7 things you NEED to know before Building a DAWLESS synthesizer setup

[@BoBeats]

Gear mentioned / Good starter stuff for a dawless synth setup (links are affiliate links) Circuit Tracks (synth + sequencer) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/oq22rb Minilogue XD (polysynth) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457066?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrNWgz Cre8Audio East Beast (monosynth) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/543664?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrNNPQ Utility stuff Budget mixer EU: thmn.to/thoprod/350834?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/R5xxe9 Midi thru box (splits midi signal to multiple synths) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/q4RRP5 Zoom recorder for recording your jams EU: thmn.to/thoprod/497555?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/Mm44rJ 1010music bluebox mixer/recorder EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkxx75 Sequencer Keystep Pro EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/9g11Xy OXI One EU: thmn.to/thoprod/545274?offid=1&affid=623 US: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFR0VHSEdATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Foxi-one.html Torso T-1: torsoelectronics.com/ Squarp Hapax EU: thmn.to/thoprod/559234?offid=1&affid=623 US: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFR0VHSEdATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Fsquarp-hapax.html Workstations (synth, sampler and sequencer all in one) Maschine+ EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/XYPPVa MPC Keyz (One+ for a non keyboard version) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/584578?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrNNjN Stands Jaspers: JASPERS stands: www.thomann.de/se/search_dir.html?sw=jaspers+stand&offid=1&affid=623 My Stand (150 cm wide): thmn.to/thoprod/343484?offid=1&affid=623 a SMALL and less expensive stand: thmn.to/thoprod/443021?offid=1&affid=623 Varidock: www.varidock.com/ SynthRise: synth-rise.com/ (my SB2024 sponsor, not sponsored this vid, i just think they make good stuff) Eurorack Try VCV before you go modular: vcvrack.com/

[@yeet_za]

Great Video. Some points from a performing/touring DAWLESS musician. +1 on Circuit Tracks (I own one myself, it's a fun little toy, but it's also really powerful if you just want to use it as a Midi sequencer / CC's, considering each Synth/Drum page has it's own rotary encoders per page, it allows you to have pages of rotary encoders with their individual midi CC values, which gives you enough rotary encoders to do many things. Get a 2nd hand MPC One, get a 2nd hand Beatstep Pro. This is all you need to start out. Nothing more. No external synths or hardware. Stereo Output. Start with the basics. Start with Sequencing Externally, Clocking Internally/Externally and mapping your midi appropriately. Make some beats, make some loops, have some fun. Yes, the MPC One will have an initial setup with a lot of menu diving and such, but once that template is setup, it's JAM Time! Map the beatstep pro to internal synths and samples / drum programs. Create send FX (Delays / Reverbs / Granulator) on the Drum Program / Any other internal Synths you want to use. Make some beats, make some loops, have some fun. Run your Midi over USB via a Powered USB Hub from the MPC. It can sync all of your Synths / USB Compliant devices via the MPC. Don't money-pit your DAWLESS/Laptop-less setup. It's recursive, you're going to end up back here. When you realise, you are in the deep money-pit and you now need to go deeper into a much deeper money-pit, you go onto ModularGrid and you start building yourself a massive synth machine. Only do this, if you honestly, have a lot of time, a lot of money and a lot of passion for music. That's the only pay off. (Other than having a TON OF FUN) Keep it simple stupid and manageable and transportable! Lightweight. Possibly, try and build your whole setup into a case / multiple cases where everything is pre-wired up and you only have to turn the power on for everything to function. You want to be able to fit everything you use in a case that you can fly around / travel with to play shows, perform and show the rest of the world your talent and your creations. If you want to be 90s Daft Punk, please, go ahead, I will not stop you. Please let me know when and where you are playing so I can see you perform. Otherwise, you're just making beats in your bedroom like the rest of us and the only people who will ever see you perform are people who go on the internet frequently enough to find "your niche genre", if you even choose to release it, if you even choose to finish that project called "dkagsdfkjahsdgfkasjhdf.als" you started a couple of weeks ago ;) Have a wonderful day Bo.

[@MIssSarahKB]

Yes, love the comment about remembering to enjoy playing music. Until yesterday I hadn’t recorded anything for almost 6 months, despite jamming two or three times a week. And yesterday’s piece was just a 97 second Taiko drumming track. 😂 I aimed for a hybrid setup from the start 3 years ago. I have some super sequencers on my iPad that I wanted to use with hardware synths, through my DAW of choice. Anyway, that’s all unnecessary detail, the thing I really came to say was that whatever set up you have, make sure you can switch it all on really quickly! Then, when the urge to jam arrives you can be playing music really quickly instead of faffing about with getting stuff working. It’s taken me a long time to learn how to set things up to do this with my setup, but now I can get 10 hardware synths, four midi sequencers, two iPads, a mixer, some pedals, and a DAW all going and interconnected in about 30 seconds. And then it’s all the fun of jamming! 😊

[@Sinesawofficial]

My 2cents: start with one machine only. It is an instrument, so you need to play and rehearse before express yourself, rather than show the instrument's features. I suggest a groove box or sampler, so you can do everything in one machine. Find all the limits of the machine and go beyond there. Only when you feel you need more to express yourself, add only another instrument. Thanks Bo for this video.

[@claesvanoldenphatt9972]

I dont feel synths are much fun until you get them to work together, or a synth and sequencer + drum machine. The fun is in the complexity of interface and the emergent patterns that arise when they are all triggering each other. They mesh to become an organism. Some synths are complex enough to do this as standalone instruments but who can afford those? Overdeterminism is boring, being a keyboard player, yuk! you have to discover the inherent voice and mind of the instruments.

