Questions about using multiple DAWs

[TacoMilagroIII]

I've heard it mentioned that a lot of artists utilize different programs for different things in single pieces of work, but I'm not really sure what the best way to divide the work load is. I have FLstudio 10, ableton live 8, and a version of protools that comes with the fasttrack hardware (that I no longer use). I hear people exalting ableton as superior in every way to FLStudio in every way, but I've also heard that the sound quality can be shabby because it's slightly geared toward peformance rather than home production. Does anyone have an experienced opinion on that? I've heard that regardless of what you use it can be beneficial to export your tracks and master them in protools, but will the free version supplied with the hardware provide that level of quality?
I'm trying to broaden my horizons by working with different tools, and possibly finding something that really snaps with me, but I don't want to confine myself to the limitations of a single program that lacks something others would have, either. I guess I'm just asking if anyone else uses a process like this, and how they go about it. Or just thoughts on the topic in general. It's going to take some time to learn ableton anyway, because I just picked it up, but I want to know what direction I should start moving in to learn the skills that will be most beneficial to my overall process.

[Lachi]

At 6/26/13 05:49 PM, TacoMilagroIII wrote: I have FLstudio 10, ableton live 8, and a version of protools

try to buy more DAWs

[TacoMilagroIII]

At 6/26/13 05:56 PM, Lachi wrote:

At 6/26/13 05:49 PM, TacoMilagroIII wrote: I have FLstudio 10, ableton live 8, and a version of protools

try to buy more DAWs

You're no help at all.

[Emid]

At 6/26/13 05:49 PM, TacoMilagroIII wrote: I've heard it mentioned that a lot of artists utilize different programs for different things in single pieces of work, but I'm not really sure what the best way to divide the work load is. I have FLstudio 10, ableton live 8, and a version of protools that comes with the fasttrack hardware (that I no longer use). I hear people exalting ableton as superior in every way to FLStudio in every way, but I've also heard that the sound quality can be shabby because it's slightly geared toward peformance rather than home production. Does anyone have an experienced opinion on that? I've heard that regardless of what you use it can be beneficial to export your tracks and master them in protools, but will the free version supplied with the hardware provide that level of quality?
I'm trying to broaden my horizons by working with different tools, and possibly finding something that really snaps with me, but I don't want to confine myself to the limitations of a single program that lacks something others would have, either. I guess I'm just asking if anyone else uses a process like this, and how they go about it. Or just thoughts on the topic in general. It's going to take some time to learn ableton anyway, because I just picked it up, but I want to know what direction I should start moving in to learn the skills that will be most beneficial to my overall process.

Your query is similar to which DAW is best, or Daw X vs Daw Y, or superiority of some xyz Daw which you will never be able to solve in particular. Internet is full of this discussion and even elite users of any particular Daw never came to any consensus. Why? Mostly because all professional Daws are equal in sound quality but different in functionality basically.

FL studio is the starting point of majority of people because it conveys the message of even a first time user in his first sitting and thats why people are more than happy sticking to it. Its piano roll is its strength which no other Daw is currently delivering as far as I know. Some of its inbuilt plugins are very handy and pro in performance that you might not want to switch them over to other quality ones in the market. Some people including me found it hard to get hold of other Daw just because of FL piano roll. Also, FL studio delivers the same sound quality as compared to any Daw in the market PROVIDED THAT you are using them efficiently. Otherwise PT, Ableton, Cubase have no Aladdin-ic magic in them.

Now to answer your query, I think almost everyone and even you will agree that if you start using any other Daw and you master it, if it gives you the similar or better results as of your previous Daw then whats the point using multiple Daws? What some people do is if they switch to other Daw, they might use their previous Daw for some quick results AND/OR they like a particular mixing/mastering plugin, they go back to it AND/OR various other reasons. I am currently experimenting with Studio one and Cubase as my 'needs' in term of some functions has increased. My requirements are changed thats why I am messing around with these Daws. To date, Studio one seems to be the easiest one in terms of fast work flow (all FL users agree with it) which is one of the quality of FL studio and which is why I am much more interested in Studio one. I don't want to go back to FL just not to halt my work flow but I haven't found FL to be less in sound quality though. So, I think its all about your requirements and YOU have to play a lot with any of your stated Daws to know if they serve the purpose or not. I keep a fair amount of distance from those who give their verdict that Ableton/Studio one/Cubase/PT etc are far better than FL because (hilariously), they have either never used FL; they have second hand information about FL but they never tried it or they have used it but never used it EFFICIENTLY. Verily, its all about knowing, understanding and then using with all its strength which is same for any Daw in the world.

