Why do people use multiple DAWs?

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Why?

One for playing live/jamming, one for producing tracks
19
5%
One for sketching ideas/experimentation, one for producing tracks
54
15%
One for working with virtual instruments, one for recording audio
22
6%
One for composing/arranging, one for mixing and/or mastering
49
13%
One is my main DAW, another one is only used for collabs/shared projects etc
34
9%
One looks cool and pro, another one is actually useable for me
12
3%
I just love DAWs, can't get enough of them
31
8%
I'm searching for a perfect DAW, haven't found it yet but I keep trying
44
12%
I use only one DAW
65
17%
I don't use DAWs at all
3
1%
What is a DAW?
9
2%
Fish
30
8%
 
Total votes: 372

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WatchTheGuitar wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:42 amMy guess is that hobbyists like me are more likely to fritter our time on multiple DAWs than people trying to make money from their music who would rather elbow whatever extra functionality multiple DAWs may give you in order to groove with their preferred workflow on one DAW.
I suspect that's 100% correct!

When deadlines and return-on-investment are not a factor, we're much more 'loose' with how we spend our time & money. I actually enjoy learning new DAWs & their quirks, studying manuals & watching tutorials; but can't imagine someone on a deadline would.

I think the explosion of DAW & plugins business we've witnessed in recent years is strongly hobbyist-driven, because I'm often surprised learning that a known professional artist still uses a DAW that's 2-3 versions behind and plugins that were released in 2005 :)
Music tech enthusiast
DAW, VST & hardware hoarder
My "music": https://soundcloud.com/antic604

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My first DAW was Magix Music Maker :oops:. It was fun and super easy to use.

Next I got Tracktion, because using third pary VSTi in MMM is a real hassle. If Tracktion hadn’t been constantly crashing I’d probably still use it today. I really like it and every time they release a new version I download it, just to have it crashing again and again.

Then I spent a few months demoing every DAW under the sun, beause I was getting fed up with Tracktion. It was very educational and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a new DAW: demo, demo, demo. The DAW of your choice might be getting raving reviews and is endorsed the big names in the industry, but if it isn’t the one for you, that’s not helping you any.

In the end it boiled down to Cubase and FL Studio. At first I used Cubase Elements for recording and mixing and FL Studio for the rest. Since my upgrade to Cubase Artist I used FL Studio more as a VSTi inside Cubase and last week I got Cubase Pro :D . The upgrade was worth every penny. But as long as FL Studio offers free updates, I keep updating that as well – I still don’t know how Image Line makes money with that business model.

So I use two DAWs, but if I had to I could easily survive with only using Cubase.

Looking back I think the yearlong progression through the various Cubase versions helped me a lot, because starting of with Cubase Pro might've been a bit overwhelming for a newbie like me.

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antic604 wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:49 am
dellboy wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:26 am'''left just two standing - Cubase 10.5 and Studio One 4.6.
I totally agree, but why those 2 though? Aren't they too similar?
Yes, you are right, but I bought both for an extended demo period with the idea of keeping the one I liked best.

I like Bitwig and Live but would prefer a linear DAW like Logic and DP that have both ways of working rolled into one DAW.

Up until Tuesday with all the hype I thought I would settle on Studio One, but it did not include a new clip recording feature. I do not really need clip launching, just the recording bit, and this can be replicated reasonably well in a linear DAW with the arrange page.

I could almost flip a coin in the air to choose between Cubase and Studio One, they are both great.

If money was no object I would be investigating a Mac with Logic audio on extended demo.

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dellboy wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 12:23 pmI could almost flip a coin in the air to choose between Cubase and Studio One, they are both great.
Well, that would suggest you should go with S1, because Cubase has a lot of bloat and clutter you apparently don't use / need (that's not criticism of your skill or workflow - I'm the same) :)

In my experience Cubase is pretty unstable, especially with VSTs which is obviously surprising considering they've came up with the bloody standard in the first place... Furthermore Presonus provides a lot of substantial upgrades between paid versions (which is roughly every 2 years) and that basically doesn't happen with Steinberg. Also, lack of e-Licenser, much better (although still imperfect) high-DPI support and well functioning trackpad gestures are huge for me as a laptop user.
Music tech enthusiast
DAW, VST & hardware hoarder
My "music": https://soundcloud.com/antic604

