Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: What is your DAW ?

  1. December 10th, 2009, 10:31 AM #1
    Monkus's Avatar
    Monkus
    Monkus is offline Regular Fretter
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Port of Spain
    Posts
    913
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default What is your DAW ?

    DAW (Digital audio workstation) is probably one of the most confusing decisions to make. I used to record in Pro Tools a friends studio, paid my dunzai and got out of there as quickly as I could.

    Now with Garage band I record and put our really decent tracks (to my ear) at home. Heres the rub, I would borrow my live in cousin's macbook pro to do it but I really don't want to usurp her Mac, which really is the apple of her eye. (get it get it ?)

    So I tried UbuntuStudio, worked for a while but then it stopped seeing my firebox and didn't ever see it again. M-Audio's blackbox doesnt have any linux drivers that work worth anything either. So I decided on spending the bucks and getting a dedicated soft sequencer. This however is a significant investment and once you buy, you learn. Pro Tools is the industry standard but really out of my budget. Pro tools however can port most of the other popular sequencer software out there.

    Ableton 8: Seems like a sequencer for live work but can be used in the studio or vice versa, it cant seem to make up its mind.

    Cubase 5: Good ole German engineering, like a VW beetle ,t will work like a slave but no frills.

    I'm leaning toward the Ableton Suite 8, but it seems geared toward electronica as well and I'm an folksy, acoustic kinda guy.

    What do you use? Any tips? Suggestions?

    “Your sound is in your hands as much as anything. It’s the way you pick, and the way you hold the guitar, more than it is the amp or the guitar you use.” Stevie Ray Vaughan
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. December 10th, 2009, 10:46 AM #2
    Spudman's Avatar
    Spudman***
    Spudman is offline Luke Skyrawker
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Idaho (I-duh-ho)
    Posts
    12,581
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Cubase 4 is what I use. I haven't even begun to explore all that it can do. The new version 5 has some more goodies that make it worthwhile to have. I considered the upgrade but typically they have some time before all the bugs are ironed out when they release a new version. I've waited. I also haven't been on the Cubase forum for a while to see what they issues are and if they have been addressed or not. With version 4 there was really only one glaring issue but it was something that I'll never use so I feel comfortable sticking with C4 for a while.

    Yes there is a huge learning curve but all the majors have that issue. Once you get it down and set up some macros you can speed up work flow considerably but it takes time.

    "No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi

    Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. December 10th, 2009, 10:47 AM #3
    Eric's Avatar
    Eric***
    Eric is offline Master Fretter
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    MSP
    Posts
    3,913
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Monkus
    DAW (Digital audio workstation) is probably one of the most confusing decisions to make. I used to record in Pro Tools a friends studio, paid my dunzai and got out of there as quickly as I could.

    Now with Garage band I record and put our really decent tracks (to my ear) at home. Heres the rub, I would borrow my live in cousin's macbook pro to do it but I really don't want to usurp her Mac, which really is the apple of her eye. (get it get it ?)

    So I tried UbuntuStudio, worked for a while but then it stopped seeing my firebox and didn't ever see it again. M-Audio's blackbox doesnt have any linux drivers that work worth anything either. So I decided on spending the bucks and getting a dedicated soft sequencer. This however is a significant investment and once you buy, you learn. Pro Tools is the industry standard but really out of my budget. Pro tools however can port most of the other popular sequencer software out there.

    Ableton 8: Seems like a sequencer for live work but can be used in the studio or vice versa, it cant seem to make up its mind.

    Cubase 5: Good ole German engineering, like a VW beetle ,t will work like a slave but no frills.

    I'm leaning toward the Ableton Suite 8, but it seems geared toward electronica as well and I'm an folksy, acoustic kinda guy.

    What do you use? Any tips? Suggestions?

    I use a combo of Audacity and Cakewalk Sonar...6?, but I don't do much fancy stuff, so I'm probably not the best input on it. I find Audacity to be nice and simple, but they don't seem to like plugins too much like the Line 6 Pod Farm, or at least I can't figure out to get it to recognize them.

    Sonar is...OK. Not having dug into it too much, I don't know about the details, but I was not exactly astounded by the intuitive nature of it or anything.