In conclusion, try two, three Daws but in SECLUSION. Believe me, you will find your own way rather following advices of others and getting astray.... and.... in turn frustrations. Point is, these advices are good but these are their own instincts which may or may not work for you. 0.2 cents.

[MetalRenard]

At 6/26/13 07:00 PM, Emid wrote: Its piano roll is its strength which no other Daw is currently delivering as far as I know.

Most DAWs, if not all, use Piano Roll...

[Emid]

At 6/26/13 08:24 PM, MetalRenard wrote:

At 6/26/13 07:00 PM, Emid wrote: Its piano roll is its strength which no other Daw is currently delivering as far as I know.

Most DAWs, if not all, use Piano Roll...

FL literates know what I am talking about.

For others....FL piano roll features are the strength of FL studio.

[PascalPalomino]

I think a lot of studio were asking for the project to be send in pro tools format. Kind of a studio standar but composers use more midi friendly programs cause pro tools is weak in the midi world, though I heard it got much better.

[midimachine]

At 6/26/13 08:43 PM, Emid wrote: For others....FL piano roll features are the strength of FL studio.

amen to that
alt+u, alt+x, alt+w. couldn't live without them!

i used to use cubase for recording and then rewire reason inside FL, but i haven't used cubase since FL's recording tools stopped sucking dick. and now i only use reason when i want to just play keyboard with nice sounds but don't want to spend forever setting everything up. haven't used it in a project for a pretty long time though!

does LSDJ count? it's a DAW for the gameboy! haw-haw.

[Breed]

Its fair to say that most DAWs do most things, so comparison aside....its worthy to note that plugins and libraries however are much more variant and can be more intelligently acquired to achieve higher quality sound.

I mean using Ozone as a main master isnt gonna be any different across DAWs. Massive isnt gonna sound any different either. The native effects and sounds in a DAW might provide a little, but buying a DAW just for that isnt justifying as much. Rather, buy Native Instruments or some Waves or Universal Audio plugs man...thats how you increase your tools and expand production value (second only to good old know-how).

If you're comfy with FL then stay with it as long as you arent running into core functioning ability. For instance if you wanted to sync SFX to a video in FL you would find out that the video player is shite and only linked via transport controls not time-synced to audio. Thats a reason to get another DAW, not the things you seem to be looking for.

[Emid]

At 6/27/13 12:30 AM, Breed wrote:

If you're comfy with FL then stay with it as long as you arent running into core functioning ability. For instance if you wanted to sync SFX to a video in FL you would find out that the video player is shite and only linked via transport controls not time-synced to audio. Thats a reason to get another DAW, not the things you seem to be looking for.

+1.

[s-catastrophes]

I have always personally stayed with Pro Tools and having done a few of the Avid Qualification levels up to 210, I am able to do a large percentage of editing, spotting and mixing with Pro Tools efficiently using Rewire for Melodyne Studio for audio tuning and Reason 5 for it's extensive synths and Rex loops. There is a way to do everything from any DAW it's just about knowing your DAW well.

[TacoMilagroIII]

Thank you for all the thoughts. Before FLStudio I use darkwave and found that I just didn't like the setup very much, mostly because I didn't know sine from square at that point. I'm really comfortable in FL and know how to use most of the built-in synths, I was just wondering if there were any inherent advantages between one and the other, and if what I'd heard had any truth. I'm not unsatisfied with the sound of my music, but I wasn't sure how much of it could be enhanced with other tools, or if ableton was better for drums/synth/bass/etc. to an extent that it would be worth making that track in one program and importing it into the other. I think I have the information I need to make a decision. Thanks again.