Any reason not to go with Bitwig for what I like to do...

[thanksbrother]

I'm not really recording or anything, I mostly just like to get high and goof around - right now my "jam corner" consists of the following:

1) Acoustic Electric guitar
2) PO-128 Megaman and PO-32 Tonic
3) MOTU M2
4) Nektar Panorama T6
5) Nektar Aura
6) Koala sampler on my phone

I've been playing with the Bitwig trial and I am having a great time for my fairly basic needs. Sequencing drum tracks from the Aura mostly and also playing guitar through TAL-Chorus and Reverb and adding effects, playing with different VST synths on the Panorama. Making some "beats," whatever. I am not a serious musician, I'm just having fun after work and like having quality toys to do it with.

Trial is about to run out, and while I know it's expensive software for clowning around when I have Garageband for free, there are some frustrations with Garageband namely not being able to assign each controller to a different track and play them all live.

Ease of use is important, I don't like to spend too much time tinkering. Is there something else I should be using? Is Bitwig overkill? Leaning towards full studio version vs 16-track just because I want all the instruments and the grid and stuff.

[ghettosynth]

Logic on the Mac is definitely better value than Bitwig if it serves your needs. It's hard to trump usability that you like though, so YMMV and all that. What you "should be using" isn't really anything that anyone else can decide for you. If the cost is chump change to you then it doesn't matter right? I mean if there's something else that you should be using then you can buy that as well. OTOH, if you're concerned enough about the money that you don't want to make a mistake, then I'd get a free version of 8-Track and spend six months finishing some tracks to see how much you really miss those additional features while you explore whether or not there is something else that you "should be using."

[thanksbrother]

Makes sense - I avoided Logic because I've got Windows and Linux and macOS all in the house. I should probably spend some time with Reaper.

[Spring Goose]

Bitwig is fun, mate! If you want to having fun then i say go for it! or like ghettosynth say, get Bitwig 8-track and see if you need the extra features. If you buy something cheap from Plugin Boutique TODAY (their free gift changes tomorrow) you will get a free Bitwig 8-track license.

[ThomasHelzle]

Is there something else I should be using? Is Bitwig overkill? Leaning towards full studio version vs 16-track just because I want all the instruments and the grid and stuff.

I don't think so.
The sheer ease of use and the very well thought out system is a pure joy for me since I started with the first Beta of Bitwig Studio and I still find all other DAWs a drag in comparison.
I often do similar things to you, just playing a guitar through effects - mostly without even recording - or my wind-controller over some background sounds etc.
I've never had more joy with a DAW in all my life

All the other arguments about "more stuff" or "but Reaper..." or "cheaper" fall flat IMO when it comes to ones personal enjoyment. And you only have to update if you want and need, since the license is perpetual, the update plan is optional.

No better investment than joy

Cheers,

Tom

[cel4145]

Ease of use is important, I don't like to spend too much time tinkering. Is there something else I should be using? Is Bitwig overkill? Leaning towards full studio version vs 16-track just because I want all the instruments and the grid and stuff.

You might could also start out with the 8-track, and then you don't have to commit right away to that decision. As of last week, the link in this Reddit post for a free copy was still active

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitwig/comment ... _computer/

[SamDi]

From what you describe, Bitwig seems to fit better and invites more forexperimenting. Logic for example is rather a linear DAW, tuned with some session mode capabilities.

For mixing and releasing a song, Logic is better, because in terms of stock synths and stock FX it‘s fairly complete with pretty good quality. Bitwig is not on par there.

Have Fun, noodle around -> Bitwig
Focused work, finish songs -> Logic

[ztrauq]

From what you describe, Bitwig seems to fit better and invites more forexperimenting. Logic for example is rather a linear DAW, tuned with some session mode capabilities.

For mixing and releasing a song, Logic is better, because in terms of stock synths and stock FX it‘s fairly complete with pretty good quality. Bitwig is not on par there.

Have Fun, noodle around -> Bitwig
Focused work, finish songs -> Logic

I would concur, Logic is great for full productions and has just about everything you could need built in, but while they did add some clip-based stuff in a recent update it is still very much like a traditional DAW with a traditional workflow. Bitwig, though, is perhaps one of the most experimental-oriented DAWs out there, especially with the extensive modular system built directly into it (the only other thing I can think of that even compares is MuLab with built in Mux Modular). Extremely flexible routing and plugin chaining, modulators for just about everything. Heck, pair it with Reaktor or VCV Rack/Voltage Modular and you'll never run out of things to mess around with