Best DAW for comping?

[tommyzai]

Reaper just released v7 with a new way to do track lanes and comping, which got me thinking . . . which DAW is best at comping (selecting, combining, crossfades, etc.).

I should clarify . . .

Any DAW can comp by recording several takes on several tracks, compare, slice and assemble the best bits onto one track, then crossfade.

However, many DAWs have created their own simplified way of doing this with take lanes, swipe comping, etc.

[VOODOO U]

Reaper

[tommyzai]

Reaper

I watched a couple of YouTube vids about the new and improved comping in Reaper. It looks sweet. I wonder how it compares to other DAWs with good comping features and workflow.

[VOODOO U]

To me comping is comping. Don't see any DAW adding anything special other than what's expected.
I could be wrong but I doubt it. I'm always write.

[tommyzai]

To me comping is comping. Don't see any DAW adding anything special other than what's expected.
I could be wrong but I doubt it. I'm always write.

I have tried just about all of them that do comping, and they are all a little different in method and performance. And, some DAWs even offer more than one way to comp.

[thebutler]

I have tried just about all of them that do comping, and they are all a little different in method and performance. And, some DAWs even offer more than one way to comp.

So, that's great - you've done the DAW comparison already... Nice. Which is your fave and why.? Feel free to obsess about it and go into some fine detail - I'm all ears.!

I think I'm pretty much with 'Voodoo U' so far as comping goes (Cubase/S1 user here) - but willing to have my mind blown otherwise.

(BTW - haven't seen anything of the new Reaper 7 version yet)

[dellboy]

I hate comping. I just want to know how to turn it off in reaper and other Daws.

[thebutler]

I hate comping. I just want to know how to turn it off in reaper and other Daws.

Easy. In Cubase, record your 'takes' as you would - then right-click on the track and select 'Create Tracks from Lanes'. Boom.! All turned into individual tracks you can manipulate/treat as you wish. No resort to 'comping' tools/methods after this if you don't want.

Wait. You're being ironic.?

[tommyzai]

Once set up, I'm liking Reaper's new swipe comping.
ProTools is surgical but more manual and requires a couple of extra considerations, like inserting a blank track on top or you could lose the top take.
Ableton's comping is so new . . .
Logic has swiping and take folders that seem sweet
Studio One: "Each successive recorded take after the first can will be placed in its own layer, by enabling the Record Takes To Layers option in the Record panel"
FL Studio requires more manual work like slicing and moving
I even tried to do this on Bitwig (select take regions/fold to takes, etc.), Audacity and Audition (can't find it, other than multiple takes and splicing).
I have not tried in Cubase. I think they have a special comp thingy.
And so on . . .
I'm just wondering what other users discovered. Most probably just use what they have and make it work, so that's their favorite. Also, many genres/users don't rely heavily on recorded audio, so comping is not important.

[thebutler]

Once set up, I'm liking Reaper's new swipe comping.
ProTools is surgical but more manual and requires a couple of extra considerations, like inserting a blank track on top or you could lose the top take.
Ableton's comping is so new . . .
Logic has swiping and take folders that seem sweet
Studio One: "Each successive recorded take after the first can will be placed in its own layer, by enabling the Record Takes To Layers option in the Record panel"
FL Studio requires more manual work like slicing and moving
I even tried to do this on Bitwig, Audacity and Audition.
I have not tried in Cubase. I think they have a special comp thingy.
And so on . . .
I'm just wondering what other users discovered. Most probably just use what they have and make it work, so that's their favorite. Also, many genres/users don't rely heavily on recorded audio, so comping is not important.

Nice. Thanks.

Cubase 'swipe' comping method here - pretty fine for me (or, I've just got so used to it.!). Fade in/outs or crossfades between segments need attention from time to time though...

[tommyzai]

All major DAWs comp, now that Ableton Live has recently joined the party, but trust me when I say they all have their own unique way/steps . . . similar, but like the DAWs themselves . . . a slightly different way and workflow. Comping, for me, is vital as my current projects use lots of live instruments (bass, guitar, vocals, etc.). I just don't know which is the smoothest . . . just like I don't know which DAW is the smoothest. Personal preference or is there an obvious best at comping?

[dellboy]

I hate comping. I just want to know how to turn it off in reaper and other Daws.

Easy. In Cubase, record your 'takes' as you would - then right-click on the track and select 'Create Tracks from Lanes'. Boom.! All turned into individual tracks you can manipulate/treat as you wish. No resort to 'comping' tools/methods after this if you don't want.

Wait. You're being ironic.?

No, not being ironic. I just want the Daw to record like a tape recorder. I prefer to just delete a take and try again until I get it right. So I want to hit record - play - hit space to stop - and on to the next track.

[tommyzai]

I hate comping. I just want to know how to turn it off in reaper and other Daws.

Easy. In Cubase, record your 'takes' as you would - then right-click on the track and select 'Create Tracks from Lanes'. Boom.! All turned into individual tracks you can manipulate/treat as you wish. No resort to 'comping' tools/methods after this if you don't want.

Wait. You're being ironic.?

No, not being ironic. I just want the Daw to record like a tape recorder. I prefer to just delete a take and try again until I get it right. So I want to hit record - play - hit space to stop - and on to the next track.

I used to do that, but then you are punch recording and physically splicing together tape if working in larger formats (not cassette).

[tommyzai]

One thing I definitely prefer . . .
Comping the best bits of takes into an empty lane as opposed to comping within or over one of the takes.

[jens]

I hate comping. I just want to know how to turn it off in reaper and other Daws.

Easy. In Cubase, record your 'takes' as you would - then right-click on the track and select 'Create Tracks from Lanes'. Boom.! All turned into individual tracks you can manipulate/treat as you wish. No resort to 'comping' tools/methods after this if you don't want.

Wait. You're being ironic.?

No, not being ironic. I just want the Daw to record like a tape recorder. I prefer to just delete a take and try again until I get it right. So I want to hit record - play - hit space to stop - and on to the next track.

WTF? Sorry, but that makes zero sense. You "turn off" comping by not comping, i.e.
you "hit record - play - hit space to stop - and on to the next track."

Any DAW is exactly the same in that regard.