What DAWs Are You Using Nowadays?

[D-Fusion]

Anyhow, I do like the concept of Reason. If I had one choice on a stranded island it would be my pick strictly for it's spectacle aspect. Well that and it's modularity and ease of use.
I just f**king hate the Reason Studios approach with the need to subscribe to get the full package or having to be online every so often if one buys a full license etc etc.
......and no demo.

If you buy the Full license the re-authorization is 1 time every 12 months and you can be offline for 12 months after it has been authorized.

It even gives you the time and date so you know when the year is up and you can renew the timer whenever you want within that period so it is authorized for another year from that date.

No re-Authorization is the best option for any perpetual license but Reason Licensing system is 1000% better compared to How Roland Cloud is working where you never know the Day or the hour when their 30 day Licensing system will run out and needs re-authorization.

Reason is based on the oldschool Experience with racks and a simple Sequencer with Keyboard shortcuts to switch between screens just like in the old days so it depends on what you prefer to use and there are many Famous songs that are made with Reason.

I use Bitwig these days because it works great with my Hybrid setup with HW and Vst's and it has Automatic Delay Compensation for the Audio inputs that have been rock solid with my setup

[Lerian]

Teh frootyloops. No point in f**king about.

Tons of people have made huge hits in fruity loops/FL Studio. It's pretty straightforward and has some nice workflow features and a great piano roll.

Not sure it can match some of the other DAWs when it comes to mixing, and 'pro audio' features, but it is a fun music creation tool.

Also do not forget its awesome plugins, many of which were copied and now they sell as separate plugins from various devs. FL Studio is one of the few complete daws, even if some purists refuse to consider it as such due to its different workflow. And if you count that patcher, that allows you to connect everything to everything else, its also a quite complex modular environment.

[beely]

1990: Creator/Notator
1993: Logic
Nearly 2025: Still Logic

I added in Live somewhere along the way as it was a good complement to Logic back then, but these days Logic can do a lot of those workflows I liked Live for…

[liquidsound]

Salespeople for Bitwig are trying quite hard…

[crimsonwarlock]

Yes Reason is probably the best design for dummies who have some kind of attention disorder and can't comprehend anything outside transport functions

Dummies?.... showing your ignorance here. I can assure you I'm neither a dummy nor have an attention disorder, and my comprehension has been fine for the 40+ years I'm doing music now.

Are you surer you didn't describe yourself

and that doesn't mean other DAWs aren't "composer oriented".

Again, your ignorance is showing. There are several DAWs that are more production oriented, while others are more composer oriented. Ask yourself why most well-known movie composers use certain DAWs, while staying away from others.

If you are "constantly" bending a DAW to your workflow that's all due to your personal preferences and has nothing to do with the DAW.

Nope, it has everything to do with the DAW, because of how a certain DAW supports a certain workflow, or doesn't.

Reason works for your kind of workflow, Reaper works for others' workflow.

That's the first sane thing you've written here. And different workflows cater to different processes. Composing workflows are way different from mixing workflows because composing needs strong arrangement tools, while mixing has nothing to do with arranging.

I'm willing to sacrifice that for better sounding synths because last I checked a navigating rack doesn't get people packing the dance floor.

Navigating the rack is a huge workflow asset. But it is clear you never experienced navigating a large project in Reason with three dedicated screens. So what do you know.

I won't get into Reason's sequencing and song arrangement features because I sold my license YEARS ago so have no idea how much that aspect has improved. But I'll be rest assured it does not compare to what other DAWs like Reaper can do

First you say you don't know the current status of Reason, and then make a statement that is only valid if you do know that status. So you invalidate your own statement

Me, on the other hand, know exactly what I'm talking about. I used Reaper extensively for over a decade and was very active on the Reaper forum during that period. Although I do like a lot of things in Reaper, I can confidently say that Reaper is probably the worst DAW for doing serious arrangement work.

