If you had to stick to one DAW, which one would it be?

[Trensharo]

I have about 6 DAWs on my system, but I really work mostly in DP11 with Live as a backup. The way I work with it is simple, I know DP like the back of my hand and the others about as well as the average user.

I probably would have gotten a Komplete Kontrol S series controller if DP11 had worked out for me. I had to refund due to ASIO Driver and VST Plug-in issues (Windows OS), but I really liked the User Experience, and it's a true Generalist DAW (so I would feel very little need to supplement). I was 105% ready to drop Cubase for it

Cubase doesn't have anything like a Clip Launcher or Pattern-based workflow. I ended up getting a Maschine MK3 for that stuff. I wish they still sold the Maschine Jam. I wasn't really willing to add something like FL Studio in, as I think that would be too distracting for me and I am keeping my workflow based largely around one main DAW, at this point.

However, I'm trying to get it balanced between restriction and flexibility, so I uninstalled all except those two DAWs (they have big contents especially Ableton Live Suite) and three synths (Phase Plant, Dune 3 and the Legend). I'm also planning to use my MODX and DeepMind synths.

Yea. That's a trap people fall into. However, this is very DAW-dependent, as not every DAW tries to throw in the Kitchen Sink the way Ableton Live Suite (or, to use another example, Logic Pro) does.

If you're using something like REAPER, then you're inevitably going to need more 3rd party products installed because you cannot fall back on 70 GBs of Stock Plug-ins, Instruments, and Sample Content.

That being said, lots of people are quick to install anything that catches their attention, but they don't maintain that stuff, so it just builds up.

If they've paid for it (cause there are endless discount promotions and flash deals, these days), they might also refuse to remove it because they feel like they have to create uses for those products due to them having monetarily invested in them.

[BONES]

Imagine a software developer who refuses to use anything but C++ because:

There are no reasons, obvious or otherwise, to maintain proficiency in multiple programming languages and it's nonsense to suggest otherwise.

I'll take your word for it, I have no idea what you're talking about but it seems like a very different situation.

Again, this is common in many creative segments, because not everyone works for themselves, and some people like increasing their value by increasing their ability to hit the ground running when different solutions are mandated to them.

Really? How many session guitarists do you think would be able to play a sax solo? how many pro keyboard players do you think know how to work a Korg Kronos plus a Nord Lead 4 plus a a Yamaha Motif-6 and every other synth workstation out there? When I'm interviewing people for a job, I'm usually looking for specialists who know the applications we use inside-out and I'd be deeply suspicious of anyone who said they were equally adept with After Effects, Nuke, Fusion and Flame. Those people simply don't exist.

Not to mention doing the same thing ad nauseum can lead to boredom and burnout.

It doesn't matter how many applications you use, if you are making music you're doing the same thing "ad nauseum". My host is a tool and you don't get burned out because you use the same hammer every time you have to drive a nail, you get burned out because you're sick of driving nails.

Mixing things up a bit is key component to some people maintaining creativity and satisfaction with their profession.

Not anyone I'd employ, I want people to be focused.

You increase your personal value by diversifying, the same way you increase your economic value by diversifying your investments there.

Not even close, hence Jack of all trades, master of none. Look at any successful musician, they achieve fame by being really good at one thing. e.g. Most guitarists play the same guitar their whole careers and it doesn't seem to do them any harm.

... it's as worthless of an argument with him as attempting to get him to admit Apple ever did anything right

I don't really have an issue with Apple, it's the fucktards who blindly worship at their alter that shit me. Seriously, it's like a f**king cult.

The other elephant in the room is that for some people switching DAWs is really hard, for others it's easy. I've never struggled with it, I like knowing a lot of keyboard commands, but I don't have a problem mousing around menu bars, and relatively speaking all DAWs are doing the same things.

I'm sort of the same. I use very few hotkeys, I prefer to mouse around, to give myself thinking time, which means one host is much like another, until it gets in my way. It always comes down to workflow and I choose the workflow that gets me where I want to be with the least amount of fuss.

I'm also pretty amused at the idea that moving a project to another DAW for mix down and mastering is anathema, that's 99% of the songs out there done on the professional level.

Out of necessity, not by preference. FFS, there isn't even a valid interchange format, you literally have to save out dozens of separate settings files and hope you can rebuild it all in the other host. I had to do that for 40 songs when we moved from Orion to Cubase, and then again when I moved to Studio One. It's a punish. To do it for no valid reason is madness.

Either that or render out stems and come to terms with the fact you're f**ked if you missed something. I've been through that, too - spending one weekend getting everything down to tape and then the next weekend mixing - and it's a shit sandwich. It creates roadblocks and a shit-ton of extra work for absolutely no benefit whatsoever.

