About to buy a DAW, suggestions?!

[TylerThrasherArt]

So I have been writing and making electronic music for some time now, and I've grown pretty passionate about it! It's about time I purchase a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and I don't know which one to buy, I've tried a couple of demos, and some of the ones I'm looking at run at about the same price (FL Studio, Cubase, etc.) I was thinking about purchasing FL Studio seeing how I used to a lot, and I am starting to get a grasp on the more complex parts of FL. I just need some suggestions, insight, bias opinions, whatever ya got, lay it on me!

Thanks!

[krssvr]

At 6/24/12 04:51 PM, TylerThrasherArt wrote: So I have been writing and making electronic music for some time now, and I've grown pretty passionate about it! It's about time I purchase a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and I don't know which one to buy, I've tried a couple of demos, and some of the ones I'm looking at run at about the same price (FL Studio, Cubase, etc.) I was thinking about purchasing FL Studio seeing how I used to a lot, and I am starting to get a grasp on the more complex parts of FL. I just need some suggestions, insight, bias opinions, whatever ya got, lay it on me!

Thanks!

FL Studio is great, it's a good beginner's DAW but by not means only for beginners. I should say, however that at least part of the reason why FL Studio is used a lot is because the demo for it is free and includes an unlimited use of virtually all it's features. If your looking into making music with a lot of physical instruments, you should look for something other than FL because the recording options are not all to great, to make up for this a lot of people use Audacity for their recording because it's free and a pretty good program. I've used Cubase and for me it's biggest pull was that it ran heavier synths/samplers much better than FL Studio (specifically; Play and Kontakt) wasn't a big fan of the long piano roll though but putting together recorded samples was a snap and recording live MIDI is much more straight forward vs. FL Studio. I still prefer the comfort of Fl Studio versus other DAWs but I'm also looking to switch sometime soon and learn something new.

[Breed]

Every DAW has its little specialties. FL studio and Ableton live tend to be the most popular with electronic artists these days. If you're wanting to DJ at all, then go for Ableton, otherwise FL has a better price value with the free updates and what not.

[midimachine]

If you're used to FL buy FL. Pretty simple!

[Kirbyfemur]

You should Buy Audacity

[Gario]

If you're used to FL, then get FL. You'll get about the same functionality out of any program, so just get what you're comfortable with.

[BrokenDeck]

At 6/24/12 07:45 PM, Kirbyfemur wrote: You should Buy Audacity

Sounds like something Loans would say lol

[Reikaiser]

FL Studio has a lot of features, once you learn them they will serve you well. A good freeware alternative is LMMS, it's a bit.....basic in some areas but is a solid piece of software.

As others have said, your comfortable with FL so get FL, easier to expand than to start again.

[DannyMirage]

At 6/25/12 02:21 AM, Reikaiser wrote: FL Studio has a lot of features, once you learn them they will serve you well. A good freeware alternative is LMMS, it's a bit.....basic in some areas but is a solid piece of software.

As others have said, your comfortable with FL so get FL, easier to expand than to start again.

I suggest you try the demo of every DAW you're considering, and then evaluate what's easiest to work with and has the best feature in your standards. Most DAW's have a limited demo available on their website.

[Gimmick]

At 6/24/12 07:45 PM, Kirbyfemur wrote: You should Buy Audacity

Isn't Audacity free?

[LiquidOoze]

At 6/25/12 07:49 AM, Gimmick wrote:

At 6/24/12 07:45 PM, Kirbyfemur wrote: You should Buy Audacity

Isn't Audacity free?

Yes. If you had to pay for it, you've been scammed like a motherfucker. Besides, Audacity is an audio editor, not a DAW.

[Lich]

ReWire Reason into FL if it's possible.

[Step]

FL Studio. You can't beat lifetime free updates.

[Jernemies]

LMMS. Incomparable price-quality rate (it's free, yet it's a match up to FL studio). As an extra, you'll save your money.

But if you really want to waste your money, buy FL studio. I don't have any experience with it, but it has a good reputation. If I wouldn't have the free DAW, I'd propably use FL studio.

[The-iMortal]

I've used FL Studio, Cubase and Ableton Live. For making music, Ableton Live is my favourite and what I currently use. It does take a bit of effort to grasp though. My favourite aspects of Ableton Live is how it automatically beat matches everything and the ease of implementing automation clips.

I recommend FL Studio to all beginners, as it is easy to use and has a nice interface. The pattern maker is a fun, easy feature for beginners too. However, I can't use it anymore after moving on.

[TylerThrasherArt]

At 6/26/12 06:24 AM, The-iMortal wrote: I've used FL Studio, Cubase and Ableton Live. For making music, Ableton Live is my favourite and what I currently use. It does take a bit of effort to grasp though. My favourite aspects of Ableton Live is how it automatically beat matches everything and the ease of implementing automation clips.

I recommend FL Studio to all beginners, as it is easy to use and has a nice interface. The pattern maker is a fun, easy feature for beginners too. However, I can't use it anymore after moving on.

Sweet! I was looking at Ableton Live because I've heard really good things! I was thinking that if I ever did anything live it would be nice to have that program, and I feel like I would have a better time "making" my own synths, all of the VSTs on FL make using the presets pretty tempting. Is Ableton Live a good program to make and write music on as it is for performing live??