Bitwig HAS a modular environment, while Reason IS a modular environment. There's a big difference.

No there isn't. Christ almighty cut the wankery. Either there's a modular environment or there isn't. And yes, some.modular environments will have capabilities others don't.

The fact that you (clearly) don't understand the difference, doesn't mean there isn't (big) difference. You probably think that a MiniMoog is the same as a Moog Modular system, as they are both 'synthesizers'.

For example, the big SSL console emulation is, in fact, a modular component, same as the audio outputs. This means that I don't need a hardware monitor-station because I have a monitor-station made as a combinator that sits between my mixer outputs and the hardware outputs. I'm not aware of any other DAW, including Bitwig, that can do that.

I'm unsure if Bitwig can be setup to implement
something similar but I'm willing to bet it could be done with Max for Live. Maybe even Usine Hollyhock.

All bets are off. Show me the evidence. Otherwise it is, in your words, wankery

The actual download is a bit hidden because their website is undoubtadly a mess, but it is there if you look around.

The actual download is hidden (if there actually is a demo DL)

You said there is NO demo, while there actually IS a demo. So, come again?

Most Reason native instruments can go up against anything out there. It comes across clueless to call them 'a bit thin'.

Ok so I'm clueless. A clueless idiot that trusts my ears and knows what I like.

On the topic of synthesizer sound, I kinda know what I'm talking about. But maybe you can point me to the hardware analog synthesizer that you have built by hand? Because I did, and I can (and I'm no talking about stuffing some eurorack modules in a case).

I just f**king hate the Reason Studios approach with the need to subscribe to get the full package or having to be online every so often if one buys a full license etc etc.
......and no demo.

I'm with you on the subscription thing. I'm a perpetual license owner, and haven't upgraded to R13 yet. However, the need to be online just ONCE A YEAR, beats having to install some external copy protection trash that probably needs you to be online a lot more frequent.

Oh. and you are still ignorant on the demo thing

[twal]

FL seems to not be a complete daw. It probably should never be used for composition, live audio, nor mastering. Cubase, Studio One, Reaper, I guess pro tools and perhaps a few others appear are all around daws that are suitable for just about all options. Reason I believe to be a poor choice for Mastering. Reaper does composition from what I have checked, there are professional music composers using it as such I have seen online. Most of these other Daws are poor at mastering and recording, and that's fine for producers but without routing and track organization there is really no point from what i can tell for just about any pro engineer. Reason and bitwig and max for live are such completely different workflows I don't believe they should be sound designing comparable. I know professional producers who use Reason but no engineers as far as I've seen.

[crimsonwarlock]

Reason I believe to be a poor choice for Mastering.

My perspective is that mastering is the one thing you can do in any DAW regardless. Load your mixed-down stereo track, slam some mastering plugins on it, and your done. I'm not aware of any DAW, including Reason, that can't do that.

Now, if we are talking about compiling and mastering an album, where you have multiple songs/tracks, you can still do that in any and every DAW. However, DAWs, like Reaper, that can work with sub-projects, are at an obvious advantage. Reason does indeed have no sub-projects capabilities.

Reaper does composition from what I have checked, there are professional music composers using it as such I have seen online.

If you understand composing as a linear process, you can even compose in Audacity. But the fact that they call the sequencer in Reaper the 'arrange view', should tell you something. There's no native arrangement-tool in Reaper, you need to install the SWS-extensions for that.

I know professional producers who use Reason but no engineers as far as I've seen.

Totally agree with that, that's why I said Reason is better for composing. Although, I do full production in Reason and it works great for me. Funny thing is that Reason was the first DAW with a virtual full mixer console and now we have mixing/production oriented DAWs like LUNA and MixBus following suit, and other DAWs like Reaper and Studio One trying to get there by adding some plugins directly in the mixer channel view.

When I'm composing, I don't need the SSL-console view open. It is during mixing//production when the three-screen setup and rack-navigation becomes so powerful.

