Which DAW is the best ?

[Valentin0]

I'm considering buying Logic Studio 9 for my mac DAW. But its really expensive ! $788 for the DAW ? I'm currently using Garageband and its very limited. So I'm expanding and want to explore more. Would love to have a mixer in the DAW like pro tools.

Any idea which is the best yet affordable DAW ? Cubase ? How much is it ? And oh, i wanna make sure the DAW works with mac obviously and third-party hardware audio interface and MIDI. Unlike pro tools, they must have their own hardware like the MBOX 2, MINI to work with the DAW. I don't want that. HAHA ! Thanks guys and hope to hear what the experts/legend have to say..

 

[kongwee]

Cubase.... I know it drop till $800++ for the suite. Logic Pro is really cheap. There is Presonus Studio One and Motu Digital Performer.

Probably you will end up Logic Pro if you are going to do some music arrangement.

 

[Valentin0]

kongwee > What DAW are you using ?

 

[RenoSG]

You could consider Logic Express that goes for S$318 if you want an in-between Garageband and Logic Pro..?

I'm a happy user of Logic Pro... quite a sum to start with but no regrets as time goes by!

Cheers.

 

[kongwee]

My Logic Pro 8.

 

[logicdroid]

Logic's tool assignment has been improved.
The pointer tool can be assigned to work like the smart tool in Protools.
- Selection
- Trim
- Loop
- Marquee
- Fade

Lots of info here: http://logicprohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=44091

Logic Express (LE) doesn't come with a whole lot of tools that you'll find in Logic Studio. LE is ample if you don't need the extras.

I have a bunch of Logic Pro 7 XS Keys from my lab going at $150 each.
Buy the upgrade kit for $3xx and that will save you $200.

That said, LP7 alone used to cost $1988. Most Logic users I know of think that it's worth it. Remember that every DAW has it's learning curve.

Best,
R.

 

[kongwee]

With all the jam pack and many high quailty effect plug in, you can start doing some serious work. Many logic user don't really buy ton of virtual instrument or effects.

 

[zacmat]

Another question you should ask is how long does it take to master using a particular DAW and what is the learning curve.

Next question you want to ask is how good is the sound engine of the DAW?

 

[kongwee]

Every DAW have it character, but most important is the plug in you use. Logic has simple effect plug(adverb....etc) up to complex effect(Space designer...). Simple synth such as ESM up to Sculpture. In this case, you can start with simple thing and get more complex in future. I only can talk about soft synth side, recording side not too much.

It is important to know the workflow. When launching Logic Pro, it is most simple interface compare to all other DAW I know of. You should able to do simple midi or recording if you touch other DAW before. Later on, you will explore different part of it, and customise your DAW. I think I only use 5% of the whole DAW.

 

[manlovesit]

best daw? wah... is there? i think there's no best daw.. it all depends on what works for you at your level. for me, no expert, i use both cubase and logic studio 9. personally, i LOVE LS9... to me LS9 is a perfect investment for me today. never been happier. tho i still use cubase for some other reasons, when something hums in my mind, the first thing I click on my Mac is LS9.. even when im not arranging anything, I still click LS9, running in the background, eating processor resources.. steam brader.. steam!

 

[grarrgrarr]

my vote is for Reaper, imo one of the greatest pieces of programming ive ever seen.

http://www.reaper.fm/

 

[smurfpiss]

Every DAW have it character

Blasphemy! DAWs like Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic all null.

 

[manlovesit]

my vote is for Reaper, imo one of the greatest pieces of programming ive ever seen.

http://www.reaper.fm/

Looks good and full. Whats the plug-ins, support, update, upgrade like? Used it? My fingers are feeling the itch again...

 

[kongwee]

Reaper come with empty plug-in. It's up to you to fill it up.

 

[grarrgrarr]

kongwee: thats not entirely true

http://www.reaper.fm/technical.php


What it does not include is a big sample library and virtual instruments though.

It does have many many basic plugins and filters

 

[Enjaykayb]

I think that anyone who is a "hobbyist" can ans should actually use any DAW... most of the DAWs these days offer the same features. The only difference being in how one controls the DAW and of-course the sound quality, based on the AD / DA convertors. So whatever fits your budget / I/O requirement should work.

However if you have "professional" ambitions, then no matter what people say, the sad fact of life is that there are currently only 2 DAWs in the market today which are used consistently by the professionals, the world over. And by professionals, I mean people who operate / work in large recording studios, production suites, broadcast facilities, etc. The 2 DAWs that are worth their salt in the professional domain are ProTools and Logic Pro. There are others too, like Merging Technologies' Pyramix (which in my opinion is the sweetest sounding DAW) and the Fairlight, etc. However these are not that popular as compared to ProTools and Logic Pro.

Hence, if you are looking to eventually work in a professional environment (post, broadcast, music studios) then it would be worth your while to invest in either ProTools or Logic and learn these tools before even applying for a job. It would be good to go in for an interview with the confidence that you know how to operate either of these DAWs, short cuts and all...

 

[Radius_Vector]

DAW user for 5 years now. Started out with Cool Edit Pro, and graduated to REAPER free for a while. Now using Cubase 5.

Best advice I can offer - start simple, go with REAPER free for 30 days, and if you like it upgrade (It's only US$60 for one of the world's most stable DAW's). That should keep you busy for a while. Once you stumble upon some features/options that you need more advanced functionality on, google for other DAW's and do a comparison, and only then shell out the cash needed. I always try to buy for my needs, and not decide what I need after I buy something.

Then again, if you have a ton of cash to throw, go with Logic/Protools for your MAC and you should be happy for a while atleast. However, don't regret if you feel you missed out on something later as each DAW has it's own charm

 

[Enjaykayb]

I always try to buy for my needs, and not decide what I need after I buy something.

Actually, that is a very valid point indeed... buy for your needs.

 

[squarehero]

Ableton Live for electronic music or improvisation and only if you are happy with a 32 bit DAW i.e. don't use memory intensive plugins. Pro Tools is probably important if you aim to use high end plugins or work in the recording/sound industry in any way. If not, I don't think it's worth paying the price for. Cubase for PC and Logic for Mac are good bets for a conventional DAW as they are both pretty full featured. Sonar is good value for money. You get a lot for what you pay for and doesn't require a dongle unlike Cubase.

Anyway, I think the sound of a DAW is not really important as most DAWs are very clean and devoid of character for the most part. The character comes from your analog gear/instruments/mics/preamps/plugins etc.