[@UNOCASTILLO]

and what would be that instrument that you recomend to start?

[@EnervatedSociety]

​@@UNOCASTILLO Saw your comment, a month later, and I'm trying to think of modern hardware gear that is a good synth, a good sampler, and has a sequencer. Mostly what comes to mind is older gear like the Emu E4XT Ultra and the Ensoniq ASR-10, for example, but then I thought of something more modern: the Sequential Prophet X.

[@UNOCASTILLO]

@@EnervatedSociety well a month later i went for the MPC ONE +. i think it will arrive next week.

[@EnervatedSociety]

@@UNOCASTILLO Cool, congrats. That'll work. I remember BoBeats did a vid on the MPC One. I don't think (?) it was a plus though.

[@TangoDelta70]

Amazing video as always! I'm not all the way through yet, but I especially LOVE that you mention numerous times that it's about Having FUN! Too many people are too harsh on themselves and others!

[@geminidefect]

dawless jamming is awesome because there doesn't have to be a goal. just go with the flow, enjoy the moment and when you're done, you're done. making music for yourself is the most rewarding experience. when the hair raises on my arms, I know i'm where i want to be. I did buy a macbook pro for music, but never once have i used it with my bad gear (yes, its a Florian shoutout!) Good advice, Bo

[@MistyMusicStudio]

Saw a great comment here that I'll reiterate - master ON button haha. You don't wanna have to flip with switch on each speaker, the mixer, your lights, and each machine you're using separately. It's a real barrier to sitting down and playing. Plus its SO satisfying to hit one switch and have 12 things light up at once ✨

[@TheJanda777]

Shout out for mentioning ergonomics! That and heat management are not mentioned much when considering setups. These rooms can get hot and really sap your productivity.

[@VocalChainsStudio]

Always appreciate your positive takes on gear, BB. As far as DAWLESS goes, I don't buy the premise -- it aint about the gear -- but I like the people. Keep jamming, everybody. I'll be checking out as many jams as possible and trying to appreciate the flavor and variety of our greater synth community.🖖

[@ajohnsonstudio]

I was glad I bought an Arturia Beatstep Pro when I got into DAWless - I still use it, and I feel like the workflow is intuitive, and there are so many good tutorials out there - and it's inexpensive on the second-hand market (where I get most of my gear).

[@frenchy1138]

The impermanence and immediacy of DAWless jamming has been life changing for me. I had all but stopped making music because everything I did was in the box. Even if i just wanted to play a bit of piano it was a 5-10 minute process of starting up the computer, loading the software, pulling up a patch etc. etc. Plus, the fact I was in recording software made me feel like I *had* to record it and do something with it later. Now, I turn some bits of gear on, spend a couple of hours making something that makes me happy, then I move on. I make more music than ever before, and rediscovered the joy that I originally had half my life ago as a 19 year-old with a $100 bass guitar and a cheap amp.

[@Flyingrabbit2222]

Same here. I bought a mixer and two compressors so I could record from several synths at once without having to have 4 hands to ride gain. I record into my zoom H6..WHEN I want to save the work. I bought a head that added two more inputs to the H6 and I was good to go. Today I wanted to record something from one of my VSTs and finally gave up in disgust. There is way too much to remember unless you use the software every day and with multiple VST's using different engines, some multi-timbra, it can quickly become a nightmare. I've got 4 synths I'd like to master and I'm sure I can play whatever I want with them under this setup if don't spend all my time figuring out what went wrong in the daw or forgetting to change tracks and so I don't loose the patch in track one I no longer remember the name of on a different synth engine. Madness.

[@Jason75913]

For jamming with my VSTs, I just use Komplete Kontrol standalone. Best VST host. I've even recorded musical ideas using VSTs running through my dear hardware reverb and delay pedals that I normally use with my hardware synths, going into my DR40 or one of my keyboards that can record audio.

[@evilsock420]

My first setup was a Circuit Tracks, Opsix and a microkorg. Great starter setup and enough to get me hooked into the gear u have now.

[@Jean-Mi_Paradis]

I am between hybrid and completely dawless. Let me explain: I have a few synths (Argon Modal 8X, Korg Wavestate, Behringer Neutron, Arturia Minibrute 2S, a few midi controllers, but the main “brain” is my Akai Force. I can send midi information to all of these synths via a USB Hub, bet back the audio from each of them into the Force via a mixer. That is the dawless setup. For the hybrid, I use the computer to work on some chords and progressions (which is sometimes easier than on the Force), export the midi to the Force and send that midi information to various channels to the connected synth, or plug-ins within the Force. All in all, sure, for me, this setup works very well. Bo, as usual, you produced an awesome video. Thanks so much for sharing it with us! All the best from Canada.

[@nanocyde_artist]

I use a big cheap Mackie mixer with inserts, a couple patchbays, and a two-channel audio interface in my dawless setup. Works great with guitar pedals, monolithic synths, semimodulars, and eurorack. I still use my PC and reel-to-reels to record everything.

[@Synth_RISE]

Great video Bo. I like your focus on music and happiness. I've been DAW-free for a few years. All of your advice is spot on. I'm still in the no-Eurorack camp. Whenever I'm around Eurorack setups, my mind drops into technical-analytical mode, which I prefer to avoid while making music.

[@ellingsonTV]

This is all great advice! I started with a Mother-32 and I think that was a good way to grasp the basic concepts and terminology. It also just has a really great little sequencer.

[@gabsarmento]

Great video! So clarifying. Thanks a lot, and cheers from Brazil!

