KVR Audio

Hawk45 · Post by **Hawk45** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 8:26 pm

Hi everyone,

Been wrapped up in the grind for a few years and really want to get back into making music for fun. Way back in the day I used some cheap step sequencer program by Cakewalk. I know things have come a long way since then and am looking for something simple to use that gives me good versatility and ready to hit the ground running. I don't plan on using any midi with hard instruments, just whatever is provided with the DAW or via plugins. Something with good synth and drums that can be tweaked.

I've heard that FruityLoops is a good program for the money, but don't want to limit myself if there are better options. Again, this is just for fun. I appreciate you guys giving me some good ideas on what would match my needs on available quality products.

Cheers,
Hawk

dakkra · Post by **dakkra** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 8:56 pm

Mulab: Quick, inexpensive, but does take time to learn (lots of right clikc menus)

FLS: Great sequencer

BWS/Ableton: Think all you need shoved in one semi-complex package

Reaper: Inexpensive but takes a lot of skill to use effectively

Podium: Inexpensive, feature filled and easy, but rare updates and rather awkward VST handling

Studio one: Bit difficult to use but gets the job done

LMMS: Free but has relatively low grade audio and lower feature set

Reason: Just don't use it. it works but with no plugin capability it is limited

Sonar: Buy into the mainstream because that's what it is... it works, it's good, but you pay for it

Renoise: Old style tracker, very capable but has a learning curve that takes some serious intent

I'm sure I missed others but thats my run down of "EDM DAWs". Mulab + a hand full of vsts is my favorite. All up to how you like to work though.

Dakkra

P.S in all reality the DAW depends on the person. If you like to use one more than the other, then use it. No DAW is greater than the other. Just depends on how you like to work and how effective you fell you are with it.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:16 pm

dakkra wrote: Reason: Just don't use it. it works but with no plugin capability it is limited

I'm sure a lot of people would disagree, and on the contrary argue that it is one of the DAW's which is best suited for electronic music making.

I agree with this though:

dakkra wrote: P.S in all reality the DAW depends on the person. If you like to use one more than the other, then use it. No DAW is greater than the other. Just depends on how you like to work and how effective you fell you are with it.

A lot of EDM producers seem to use Logic or FL Studio though.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:22 pm

Can we assume that you're still on a PC? Which Cakewalk sequencer were you using and what did you like/dislike about it?

gruberman · Post by **gruberman** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:46 pm

Just get the one that fits your wallet. They all have the same functionality. Get the one that fits the way tou do stuff.

Hawk45 · Post by **Hawk45** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 10:28 pm

My personality is I need to get a project up and running fast.. at least the framework... then I do the tweaking after the frame is built.
Being able to have a clean and easy to navigate setup is important. Semi to difficult to learn won't work for me, I just know if I have to invest a bunch of time upfront to get up and running, it will get tossed and I'd start looking for something else.

The old program I had was basically a step sequencer where I could drag/drop sounds from a menu on the left. No tweaking ability on the sounds.. they were as is out of the box, just had to make them fit like bricks.

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 5:31 am

Download Ablwton Live demo.

DJ Warmonger · Post by **DJ Warmonger** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:20 am

Ableton comes with low number of synths - in fact, only Suite has any. It's great at manipulating samples, though, so if you're after some techno / D'n'B, you will love it.

Otherwise, you can make great music in any DAW. Just pick one that suits your personal preference.

Passing Bye · Post by **Passing Bye** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:48 am

Logic X definitely, you get everything and more, but only downside is you need Mac, so it's pretty expensive if you don't/plan to own one, but if you are in the market for "new" machine, get used Macbook Pro, Mini or something affordable, I really think Logic is worth it, considering the price of some other DAW's you can actually squeeze some decent second hand Mac and Logic, freeze/bounce more often, but you are covered with everything and Logic is really fun to work with, stock stuff is just excellent and good variety of everything you may need.

But maybe FL is your thing, try that for sure, it have that step sequencer thing that could be your thing.

Hawk45 · Post by **Hawk45** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 4:25 pm

Thanks everyone... yeah, I'm a PC guy, no Mac

Passing Bye · Post by **Passing Bye** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 6:19 pm

Try Bitwig, it could be your thing

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 6:22 pm

I just saw that you wrote, you'd use anything the DAW provides you with. Well, Reason then definitely. All the instruments and samplers and drum machines you need to get started.

joeinternet327 · Post by **joeinternet327** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 12:48 am

@dakkra - Reason 6.5+ does support third party plugins in their own format.

joeinternet327 · Post by **joeinternet327** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 12:48 am

@dakkra - Reason 6.5+ does support third party plugins in their own format.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:22 am

Cubase, Logic, and Sonar are pretty much the big ones when it comes to traditional, full featured DAWs. Studio One is also pretty good. Then you have Ableton and Bitwig for a slightly different kind of workflow that is popular with the dance music crowd. FL Studio is also a solid choice. And Reason is a world unto itself, which is great if you like the way it functions.

DAW for EDM