    I want to use Ardour in Ubuntu some day, but I haven't managed to tackle Jack or the other Linux sound issues just yet. Maybe when I get more time on my hands.
    Quote Originally Posted by Spudman
    Does anyone read the original post?
    Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350
    Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
    Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. December 10th, 2009, 11:02 AM #4
    hubberjub's Avatar
    hubberjub***
    hubberjub is offline Advanced Fretter
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Binghamton, NY
    Posts
    1,267
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I currently use ProTools M-Powered 7.3. I like ProTools because that's what I learned on in a sound engineering course at college. I don't necessarily think it's better than the other programs, it's just what I know. I also have Cubase and everytime I try to use it I get lost because I'm not familiar with where all of the controls are. Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll be happy with. The amount of recording power a couple hundred bucks will buy is amazing.
    Patrick
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. December 10th, 2009, 11:05 AM #5
    Robert's Avatar
    Robert****
    Robert is offline Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St. Clements...
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Camrose, Alberta, Canada - used to be Umea Sweden.
    Posts
    12,854
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I use GarageBand for all my recording.
    The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
    Master Guitar Academy - I also teach via SKYPE.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. December 10th, 2009, 11:45 AM #6
    sunvalleylaw's Avatar
    sunvalleylaw
    sunvalleylaw is offline Contributing Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Sun Valley, Idaho
    Posts
    10,955
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert
    I use GarageBand for all my recording.
    Ditto. I add Gearbox to it as a source to either mic my amph or record direct plugged into the Toneport.
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho

    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
    Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
    Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay

    love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
    - j. johnson
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. December 10th, 2009, 12:47 PM #7
    redgibson
    redgibson is offline Regular Fretter
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Near Philadelphia
    Posts
    57
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Ardour, bar none

    I use Ardour for all my processing. if You're running linux or a mac, you should check it out.

    http://ardour.org/

    its donationware (so you can donate 0, but once you see what the programmer has done and offered "for free", you might change your mind it is very very verbose)

    I say that because I am a programmer myself, I know what kind of effort and time it must have taken.. :-) In any case- its really slick. No, there is no version available for Windows...
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. December 10th, 2009, 01:27 PM #8
    Monkus's Avatar
    Monkus
    Monkus is offline Regular Fretter
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Port of Spain
    Posts
    913
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Thanks guys, very insightful, downloading demos and will try, let you all know what happens.
    “Your sound is in your hands as much as anything. It’s the way you pick, and the way you hold the guitar, more than it is the amp or the guitar you use.” Stevie Ray Vaughan
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. December 10th, 2009, 01:59 PM #9
    FrankenFretter's Avatar
    FrankenFretter***
    FrankenFretter is offline Hopeless Noodler
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Spudman
    Cubase 4 is what I use. I haven't even begun to explore all that it can do. The new version 5 has some more goodies that make it worthwhile to have. I considered the upgrade but typically they have some time before all the bugs are ironed out when they release a new version. I've waited. I also haven't been on the Cubase forum for a while to see what they issues are and if they have been addressed or not. With version 4 there was really only one glaring issue but it was something that I'll never use so I feel comfortable sticking with C4 for a while.
    Would that be the online licensing issue? I've heard it's a real pain, and sometimes doesn't work at all.
    -Sean
    Guitars: Lots.
    Amphs: More than last year.
    Pedals: Many, although I go straight from guitar to amp more often lately.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. December 11th, 2009, 05:26 AM #10
    deeaa's Avatar
    deeaa*
    deeaa is offline Bronze Supporter
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Finland
    Posts
    3,424
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    23

    Default

    Cubase LE on xp laptop strictry for recording, Cubase 5 now on the main win 7 box. (was 3 on previous box)

    Every bigger studio I've been has used Cubase, and IMO it's extremely simple yet when you start digging it has pretty much everything built in that you'd ever need and more from instant time stretches to excellent EQ's and whatnot. Plus it never gave me any grief with any problems. You might want to get a nice plugin pack to go along with it mainly for mastering stuff, though.

    There's a few minor things I liked better on 3 than 4, the colour scheme, the right-button menu in some contexts like on a track graph, but it works so well&fast on 64bit it's worth it.

    Have used Samplitude, Logic and Kristal and Audition as well and Cubase is by far the best IMHO. Audition is pretty decent as well, very similar in a way, but a tad less clear and more confusing.
    Dee

    "When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"

    Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal

    Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. December 11th, 2009, 07:31 AM #11
    Suhnton's Avatar
    Suhnton
    Suhnton is offline Regular Fretter
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    323
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I use Reaper - very easy to use and tons of features/plugins and what-have-you.
    Guitars: Epiphone SG-400 Custom; Epiphone Firebird V; 1996 Gibson LP Standard; Avion 4; Yamaha FG-301B acoustic

    FX: TS-808; Big Muff (Triangle Version); Red Llama; Green Ringer Octave Up (Clones); Maxon Phaser; Maxon Compressor; Tremulus Lune Tremolo; Line 6 POD II

    Amp: (Somewhere in another country) Hiwatt 100W head, Marshall 4x12 cab

    My noise here
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules