KVR Audio

Levon83 · Post by **Levon83** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:30 pm

Hello,

I'm looking for advice on what DAW would be suitable for my needs.

Over the last 5-6 years I've been using Cubase but I've never managed to get into it properly. I know my way around it well enough to record basic piano and vocal demos which I then take to a professional producer/studio to get properly recorded.

However I now want to become more involved with the production side of things to allow me to fully record and mix my own music. The music will be mainly electronic but it won't be dance or drum and bass. It'll be more along the lines of Jean Michel Jarre and Vangelis with synths and sampled strings and piano. It will mainly be midi recording although there will be elements of audio recording from time to time.

I know that Cubase would offer me everything that I need but it just hasn't worked out for me and I feel a fresh start with a new DAW is required to kickstart my production ambitions.

I like the look of Logic Pro X but I'm currently PC based and it would be a big outlay to buy a Mac for the sole purpose of switching over to Logic Pro X, especially given that there is no guarantee that I would enjoy working with Logic Pro. However a big driver for moving to Logic Pro is that the studios and musician's that I've collaborated with in the past have all been Logic Pro users and it would have made life a lot easier if I had also been Logic Pro based.

I've also had a look at Bitwig Studio which I think has potential. I know it doesn't have anywhere near the functionality that something like Cubase or Logic has but given that I'm at the beginning of my production learning curve I don't need all the bells and whistles (not yet anyway). The one downside of moving to Bitwig is that given I'm at beginner status from a production point of view, are there enough tutorials from the user community to help get me up the learning curve of both the tool and the production side?

Another possibility I've been looking at is Cakewalk Sonar.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Levon83

Regnas · Post by **Regnas** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:47 pm

Choose one:

FL Studio.
Bitwig.
Studio one.

bibz1st · Post by **bibz1st** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:35 pm

Take a look at Mulab

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:40 pm

Here comes another list of everyone's favourite DAW ...

I vote for Live

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:45 pm

What don't you like about Cubase? That may help narrow down what's right for you.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:49 pm

arkmabat wrote:What don't you like about Cubase? That may help narrow down what's right for you.

True that. Considering you don't like things in Cubase, Studio One might be the wrong recommendation as well then, because it's IMO pretty similar to Cubase.

inkwarp · Post by **inkwarp** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 11:02 pm

if it's predominantly electronic / midi based stuff then i strongly recommend ableton.
cubase is very good for that also , so perhaps you need to just get stuck into a manual and get across that, save some dosh to : )
i also use fl studio occassionally, again great for midi etc, not bad on audio...

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 11:15 pm

MuLab is a good fit with your type of music & production method. Inexpensive, inspiring & nice MuTools kvr forum.

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Sat Jul 04, 2015 5:58 pm

Where'd this guy go? We can't help if he doesn't come back.

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:36 am

Levon83 wrote:Hello,

However I now want to become more involved with the production side of things to allow me to fully record and mix my own music. The music will be mainly electronic but it won't be dance or drum and bass. It'll be more along the lines of Jean Michel Jarre and Vangelis with synths and sampled strings and piano. It will mainly be midi recording although there will be elements of audio recording from time to time.

I know that Cubase would offer me everything that I need but it just hasn't worked out for me and I feel a fresh start with a new DAW is required to kickstart my production ambitions.

If you don't feel comfortable with Cubase, then I doubt you would feel fine in Logic.

Depending on the above sentences by you, I suggest Ableton Live 9 Suite . You will have a new fresh workflow. You will be very pleased with the Session View and how it can help you test your ideas and organize your song.

Live also has excellent hardware support (the best maybe for midi controllers). It has also excellent synths and drums instruments. I also love the piano roll.

It depends on your taste, but for me Ableton Live is a very elegant DAW. I like a lot its design and colours.

Oh well, I sold it few months ago (actually, traded it with Reason and some extra money

) but if I have the money I might buy it again. I just feel fine with Studio One v2, Reason and Reaper for now

eigenfable · Post by **eigenfable** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:53 am

My history is
cubase 5
reason 6.5
cubase 6.5
ableton live 9
cubase 6.5
studio one 2.5 (now)

Of course, studio one is very similar with
cubase style.
But I think Studio one has more
easy and intuitive work flow.
I feel better now.

So I recommand you to use studio one.

fese · Post by **fese** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 5:12 am

first thing first: people will generally recommend you the DAW they like and use, which may or may not be the correct one for you. Eventually, you will have to test for yourself. Pretty much any DAW today can do what you described, some better, some maybe not, but that is mostly a matter of workflow and what exact features you require (e.g. Does the DAW have MIDI effects like arpeggiator or sequencer built in).

I myself am also not exactly content anymore with Cubase (6) and started to demo some other DAWs, but so far found no replacement because they either lack some feature I am liking in Cubase (the Logical editor e.g.) or I don't get the workflow or the GUI doesn't meet my requirements (I have problems with "negative" GUIs, with dark background and light text, which sadly everyone seems to go for today).
So I'd advise you to make a list of features that you think you need, rule out those DAWs don't meet your requirements and then demo the rest. Start with the cheapest one.

No easy way out... Personally I have tested all DAWS recommended so far in this thread plus some more but haven't found a real alternative for me yet...

Levon83 · Post by **Levon83** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:56 pm

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond. I appreciate all your feedback/advice. In terms of Cubase, I've just never really managed to get into it. I think I find it just a bit too overwhelming for someone of beginner status. Also not a huge fan of the floating Transport bar. I've downloaded a demo of Bitwig and was quite impressed with that. Liked how everything appeared in the one view. Although as far as I know Bitwig still doesn't support midi export which probably renders it non usable for me. Planning to download a demo of Abelton and Studio One 3 next. One DAW that I have ruled out is Logic Pro. I just can't justify buying into the Apple Mac eco-system just to get my hands on Logic Pro.

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 9:04 pm

No midi export?! I'm not sure a DAW could even be called a DAW if it can't export midi. Even a tracker can do that.

Regnas · Post by **Regnas** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 9:06 pm

What about FL Studio??
It's the DAW with the fastest workflow at moment, best piano roll etc...
Go check it....

DAW - A Fresh Start