Choosing a DAW in 2022

[@Isonomic]

digital* audio workstation...

[@trushreitsam5802]

That little error in the beginning ticked me off more than I expected...

[@musar03580]

@@trushreitsam5802 Yes, I'm with you. DAW = DIGITAL audio workstation. I did, however, do a Google search and was quite surprised to find others referring to a DAW as a "desktop" audio workstation, so the error here is not unique. But it ought to be resisted. It is about digital audio, not the type of device used to run the recording/editing software.

[@deriktofil]

I've honestly never heard it called a desktop audio workstation before, proper threw me off. 😂

[@keithferris9574]

Cakewalk is free and is as capable as any DAW.

[@TheCliffzone]

Cakewalk has became free but I still have my Sonar X3 wherever I go.

[@etch4]

Really Nice. Reaper.

[@JasonBrocket]

Lots of people are Reaper fans; definitely a good option.

[@gwave-records]

A simple and very helpful breakdown of each DAWs for audio & music production! Keep it up fam! Love it!

[@JasonBrocket]

Thanks GELVS, much appreciated.

[@stevewebb7126]

Reaper , excellent cheap and does everything .It's as complicated as you want it to be , I'm not great with Daws , but I figured out the basics needed to record a song in little time .Of course I am only scratching it's surface .

[@crazybomerman]

Some DAW difference I noticed: A) When iLok is removed: Pro Tools force User to Save & Close. B) Magix Sequoia is the opposite. When USB License is removed: User is allowed to keep Working & Saving.

[@joachimhavefaith6310]

Started in FL Studio. Great DAW, but I began making orchestral music, and it has a lot of shortcomings for that. Tried the Reaper trial. It's very good. You can do just about anything in it. But I don't like the "out of the box" experience in it (subjective ofc) But this is its strength and weakness. You can do stuff that you won't be able to achieve in other DAWs. If you don't care so much about the "default" workflow when you install, this might be THE software for you. Video game analogy time. Most other DAWs are sort of like theme parks where Reaper is like a sandbox. If you like to tweak stuff to your liking there's no other DAW like it. Also tried Studio One. Seems good as well, but in the end I landed at Cubase. With 40% sale and competetive crossgrade I got the pro version for just a bit over €200. I would reccommend doing a lot of research on the DAWs according to what genre you want to make, and choose depending on what DAW has best workflow for your genre. I think it's usually either EDM/TRAP/Hip Hop focused DAW (Good sequencers, fast and easy workflow in the playlist/arranger, good synths etc) Recording focused DAW (Good recording features obv. Personally don't do recording, so can't speak much on it) Orchestral/Cinematic focused DAW (Good midi CC editing features, good template features: disable tracks , stable with large templates etc) I'm still kind of a noob myself so don't take those points I wrote above to seriously. Point I'm trying to make is simply that you will probably want certain features for the genre you make. So doing the research before buying is a good idea. Starting in a free DAW is not a bad idea (like Cakewalk). And then figuring out what you need, or just stay with Cakewalk if it does the job for you :) Most DAWs also has trials. FL Studio trials is unlimited btw with all features unlocked .. Except one pretty important one, saving projects xD. So you will need to have your PC on for a couple of nights probably for finishing songs, but hey .. It's doable while your still just learning the beginning steps. Usually you can do it all in most DAWs, but it can be frustrating with lots of workarounds compared to a DAW that focuses on the features you want. Good video btw with lots of pro's and con's :)

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Joachim, thanks for the input. It is definitely worth checking out the specific features and workflow of each DAW to make sure that they are going to fit for what you want to do.

[@cnking27]

I'm using a DAW mostly for songwriting, composing, and saving ideas, and Studio One has been the best one for me. The only problem is collaboration because not enough people use it. I feel like I'm going to end up having to buy Reaper for collaboration (and convince others to buy it too), since it seems like it'll do everything I need for not a ton of money or space on my PC...but that's frustrating. I love the environment in Studio One, it's been very intuitive to learn.

[@JasonBrocket]

If you like it, I'd say stick with it. Depends on how much you are collaborating. If it's not too much then converting to wav files might do the trick. You may possibly have a more difficult time getting people to pick up Reaper as it requires significantly more setup time. It's kind of like the Linux of DAWs.

[@cnking27]

@@JasonBrocket Thank you! I'll try sending wav files or aaf if I can't get them to pay the $13 for studio one.

[@jaketeeling5679]

@@cnking27 They don't need to have Studio One to collaborate with you. You can invite them via their free presonus account or via their e-mail account from within Studio One. Their contributions will appear inside Studio One regardless of which DAW they're using.

[@bismuthbaker6433]

Very good video! Exactly the kind of resource i needed for an intro into the awful swamp of digital software reviews. I would recommend using the chapter feature so it's easier to skip back and relisten to certain parts but other than that fantastic and I'll be looking through your other vids! I'll also say the very clear and steady voice made watching on 2x speed really easy too

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Bismuth, thanks very much for the comment. I'm glad it can be of help to you.

