Honest appraisal of Mulab 5
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- KVRist
- 58 posts since 3 Jan, 2008
Hi, I hope I'm not stepping out of line here, but I am curious, especially since Mulab 5 has just come out, about acquiring a lighter weight DAW. I started out using Sonar and switched to Reaper around 2007. The thing is, I rarely record audio, but sequence MIDI and manually automate parameters. Reaper is awesome but I'm not crazy about the automation. I love Reaper's flexibility with routing. I'm wondering if there are electronica users here who can tell me about their experience with Mulab. I've read all the reviews I can get my hands on, and it seems like Mulab is a light footprint, highly configurable, and easy-to-use software. How is the automation? Do you enjoy the workflow? I honestly don't like the look of Mulab but I can get past that if it is as wonderful as it sounds. Opinions?
Steve Mueske
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- KVRAF
- 7412 posts since 8 Feb, 2003 from London, UK
Probably no one else works exactly like you, so I can honestly say the best thing to do is download MuLab and try working with it. There's a lot of depth if you want it and it's all there in the Free version to try out - nothing disabled or missing at all.
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- KVRAF
- 13863 posts since 24 Jun, 2008 from Europe
For my curiosity: Which is your favorite DAW when only taking the looks into account?smueske wrote:I honestly don't like the look of Mulab
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- KVRAF
- 2973 posts since 10 Sep, 2003 from Karlskoga, Stockholm, Sweden
Everyone uses mulab differently. For me it's all about the modular part.
Mulab has so many highlights. One of them is the meta parameters. Another is how you work the midi. Then there's the looping of midi clips. I don't personally use the built in effects as i already got several plugins that i know were well, but i think that's a big selling point of mulab as well.
I haven't manually drawn any automation so i can't give you my pov on that.
About the looks, i think you'll get used to it and really like it after a while. It's not distracting at all, yet it's still enough 3d to give you a "feel" of it. Hard to describe
Lastly, a huge reason to get Mulab: Jo! One of the best devs around. He listens, he's GOOD at what he does and he knows what's good for a daw
Mulab has so many highlights. One of them is the meta parameters. Another is how you work the midi. Then there's the looping of midi clips. I don't personally use the built in effects as i already got several plugins that i know were well, but i think that's a big selling point of mulab as well.
I haven't manually drawn any automation so i can't give you my pov on that.
About the looks, i think you'll get used to it and really like it after a while. It's not distracting at all, yet it's still enough 3d to give you a "feel" of it. Hard to describe
Lastly, a huge reason to get Mulab: Jo! One of the best devs around. He listens, he's GOOD at what he does and he knows what's good for a daw
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- KVRAF
- 2973 posts since 10 Sep, 2003 from Karlskoga, Stockholm, Sweden
From just an aesthetical point of view (not counting actual things that improve workflow and ergonomics) i like how Studio One looks like. The modules are pretty to look at. Nice 3d, nice colour. Looks tight somehow.
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- KVRian
- 1451 posts since 4 Oct, 2012 from Utah
I happen to make EDM and I love working with Mulab! With the session MUX and sends and even the standard MUX I have more routing options than I need. Also if you have a favorite VST you can add it in. Mulab (in my experience) has the least amount of trouble when it comes to VST support. I have to agree that the user interface looks rather "weak" in some ways but it's not about looks, it's about sound. Also if it's the colors you can't get passed then you can easily changes them. I personally enjoy the look and feel of FLStudio. It makes me feel like I'm working in a professional enviorment. Everyone will have their own opinion of course. If you don't like to use VST's then Musynth and the MUX are your best friends. The oscillators load single cycle waveforms (or smashed down multi cycle). The filters, while not hugely amazing, do sound just a good as most others. Modulation is fairly easy. Automating and modulating VST parameters is very easy. Mulab has two ways of automation. Both are fairly simple. The one I use most is making an automation clip. You can edit very detailed with that and you get a (LARGE) variety of curves that rival FLStudio.