[@elecblush]

I have to say, among all your tips on gear, your mindsett and philosophy about what is the value of "dawless" are always very valuable. For me dawless was a very liberating experience. Having struggled with tons of "incomplete" tracks in my daw and feeling that my music was going nowhere it was so refreshing to come to the same realization that you talk about in that midsommar party. The fact that the tracks exist only in that moment, and not as some project file that gets to stew for years on a harddrive. Making Jams, whether I record them for youtube or not, has freed me from my previous perfection "ready to release" mentality and let me focus on the fun and expression of making music. I have produced so much more music and learned so much more these past two-three years after stumbling into dawless. The interesting part is that this liberation has also led me to release more of the music i make on to the world through my yt, channel. Music was always just a hobby for me, and now, more then ever, I feel its a hobby that is focused mostly on fun, enjoyment and learning new skills. Love your content Bo. Keep Jammin' !

[@shix13]

The lure of modular is SOOOO strong even though i KNOW it's not where i want to go, the DIY maker in me wants to buy all the kits and build all the modules. So thank you for reinforcing the don't go modular message :)

[@elwhagen]

I have a Synthstrom Deluge at the heart of my setup, and around it sits a Hydrasynth Desktop, a Linnstrument 128 controller, a Behringer ARP 2600, a Nord Stage 3, a Novation Mininova and a Empress Zoia effects pedal. And if I want I can just startup Ableton Live 11 Suite with numerous extra software synths for unlimited possibilities. The Deluge ability to be used everywhere, containing a multitude of synth engines, ability to record audio and with a great sequencer controlling everything makes it the gear that I most likely will never sell.

[@timhowes7088]

Same here, Deluge at centre. MODX, OB6, SY55, CS15 (on CV/gate) DSR2000, Minibrute. Bigsky, Quadraverb, 2x TC electronics M100’s Currently wanting to add a Tastychips granular or Access Virus. Happily computer free.

[@smashhead9728]

I never used a DAW, I have no clue how it works. I startet with pocket operators and a korg nts-1, than I got a mother 32 and have the full sound studio now. My sequencer are a korg sq-1 and a keystep 37. I'm having lots of fun with it, and I'm glad I manage without a computer, it was the main reason to get into this hobby

[@navarredr]

Heyo, Bo! I'm learning a lot lately from your channel, new & old. I recently purchased a 'Jaspers 170-4-120B' rack, per your recommendation, and couldn't be happier! I'm going for a hybrid setup that lets me play with my PC off and also let's me record everything into Ableton once I'm inspired and ready to lay down a track. I'm already 500% more productive, creatively. Cheers!

[@shachar87l]

Great video, for me starting dawless was octatrack but in generally a sampler is a also good place to start, I enjoy the immediately of hardware but also the hard work of sampling and flipping them around

[@MattPerrin]

Two things I wish I had bought sooner was a patchbay and rainbow color-coded snake cables instead of individual cables. Both help me be experimental with where I route my synths to (pedals, vintage rack gear) without overwhelming me with cables. Oh, and buying a high quality 2 channel audio interface with a mixer handling inputs is WAY cheaper & flexible compared to buying a multi-channerl interface that might not be as nice.

[@Meitao23]

Refreshing departure from the usual KZbin synth video. 10 out of 10.

[@3dsman]

Awesome! Loved the video! Agree with everything you said! I have thousands of dollars of schtuff ranging from early Moogs to modern Akai MPC's etc and think you nailed your summary. My only addition to all of it would be that while modular and analog synth's are amazing sounding if you want to learn a lot about synth's with a low budget and stay dawless the MPC's (especially the Live II because it's so nice to have a battery operated unit with built in speakers... just turn it on and start making music) have a lot to offer. You can load classic software versions of famous synth's and learn how to use them. If you want to go get the full analog versions later you can but then you'll already have some idea of how to use them for bargain basement pricing. I'm biased obviously, but again... have tons of vintage analog stuff and... what I would have given back in the 80's to have had an MPC Live II back then!!! Oh my GAWD!! One little box that can do so much... and with c/v I/O and tons of midi capabilities. It's got it all.

[@TecEgg]

I was searching for exact this answer. Will receive my Live II today and guess I get quite happy with it. Also the new MPC 3.0 looks dope and seems to out knock most of the negatives aspecs about the workflow. e.g.: disk streaming is now a thing for mpc too, not just the force. So enough storage and overhead to select the amount of samples you want. Did you checked also the akai force? I'm thinking about to selling it after getting used to the mpc live. With MPC 3.0 the force seems to be not usefull anymore. Also downside, its big and hasn't portable power.

[@jonmaddison]

Great video. I started with Koala Sampler on my iPad, then found AUM, added a couple of hardware synths and a drum machine, LK to sequence (Octachron is also good for drums) and I can mix and match and route MIDI as I want. Also VCVRack is amazing, have mixed that with external synths as well. Oh, also, good shout on ergonomics. Very important.

[@dankeplace]

I can't go 100% dawless because of my workflow, whilst I only use hardware, I do some mixing in post as I find I get the best out of my hardware when I do my so called sets. I play all my gear live and they have their own outs recorded so then I can do some post. I use internal FX where I can so I don't use in post. So whilst a hybrid approach, it still allows me to print my objective as I know the sounds I am making, but clean up any issues that I may encounter in DAW. Either way, I still have fun doing it and that's how I approach my work flow. Thx for the upload Bo.

[@leftmono1016]

I recently tried the hybrid approach, recorded individual 8 bar or 16 bar patterns onto my Bluebox 1010 and sequenced them in Ableton. Saved a lot of time and effort trying to record a live jam. With all the mistakes that entails! Worked really well, only problem is I’ve got a decent audio track but no video. Having to record a video is holding me back uploading the track.

