's what all beginners do for a very long time.

There are some people that want to improve their musicianship, producing, or whatever. That takes a lot of hard work and usually dedication, which can be "easier", only having to juggle one thing at a time, while learning something inside and out, to ultimately use their workflow optimally.

I'm sure there are a lot of people here that can vouch that GAS is a real thing and it's not always "fun".

[Passing Bye]

Imagine editing MIDI clip that spans for few minutes and you want to change just one note, for example instead of G in second octave use G# and there's so many of them in your clip, but you only want to select all the G's in second octave, selecting all of them and doing that in some DAW's is mater of seconds and few keystrokes and in others quite convoluted because you need to select and move every single note by hand.

Point is I barely have to do that and when I do, that's what I need to put up with if I choose to use Bitwig instead of Logic, I would love if Bitwig had those MIDI editing capabilities of Cubase/Logic, but that isn't showstopper for me, point is there's plenty of features one could miss.

In Bitwig, click on the G2 on the left side piano roll and it selects all the G2 notes

I made mistake with that example, total brain fart...

[DrEntropy]

So what you're saying is that making music for you is nothing more than a way to fill your days? You have nothing that you want to achieve, you just need something to do with your hands? Knitting or crochet might be a better way to do that.

What is wrong with making music as a hobby? Only some pastimes can be used this way? I think music is a *fantastic* hobby, one of the most fulfilling. Some people spend there time and money on golf or other pursuits, others want to spend it on making music! Much better way to keep your brain sharp too!

[ShawnG]

So what you're saying is that making music for you is nothing more than a way to fill your days? You have nothing that you want to achieve, you just need something to do with your hands? Knitting or crochet might be a better way to do that.

What is wrong with making music as a hobby? Only some pastimes can be used this way? I think music is a *fantastic* hobby, one of the most fulfilling. Some people spend there time and money on golf or other pursuits, others want to spend it on making music! Much better way to keep your brain sharp too!

Yep, Been on both sides of that fence. Music is way better as a hobby than a vocation IMO(for a large number of people, obviously working out ok for some ) Music as a pressured to-do list sucks, and I didn't like ending up hating my own songs because I played them every night. also the business side is really sleazy and cutthroat. we were never offered a large recording contract either, so there is that. Regular job, wife, kid. studio when I want it in the basement. it works.