Rarely do composers work in Pro Tools, but almost everything in the USA at least ends up in Pro Tools at the end. Any argument about all of this is hogwash when you compare results, results are all that matter.

And those results come from taking it to a place that has a lot more stuff than you do, and/or people who know what they're doing, so it makes sense to do it. But if you are doing it all at home, you're doing it for no valid reason, which makes you an idiot. Pretty simple, really.

I uninstalled all except those two DAWs (they have big contents especially Ableton Live Suite)

You do realise you can install the application without any of the content, don't you? I have no use for any of it so I don't bother installing it.

[skijumptoes]

I will guarantee you'd do better work if you spent all your time learning one host inside-out and back-to-front, in much the same way as you may be able to converse in five languages but there is no way you could read and translate a classic novel fluently in all five

I think it mainly matters if you're working as a professional and thus charging people for your time when using that software. You then need to be incredibly prolific to respond to the needs of the client(s), not kill the creative process, or be seen charging for time when you're working out a function you've never used before.

For hobbyists, home recording artists and such like most are only using a small percentage of what a host offers, it's basically a glorified tape recorder with faders and plugins. When working deeper with audio edits (pitch/timing etc.), I think that's when things start to become more specific.

But most people I know just throw down another take rather than getting encumbered with micro-edits. Getting it right at the source comes down to the artist/performer and that's where the skill should be invested if possible.

The more the host is used as a crutch, the more reliance is put on it. I use a computer all day with work so actively choose to invest in myself when it comes to music. Heck, there's days I absolutely detest the fact that I have to sit near a screen to even record!!

[EnGee]

If they've paid for it (cause there are endless discount promotions and flash deals, these days), they might also refuse to remove it because they feel like they have to create uses for those products due to them having monetarily invested in them.

In a way, yes! When I buy something, I want to use it and I would feel some disappointment if I don't use it (for any reason). Now, the problem is when you invest your time and effort in learning and using something that won't serve you as much as you expect. In this case, you lost time and effort because there is already more important thing for your time and brain. Even if it is just a hobby!

The real trap is to find easy solutions without getting your hands dirty. This leads to overestimating your needs.

You do realise you can install the application without any of the content, don't you? I have no use for any of it so I don't bother installing it.

Yes, I always ignore lots of contents, but when I tried the contents of Ableton Live (Bitwig's content are not much), I really like the samples and drums kits (which are the most of the contents). Are they better than the ones I uninstalled? Maybe not! But they are good enough for me to do my music. The same for synths. Once I begin to ignore the presets (mostly aweful especially in Bitwig!), I really begin to like the sound of these synths. Anyway, as I said, I kept three synths which I consider the top of what I have

[BONES]

I think it mainly matters if you're working as a professional and thus charging people for your time when using that software. You then need to be incredibly prolific to respond to the needs of the client(s), not kill the creative process, or be seen charging for time when you're working out a function you've never used before.

Are you kidding, I do that very regularly at work, especially now I have started a new job and I'm working with a new bunch of people. Everyone has their own way of doing things and you pick up stuff all the time. Or you half remember a feature you think might be there but you're not sure where, so you look up the manual or the on line help or watch a tutorial on YT at work.

Getting it right at the source comes down to the artist/performer and that's where the skill should be invested if possible.

That's what piano rolls are for.

The more the host is used as a crutch, the more reliance is put on it. I use a computer all day with work so actively choose to invest in myself when it comes to music. Heck, there's days I absolutely detest the fact that I have to sit near a screen to even record!!

Really? I'm still in the office, I'll be putting in my second 12 hour day in a row, but I can't wait to get home and fire up my laptop because home is about music, not work, so the fact both involve a computer is immaterial to me. OTOH, my hardware is currently buried under a pile of laundry, where it's been for months now. Even if I took a month off, I doubt I'd find the time to even look at it. It is so uninspiring.

[skijumptoes]

I'll be putting in my second 12 hour day in a row, but I can't wait to get home and fire up my laptop because home is about music, not work, so the fact both involve a computer is immaterial to me.

Sounds rather depressing to me. But glad you enjoy it.

I prefer to be around people outside of the screen, and just engaging on that level. That's where my love for music exists.

[jjpscott01]

I've jumped to almost every other DAW for periods of time throughout the years and I always come back to Reason. It just clicks with my workflow and does everything I could possibly need it to. I really like Cubase and Bitwig too but Reason has to be my pick if I had to choose one.

[Halonmusic]

i'll stick with energyXT3

[FAS122]

I've tried quite a few, and despite everything, I'd probably stick with REAPER. For my workflow at least, it seems to make the most sense.