[RunBeerRun]

I've been using ReaCockos Reaper since I was born as a test tube infant. True story, ask the deceased robot next to you.

[VOODOO U]

If you buy the Full license the re-authorization is 1 time every 12 months and you can be offline for 12 months after it has been authorized.

The only time a full license buyer should be required to do another authorization is when they get a new computer. There's no reason why a user needs to reauthorize every 12 nonths unless it's a company that has a stick up their you know what.
Secondly, my studio computer is offline. Alwaya will be. Period.
This is why I support Cockos. They make things super simple for the customer. Including those with old systems.

Are you surer you didn't describe yourself

you're so witty

There are several DAWs that are more production oriented, while others are more composer oriented. Ask yourself why most well-known movie composers use certain DAWs, while staying away from others

Your initial point was that you moved to a different DAW due to workflow preferences. Based on your DAW of choice having a workflow you prefer, you stated it is a "composer oriented DAW" assuming the other is not. I disagree with this.
If you were trying to make a different point then it wasn't explained in a precise, clear intellectual way so that a smart, intelligent and highly sophisticated individual such as myself can comprehend the nonsensical gibberish.

Nope, it has everything to do with the DAW, because of how a certain DAW supports a certain workflow, or doesn't

You were constantly trying to get Reaper setup to your own personal workflow preferences and you're saying that has nothing to do with you and your own preferences?
I setup a workflow with Reaper once. I spent a couple of days playing around with it until I got a workflow setup up to my preferences. You didn't. That's all you buddy.

Navigating the rack is a huge workflow asset. But it is clear you never experienced navigating a large project in Reason with three dedicated screens. So what do you know.

I know that a large project in Reason with 3 dedicated screens is not what gets the average listener into music.
I've got old shitty music gear and an old shitty desktop with one shitty screen running a program with one shitty looking GUi called Reaper and I am making some of the best music Ive ever written.

First you say you don't know the current status of Reason, and then make a statement that is only valid if you do know that status. So you invalidate your own statement

Are you telling me Reason's features for sequencing, mixing and song arrangement is equal or better to that of say, Reaper's?
Forget about workflow. I am speaking about what is implemented within Reason vs. IE Reaper.
As one example within Reaper, something that I often do when mixing is setup markers within the arrangement view so when the play cursor passes these marker points, the cursor *automatically* jumps to a different portion of the song - so my hands are free to fine-tune the mix be it faders for volume or what-have-you - and then back again to the initial starting point. This way I can A/B (or even C/D/E....) my mixes within different portions of the song.
Are you going to tell me this is possible in Reason?? Please.
I can't even do this in Ableton Live unless I screw around with M4L (I'm guessing).

Reaper is probably the worst DAW for doing serious arrangement work

Yep. Reaper is the worst. Reason is the worst. Cubase is the worst. Live is the worst. Studio One is the worst. All of them suck. The best ones are all of them too. I know because KVR told me so.

You probably think that a MiniMoog is the same as a Moog Modular system, as they are both 'synthesizers

Yep, they're both synths. But one is modular and the other isn't.
Both Reasom and Bitwig are modular with the latter having its modular features oprional.
So if someone asks me if Bitwig is modular i say, "Yes, it can be if that's what you want."

Show me the evidence

Yeah I really don't care to be honest. It's just a guess that Live and Usine may be able to do it.

You said there is NO demo, while there actually IS a demo. So, come again

Since when do you get charged to test drive a car?? Reason has no demo. One has to pay to use the program at all and I could give a f**k if it's only a dollar and it's refunded.
The hassle is not worth the product.

On the topic of synthesizer sound, I kinda know what I'm talking about. But maybe you can point me to the hardware analog synthesizer that you have built by hand? Because I did, and I can (and I'm no talking about stuffing some eurorack modules in a case).

