Help beginner with beginners setup

[chk071]

Most of them are crap though.

Hardly. Many excellent freebies out there.

Name some "excellent" free DAW's. I'm curious.

I tried most of them, and found that none of them can compare with good payware. Cakewalk comes close, but, it still has some down sides IMO.

[vurt]

all the lite versions?

[BertKoor]

@chk071: your expectations are not the same as an absolute beginners. Example: linear time or loop based? I say moot at that point.

[mixyguy2]

Name some "excellent" free DAW's. I'm curious.

I tried most of them, and found that none of them can compare with good payware. Cakewalk comes close, but, it still has some down sides IMO.

Hi I'm mixyguy and I can't read. :facepalm: Sorry. I was thinking (and for some reason thought we were talking) plugins, not DAWs. We now return you to your regularly scheduled whatever.

[roman.i]

If they were so excellent, no reason for paid stuff to exist.

that 'logic' applies both ways. which indicates why its not actually logical.

Free stuff exist because of different reasons, most of them are just a showcase to get a job, or some deprecated bait like Sonar, lite version bait or other types of baits.

[whyterabbyt]

If they were so excellent, no reason for paid stuff to exist.

that 'logic' applies both ways. which indicates why its not actually logical.

Free stuff exist because of different reasons, most of them are just a showcase to get a job, or some deprecated bait like Sonar, lite version bait or other types of baits.

Most long-term free projects, though, exist to provide equally capable(*) tools as the commercial offerings, but with zero cost.

(* or better)

[Maltinski]

Keyboard for midi input - > basic one from m-audio (buy used)
External "audio handler"/soundcard (?) -> simple audio interface from mackie for example (was my first)
Free DAW for midi handling on windows -> ableton intro (you can find a key online for free)

[prithg]

Keyboard for midi input: +1 to M-Audio (KeyStation series is good for beginners)

External "audio handler"/soundcard: I would recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen, new). Comes with the Hitmaker expansion software bundle + you receive free software every few months from Focusrite plugin collective so the interface pays for itself (and more) over time... it is basically a gift that keeps giving.
https://focusrite.com/en/hitmaker-expansion

Free DAW for Windows: Not free but I really like and recommend FL Studio. Producer version is currently on sale for $150 and the developer offers free updates for life.

Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-M50x (currently on sale for approx. $120 -- great price!!)
If budget allows, pick up studio monitors (used) or the above headphones will go a long way for studio use.

Good luck and have fun producing!

[jordanyeo]

Highly recommend the newer behringer audio interfaces, my UMC404HD has treated me great, has 4 inputs!

[mixyguy2]

Free DAW for Windows: Not free

Speaking of reading issues...

[eLawnMust]

Latest version of LMMS is pretty good & stable for Windows, MAC, Linux...Easy to figure out as well-

https://lmms.io/

It's a Piano Roller.

I wouldn't recommend a beginner fork out for MIDI Keyboard until getting feet wet. Not really needed in most cases I got 4 MIDI Controller Keyboards but still often use QWERTY in step recording in Trackers then go back & adjust velocities to suit.
I also recommend a beginner try a Tracker as well because of natural QWERTY step recording & note skip. Since many are free there's no excuse not to try. I recommend Protrekkr all internal FX, hooks directsound, up to 16 poly note per track, live record of automation via sliders or use pattern FX commands, internal synth as well as double 303s for Rebirth type sound & 'Smart Patterns' like AXS Tracker-

https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=50409

Current WIP in Protrekkr (Yah, It's capable)

https://soundcloud.com/waxing-and-wanin ... -iteration