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antic604 wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:57 am I'm often surprised learning that a known professional artist still uses a DAW that's 2-3 versions behind and plugins that were released in 2005 :)
Yea, I know him too :D

Seriously, friend of mine has a wishlist with some plugins, which were not released but already discontinued in 2005 :lol:

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antic604 wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 1:40 pm
dellboy wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 12:23 pmI could almost flip a coin in the air to choose between Cubase and Studio One, they are both great.
Well, that would suggest you should go with S1, because Cubase has a lot of bloat and clutter you apparently don't use / need (that's not criticism of your skill or workflow - I'm the same) :)

In my experience Cubase is pretty unstable, especially with VSTs which is obviously surprising considering they've came up with the bloody standard in the first place... Furthermore Presonus provides a lot of substantial upgrades between paid versions (which is roughly every 2 years) and that basically doesn't happen with Steinberg. Also, lack of e-Licenser, much better (although still imperfect) high-DPI support and well functioning trackpad gestures are huge for me as a laptop user.
The coin flip refers to the workflow side of working with the two DAWs as they both function on a practical level in pretty much equal measure for my simple needs and workflow.

But on an aesthetic - personal - subjective - level - Cubase wins hands down. Every time I fire it up I think what a beautiful thing it is - subjectively.

Studio One is OK to look at, but it lacks the WOW factor for me. Perhaps they have improved the looks in the latest version ? I guess I will have to wait for the demo to see if it has improved.

I do not recall Cubase crashing on my machine and I have owned it for over a year. Its fussy about VSTs and some get blacklisted, but as far as stability is concerned I have not had any issues that I can recall. The same goes for Studio One.

Cubase is cluttered ?

Just remember to close the cupboard doors and drawers behind you and you never notice.

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dellboy wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 5:04 pmStudio One is OK to look at, but it lacks the WOW factor for me. Perhaps they have improved the looks in the latest version ? I guess I will have to wait for the demo to see if it has improved.
No, it looks exactly the same, actually. Obviously this is very subjective and I also like Cubase, especially since 10.5 when they made things 'flatter' but it simply doesn't support high-DPI properly, which crosses it off for me:
- it's either 100% scaling or 200%, nothing in between which is where more people set their Windows
- it won't scale VSTs that don't support high-DPI themselves
dellboy wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 5:04 pmCubase is cluttered? Just remember to close the cupboard doors and drawers behind you and you never notice.
It is. Just go to main settings to see how much stuff is there. Or to any settings in any window / panel you open. It's (almost) like Reaper in this regard - infinitely configurable and maleable, which I guess some people love about it. But above all it's the overwhelming feeling there's a 30yo skeleton underneath and new stuff - and there's piles & piles of it! - is bolted onto it, tied with a piece of string or taped over ;)
Music tech enthusiast
DAW, VST & hardware hoarder
My "music": https://soundcloud.com/antic604

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antic604 wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 6:15 am
dellboy wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 5:04 pmStudio One is OK to look at, but it lacks the WOW factor for me. Perhaps they have improved the looks in the latest version ? I guess I will have to wait for the demo to see if it has improved.
No, it looks exactly the same, actually. Obviously this is very subjective and I also like Cubase, especially since 10.5 when they made things 'flatter' but it simply doesn't support high-DPI properly, which crosses it off for me:
- it's either 100% scaling or 200%, nothing in between which is where more people set their Windows
- it won't scale VSTs that don't support high-DPI themselves
dellboy wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 5:04 pmCubase is cluttered? Just remember to close the cupboard doors and drawers behind you and you never notice.
It is. Just go to main settings to see how much stuff is there. Or to any settings in any window / panel you open. It's (almost) like Reaper in this regard - infinitely configurable and maleable, which I guess some people love about it. But above all it's the overwhelming feeling there's a 30yo skeleton underneath and new stuff - and there's piles & piles of it! - is bolted onto it, tied with a piece of string or taped over ;)
I know you work with a laptop, is that a preference thing or because of lack of space and because you have no choice ?

If you do have the space I think you would do yourself a favor by buying a large monitor (mine is 27") to plug into your laptop. I think that a lot of your high DPI worries would melt away. I love looking at a DAW on a large screen , it makes a huge difference to using a laptop. I have never even bothered to install A DAW on my laptop.

