PG Music Home Forums PG Music Product Forums Band-in-a-Box for Windows New Poll. What's your choice of DAW?Really looking for that one that just makes workflow easy.

• What DAW do you use?

Sonar Platinum
Can't comment on how easy the workflow is, but I can get around in it.
Notation leaves a little wanting.

Reaper... great to start with and now it just keeps getting better and better with every new release.

Reaper

Reaper

Depends for MIDI editing I prefer Sonar. For audio, mixing and final Reaper

If I had to pick only one then I’d pick Reaper

Cubase 10

Studio One

Logic on Mac, Cubase on WIN

I have Cakewalk by bandlab, but I prefer Realband, because I like the finetuned multiriff functions and compatibility with biab

Reaper here for most of my work. I also have an old version of Adobe Audition that I use to edit audio.

I am using Audacity. I have a long way to go before I need something with more features.

...Deb

Studio One Pro

I tried Reaper mainly for the price and I really liked I used to for a couple of years, then I received a copy of Studio One Artist with a guitar amp I purchased, upgraded to Studio One Pro and never looked back. It's just an amazing DAW and they continue adding features to make it even easier to use.

If I never ran across Studio One I would have been happy using Reaper in fact I still use Reaper when I do things like import a midi drum track and need to transpose a few notes to keep my mapping consistent, Reaper is really good at doing random things like that, but over all I just love Studio One

I have been using "Cakewalk" from its beginnings on floppy disks, to its latest reincarnation as BandLab.
I use Cakewalk SONAR Platinum, but still prefer SONAR 8.5

I try to do as much as possible in RealBand (ease of recording and BIAB parts generation). If I can't finish it there, then I will most likely go to Cakewalk by Bandlab (and I used Sonar Platinum prior to that; essentially the same thing). I'm working on trying to learn Studio One and Reaper (which I have purchased, along with several others), but if I've got to get the work done, ReaBand/Cakewalk generally does it for me.

I've been using Cakewalk from its beginnings as well; in the DOS stone age before Windows. Now I'm using Cakewalk by Band Labs and since I'm used to the program I prefer it. I have a copy of ProTools but haven't really used it. All I know is it takes forever to load where Cakewalk loads in seconds.

Studio One Pro

But asking for what everyone what DAW do you use is like asking what car is the best. Everyone has their own preference. If you are just curious and this is just a poll then find. But if you are looking for a DAW to purchase then there is only on advise I can give and that is try the demo of all DAWs and pick the one that best fits your workflow. What DAW works for me and my workflow may not work for you at all.

I used Cakewalk Pro Audio which became SONAR. A year ago I did what Mario suggested and tried demos of about six DAWs. I liked Mixcraft best. Then Cakewalk by BandLab was released and I switched back to that.

If you aren’t familiar with any DAWs, follow the advice of John and learn RealBand. Then try demos of DAWs as Mario suggests.

I have noticed that many here use SONAR / Cakewalk, but more seem to be using Reaper. Several use Studio One. It would be a good idea to choose one of those three because you could get some support here.

REAPER which I think is an amazing stable DAW which is improving and innovating all the time. It has a huge user-base and totally supportive and helpful forum.

Sonar/Cakewalk by Bandlab.

Cubase 10

sonar plat,cakewalk banlab,

My experience is that any DAW has to be learned somewhat before it becomes easy.

I've used Cubase 3 thru 9, Samplitude 10, Reaper 5, Studio One 4, and Harrison Mixbus 4.
Studio One was probably the most intuitive, but the rest were easy enough once you learned their peculiarities.
Reaper is one of the less expensive and most versatile.

However, I settled on Harrison Mixbus for the sound.
With no processing at all, tracks sounded markedly better than anything else I used.
Plus, it can be bought for $29 several times a year.

I'd recommend getting demos if you can, and see how each one works for you.

Reaper

Cubase.

Ableton

Reaper

Cubase, Maschine and Ableton. Cubase is my no. 1.

I was tempted to try Studio One not long ago, but when I found out that they somehow refuse to support NKI, I dropped them, because I use midi-keyboards and other hardware from Native Instruments.