For EDM I will agree that FLStudio may be a best option. However, Mulab does have evrything you will need. The biggest difference is that FLStudio has everything tuned and compressed for EDM. That takes maybe three minutes at most in Mulab. Honestly I think three minutes is worth saving a couple hundred dollors.
If you sill enjoy reaper you can easily ReWire it into Mulab.
Hope this helps,
Dakkra
For EDM I will agree that FLStudio may be a best option. However, Mulab does have evrything you will need. The biggest difference is that FLStudio has everything tuned and compressed for EDM. That takes maybe three minutes at most in Mulab. Honestly I think three minutes is worth saving a couple hundred dollors.
If you sill enjoy reaper you can easily ReWire it into Mulab.
Hope this helps,
Dakkra
Software portfolio
M.N.I.E - soon to be my musical portfolio
Hey, I'm Eurydice(Izzy for short) - she/her
M.N.I.E - soon to be my musical portfolio
Hey, I'm Eurydice(Izzy for short) - she/her
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- KVRAF
- 2874 posts since 22 Oct, 2002 from "somewhere between digital and analog"
Not sure what your looking for but the interface is pretty customizable and you can adjust the default look for the work area, color code tracks etc. Here's what my workspace looks like by default... But I'm a Mac Logic user. 
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 58 posts since 3 Jan, 2008
Wow! Thank you all so much for your responses. I appreciate your candor and your time. If there are responses, I'll try and address those below.
pljones wrote: "Probably no one else works exactly like you, so I can honestly say the best thing to do is download MuLab and try working with it."
This is good advice and you're right, but I'm a little leery of beginning a composition with only four tracks available. It's true that I could port them to some other host if need be, but I'd rather make up my mind and jump in. These days money is tight so I want to make the right decision. Technically I don't need yet another host. But I'd like something simple and flexible.
mutools wrote: "For my curiosity: Which is your favorite DAW when only taking the looks into account?"
Of the lower-priced DAWs I'd say Podium looks the best. Out of the "big boys" I like Reason and Sonar. It's hard to beat reason for sex appeal.
Crackbaby, I'm interested in the modular part as well. For that reason I was interested in Energy XT, but lack of multi-core support and rampant user frustration has sort of turned me off. I've never heard of Studio One.
Digit, thank you.
Dakkra, thanks for your comments. I have a lot of go to VSTs so I'm sure I'd be using them. It's great to hear more about automation as that's a big point for me.
Again, thanks everyone for your opinions. Sounds like wonderful software!
pljones wrote: "Probably no one else works exactly like you, so I can honestly say the best thing to do is download MuLab and try working with it."
This is good advice and you're right, but I'm a little leery of beginning a composition with only four tracks available. It's true that I could port them to some other host if need be, but I'd rather make up my mind and jump in. These days money is tight so I want to make the right decision. Technically I don't need yet another host. But I'd like something simple and flexible.
mutools wrote: "For my curiosity: Which is your favorite DAW when only taking the looks into account?"
Of the lower-priced DAWs I'd say Podium looks the best. Out of the "big boys" I like Reason and Sonar. It's hard to beat reason for sex appeal.
Crackbaby, I'm interested in the modular part as well. For that reason I was interested in Energy XT, but lack of multi-core support and rampant user frustration has sort of turned me off. I've never heard of Studio One.
Digit, thank you.
Dakkra, thanks for your comments. I have a lot of go to VSTs so I'm sure I'd be using them. It's great to hear more about automation as that's a big point for me.
Again, thanks everyone for your opinions. Sounds like wonderful software!
Steve Mueske
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- KVRAF
- 7412 posts since 8 Feb, 2003 from London, UK
You do not have only four tracks available. You have an unlimited version of MuLab at your disposal for free. However, if you go over the limits, it will let you know. It won't stop you, it'll just issue a soft noise. So you can get the complete feel of the app for no expense at all, other than your time.smueske wrote:Wow! Thank you all so much for your responses. I appreciate your candor and your time. If there are responses, I'll try and address those below.
pljones wrote: "Probably no one else works exactly like you, so I can honestly say the best thing to do is download MuLab and try working with it."
