<<< I would like a DAW which has an emphasis on ease of use and smoothness of workflow, though to be 100% honest I'm not entirely sure what that means. In an ideal world, I'd like to use MIDI files exported from Sibelius as my starting point, so if there are any particular DAWs suited to that then that would be good to know. >>>

The DAW contained in the physical hardware device of the Tascam DP-24 fills every requirement you've listed above and currently sells for $400 USD. There is nothing to 'set up' with the DAW. It just works right from the start. It's ease of use is superior. It doesn't come with thousands of plug ins, add-ons, buffer settings, drivers to install or latency issues. It has USB connectivity so all of the VST's, VSTi's, Band in a Box, Sibelius audio exports and and even Pro Tools First, if you ever get it working, can transfer audio files between the unit and your PC. It has physical knobs, buttons, dials and faders. It has 8 quality mic preamps and can record all 8 simultaneously. It has 24 active tracks and each track can have 8 alternate takes. The 8 mics are live in Mixdown mode allowing 32 tracks available for mixing.

It has native plug ins that don't require any set up, connections, or drivers and work simply by selecting them. You will not be overwhelmed by choices.

These units are very stable and durable. The firmware, DAW and software is self contained and matched to the CPU and memory of the unit, the unit can handle the load and memory stress without crashing the computer.

Purchase the Tascam approved training DVD from David Wills at ProAudioEXP and you will know, understand and be able to record, mix and master a complete song with effects in less than a day.

If your preference is to be a musician that would "like to start getting in to producing my own music i.e. creating music that is fit for putting on SoundCloud and the like." And, your preference is not to have to learn complex software designed for audio engineering, you will find the Tascam DP-24 is entirely capable to do that task and more and all the while fulfill the 'workflow' requirements you desire.

A final note. I have recommended the Tascam DP-24 specifically based on the limited information I have about your workflow and goals for recording you've given. There are other quality devices and other manufacturers. Just as with DAW's, there are differences between them all. The DP-24 may be more than you need but it will also clearly meet all your needs. At it's price point, all you likely will save is a little money. The way the DP-24 is designed to arm tracks for recording, having the mixer large enough to display and access all 24 channels, the genius layout of having a single common channel strip selectable by track and the similarity you will have to how older cassette players transport controls, this is the most straight forward multi track design in my opinion.


Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 01/15/20 05:11 AM.
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