jbow
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Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
One question/two answers.
First answer: The first thing that comes to your mind when you read the questions?
Second answer: After a little thought, what is your answer?
The question regards your thoughts about any DAW.
First, a premise or stipulation... whatever DAW you are thinking of works properly as far as not crashing, or has a really minimal crash rate (we are talking about computers and I think any computer or piece of software is going to occasionally crash...BUT, for this question we will assume that crashing is not a problem. OK? I guess we can assume that all DAWs have good sound since it is all digital.
So then, question: What is the most important thing in a DAW, for you? First thought, then after consideration. I am interested. Answer and discuss, if you please.
My first thought is easy to learn and easy to use.
After a little thought, in addition to ease of use would be good integration of plugins.
I would have answered low latency but I think that is more driver and interface related but... some people say that some DAWs offer lower latency... huh?
Julien
Sonar Platinum Studiocat Pro 16G RAM (some bells and whistles) HP Pavilion dm4 1165-dx (i5)-8G RAM Octa-Capture KRK Rokit-8s MIDI keyboards... Control Pad mics. I HATE THIS CMPUTER KEYBARD!
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craigb
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 16:51:08
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1) Can I record audio and MIDI?
2a) Can it go way beyond recording audio and MIDI when/if I need it to?
2b) Is it an industry accepted DAW that will play with others (formats, plug-ins, etc.) and be around for awhile?
2c) Does it have decent tutorials, books and learning videos available?
2d) Does it run on a PC?
.
.
.
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3) Does the company host a fun forum where post-count matters?
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
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jamesg1213
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 17:03:12
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Most important thing is that it doesn't get in the way of creativity.
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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djwayne
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 17:18:44
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I switched over to tea from the Dollar General store. It's only $1.50 for a hundred tea bags, which works out a penny and half per cup of great tasting tea.
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Rimshot
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 17:26:34
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jamesg1213
Most important thing is that it doesn't get in the way of creativity.
+1 I want to turn it on, create without technical problems, and turn it off. If that means less features than everything under the kitchen sink, then OK as long as the tools it does have works for me. Rimshot
Rimshot Sonar Platinum 64 (Lifer), Studio One V3.5, Notion 6, Steinberg UR44, Zoom R24, Purrrfect Audio Pro Studio DAW (Case: Silent Mid Tower, Power Supply: 600w quiet, Haswell CPU: i7 4790k @ 4.4GHz (8 threads), RAM: 16GB DDR3/1600 , OS drive: 1TB HD, Audio drive: 1TB HD), Windows 10 x64 Anniversary, Equator D5 monitors, Faderport, FP8, Akai MPK261
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UbiquitousBubba
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 17:42:32
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1) Can a person of reasonable intelligence use it without being required to re-write their operating system, construct a Quantum State computer out of gum wrappers and duct tape, or purchase every 3rd party product known to mankind?
2) If so, where can I find a person of reasonable intelligence?
3) Will the DAW validate me as a human being, overcome my personality deficits, and transform me into someone with qualities of some kind?
Wait. Never mind that last one. I've got becan for that.
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Beagle
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 17:52:59
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I've invested a lot of money in Sonar. It does what I need. I will continue to use it until it doesn't do what I need.
I need to:
record audio - typically 1 to 3 tracks simultaneously, but sometimes I've recorded as many as 8 (max of my soundcard)
record MIDI - usually only 1 track at a time, but sometimes several simultaneously.
mix songs
use plugins
export to MP3 & wave
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digi2ns
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 19:11:51
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First thought was "LOTS OF SUGAR PLEASE" and two creams.  For a DAW and me just getting back into music after decades of being away from it would be, Easy to manage and operate. After getting into Cakewalk as my first DAW I was surprised at how easy it was to find my way around and learn it for simple recording. I like being able to open Console View and not having question after question hit me on which way to go or what to do. Its all laid out in a familiar way. Same with track view, it doesnt take much time or a degree to figure it out. The thing that gets under my skin is computers are changing so fast that I dont see how they can work with/finish the build of 1 DAW before needing to move on to the next level of Windows upgrades, New Plug-Ins coming out that wont work on existing systems, the Rates at which sites use on the internet to playback files, etc... Id like to see them just slow down and complete a build to the point they can call it finished. Whether you build or buy your computer, it would be great to buy a finished product (Computer and software) and run it into the ground before having to upgrade to a new system. Coffee done yet???
MIKE --Dell Studio XPS I7/870 2.93 Ghz, 8GB Mem, 2-2TB Barracuda HDs, 500 GB Ext.HDD, Win7/64 --X1 64 Pro Expanded, Dual 21" Monitors --PCR500 --MAUDIO FastTrack Ultra --Mackie 1604 VLZ PRO --Line6 X3 Live --Gibson, Fender, Takamine, Schecter, Washburn http://pogopoppa.wix.com/5thgear# http://soundcloud.com/digi2ns
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Middleman
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 19:29:48
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- Is it stable with the audio device drivers of my soundcard? Absolutely the most important issue which
eliminates most of the crashing issues out there, if the answer is yes.