[@timhowes7088]

The last computer based setup I had was Atari with Pro24 in 1987. I loved it. When I got back into making music with synths 8 years ago I just played them. By the time I’d bought 3 I wanted to sequence them, I didn’t want to use a DAW as I watched a mate use one with a single synth and a load of plugins. He spent time talking about sorting out latency, he spent time ‘configuring’, he spent time wobbling a mouse and going through menus trying to find why he wasn’t getting sound, why a track wasn’t doing what it should… it was a lesson. I’ve never used a DAW and I can throw a tune and arrangement together in a fraction of the time that he does. I use a computer for final mixing only after exporting everything from the Deluge. He fits what suits him and that’s fine. I’d rather use more a time playing keys.

[@andyhcape]

I’ve had loads of gear and then sold on various bits here and there. Just after 10 years committed to Elektron for a while. I love big clunky buttons, I’m 53!!!! Started with Syntakt….which on its own is enough for years of diving into…..and all you need really. But hey when Digitakt 2 launched I waited for a little while and bought a much cheaper Original Digitakt. I thought a little experience on the Syntakt wouldn’t be lost on a Digitakt. So switched to that for now on its own. Then at some point I’ll work out how to Overbridge separate tracks recorded into a DAW, so no need for a multitrack recorder. And then hook the SYN and DIGI together (sync) and even after that the few synths I have left (a Roland S1, Volca Sample, Monologue) can be hooked up via MiDI for even more possibilities, so there’s another five years right there. What I notice about having lots of different gear in the past is you are better able to know what is special or unique about other stuff. I have also kept my Novation Circuit - the original version - it’s still fun and I sometimes take it on a train with me to have a play. Coming back to it having used other gear I think makes you stretch how you use it afresh. I bought N Circuit because of Bo Beats very early videos. It was a great way to start. Thanks BO

[@ApsyD10]

Very informative and you captured it beautifully…. Loved the last part around the spirit of playing dawless… playing at the moment… for the moment …. Being in the moment…. Nicely put.

[@Tuvalu977]

My breakthrough with regards to the ease of usability of my setup was a patchbay actually. There are always more instruments or gadgets than there are mixer / routing / rec in options. Soo convenient to swap connections without touching any gear 😊 Especially when working with sampling, effects and/or resampling.

[@jerdure]

Great work with this video ! Very well said, I agree with the idea of having fun and pleasure playing / jamming. Very inspiring. I haven't reached that state yet ah ah, always trying out gear and not digging enough.

[@toreeriksson6117]

Thank you for your videos, and thank you for this one in particular. I really enjoy them and benefit from them. My situation is quite unique, but probably not very interesting. I strongly suspect that I'm suffering from ME/CFS, think of it as post-covid, only that I've had it since the early 90's or maybe late 80's. In order to save my remaining energy, I plan to make the lion share of my work, not in a bedroom studio but actually in a bed studio. I plan to take my Zoom R8, my Volca Keys, my Volca FM, and my Zoom Studio 1201 to my bed studio, maybe add a small MIDI controller and a Korg Monologue if I'm able to find them at the right price. (I have a larger MIDI keyboard that I may use - or I may find it too chunky). Since I simply can't afford physical Eurorack modules, I still enjoy playin around with VCV Rack 2 when I have the strenght to sit next to my PC. And Dexed to cook some sounds I can upload to the Volca FM. I'm afraid Circuit Track will result in short loops that will bore me to death quite soon. Please prove me wrong here! But I guess it depends on which genre you wish your songs to belong. I'd love some synth leads and ambience, but serving as flavouring spices and not the main ingredience.

[@Tx....]

My advise, dont buy a new synth until you know the one you own like the palm of your hand

[@BoBeats]

Thats solid advice! Rtfm Or WAYT watch a youtube tutorial

[@PLA.net-DANTE]

Have to disagree on that one. The problem with dawless is:depending on your setup, you have to keep buying to a certain level, especially if you use monotimbral synths without a sampler. But I've got some problems with gas, as well😂

[@МастерскаяМетеор]

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who had practiced one kick 10,000 times.

[@litup6465]

That’s no fun at all….

[@pfmmodule5144]

I own an Octatrack so that’s never going to happen

[@jlmartin63]

«The journey itself». That's the point!

[@johnwellingtonwells7639]

When I started out there wasn't an alternative to being DAWless, my first sequencer was an Alesis MMT8 which I used into the ground. Then I moved onto a Yamaha QY700 (odd but actually great when you get your head round it). Then I had an epiphany - OG Circuits arrived and I fell in love. I ended up using two as the heart of my system and got really creative. Eventually they got a bit limiting and I went through a couple of other options before ending up with the MPCone I use now. I still have a circuit tracks as a slave as the circuit sequencer paradigm makes me write different stuff than if using a keyboard. Currently I am very happy with my set up and Bo has been no small part of getting to this point; not just with excellent reviews but with items like this. Carry on my Swedish Synth Pal.

[@damelos4039]

One of your BEST videos. I'm not dawless. I like using Ableton to finish/polish tracks from the dawless gear. I only recently started down this journey. BUT, I can quickly see the need for a mixer and more cables! Ugh!

[@DerLeonce-u9c]

yo Bo i just wanted to thank you for this amazing video! Music should be enjoyed in the moment and it's so tuff when you struggle having fun because of the need to be productive! Thanks to this video I feel so much more motivated and free in my thinking of making music! I am also building a hybrid setup now because it inspired me so much (I didn't even realize till now I have nearly everything for it at home!) Now I just need some more cables and im a free synthyjammer! Thanks so much for your wisdom and big LOVE from Munich!!!