Will

Cubase 9 Pro. I have 10 but waiting for some bug fixes before moving over.

I've used several brands but I'm a Cubase junkie.

I have used Logic pro and Sonar
since I use Studio One pro everything is a lot easier.
Sonar was good but on Windows only.
Logic was very illogic and apple only.
Since I have both Apple and Microsoft, Studio One is a pearl for both.

Reaper 50% (Basic Tracking / Midi Work), Harrison Mixbus 5 the other 50% with all their plugins for mixing...tho Ardour (the underlying DAW) still sucks IMHO, the SOUND & nice old school layout makes mixing a breeze.....

Cakewalk by Bandlab. Free.(and prior versions). It is the only Windows DAW to my knowledge that allows for proper track navigation and zoom using a touchscreen.

I do a lot of tracking, so instead of "mousing" around, I prefer touchscreen to locate / zoom in parts, set pointer. Community is very helpful. Owner seems to be a decent guy who cares about improving things.

Cubase 10 Pro

I think that your choice has to do with not only how you work but also what you work with. I have been evaluating Reaper and Cakewalk by BandLab for about 6 weeks now. I work mostly in MIDI and find that Cakewalk to be a bit easier to setup and use.

Cakewalk started out as MIDI only many years ago and still retains many of its MIDI work flows. On the other hand, Reaper is used by many here on the forums and is constantly being updated with features. Typical of any DAW's, both are complex and require months of learning.

If you're just starting out, try RealBand that comes free with BIAB. It has many special features that help to integrate it with BIAB and serves as a base for many here prior to moving over to more complex DAW's.

Studio One

Mixcraft. Former Sonar user.

Presonus Studio One (4)

Question for this group:
I've always used RB...I don't do any live performances, or even live recording into the DAW. But I'm getting frustrated with how often it crashes...I seem to spend more time sometimes trying to recover or fix something, or make something work the way I want it to.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience (running W10), and I'm thinking of converting to something that claims to be more stable.
Interested in feedback...Thanks!

I’ve said it before each DAW be it RB, Sonar, Reaper, Pro Tools, Ableton, Studio One or any other of the many available have their good points and also areas where they could be improved. When it comes to RB I find I useful for regenerating parts in RealTracks where I want to. I then export to .wav then pull the wav into Reaper where I feel the tools are better for manipulating audio. I tend to use Sonar for editing MIDI because I am more familiar with MIDI in Sonar.

I believe once you learn one DAW it is not so steep to learn another. Most of the rules apply similarly albeit maybe a slightly different way to achieve it. I also found in learning a different DAW I have learnt approaches I can apply in other DAWs. It is a continual learning exercise that’s what makes it fun for me.

Different tools for different jobs. IMHO Tony

<<< Different tools for different jobs. ...I seem to spend more time sometimes trying to recover or fix something, or make something work the way I want it to....I'm thinking of converting to something that claims to be more stable.
Interested in feedback...>>>

Feedback is simple. The solution to each of those issues and more is simple.

A stand alone multitrack recorder will do all of that and much more. Doesn't have the glamor and glitz of a brand name DAW to brag about but starting from scratch, one can be recording a song before a DAW can process through start up and be armed to record.

You get the benefit of a multi track recorder that includes a proprietary DAW software designed not to crash the system due to memory being overtaxed. The software gives you all the basics of good plug ins to do a project from start to finish without the aid of a computer or external DAW program while retaining the ability to easily and quickly have access to your favorite or least favorite DAW if you wish. Some Multitrack recorders are also audio interfaces and controllers if that is the workflow you desire.

But to address your specific issues stated above, there is not much of a learning curve as the OS systems mostly migrate similar in features and techniques between models and brands. This means if you start with a basic, low cost unit and upgrade to a better quality more full featured unit, they will operate similarly. For instance, there is only minor differences between operating a Zoom H1,H5,H6 or R8. The same for Tascam units.

