It's 2024 - what are the best Non-Linear DAWs ?

[xbitz]

^^^ from the prev page

Cubase does not have a rack-like feature, but something similar can be wired together in MuLab Plugin. The controls of VST plugins can be easily mapped to the MuLab's own controls, which can then be connected to each other. or with the CC outputs of previously connected Gatekeeper/LFOTool plugins (which also can be connected to each other in this way). This is a lot of fun ... if it weren't for AL and Bitwig which can do it much better

but fun otherwise

ps. The LFOTool and Gatekeeper are needed because the internal modulators of MuLab Plugin cannot be synchronized with the host playhead position. They can be retrirggered or resume where they left off at every start ... unfortunately and AFAIK

[richhickey]

I know that Live/Bitwig can technically be non-linear with follow actions but more interested in DAWs that may have an overall timeline but allow sequencers and other timelines (with different tempos etc.) be triggered independently.

Digital Performer supports exactly that with its chunks (sequences) being freely arrange-able in its (unsung) song mode.

[whyterabbyt]

Ha! Ha! All my DAWs are logarithmic!

[koalaboy]

I know that Live/Bitwig can technically be non-linear with follow actions but more interested in DAWs that may have an overall timeline but allow sequencers and other timelines (with different tempos etc.) be triggered independently.

Digital Performer supports exactly that with its chunks (sequences) being freely arrange-able in its (unsung) song mode.

Do chunks play back at different temps in the same song ? I couldn't find any details about it.

[richhickey]

I know that Live/Bitwig can technically be non-linear with follow actions but more interested in DAWs that may have an overall timeline but allow sequencers and other timelines (with different tempos etc.) be triggered independently.

Digital Performer supports exactly that with its chunks (sequences) being freely arrange-able in its (unsung) song mode.

Do chunks play back at different temps in the same song ? I couldn't find any details about it.

Yes, every chunk gets its own conductor track (tempo and meter map), and they can be merged/copied into the conductor track for the song.

[koalaboy]

Yes, every chunk gets its own conductor track (tempo map), and they can be merged/copied into the conductor track for the song.

Interesting. What happens during the merge ? I'll maybe have to grab a demo, as there's no real recent DP on youtube.

[richhickey]

Chunks that appear sequentially in the song just have their conductor tracks appended together in the song. If more than one chunk selected for copying is happening at the same time, the conductor track of the uppermost one wins.There is only one tempo and (nominal) meter at a time in the song's conductor track. Overlapping chunks can have different meters, but the song can only count off one meter at a time.

[koalaboy]

There is only one tempo and (nominal) meter at a time in the song's conductor track. Overlapping chunks can have different meters, but the song can only count off one meter at a time.

This brings it back into linearity though. I appreciate it's not an easy thing to show in a UI, and clip-launchers get around this (and why they're easier for non-linear work in most DAWs).

Obviously, there needs to be one main 'conductor' track/timeline, that starts/stops events overall, but I wish more DAWs would let those events be completely separate timelines.

[VOODOO U]

If i can hijack a bit.....
For those of you that use a modular host, what do you utilize to record audio? Bidule's audio recorder is a joke.

[koalaboy]

Related to that, I've been thinking of grabbing https://monkeyc.audio/ as it has a lot of potential uses.

There's also https://vcvrack.com/Recorder that may be an option.

[VOODOO U]

Related to that, I've been thinking of grabbing https://monkeyc.audio/ as it has a lot of potential uses.

There's also https://vcvrack.com/Recorder that may be an option.

Monkeyc could work. It'd be convient if it could sync to host otherwise It'd he like having a tape recorder.

The thing with VCV's recorder is how would you play back the files within VCV?
I suppose you can load them into a sampler.
Also iirc VCV doesn't work.offline correct?

[vurt]

If i can hijack a bit.....
For those of you that use a modular host, what do you utilize to record audio? Bidule's audio recorder is a joke.

in any host, i always have a guitar rig loaded up. post fx on two bus, just using the loop recorder, under tools.

[VOODOO U]

in any host, i always have a guitar rig loaded up. post fx on two bus, just using the loop recorder, under tools.

Completely forgot G-rig has a loop recorder. It doesn't sync to host though for the transport controls. It would be cool if I could use multiple instances and have the loopers start/stop in sync.

[koalaboy]

It would be cool if I could use multiple instances and have the loopers start/stop in sync.

https://grough.github.io/lilac-loop-vcv/

(Not really something I use, but these days I find VCV often has an answer for almost anything, especially as it also hosts plugins)

[VOODOO U]

Yeah it's the whole need to be online and subscribe etc etc that turns me off.
If only Cardinal hosted VST3 I'd stop whining.