[@zenithjcoke]

Great to bring up ergonomics. I'm using an Akai Force as my sequencer/production studio, but the lack of tiltable screen was a big issue. Bought a larger Jaspers stand that now holds all music gear (so far...) And tilts everything any angle and height. Traded my Minilogue XD keys for the desktop model too solely on the basis of improved ergonomics as I never used the keys and they only made the knobs harder to reach. I find I spend much more time actually producing when I don't get back and neck pain from slumping over gear laid flat on a table. Tack för en bra video!

[@BryanVehonsky]

Great video Bo! Didn't realize that KVGear rebranded to Synth Rise. If I had one gripe with their stands it was adjusting the "hook" positions, but it looks like they've added a new connector as opposed to just screws and wingnuts. Also a big fan of Varidock, which are metal and feel built like a tank. If you are going to be doing a bunch of sound design, you don't realize how tiring it is to have your arms constantly outstretched until you don't have good ergonomics with your setup.

[@BoBeats]

Yes the kvgear/synthrise stands are redesigned/improved. quite a bit better then last gen

[@pablowentscobar]

I'm pretty new to synths, I was really into Sludge/Doom metal all my life, Big amps, lot's of distortion etc, and just fell in love with synthesis in the last couple years, You're 100% right about jamming, being in the moment and having fun is the most important part. A lot of times mistakes turn into new ideas. Experimentation is really important, twist the knobs, slide the faders, try new connections etc. In that mess of bizarre sounds you will find some gold. Great video Bo.

[@zacharytipton1801]

This is a great video to see what the pathway might look like! I’m really wanting to pick up a circuit tracks as my first piece of gear and really figure it out before expanding

[@JasonMDockins]

I just put together my dawless set up that I’m determined to master before I get any new equipment. DrumBrute Impact, MiniBrute S2, MicroFreak, and a 1010music Blackbox.

[@BoBeats]

Solid setup!

[@SphuranaOfficial]

Nice setup, pretty similar to mine! just got a used 2s as well (love it) and using it with the hydrasynth explorer, budget ended up a bit short for the drumbrute so I got a used akai fire just for beats with ableton instead. but it’s pretty hands-on and allows me to detach myself from the screen

[@FreddyKBassman]

Thank you for the great advice. Lot's to think about.

[@keysersoze4851]

20 years ago i have decided to go pc-less and therefore dawless. i got disabled and my motivation after playing piano for 20 years dropped below zero. but i have kept my gear so my 8 years old daughter can have it, if she is interested. to my delight she is loving it and i have started explaining the very basic concepts. after introducing a second instrument the mixer is the first element to grasp. after adding effects to the aux channels, i think this is enough food for thought and gear to jam your head off. having a cirklon as a sequencer there is no need for anything more but it is very tough to learn. so i will throw an easier to learn sequencer, even if it is a keystep or so. there is also a drum machine. regardless of that i have ordered a decent soundcard to use a daw because it is an extremely useful tool. for this purpose i have set up a linux pc with reaper to be able to have more editing options. this setup should keep her busy for some time and we have not mentioned the recording topic, also vocals. i am super excited and curious, to where this journey will lead.

[@tricks-and-tips]

I absolutely love jamming on my dawless setup. It's one of the best ways I know to enjoy making music. My setup is not perfect, but it's created with my limited brain in mind and good enough to get something going quickly and give me inspiration and joy, which (IMHO) is the main thing because I need that to keep coming back at it and get experienced. I'm sure I'll add some things in the (nearby) future, but I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible, because 'one more thing' can make the setup 'a lot more complicated'. I do try to work towards some kind of end product, usually this is a youtube jam. But nothing too fancy or pretentious. Just a bit of organized fun that I record and edit and put out for others to enjoy and/or learn from while having fun in the process.

[@DannyFiver-m9k]

Been drumming and playing guitar to entertain myself since the 90's and in the last 7 years have been enjoying DAW's and Hardware . I have found that having hardware is like a physical guitar or drum. You get lost for hours and really enjoy/learn the instrument become better and more creative . For people who are computer literate which I am not then a DAW and midi controller is probably the same as hardware .

[@nicholasbalette6354]

Meeting you on Simple synth Facebook, now about Dawless review, true musicianship with synth 👍

[@MarinoDiMare]

I’d love to see a super basic but in depth explainer how to build a track with the Circuit Tracks and two (or four) other hardware synths. Where do you start? How do you you program this and that?

[@KooriGraywolf]

I learn and play synths mainly to play in bands, so I'm not really interested in the whole DAW-less jamming a full electronic song by myself thing. But it's interesting to learn what people who like it get out of it. What I will say though, is that with so many forms of entertainment turning fully digital (such as getting videogames from Steam), getting hardware synths brings back that childhood feeling of getting physical toys for Christmas.

[@BartdeBoisblanc]

Bo it is so true people forget about the components that glue everything together.

[@Jorn2u]

Man, it hurt so much when you said sell your Circuit Tracks. I love it so much. But you are totally right

[@mauriratm6145]

i started my music journey with the CT about 6 months ago, and this gives me serious FOMO ;(. Of course as said in the video, the fun jams i get with it feel that could last so many years for now. love that little accesible machine!