[EnGee]

I realized that it doesn't matter if I stick to one DAW or not! For getting really productive it is important to stick to one song or piece of music till finishing it! I prefer to have 3 or 4 DAWs with one song each rather than 20 unfinished songs with one DAW

[Bwells]

I probably enjoy producing in Reason the most but If I could only use one software for all types of production I'd have to go with Cubase. Its just so powerful and its the only DAW I've used that's equally strong for use in any genre.

[BONES]

I prefer to be around people outside of the screen, and just engaging on that level. That's where my love for music exists.

Whereas I mostly hate being around people at all. It's all just a distraction from music, which I would happily spend every waking moment doing if I could.

For getting really productive it is important to stick to one song or piece of music till finishing it! I prefer to have 3 or 4 DAWs with one song each rather than 20 unfinished songs with one DAW

I've always got at least half-a-dozen things on the go at once and for the past couple of years, since I started working on these 80s covers I've been doing, I've got 50 things on the go at once. But it's all still in Studio One because jumping from host to host would be a complete workflow killer for me. In fact, if I tot it up, I've got more than 70 unfinished songs on the go, all of which I will eventually get into shape so I can perform them live and/or release them commercially. Obsessing over one piece at a time isn't the best way for me to get the best results. Doing something in one song will spark an idea for another, so I can jump over to it and work on that for a while, or jump back and forth easily.

One of the best things about Studio One for me is that I can have 20 songs open at once and switch between them pretty much instantly. That makes it easy to put together a really good live set, work out the perfect album order easily, take an idea from one piece and use it in another or to combine several disparate ideas into one good song with ease.

[EnGee]

I've always got at least half-a-dozen things on the go at once and for the past couple of years, since I started working on these 80s covers I've been doing, I've got 50 things on the go at once. But it's all still in Studio One because jumping from host to host would be a complete workflow killer for me. In fact, if I tot it up, I've got more than 70 unfinished songs on the go, all of which I will eventually get into shape so I can perform them live and/or release them commercially. Obsessing over one piece at a time isn't the best way for me to get the best results. Doing something in one song will spark an idea for another, so I can jump over to it and work on that for a while, or jump back and forth easily.

One of the best things about Studio One for me is that I can have 20 songs open at once and switch between them pretty much instantly. That makes it easy to put together a really good live set, work out the perfect album order easily, take an idea from one piece and use it in another or to combine several disparate ideas into one good song with ease.

Good to know post! Useful

Studio One is a great DAW. I might install it again! I don't have to learn it or learn any of the other 3 DAWs I'm using as I already spent enough time in the past to know them well enough for me to make music.

I've tried your way in the past, but I failed! The problem is I'm too flexible and moody! I ended by so many unfinished pieces all over the place and in many DAWs! The only way to finish a song is by forcing myself to stick to one song and put a deadline!
I know my weaknesses which began like 15 years ago after a deep depression which left me with this stupid habit to not finish 'things'!! So, the only way is to force myself into one thing and keep obsessed with it till the end

Anyway, for me any DAW from those great 4 on Windows (Live, Bitwig, Cubase or S1) would do. The three that I struggled with their workflow (and shortcuts) are FL Studio, Reaper and Samplitude. The last one could be also my main DAW as it has an excellent mixer and plugs for mixing and mastering, but I really don't need it, neither FL Studio or Reaper of course.

[sQeetz]

Just to add to the topic a little: I don't see the three apps I chose to stick with as DAWs. One is: Logic. But the other two are just mere instruments and different ways to approach music making.
I also still detest referring to sequencers as DAWs... a DAW is the whole hardware, the Work Station. The software you use is just that. The apps you use in your DAW. An Akai MPC is a DAW... anyway...moving on (whoever started referring to sequencers as DAWs: F* you)

[skijumptoes]

I've tried your way in the past, but I failed! The problem is I'm too flexible and moody! I ended by so many unfinished pieces all over the place and in many DAWs! The only way to finish a song is by forcing myself to stick to one song and put a deadline!

I'm like you. I work brilliant with other people, but on my own I'm just always looking for something new. So close the door on pretty much anything after a day or two - it just feels like I'm connected to a different state of mind, to even go back in and pick up where I left off.

In my case, I'm convinced it's some deep rooted mental disorder, as I don't like the idea of recording vocals on different days that playback as one vocal part - it just seems wrong to me, but then I can't mix milk from two separate bottles on my cereal lol.

People I know who do get finished material out always work in a similar approach to BONES above. They have plenty on the boil and then raise a few to be standouts and focus on them, but are regimented in that they track the status of each via a white board style list detailing what's done, what needs improving etc.

If you put something like that up where you're working it can really help to walk into that room and be reminded of where you are, and to approach those projects as a greater collection/album?

I got myself a board, just never put it up yet! lol