Stability is rock solid. Period. I have never had a crash with my multi track recorders. Years of faultless service. I have owned or still own Zoom r16, r24, H1, and still own an H5. Never a crash with any of them. I had Tascam Porta Studios, DP004, 2488neo MarkII and DP-24 without any failures.

Some multi tracks are better suited for the home studio environment than others. I have found the Tascam DP-24/32 series to be the most full featured for studios and also the easiest to navigate. I prefer the DP-24 over the DP-32 simply because the additional tracks and features of the DP-32 don't justify the cost difference.

This market is evolving and there are many new units being introduced that focus on home studios and bear consideration. To retain using a DAW, many brands offer mixers with USB connection and also audio interface capability. Others may also include control capability or both. But there's a new generation of digital stand alone multitrack that record 12, 24, 32 or more tracks in the same manner as the current DP-32, Zoom r24 series of multitracks and record the individual tracks and a stereo mix in the unit itself but also function as a live mixer, USB connectivity and multitrack audio interface. Presonus AR series, Studiolive series and the new Tascam 24 are examples. Higher end digital mixers by Yamaha, Allen & Heath and Behringer have DAW mode and multitrack audio interface and have pro grade digital effects.

Behringer units are interesting because they have stage head units that are controlled wirelessly/wired by tables in 12,16 and 18 input units and also a desktop unit that all share the same OS and features that is also the same OS and features of the X32 line. Learn one OS and you can operate their entire line of mixer/recorders.

None of these stand alone or hybrid mixer/interfaces have near the learning curve of even the most basic DAW but each and everyone of them will connect in some way with your favorite DAW if that's what you want to do. None of these units require complex setup and configuration.

Cubase 10 Pro, Reason 10, Reaper, Bandlab Cakewalk


Kevin

I don't view Realband as a legit DAW. Way too quirky and buggy. Any DAW would be an improvement. The only redeeming feature is its integration with RealTracks.

Tony has it right. Use RealBand for what it does best/uniquely then move the project to your choice of DAW. I may use five or more audio software programs on a project before it’s done.

EDIT: I see other good replies follow. Lots of good advice in this thread.

Reaper and ProTools. Reaper because of there free videos and ProTools cause its Pro Tools!

Since Studio One 3 you may use multi-touchscren on your main PC or/and on a remote control tablet

Just looking at Computer Music magazine as I saw this. They rate Studio One 4 as the best daw for 2018. Elsewhere in the magazine they state the best freeware product is Cakewalk by BandLab.

Lots of other reviews puts Reaper up there. Some also rate ProTools.

Each to their own.

Tony

Presonus Studio One. Only DAW I've ever used.

I was using Reaper and was really happy with it until I received a free copy of Studio One Artist with a Blackstar guitar amp I purchased, I liked it so much I upgrade to Studio One Pro and now use it pretty much exclusively, I still like Reaper and occasionally use it, especially when I need to test a plugin that is bombing out in Studio One, to confirm it's the plugin and not the DAW.

Studio one 4 best DAW I have tried I have Cakewalk it is also pretty solid. And Reaper very flexible but for me way to many options to fiddle with. I like how simple yet powerful Stidio one is.

Saw

I use Cakewalk's Sonar Platinum, or rather Cakewalk by Bandlab now.

I use it because it does what I need. There are lots of good DAWs out there but not all of them offer the power and flexibility that Cakewalk provides. For me there were two areas that separated Cakewalk from its competitors: having a musical notation capability and instrument definition files.

For all I know, the industry favorite, Pro Tools, may have these capabilities, but I simply can't afford it. Cakewalk by Bandlab is now free (Sonar Platinum was about $400) and that's a price I can afford.

I like Studio One, but if I want musical notation, I have to buy Notion and use it as a rewire device. And I dunno if it does instrument definitions or not.

I also like Reaper, but I haven't played around with it as much. It has a nice musical notation interface. But I don't know if it does instrument definitions. Its price is sure right, though, and Reaper has a very active community.

Hi,

I have been using Cakewalk for many years. I like it. Several years ago I got Pro Tools and found it hard to use. I have it but don't use it. Sometimes other people who know how come over and use it.