[@hajagosb]

The Circuit Tracks is amazing, as long as you just want to jam, and make grooves. I grew it out 2 months after I've bought it. Made several patternsm, that I couldn't develop further. Having no screen makes it a lot of fun, but really limits what you c an do with it. I cannot remember colors for the patterns I'm making. I want to name them. I've got a Digitakt 2 a month ago, and this is perfect for me. 16 channels and song mode is what I needed.

[@lordvesalius]

Hi! Thank you for all the valuable info you share! I have a question for you and the community. I'm new to this DAWless world. I've been making some basic electronic music for some time in Logic Pro, mostly for fun. But then I bought a Drumbrute Impact and I fell in love with this DAWless jamming thing :-) no computers, no screens, and every knob does just one thing. So I bought a microfreak too, so I can have fun for hours... And now I feel like the "right" next step is to add a Circuit Tracks to my setup mainly to add effects (reverb, delay, filters) to the drumbrute and micro, and to have better sequencing for the MF. And the sampler to fire sound FX and stuff. But I also want to buy a Minibrute 2s... because I think that that beast will be a lot of fun. Way more fun than the Circuit Tracks. And my budget is limited. The freak is awesome but I love the raw crudeness of the arturia brutes. Feel that I should buy the CT, to keep my setup simple and flexible, but I want to buy the MB2 to have a taste of semimodular analogic fun, and make crude basslines (I don't like the digital feeling of the track's synth). Do you have any advice? Thank you!!

[@stephenfreeman3986]

You mention using a midi controller for a hybrid setup. I'd also recommend using hardware synths that are controlled by your DAW via midi. This is a great combo for people who want to have that hands-on control of the synth sounds, while the notes are controlled by the DAW.

[@Lainer1]

Nice to see your video come up in my feed. Cheers.

[@watertekmusic]

The video I needed! I should try the Circuit Tracks....

[@dracul74]

I am now old enough that I've gone dawless multiple times, lol. For me the missing piece is a good multi track recorder. I have been using the Zoom L12 since I sold my Tascam dp-24. Hate to say it but am missing the many stereo tracks of the dp-24... mostly used for overdubs. I want to get a bluebox... but also don't because of the micro connections, lol. I had a bunch of pricy Elektron toys and sold most of it... picked up a circuit tracks and rhythm... much fun so far. Great vid.. thx.......

[@jasondbaker]

If you have the right room, wall mounting your equipment can save space and add stability versus using free-standing racks. I've used Standtastic wall-mount brackets over the past decade with inexpensive c-channel you can buy at a big box hardware store. These create a very stable platform for your synths when screwed into wall studs.

[@ToyKeeper]

For me, the three best things I did as a dawless musician were: 1. Get one or two really nice instruments, and play them. Like a versatile, knobby synth with good keys. Dive in deep. 2. Find a DAW I don't mind using, because dawless is expensive and I don't like limitations. For me, this ended up being an Akai Force. 3. Watch gear videos for inspiration, not for shopping purposes. They're full of cool things to try on the gear I already have.

[@mauchkimberly]

Thanks Bo. This was a useful reminder. :)

[@PurposelessConnection]

Launchpad mk3 pro with a 1010 blackbox is probably the most versatile base I can think of for dawless. Can highly recommend it! And switching between a hybrid setup and completely dawless is effortless with the Launchpad. The blackbox is a remarkable maschine for bringing in live instruments into the dawless synth world.

[@mk1st]

I've reached the third iteration of my studio, now with 10 hardware synths, a few microphones and DI for guitars/bass, several sequencers but a mixer with only 12 channels. I recently got the MRCC midi router, which is great, but I've got to get more inputs as I hate having to switch cables all the time: all instruments available for play all the time definitely ups the fun factor.

[@ssmith2019]

Great Viddy Bo ! ~ I took your advice 3 years ago and got a Circuit Tracks to start my set up ! It's the perfect "starter sequencer" ! Then I added a Yamaha MU15 sound module and a DSI Tetra that are run from tracks 3 and 4. Now I have added a Digitact (OG) and it runs a Moog Minitaur and a Novation KS4 as my second sequencer source. It's a great little rig, small enough to be portable but with plenty of options ! Thanks for all the help along the way ! 😁! PS. You didn't mention the Digitact that you always rave about in your sequencers options . . . Por Que No ?

[@BoBeats]

I wanted to keep the gear section simple. Digitakt, SL mk3 and a few other pieces of gear are absolutely worth looking at for sequencing too.

[@ssmith2019]

@@BoBeats Cheers ! 😁~btw ~I'm gonna switch the Tetra over to the Digitakt to take advantage of the 4 separate synth voices and have the KS 4 run from the Tracks to get the 6 note polyphony from the Circuit Sequencer ! Thanks for all the help !

[@TheTechnobear]

Hi Bo, hope your doing well :) I'll say my mistakes with dawless has always been forgetting why I use hardware - immediacy / tactile interfaces. at times my setup gets overly complex or I use overly complex hardware (synths/modular) which sap this immediacy and joy. these days the most joy I have is osmose (or piano) - I just turn on and play, on its own, no recording. only once the joy/inspiration has arrived **then** I'll fire up ableton (w/ push2), record to layer things, add fx, and often that'll spark me turn on they modular. (so bring in the hybrid side) ofc, we all have different needs/goal - but for me, I need that really simply start, inspiration, just to get me fired up!

[@BoBeats]

Hey buddy! Totally agree on the immediacy!

[@Cloud_Brn]

Don't forget about the Synthstrom Deluge! It's a synth, sequencer, drum machine, effects unit and more, all in one!! It also just got community software development, and is being updated and pushed further everyday!

