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I'm gonna get a computer upgrade in the near future (i say upgrade, what I mean, is that I'm gonna get a whole new PC). Anyway, I'm using Reason and it's great but I'm getting very tempted by lots of shiny VSTs that I want and can't have due to Reason's lack of VST support. So as my new PC will be able to cope with these lovely little toys buzzing around I'm gonna get a new DAW. BUT WHICH ONE I ASK YOU!?

Years ago when I was making hip hop I used to use Cubase but after a number of years off making beats the world has changed. Logic is out given that I'm not buying a Mac... I'm rambling, I'll get to the point, Ableton live looks great and it seems to have some really good press. Should I buy it? Do you guys (collectively) have good experiences with it? What are the main problems people get? Are the built in effects any good - especially the filters? Will it make me a sexier person or increase the length of my manhood?

These are all questions I need answers to if you can help.

1. If you work with Cubase back in the days, why not staring again with this DAW. I have here Cubase 5.5 and Komplett 6, and this is a monster combo
2. New cat in the ring -> Sonar X1 (look very nice) http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/default.aspx

a) Reaper (cheap and VERY powerful, no protection or bloatware or anything, and unlimited trial!!)

b) Presonus Studio One (drag and drop, very quick workflow, however lacking some features since it's just over a year old).

Other than that the other main ones a lot of people use FL Studio, Ableton, or Cubase

I didn't like the look of X1 personally.

Try the demo's and see which one fits you best...that's the best solution

you're lucky that you've used Cubase before, because it's the only one you can't demo (unless you already own a dongle for it)

That being said, the Reason sequencer seems to be modeled after Cubase's more than any other DAW

you can download demos for Ableton, Reaper, Studio One (edit: forgot about Sonar, not sure about that one)


I would say try Reaper first, since it's BY FAR the cheapest. It's definitely not for everyone, but if it does what you want, it'll be a lot cheaper than Ableton or Studio One

Studio One is made by the people who made Cubase SX, it's basically a MUCH less bloated version of Cubase. Ableton has it's own workflow that a lot of people love. Give them all a shot and see which one you like best.

Thanks for the answers my fellow bass enthusiasts.

Hadn't come across Studio One which looks pretty nice. I will download and trial a few for sure, but before I get to that stage, can anyone give me first hand experience of the quality of the built in effects for X1, Reaper, Studio One etc?

Basically, what I want is simplicity of use, a good audio engine and good built in effects. I don't want to have to load multiple instances of processor hungry effects plugins for every channel - would much rather use a DAW with solid EQs and Compressors to begin with.

The reviews of Reaper seemed to sugges that the midi editing was VERY basic. Does this cause problems for people here?

cheeeeeeers

The MIDI editing in Reaper isn't as advanced as Cubase, but I don't really do advanced MIDI stuff, so I don't know; I just put notes in and edit velocities and automations...it's fine for that really.

Although you can definitely download some free plugins that will do the job fine, Studio One and Cubase both have great built-in effects...I constantly hear good things about Studio One's built-in effects, but I've only used it once and don't remember to be honest. Reaper is bare bones, and the only built-in effect I really love is ReaFir, which is a fantastic EQ/compresser/analyzer...but the reverb, delay, etc. aren't very good at all in my opinion.

cloak and dagger wrote:The MIDI editing in Reaper isn't as advanced as Cubase, but I don't really do advanced MIDI stuff, so I don't know; I just put notes in and edit velocities and automations...it's fine for that really.

Although you can definitely download some free plugins that will do the job fine, Studio One and Cubase both have great built-in effects...I constantly hear good things about Studio One's built-in effects, but I've only used it once and don't remember to be honest. Reaper is bare bones, and the only built-in effect I really love is ReaFir, which is a fantastic EQ/compresser/analyzer...but the reverb, delay, etc. aren't very good at all in my opinion.

I disagree, a lot of the plugs with reaper have very basic looks, but their sound quality and function is great, I use some of them in every single tune!!

Don't know about studio one, meant to be close to logics plugs...