- Has the DAW produced a large number of commercially successful products, my second test.
I can deal with the rest.
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Rain
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/19 20:12:55
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1 - Is it Logic?
2 - If the answer to 1 is no, why not?
:P
More seriously, one feature that makes a major difference for me is the integrated sampler. Nothing else comes close to Logic and the EXS-24 sampler integration.
Then, let's suppose that every DAW offered a very similar package of features and was as stable, I'd say the way features are integrated, not just put together w/o a rhyme or a reason.
That's one thing that I dig about my current DAW - the consistency throughout the various menus, keyboard shortcuts and all components so that you can understand things instead of memorizing them or try to guess.
And, I know that some people hate it, but for me, having a DAW software that's designed to run on one OS, on one type of computer, by the same people who design that OS and that computer, has tremendous advantages.
More and more I'm trying to stick to what's in my DAW. I like the idea that, if tomorrow my computer dies on me, I can walk into a Mac store, buy a new Mac, download Logic from the App Store and be up an running w/in a blink, resuming the session exactly where I left it.
No need to worry whether or not my DAW software will give me problems w/ this or that component of my new computer or to re-install and authorize a bunch of things and update this and that.
TCB - Tea, Cats, Books...
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 09:26:12
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Stable is very important. (relatively speaking considering the Windows environment/OS)
Easy to use is important. Don't need to be looking up complicated function procedures in the middle of tracking.
Enough features to be able to do what I want to do when I want to do it.
second thoughts.... yeah,,,, the same things.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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jbow
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 11:49:59
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Most important thing is that it doesn't get in the way of creativity. Good answer. J
Sonar Platinum Studiocat Pro 16G RAM (some bells and whistles) HP Pavilion dm4 1165-dx (i5)-8G RAM Octa-Capture KRK Rokit-8s MIDI keyboards... Control Pad mics. I HATE THIS CMPUTER KEYBARD!
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jbow
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 11:52:59
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More and more I'm trying to stick to what's in my DAW. I like the idea that, if tomorrow my computer dies on me, I can walk into a Mac store, buy a new Mac, download Logic from the App Store and be up an running w/in a blink, resuming the session exactly where I left it. No need to worry whether or not my DAW software will give me problems w/ this or that component of my new computer or to re-install and authorize a bunch of things and update this and that. That certainly is compelling.
Sonar Platinum Studiocat Pro 16G RAM (some bells and whistles) HP Pavilion dm4 1165-dx (i5)-8G RAM Octa-Capture KRK Rokit-8s MIDI keyboards... Control Pad mics. I HATE THIS CMPUTER KEYBARD!
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Wood67
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 13:16:56
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My initial response was 'Does it work'. In the sense that does this new DAW allow me to just get on and do my stuff which is sitting in my head before the inspiration evaporates. After a few minutes thought the same response applies. Sonar is pretty good, but I still find plenty of cases where by the time I've got things set that vibe has already gone. Why does Sonar insist I name a track before I can fire up a new song? No other app does that - and worrying about naming a piece that early on has quite often killed it for me - even the act of putting in 'asdf'! Stuff the folders into a temp location until I hit save, and that way I don't get left with odd empty orphan pieces to delete later on. Sometimes I just wish there was a tiny midi 'notepad' that I could fire up, drop straight into record and play the keys. No declaring a file name, no click track, no messing about adding a softsynth or selecting a patch (ust default to a raw piano). Sort of thing I'd want is a macro on the desktop set to launch the app, apply a template, take off the metronome and drop straight into record.
post edited by Wood67 - 2013/03/20 13:18:28
Wood Studio One 3 Pro, (Sonar Platinum), Intel i7, Win10 Pro, 32Gb ram, RME Babyface Pro, Behringer X-Touch, Presonus Faderport, Akai MPK49, Arturia KeyLab25, KRK Rokit 5 monitors, and other sonic surprises.
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Beagle
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 13:33:57
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Wood67
My initial response was 'Does it work'. In the sense that does this new DAW allow me to just get on and do my stuff which is sitting in my head before the inspiration evaporates.
After a few minutes thought the same response applies.
Sonar is pretty good, but I still find plenty of cases where by the time I've got things set that vibe has already gone. Why does Sonar insist I name a track before I can fire up a new song? No other app does that - and worrying about naming a piece that early on has quite often killed it for me - even the act of putting in 'asdf'! Stuff the folders into a temp location until I hit save, and that way I don't get left with odd empty orphan pieces to delete later on.
Sometimes I just wish there was a tiny midi 'notepad' that I could fire up, drop straight into record and play the keys. No declaring a file name, no click track, no messing about adding a softsynth or selecting a patch (ust default to a raw piano). Sort of thing I'd want is a macro on the desktop set to launch the app, apply a template, take off the metronome and drop straight into record.