[@GuidoGautsch]

It's the heart of my Dawless setup - have it hooked up to my Virus for 16-part synthesis and the TR-8 from x0x drums, plus Samples from Mars for all others. I can do absolutely anything with that setup.

[@BoBeats]

Absolutely! Great device

[@elwhagen]

Yeah, it's an amazing machine! Got a mint condition used one for peanuts last spring and I just love it. Easy to take with you anywhere. And since they released Community Firmware most of my initial grievances with the machine was instantly solved.

[@David_Banner]

Great advice as always. The one thing I would l like to add is, why not try semi modular synths on your roads to the glory of all things modular? There are plenty of options out there. An example of such would be the Behringer neutron or new proton.

[@The_artist_called_The_Engineer]

Great video. Tried Dawless just didn’t work for me then moved to Reaper first with my MC101 now MPC one, microfreak and my guitars and bassses…. My first attempt was four kit colcas and SQ1 and a zoom recorder and my guitars and bassses. I probably could have gotten it to work as a setup but I found I just couldn’t get the sound I wanted. One thing I would say is don’t worry about getting it wrong. Once I had bought my initial Volca setup and decided to change I sold my kit ( all second hand except the SQ-1) at pretty much what I paid or even a small profit and put it back into new gear, selling and upgrading each time till I ended up with my MPC and micro freak.

[@Canadianblaken]

a good reminder. thanks

[@frankmuscato7741]

Been a while since you had a video Glad you let your hair grow out

[@peeknic]

An excellent Midi router is the MRCC from Conductive Labs. They also have a smaller version. One more thing to consider is power management. USB, different 9v connectors (Vocas and Pedals), and then other things connected to mains...including lights, speakers, and any other device you have around. It takes a lot of plugs! Dealing with all the audio, midi, and power cables is a bit of a pain in the ass.

[@cs4122]

Great video Bo!

[@robin6416]

Circuit Track is definitely the best starter equipment if you want to dive into groovebox or even go further into dawless setup. it’s two midi channels and the input make it a simple dawless setup workstation.

[@Screenshot1015]

The bigger the setup, the less likely you’ll play out with it. I played a ton of shows with just a digitone midi sequencing a 404mk2 and playing synths over the top and it was much more fun and more capable than many of the bigger rigs I’d built. Nowadays I just play with a M8 and launchpad pro mk3 with a faderfox uc4. It all fits in a small case no problem.

[@TMeier]

One cool option for a sequencer is NerdSEQ. Technically it’s Eurorack but it works just as well with i2c and MIDI… plus it’s a lot cheaper than some of the other options. The tracker-style workflow is awesome for flexibility and it’s fun if your mind clicks with it like mine does

[@ajproject6191]

5:04 - Gold medal for the most uninspiring drop.

[@klaatu-barada-nikto]

Man, you can't be negative in comments online. That's not cool.

[@ajproject6191]

@@klaatu-barada-nikto It not cool to disappoint people like that.

[@TheMorningIWokeUpDead]

very good video, trying to build a studio setup and have been researching a lot of stuff over the years and came to same exact conclusions as this video. this is a really good resource!

[@moolder]

My advice, before you buy more synths for multiple voices better buy a capable sampler like blackbox or digitakt and record multiple voices from the same synth.

[@djengiskhant]

Best advice: Skip standalone sequencers. Go Elektron all the way. Digitakt 2 + Octatrack mkII FTW, and if you must, perhaps a Monologue and a Mikrofreak for some keys. Maybe a Volca FM2 if you like the sounds of Frequency Modulation.

[@zezaonobrega7909]

Hi Bo!! I loved the video. I have a Circuit Tracks that I bought after watching another video of yours, and I love creating with it. I use it with a Minilogue XD, a Deepmind, a Roland SH4D and a Crave. But I'm thinking about replacing the Circuit with a Polyend Tracker, because I think it's a great brain, and also to have more sequence power and better production features. What do you think about this?

[@BoBeats]

I dont know trackers very well so its difficult for me to say. If you feel comfortable sequencing with one go for it. Try. It wont be as hands on as the circuit since the tracker is more screen reliant. But could work!

[@jorgeuribera]

Great info! What do you think could be a good sequencer, not too complex like a workstation but one that can make easily and good transitions from a prerecorded set of midi tracks to another (a track to another track)?

[@resetreboot]

Hats off to that "midsommar" nod 🤣

[@joergbrathauer2302]

I also have ableton but for jamming with other gear it's very convenient. Just load your favorit synth (plugin) forget that it has a looper or arranger and it's like using just another instrument.

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

I use a system where I can jam onto my 24 track HD recorder and then tranfer the result to PC for mixdown. Having just played live at a festival with a monosynth, sound module and some eurorack FX too, I am sure that anyone who chooses to go DAWless is making the right choice.. but then I started recording on reel-2-reel and cassette in the early 80's when DAWs where still a pipe dream!