Mind you, having said that, a laptop with a large (17") DPI high screen could just about be usable for my needs, and it has the advantage of being portable.

I agree that Cubase is cluttered. I have been using it since the Atari days and they have never de-cluttered the drawers and I doubt they ever will.

The difference in looks and usability between Cubase and the grim Reaper DAW though is light and day. One is gorgeous and the other is ugly. I will let you guess which is which.

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I have kind of used multiple DAWs for awhile. I started in Logic, doing everything. then I went to school and saw how Pro Tools was what I'd want to know if I wanted to work in any studio. So I started producing in Logic, then bouncing out to mix in Pro Tools. Eventually I went from Logic to Maschine, still mixing in PT. That was about six years ago. Earlier this year, I switched out my hackintosh for a new macbook pro and I'm back producing in Logic and mixing in PT :)

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dellboy wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:25 pmI know you work with a laptop, is that a preference thing or because of lack of space and because you have no choice?
I've 3 kids. I prefer them to have their own rooms rather than me taking up one of them for a 'studio', especially since I rarely have time to make music anyway... So I guess it's a preferance borne out of necessity, at least until they move out :D
Music tech enthusiast
DAW, VST & hardware hoarder
My "music": https://soundcloud.com/antic604

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antic604 wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:30 pm
dellboy wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:25 pmI know you work with a laptop, is that a preference thing or because of lack of space and because you have no choice?
I've 3 kids. I prefer them to have their own rooms rather than me taking up one of them for a 'studio', especially since I rarely have time to make music anyway... So I guess it's a preferance borne out of necessity, at least until they move out :D
Been there, done that, I had 3 kids and finally got my own room when they left. :D

Mixed blessings though, having kids is the best part of life.

I have just realized with have something in common, my father in law was from Lodz so my 3 kids have part Polish genes.
Last edited by dellboy on Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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delete.
Last edited by dellboy on Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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delete

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dellboy wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:36 pmMixed blessings though, having kids is the best part of life.
Exactly :tu:
dellboy wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:36 pmI have just realized with have something in common, my father in law was from Lodz so my 3 kids have part Polish genes.
Nice, me & my wife studied in Łódź :) :hug:
Music tech enthusiast
DAW, VST & hardware hoarder
My "music": https://soundcloud.com/antic604

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antic604 wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:57 am
WatchTheGuitar wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:42 amMy guess is that hobbyists like me are more likely to fritter our time on multiple DAWs than people trying to make money from their music who would rather elbow whatever extra functionality multiple DAWs may give you in order to groove with their preferred workflow on one DAW.
I suspect that's 100% correct!

When deadlines and return-on-investment are not a factor, we're much more 'loose' with how we spend our time & money. I actually enjoy learning new DAWs & their quirks, studying manuals & watching tutorials; but can't imagine someone on a deadline would.

I think the explosion of DAW & plugins business we've witnessed in recent years is strongly hobbyist-driven, because I'm often surprised learning that a known professional artist still uses a DAW that's 2-3 versions behind and plugins that were released in 2005 :)
I totally agree with this. You see this in the Video Editing market, as well. The people in the Hobbyist/Prosumer market are more apt to waste tons of time "DAW Jumping" and buying different DAWs/Synths/Plugins than those who make money doing this.

And the end result is that tons of time passes and they still haven't produced anything worth listening to, in many cases. Meanwhile, they're still asking what DAW to use under a new user name on Reddit (to which everyone responds with the DAW they use).

There are certainly some DAWs that I wouldn't recommend for certain genres, for example there is no point in getting Samplitude if you want to do EDM (the functional coverage and workflow for that type of production is abysmal); but in general most DAWs can accomodate most musical genres.

I do think some "specialist" DAWs deserve consideration - even as secondary tools. While Samplitude is poor for EDM PRODUCTION, it's quite great for Mastering, so I use it for that. CODEC Preview, Amazing Metering and Visualizers, etc. Used in this fashion, it's no different than using WaveLab Pro to master tracks produced in Cubase Pro ;-)

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"Notifications for Nothing" are annoying. Blocking me in return is a good way to avoid this.


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