Chris: for the MIDI thing, here are some options 1) set up a template with one MIDI track and TTS-1 (it will default to GM Piano 1) - you'll still have to name it something but every thing else will be up and ready to go for you. 2) you could do what I do: don't use softsynths for recording! I monitor via my keyboard and record the MIDI only. you don't have to have a softsynth inserted in order to record MIDI!
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Wookiee
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 14:23:00
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jamesg1213
Most important thing is that it doesn't get in the way of creativity.
Bing 
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Karma has a way of finding its own way home.
Primary, i7 8700K 16Gigs Ram, 3x500gb SSD's 2TB Backup HHD Saffire Pro 40. Win 10 64Bit Secondary i7 4790K, 32GB Ram, 500Gb SSD OS/Prog's, 1TB Audio, 1TB Samples HHD AudioBox USB, Win 10 64Bit CbB, Adam's A7x's - Event 20/20's, Arturia V6, Korg Digital Legacy, Softube Modular, Arturia Keylab-88, USB-MidiSport 8x8
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Shambler
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 15:06:52
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I immediatley thought 'ease of use' like you.
Followed by stable,
then low latency, around 12ms round trip latency is good enough for me.
Ability to export to mp3 built in.
Everything else is down to plug-ins which need the same merits as those for the DAW.
SONAR Platypus on Win10 64bit. Studio One Pro / Cubase Pro 9.5...just in case. 8GB i7-2600 3.4GHz Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3P Geforce GTX970 Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen Prophet 12/Rev 2/Virus Snow Zebra2/DIVA/NI Komplete 10
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craigb
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 15:56:04
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I made the assumption that, if I learned how to use the package properly (from the tutorials, etc.), then it wouldn't get in the way of creativity. Silly me!
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
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Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 16:07:28
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craigb
I made the assumption that, if I learned how to use the package properly (from the tutorials, etc.), then it wouldn't get in the way of creativity. Silly me!
Temped I was
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Karma has a way of finding its own way home.
Primary, i7 8700K 16Gigs Ram, 3x500gb SSD's 2TB Backup HHD Saffire Pro 40. Win 10 64Bit Secondary i7 4790K, 32GB Ram, 500Gb SSD OS/Prog's, 1TB Audio, 1TB Samples HHD AudioBox USB, Win 10 64Bit CbB, Adam's A7x's - Event 20/20's, Arturia V6, Korg Digital Legacy, Softube Modular, Arturia Keylab-88, USB-MidiSport 8x8
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UbiquitousBubba
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/20 16:17:37
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I once had a DAW with an Un-Suck button.
It blew me away.
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Wood67
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/21 07:35:01
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1) set up a template with one MIDI track and TTS-1 (it will default to GM Piano 1) - you'll still have to name it something but every thing else will be up and ready to go for you. Thanks Reece. Yes I thought about the template approach on the train home last night. I can set one up to cover most of what I need to minimise the launch effort. And I could always then copy/paste the midi into a more robust template setup later. Sometimes all these great tools occasionally end up placing so many rules and logic that the ability to just hit 'record' gets lost. I've found on Windows8 that when the machine returns from sleep (or even sometimes on reboot) the midi/controller setups in X2a get messed up. Takes a few minutes to reset them and of course by then my Left brain has taken over.
Wood Studio One 3 Pro, (Sonar Platinum), Intel i7, Win10 Pro, 32Gb ram, RME Babyface Pro, Behringer X-Touch, Presonus Faderport, Akai MPK49, Arturia KeyLab25, KRK Rokit 5 monitors, and other sonic surprises.
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/21 08:02:11
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Wood, hitting ctrl + n will open up your normal template without forcing you to name it there & then.
CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughoutCustom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
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jamesg1213
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/21 08:19:23
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craigb
I made the assumption that, if I learned how to use the package properly (from the tutorials, etc.), then it wouldn't get in the way of creativity. Silly me!
No need for sarcasm, just because no-one +1'd your answer questions.
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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UbiquitousBubba
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/21 08:49:43
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Mesh
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/21 11:17:56
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-1 = 
Platinum Gaming DAW: AsRock Z77 Overclock FormulaI7 3770k @ 4.5GHz : 16GB RAM G.Skill Ripjaws X 250GB OS SSD : 3TB HDD : 1TB Sample HDDWin 10 Pro x 64 : NH-D14 CPU Cooler HIS IceQ 2GB HD 7870Focusrite Scarlett 2i4The_Forum_Monkeys
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UbiquitousBubba
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/21 11:27:58
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...Thus, balance is achieved.
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craigb
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Re:Q&A ..coffee drinkers.
2013/03/21 16:34:11
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Does four *pffts!* equal one *meh.* or is it five? I can't remember...
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
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