When all the noise about Cakewalk started I went to Studio One 4. I like the program but I still have issues trying to figure out how to do some simple things, so I revert back to Cakewalk at times just to get things done.I have had Reaper for ever but never really used it much.

Of course I have the DAW in BB. It has a few cool things I use sometimes. Oh, and I forgot. I have OHM studio which is a online near real time DAW for playing with other musicians. When OHM started up it was fun because there were a large number of people to play with....now not so much.I bought a lifetime subscription when they first started.

The best DAW is the one you know how to use!!!

I think my vote would be for studio one if I can learn to use it.

Thanks,

Billy

EDIT: After I read my post I changed my mind. I don't think any DAW will be "the one". I will always have several and use each one for what it does best or is the least work to use.

Reaper, been using it since 2010 after losing a battle with Cubase

Either Cakewalk or Studio One provide seamless integration with BiaB, in my experience. Used Cakewalk since 5-1/4" disk days. Would still be there, but I bailed when they (temporarily) shut down. Studio One meets my critical needs (comping and Melodyne integration) so I'm sticking with that for now. But every time I go back to Cakewalk I miss it. Certainly one of the best freeware apps out there.

I'm a convert to Acoustica Mixcraft (as opposed to Harrison Mixbus). To address the OP's point about workflow -- it lets me concentrate more on music creation and less on software than anything else I've used, for whatever that's worth.

As of last winter, I'd gotten at least 300 hours project experience in each of these DAWs:

Cakewalk/ Sonar/ Sonar Platinum (since the late 90s, maybe 2000 hours?)
CoolEditPro/ Adobe Audition
Acid Pro 7
Studio One v2 and v3

and maybe 20-50 hours each in MULab, Mixbus (great sound, but very picky about VSTs on my PC) and RB (I'll just echo what someone else said -- it's buggy, super laggy, and it's only real competitive attraction is RT capability.)

(I’m not the person to ask about Reaper. I hear it is super-powerful, after around 2 hours trying to so some simple things, running into spider webs everywhere, I just exited the program for good. Do a Google image search for “The Scream” ;-) )

Even before Sonar's future was thrown into doubt, I went looking for something better. I'd been hankering to get away from Sonar Platinum anyway because, despite a lot of time within that product family, and despite its amazing spec list (on paper)
a) I found some things just too clunky
b) some crucial things -- like automation, reliable rendering, and midi routing -- just weren't happening;
c) crashed and froze often on my system (a capable and custom-built-for audio Windows 7 64 Pro with tons of RAM, fast i7, good Focusrite interface etc.);
d) the move to monthly updates caused chaos for me, as old workarounds no longer worked, and new ones became necessary due to new bugs; looking back on 2015-2016, I see I ended up writing some very long and painfully detailed forensic reports designed to help forum members / staff replicate my issues. During that time, some projects were 70% music-making, 30% head scratching.

For folks who have had fewer problems with Sonar, I'm glad for you. I know everyone's system-specific mileage may vary; I'll just say that mine in this case was poor.

Looking elsewhere, I'd wanted to love Studio One for its super-intuitive workflow, but on my setup it proved to be too crashy and stubborn about recognising midi keyboards which other DAWs had no problem with. Also it was weak in MIDI.

I'd loved the old Acid Pro but it was only 32 bit.

I've not tried Bandlab, because when Gibson filed for bankruptcy, I read this review of Mixcraft 8 in Sound on Sound magazine

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/acoustica-mixcraft-8

so I downloaded the Acoustica Mixcraft 8 trial version, opened up their demo song and pressed play.
After about 10 minutes of mousing around, clicking here, right-clicking there, I was able to figure out enough to get my own big, complex torture-test project going, with lots of heavy Kontakt instruments loaded, midi-generating VSTis routed all over, integrated Melodyne doing its thing, an Ableton-like clip launcher doing another thing, tons of needless FX and automation ;-) i.e. pure adolescent overkill, a giant racket, but loads of fun. It wouldn't crash. Only after about an hour did I have to google for a fast answer to something.

Long story short, I spend 95% of my non-BIAB time in Mixcraft now. I still use Sonar for its better comping workflow, but export the results into Mixcraft.