[@philiptoner8719]

Roland TR8s has a aux input that can be used if you are short on mixer channels

[@UrbanGarden-rf5op]

As an early synth enthusiast, Moog Prodigy, Taurus pedals. And adopter of MIDI, Prophet 600, Yamaha DX7 and QX 21. My main advice is: Don't skimp on the peripherals. Set aside at least 20 % of your budget for things like quality stands, cables and sundry. I invested in a MIDITemp 16 in/out router/processor in the mid nineties and it still serves me well. There are few (studio) things worse than having to track down problems with cheap cables. Only rich people can afford to buy cheap stuff, because they can easily buy a new one when it fails. Plus one for the Keystep Pro. After a couple of decades in the software rabbit hole I now prefer one knob per function gear. The way to make synths expressive is to fiddle with the knobs and other controllers while playing. That is an advantage over the piano which I, like Igor Stravinskij, consider a percussion instrument with multiple pitches. Still very useful, but expressive in a different way. Since I'm a compulsive hoarder, I don't dare go down the modular route. There would be patch cables everywhere😉 Good advice from mr Bo ✌✌

[@boogerfoot]

great video my boi

[@riffcrypt8438]

As a hobbyist I used to really vibe with DAWless. Using a Microbrute, an MC-101, some guitar pedals and a midi keyboard. The problem I ran into is that the ideas never got much further than half baked and if I took any sort of break from music creation I had to spend a minimum of a week remembering all the arcane shortcuts and key combos to make things work in the MC-101. Compared to a DAW it began feeling just as cumbersome to work with only without the numerous benefits. Especially with the phenomenal library of free plugins out there now. Reaper, free VSTs, and a MIDI keyboard is the new DAWless.

[@tks264]

Fully getting your point, see my comment above about the second type of dawless workflow. Had more or less the same issues, and is based around a sampler focused on song-building kind of solved this problem for me!

[@intriguedviewer501]

My 2 cents: There's no virtue in avoiding a DAW at all costs. Start with the hardware that has the biggest impact on your workflow, such as the sound sources. Triggering midi loops or running your synths into VST effects is a great way to save time and money while still forcing your hands to stay busy on synths and samplers. Aiming for a hybrid setup of primarily outboard gear but with the convenances of a DAW is good formula to start with.

[@tracyharms3548]

Maybe I was doing it wrong but I never have found a DAW to be convenient.

[@Jason75913]

A chunk of "DAWless" folks (I don't like that silly term) might be bad with technology to some extent, and especially software. There are oceans of Windows and Mac users that are terrible at using their computers, and then many DAWs are on a whole other level of complexity. It is somewhat understandable if some folks want to stay away from computers. And somewhat not understandable for me when I adapt to new gear and software very, very rapidly and with tremendous ease. Putting myself in the shoes of someone whose brain gets fried by this stuff is too hard for me to imagine. I still love hardware. I can get lost in composing in Cubase or my workstation keyboards all the same. When I'm tired or hit a creative block, I can switch to in-depth sound design on hardware or software all the same. Software is much more convenient as far as post FX chain design, though.

[@christopherscholl639]

My tip for trading up: Just because you like a monosynth doesn't mean you'll like its polyphonic version the same way. My first synth was a Mopho, and I liked it so much that I bought a Tetr4. The Tetr4 sounded just like it should: 4 Mophos in a box. I sold the Tetr4 along with some other gear to buy a Prophet Rev2. The Rev2 sounds different from the Mopho and Tetr4. It has less headroom and is a little more polite. I'm glad I still have the Mopho.

[@timbrowne2785]

I've learnt so much from your videos Bo - thank you! I'm wrestling with making my KO EP133 the brains of a dawless set up - with Minilogue XD, Keystep 37 + Micromonsta and a Tascam Model 12 - is it worth perserveing with the KO, and refining a workflow that works for me? I'd appreciate any input. I'm happy to invest the hours to learn but wonder if I am barking up the wrong tree? Thanks

[@BoBeats]

I personally dont like the ko2 as a master sequencer. I think its pattern/song mode is clunky and unintuitive. Fun sampler tho!

[@tks264]

@@BoBeats what about Blackbox or Smpltrek in that respect? Both work for me as song composition tools for what could be a minimal synth setup

[@BoBeats]

blackbox for sure. check my review of smpltrek, its a bit more complicated to work well for a synth setup i think

[@philiptoner8719]

Zoom LiveTrak L-8 8-channel Digital Mixer / Recorder- a good mixer and recorder for dawless

[@baqcasanke]

The best!!!

[@aseomg]

I've stopped getting gear because I end up needing more cables and interfaces to connect everything. Btw, do you know when the Circuit MK3 is coming?..asking for a friend. 😜

[@BoBeats]

Wish i knew. I hope they make one

[@davidherber7096]

Currently using a Keystep Pro to control Behringer Edge, Behringer Crave and a Minilogue XD Module. Looking to add a Modwave MKII very soon. I have been tempted to go hybrid because when I find something that I really like I want to save it for later use. I enjoy 'songwriting' and not just endless hours of 'jamming'.

[@shauncurtis4398]

4:45 - is this a “real song” of yours somewhere? I love it and would love to hear more of it! Great video too!!

[@BoBeats]

It only exist as a repetitive dawless jam (search bobeats diplomacy i think its called…) not a structured song in any way

[@shauncurtis4398]

@@BoBeats Perfect! Just glad it’s not something you filmed for 30s for the video 🤩🥸

[@UNOCASTILLO]

great video. for me this is clear. but i would loooove some advice about how start on electronic music. maybe studing compo? or maybe song writing? or just start to jam and see what happens? other question that i have it is, if i get ito dawless, if i want to make a concert, how do i organize my songs?. i font kow if all these are silly questions, i am just starting.

[@Lorneplumber]

Desktops and a beat step pro with some FX can get you a long way without getting too complicated - thats where i spend most of my fun time these days

[@BoBeats]

Thats a good sequencer too! Annoying it cant do poly sequencing but its phenomenal otherwise

[@sawlfo]

circuit tracks and a poly synth is all you need! circuit can do bass and an extra synth + drums, then you play leads or harmony wiuth the poly!

[@philiptoner8719]

The 2 digitak models- sample and cycles are both good starter drum machines

[@peeknic]

The Polyend Play is also an excellent sequencer and midi controller. The OG is very cheap for the value it offers.