I like cubase. Live I use for performances.

based on what ive used id lean towards cubase or ableton .

freakah wrote:

cloak and dagger wrote:The MIDI editing in Reaper isn't as advanced as Cubase, but I don't really do advanced MIDI stuff, so I don't know; I just put notes in and edit velocities and automations...it's fine for that really.

Although you can definitely download some free plugins that will do the job fine, Studio One and Cubase both have great built-in effects...I constantly hear good things about Studio One's built-in effects, but I've only used it once and don't remember to be honest. Reaper is bare bones, and the only built-in effect I really love is ReaFir, which is a fantastic EQ/compresser/analyzer...but the reverb, delay, etc. aren't very good at all in my opinion.

I disagree, a lot of the plugs with reaper have very basic looks, but their sound quality and function is great, I use some of them in every single tune!!

Don't know about studio one, meant to be close to logics plugs...

Fair enough, you've probably used them a lot more than I have. I thought the delay was a pain to use compared to pretty much any other delay I've used, the reverb didn't sound good, there wasn't a distortion (I think), and it was missing a lot of standard effects that come with every other DAW. I just think if you're getting a DAW and having good on-board effects is a requirement, Reaper is probably the last DAW I'd recommend.

But again, you can try it out for free for 30 days, which is more than enough time to decide, so I definitely suggest checking it out and deciding for yourself what you think!

Since not many peopel are mentioning it fl studio works fine for me at the moment. Honestly though i really think any daw will do the trick its all about how you use it.

yep all daws are perfectly workable.
difference is mostly in the quality of the plugins (logic is better than the rest imo - I'm a cubase user primarily so I'm not being biased in saying this)

I disagree, I love using Reaper, it picks up every single AU and VST flawlessly and I can easily get going in it using mostly external effects.

cubase ftw dog

decklyn wrote:yep all daws are perfectly workable.
difference is mostly in the quality of the plugins (logic is better than the rest imo - I'm a cubase user primarily so I'm not being biased in saying this)

yeah i played with logic at the apple store for about an hour one day and was super impressed with everything, really...the sampler, the synths, the effects. i'd most likely be using it if it were made for pc

I actually have the exact same question (also getting a new computer), but i'm getting a mac.

I'm just hesitating between Ableton and Logic. I've had some experience with garageband, and people alwahs tell me that you can get far just by using the logic soundbank and plugins, without having to buy others. So now my choice is pretty much Logic, though i hear most famous dubstep producers use ableton fir live sessions. What's the deal with that?

fl makes the dubstep every thing eles makes the brostep

kebnoa wrote:fl makes the dubstep every thing eles makes the brostep

wow total FAIL der shud be some way of demoting people who give shit advice!!

I use logic and ableton. Ableton for my own music recording mixing mastering others etc and logic for my college work...for this semester anyway. Logic is great its plugins are excellent and sound gr8 the amount of control over your fine editing and the detail in the daw is top notch but at the same time its like a fuckin old mans program its not inspiring and its not musical and its so much slower and harder to do things in...its the programmers choice and if you like programming your music its prob the 1 to go for. If you like to play your music then its not even a contest ableton wins hands down instant musical and inspiring easy to use and easy to really explore and figure out crazy shit...cant remember the last time ive seen a creative application of logic to make music...other than the standard stuff...gets a lil boring programing and a bored musician = boring music!

RmoniK wrote:I actually have the exact same question (also getting a new computer), but i'm getting a mac.

I'm just hesitating between Ableton and Logic. I've had some experience with garageband, and people alwahs tell me that you can get far just by using the logic soundbank and plugins, without having to buy others. So now my choice is pretty much Logic, though i hear most famous dubstep producers use ableton fir live sessions. What's the deal with that?

Despite your hijacking of the OP I still wanted to chime in and recommend Logic. It literally has a lot of quality plugins and instruments built in that you wouldn't need any other vsts plus midi capabilities are probably more than you'd ever need. The other thing that's great is the customization, it's really good if you like to use templates and that sort of thing.

having said that...logic is to never never be used live. It depends on how much you're willing to shell out for dj software