It has a few shortcomings as a DAW (and the bundled VSTis and FX are hit and miss; but I use 3rd party stuff anyway) but it is quite respectably deep and powerful.

It was put together by the same guys who developed the original Acid for Sonic Foundry, with the same love-thy-user-by-making-things-dead-obvious ethos.

I'd say that if Sonar Platinum's feature list was 10/10, Mixcraft's is around 8.8; that Mixcraft is as intuitive to use as Studio One; and it is the most stable DAW I've used on any of my machines, ever. 90% of the time when it hits a hiccough and freezes (which is not too often), it is temporary, and it recovers; it rarely crashes on me, and when it has, it's recovery system has always worked.

It’s what I fire up when I want to get lots done and have fun.

My long-winded $0.02!

lingyai, thanks for that Acoustica link. I just d/l'd and installed the Mixcraft demo and I gotta say that it is a pretty cool DAW. I was disappointed to see that it didn't have any sort of built-in notation capability, but as I was digging around, I noticed it had picked up a couple of rewire programs, one of which is Notion, which I own a license for, and it set itself up automatically to load Notion as a rewire device. So that takes care of my needs for musical notation. This package definitely deserves a closer look. Best of all, it is surprisingly affordable, even the most expensive version.

I loaded one of my midi compositions, and it loaded up just fine, no hickups, and I was able to figure out how to select from a good variety of instruments, which in itself is noteworthy. Yep, I'm gonna have to spend some more time with this DAW. I suspect I'll continue to need Sonar for some things though.

My first was Power Tracks and I still find it useful. Stuff I work up in BiaB and/or RB generally gets transferred there in seq. form. However, for heavier lifting I shall most likely continue to use Audition 3 as long as I have an operating system that supports it.

Well, as many discovered, some times later in life (alas too late?); Cubase is one of the best allrounders around. Recording, editing, mastering, a fabulous and very flexible (with v 9.5 PRO and improved in v 10 PRO) audio and pitch shifting tool better than i saw from Waves or Melodyne.

All sorts of built in extras like for sounds and drum grooving, audio grooving, groove analyzing tools, superb notation, video import, quite a few excellent plugins for audio editing and some synths, not to forget Halion 3 with it's very decent GM set onboard ....

Has got a learning curve, but like PGmusic a very active user helpers forum ....

----------------------------------

PS, i still have my spare license for the full retail 10 PRO version for sale, $435, with eLicenser; insured USA shipping of latter is 26 dollars extra. PM me if interested? ....

Also for sale a license for 9.5.40 PRO full Retail. They say Cubase 9.5 is as good as bug free; never crashed on m system. 355$

NOTE they're both Retail and NOT the usually advertised EDUcational versions as from cheap sellers.

Reminder: Cubase 10 and 9.5 are 64bit ONLY. Steinberg has a 30 days TRIAL download version available. You'll need to register definitely with the eLicenser before that period ends. F

I have to say that really most of them will work. I mentioned above what I use I didn’t mention why. To me I have noticed that sometime people migrate through a couple DAWs and have trouble and settle on one cause “it works” I believe that many times that is because the learn how things work along the way and work out issues their system have andnthe next DAW up benefits from that knowledge and experience. Another issue is what they want to do some things fit their needs.

When I started many years ago. I had an old cassette tape based 4 track unit from Clarion. And I needed to creat3d tracks to load I to it to play things like drums and such I didn’t play or have. I bought a floppy disk version of Cakewalk, and used it to make midi piano, drum and bass tracks to play guitar over.

