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DAWs vs. Synthesizers

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 4:41 pm
by bcm914
Hi All,

I am new to producing dubstep, and was wondering if someone could shed some light on the difference between a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live and Synthesizers like Massive. For instance, I read that Flux Pavilion uses both Cubase (a DAW) and Massive to make his music. Could someone explain a little bit about the difference between the two? For instance, do you first make your music in the DAW, and then do some editing using your Synthesizer program, e.g. Massive? Thanks in advance for your help :h:

-B

Re: DAWs vs. Synthesizers

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 4:44 pm
by wub
The DAW is the host program. Into that, you load VSTs (instruments, like Massive, and effects, like filters etc). You write your music in the DAW, so to speak, and can tell Massive to play certain notes as the instrument within it.

Re: DAWs vs. Synthesizers

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 4:47 pm
by wub
Wikipedia will probably be better for this sort of question tbh;

DAW - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation

VST - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology

Re: DAWs vs. Synthesizers

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:00 pm
by VirtualMark
try using the internet and reading some manuals too mate, as you're going to annoy a lot of people on here with ultra basic questions and zero research. you have a long road ahead of you and will come across far more difficult things to understand than this.

Re: DAWs vs. Synthesizers

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:28 pm
by bcm914
Thanks, everybody. I didn't mean to annoy anyone. I just really want to make this music, but unfortunately I'm starting from scratch and have no idea how to. As I learn more, I will be more than willing to explain these concepts to anyone who needs help. Thanks again, this helps a lot.

-B