I don't give a f**k if you're bob moog rick wakeman and the God behind oscillation.
My ears and my taste are all that matters. Reason sounds flat versus others and that is my one man opinion.

[vurt]

you know when you fake cough, and say "tosser" under your breath, we need that emoji.

[Chris Hawkins]

Wow - sorry, I didn't mean to start a DAW war. 🫨

[eLawnMust]

Nothing more senseless than a DAW war with someone online who you'll never meet in person & will never be swayed by what you present no matter what the evidence...

Best to lay your opinion down & walk away...

Anyways also doing some work in Skale Tracker so far made over 10 GB of Akai instruments for it quite nice sounding-

[kritikon]

So Reason has no demo, making it amateur crap. Hmmmm...this Cubase you speak of that is a pro DAW had no demo until very recently. Cubase must have been amateur crap too. Omigod I must have been an amateur producer for all these years using that POS with no demo! Wish I'd never set foot outside of my mum's basement bedroom

My fkn god, do people really argue like this about DAWs still?
You can master in literally anything as long as it can load plugins...really. I can think of a certain Orbital hit that was done on a fkn Portastudio. I can also attest that Loopy PooFruits has some classy plugins - the best vocoder out there IMO, one of only 2 I could find that has 100 bands on it and I was sorely pissed off that I can't buy it without buying PooFruits.

I need popcorn, pronto.

[machinesworking]

Since I learned you can import Live projects into Bitwig I am considering getting Bitwig as my secondary DAW. I love Live 12 to bits, especially now with all the incredible MIDI features, but not being able to have more than one project open in Live at the same time is so damn irritating for me.

I'm in a similar situation with Live in terms of control surface support. Bought a LPD8 Wireless, it's just a midi controller in in Live, in Bitwig I can use the Generic Flexi to have control surface auto mapping of parameters to the 8 knobs. I'm certain I can hack Live to get this support, but it's not as elegant. I admit I've been oscillating between Live and Bitwig, and that some of Abletons hardware moves lately have tainted my perception of Live. [namely that Push 3 stand alone is just a sketch pad over a year later, with no major improvements and another product released in Move without time signatures.]

In the latest version of Bitwig I own 5.19 they seem to have fixed a long standing issue I had with Bitwig, the full sized Edit window when using dual monitors wasn't selectable, now one of the configurations uses the tab key to switch to the edit window. I do think it's a WTF? moment that they changed it from shift tab in the single display configuration to just the tab key, especially considering there's no documentation I know of pointing this out, it doesn't show up in Shortcuts that way, but it's still a massive improvement.

[EnGee]

I forgot that I had Reason and FL Studio! Actually I have a Samplitude X3 Pro license and maybe other DAWs that I don't remember now!!

Anyway, to be honest, FL Studio native plugins and what I have (Sytrus and Harmor) are impressive. For beats making, it is unbeatable! Very easy to find good kicks, snares ..etc. Very easy to make a beat. The problem my mind doesn't work well with patterns. I also struggle with the Piano Roll and with general workflow. I install it from time to time to play around though!

Samplitude is a very 'serious' linear DAW. It has steep learning curve and I find myself spending too much time learning it without feeling comfortable for the workflow. It seems to have great native plugins especially for mixing/mastering.

Reason is usable for me, so I installed it again. I have v12 and I have several synths I bought from their market. I think Reason and the REs in its shop are on par with VST/AU plugins. Of course the VST/AU plugins market is much more versatile, but for me synths like Europa, Grain, Objekt, Complex-1, Parsec, Expanse, VK 2 and Antidote are just examples of excellent ones.

Reason workflow is simple and easy to use. I like it although it is missing lots of utilities found in Cubase for example, but I think its simplicity has a strength also (I mean simplicity in the piano roll!). Anyway, it is a modular system and things can get complex (by wiring).

Still, there is a good usage of Reason as a plugin inside Cubase or Live if sequencing inside Reason not what I like. Not seeing myself upgrading to v13 though.