Next I bought at the guitar center a early version of ACID when sonic foundry made it. Upgraded a time or two then got tired of Loop based tracks as they were ok but not totally real sounding to me and a butt load of work. I picked up Cakewalk music creator 2, then 3, then 5 then bought demoed and bought a program named N Track studios it was cool but buggy as heck. Along the way I bought BiaB I believe 2006 was my first and found it helpful to make basic tracks to mix else where. I also bought Powertracks but found it didn’t do anything Music creator could do. A forum member here many remember “Mac” suggested a program called Multitrackstudios I demoed and ended up buying it. I found it to be the most stable program ever rock solid you can’t make it crash. I used that to record several projects with friends. Somewhere along the way I also upgraded Cakewalk to Sonar for its “new comping feature. And did a project in it. I tried Reaper about that time and I found it to be super flexible and almost as stable as MTS. My only issue was I spent most of my time setting it up and fiddling with the program rather than recording stuff. Then I upgraded my MAudio sound card for a new Presonus AudioBox, and it came with studio one. I found that out of the box I got more done than any program since MTS. Along the way I kept upgrading BiaB and as well RB. At one point I used Arab exclusively but it began to drag and skip on my system on playback it would record fine. So rather than drop into RB I started dropping into studio one. About that time I got busy starting a new business, and eventually move across country and took a almost two year hiatus from music. Now I’m back and on my system I have the latest Reaper, Bandlab, and Studio one with 2019 BiaB. I am testing to see which will handle my work flow. So far Studio one it the easiest to use, and most intuitive.

I might reach back and buy the latest Multitrackstudios version cause nothing mixes down like it does. Just for grins. What it does that not other system does equally is that it tests audio and midi the same you drag to a track and it outputs through the same effect both types of tracks.

In the end it is really about what you get comfortable with and allows you to be productive. I am really hopeful for the new BiaB VSTi to pan out as it fits my needs well. One thing for sure find a DAW you like and learn it deeply. Don’t jump around like I did. While it might teach you a lot about many different ways to do things you only get surface knowledge. Figure out what you like to do and how. If your a midi beast, or a audio guy, or both. Do you play three or four instruments, or one or none. Colaborate with others. Record alone or with friends. All this plays into it.

Leanord, as you can see, there is no answer to your question. The title of your thread ends with "...makes workflow easy".

Nothing makes workflow easy until you learn it. Look at your own occupation. Can some rookie walk in off the street and learn your job easily?

People who are serious take college courses in these DAW's. I'll echo what was said earlier. You already have a pretty good DAW, Real Band. All the principles of DAW use are there. Learn RB first then decide if it's enough for you or not.

Bob

RealBand hands down.

Reaper. It has a learning curve, but it will do anything you need and the price is right.

I mostly use FLStudio these days. I have Sonar X3 producer as well but I mostly use it for mastering than music production, since I had to give up the guitar. I can use most of my Sonar vst's in flstudio so that's where I mostly work. Reason is an excellent product as well, but its a bit too costly for me these days. I am curious about Cakewalk free version with Bandlab just cause I want to see what ya get. I don't even want to let you know how much Sonar cost me, now they are giving it away...….

What you basically get with the Cakewalk by BandLab is an upgrade to your Sonar X3. Most if not all of your plugins should still work. Really it is the addons that created the huge cost of the X3. Go for it I doubt you’ll be any worse off for the experience.

My thoughts
Tony

Pardon my late reply, for some reason I'm not getting email alerts when there is a reply to this thread.

I'm glad you're liking your intro to Mixcraft. Three things ...

-- There is a score editor; see this video (it's re Mixcraft 7, but will also apply to Mixcraft 8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQyO_k24LhA

--Now that you've gotten your feet wet, I suggest you do what I did at that stage, which was just to browse these single-screenshot tips and tricks. I found them an easily-digestible way to both ease up the learning curve quickly, and to take in some of the many cool features which lie beneath the rather unassuming GUI.

For Mixcraft 7 (maybe a good place to start)
http://forums.acoustica.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=16646

For Mixcraft 8
http://forums.acoustica.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=20467

They also have very good, short and to-the-point video tutorials, but I find these written tips faster

--Be sure to investigate the "Performance Panel," which gives you basic Ableton Live-like clip launching / loopy song construction capability, if you're into that kind of thing. Works with both audio and midi clips. Acoustica should be marketing it a bit more loudly IMHO!

If you have any questions about Mixcraft, feel free to PM me and /or check their forum or their FB page, kinda like here, smaller crew but helpful folks abound.