This is good advice and you're right, but I'm a little leery of beginning a composition with only four tracks available. It's true that I could port them to some other host if need be, but I'd rather make up my mind and jump in. These days money is tight so I want to make the right decision. Technically I don't need yet another host. But I'd like something simple and flexible.
Oh, and "simple" and "flexible" are probably MuLab's greatest strengths (alongside Jo, of course
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- KVRian
- 1451 posts since 4 Oct, 2012 from Utah
Indeed. Mulab is simple which I like. You can make it complex when you need to as well. Though Mulabs simplicity drives many people away (because they think it lacks features) I rather enjoy it. Especially the UI because I don't have a very nice and large screen. DAWs like FLStudio have all theese panels and windows that crowd my work area as Mulab is very clean and precise.
At this point though it's up to personal preference
At this point though it's up to personal preference
Software portfolio
M.N.I.E - soon to be my musical portfolio
Hey, I'm Eurydice(Izzy for short) - she/her
M.N.I.E - soon to be my musical portfolio
Hey, I'm Eurydice(Izzy for short) - she/her
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 58 posts since 3 Jan, 2008
You know what, you are absolutely right. I see there is a demo song challenge. Maybe that will motivate me to push the free version as far as I can. I'm not out anything other than time. Thanks for coming back.
Steve Mueske
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- KVRAF
- 3160 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
MuLab is far easier to pick up than anything else I've tried - Reason, Reaper, FLStudio and even easier than Muzys, if you've heard of that!
I agree the looks need sorting out, colours help but the underlying graphics could do with an overhaul. I just looked at Sonar, I think I mentioned this, well, maybe, but the Dockable Windows idea in Sonar is great. I use Cubic Explorer which has had this idea from the start and it's fantasticly adaptable.
For looks, it has to be Reason! I love the Hardware look synths and the fact there's no hidden menu's.
Not sure what I'd say MuLab needs to sort the looks out. Themes would be good but is there an easier way of doing it than having to create the graphics from scratch? Maybe something along the lines of TreeDBSkinEditor? This can change the colour of every component and add, change shape of and colour borders. Perhaps in a future MuLab something like this could be done?
It's already started with the addition of the colour editor, just expand on that. Imagine being able to change the shape, size, bevel, etc, of knobs, racks, VST slots, etc! Also, the fixed Synths and FX could look better but I'm sure in time that'll happen too Just add a few changes to each major release that's all it needs, if indeed that's acceptable 
All in all a fantastic music program that has put functionality before looks, which did put me off in the Luna days, but really, that's how it should be. What would be the point of having the best looking DAW that behaves like a sloth?!
Thanks Jo
I agree the looks need sorting out, colours help but the underlying graphics could do with an overhaul. I just looked at Sonar, I think I mentioned this, well, maybe, but the Dockable Windows idea in Sonar is great. I use Cubic Explorer which has had this idea from the start and it's fantasticly adaptable.
For looks, it has to be Reason! I love the Hardware look synths and the fact there's no hidden menu's.
Not sure what I'd say MuLab needs to sort the looks out. Themes would be good but is there an easier way of doing it than having to create the graphics from scratch? Maybe something along the lines of TreeDBSkinEditor? This can change the colour of every component and add, change shape of and colour borders. Perhaps in a future MuLab something like this could be done?
It's already started with the addition of the colour editor, just expand on that. Imagine being able to change the shape, size, bevel, etc, of knobs, racks, VST slots, etc! Also, the fixed Synths and FX could look better but I'm sure in time that'll happen too
Just add a few changes to each major release that's all it needs, if indeed that's acceptable All in all a fantastic music program that has put functionality before looks, which did put me off in the Luna days, but really, that's how it should be. What would be the point of having the best looking DAW that behaves like a sloth?!
Thanks Jo
Last edited by sl23 on Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRAF
- 3160 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
+++1dakkra wrote:DAWs like FLStudio have all theese panels and windows that crowd my work area as Mulab is very clean and precise.
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- KVRist
- 83 posts since 19 May, 2012
One thing to keep in mind is that with Mulab, u can use 32- or 64bit vst plugins - not both at once, depending on the Mulab version (32- or 64bit version).