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Bismuth, thanks for the comment.

[@BillyBanter100]

Reason and Cubase are the DAWs I use. Reason is easier to get into but Cubase is immensely versatile and worth the extra effort to learn. Both DAWs have loads of excellent tuition videos free online.

[@BrianMagnan]

Just bought Nuendo with the 50% off sale their having. Switching after using Protools the last 3 years. Needed something better for MIDI composing, but didn’t want to go back to logic. So I got the 30 day trial. I NEVER expected Cubase/Nuendo to be so feature packed! After setting up some essential custom key switches for my editing workflow I found it can do what Protools and logic did for me and even more. Now that I can work decently quick inside I’m excited to delve in even further.

[@mrblablablabla]

This was massively helpful, cheers! As almost a complete noob, I didn't understand everything, but at least now I know where my knowledge lacks. Off to research notation editing, multichannel editing/routing, support of different VST types, file exchange systems, MPE, etc...

[@JasonBrocket]

Hey, glad I could be of help. Sounds like you've got a big musical journey ahead of you, but it is an extremely rewarding one.

[@mrblablablabla]

@@JasonBrocket sure hope so!

[@rudycastillo6369]

if ur getting into using daws studio one super easy fast

[@tobagomango]

Great summary - thanks!

[@JasonBrocket]

Cheers!

[@MrMagnaFarce]

After starting off with Reason and Logic, then trying out Pro Tools and Reaper, I eventually tried out and settled on Samplitude. I mostly work with audio files and am not composing with virtual instruments or MIDI, so it works well for me. When I was doing more composing in the past I definitely preferred Logic.

[@JasonBrocket]

Thanks for the Intel, always useful to know what you are using the DAW for.

[@DanielJ_Mart]

I started off with Protools and then I realized I spent $300 on a program that I can't figure out and there wasn't a lot of tutorials on KZbin yet. It seems like Cubase is a little easier at understanding but I might try some on this list.

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Daniel Jay. Bummer! Try downloading some demos and giving them a test run. Cubase might be good for you if you're looking for something similarish to Protools and you've got the $$$. Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for.

[@ESTRUSMUSIC]

You don’t need a subscription for studio one! Only if you choose “Sphere”, but you can have just the daw.

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Fabiana. That's good to know. How have you found working with Studio One?

[@ESTRUSMUSIC]

@@JasonBrocket i’ve switched to s1 after 12 years of pro tools. I’m totally in love with it.

[@JasonBrocket]

@@ESTRUSMUSIC What do you like about Studio 1 over Pro tools?

[@stevie-hk3uq]

if youre looking to make older styles of electonic music or just some really interesting stuff, check out Renoise- its technically a tracker but it has a lot of daw features and is perfect and perhaps better than most daws for those older electronic genres. + its available on all operating systems and is super cheap. I think it would be a great starter if that's the type of music you want to make

[@JSprayaEntertainment]

FEEDBACK LOOPS in their mixer .. should be your focus really ..... something like (FL STUDIO) that CANNOT just belongs being hosted in something like (LOGIC PRO) nothing wrong with combining your Favs i sync two macs and Two versions Logic ( Mostly ) 1. Logic 2. ableton 3. bitwig , Reason 12 , Cubase , Neuendo , Studio one , PRO TOOLS , fl studio , Reaper , Acoustica Mixcraft , Cakewalk , sony acid , Presonus Studio One , LMMS , Ardour , garage band , roland zen beats adobe auditon , magix , audacity , vcv rack 2 , waveform 11, mixpad audio editing , music maker ( then ipad apps )

[@micustic]

Great video bro, subscribed, no.50 Best of luck, Mick, Lanzarote

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Mick, thanks for the sub.

[@backix]

Can I add: Acoustica Mixcraft, Windows only, is by far the easiest to learn, has many online tutorials, a good forum to ask questions, cheap , it is the very best beginner DAW in my h.o. Enjoyed your video.

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Lori WYUK, thanks for watching the video. If that works for you - great! Use whatever tool gets you creating.

[@2vindicator]

Absolutely!

[@trushreitsam5802]

You have a point there, but my experience with it was, that it would be one of the first DAWs you'd grow out of. There is almost no customizability, the little features, that really elevate your workflow after you find out about them are somewhat lacking and it is really mouse centered. That doesn't mean, that it is a bad DAW, but I think some of it's limits can get on your nerves fairly quick. But maybe I wasn't using it for long enough...

[@backix]

@@trushreitsam5802 you used the latest version?

[@trushreitsam5802]

@@backix I used the version 9 Two Years ago to be honest... Since they haven't released version 10 this might be still relevant. But if they have released a new minor Update, that fixed my problems with it, I will silence my criticism until I have had a more recent look at it.

[@fangan4770]

Stimestamps are crucial for comparison videos.

[@MankyFrilla]

Think you forgot to say that LOGIC also has free lifetime updates as of myself using it for 10 years -great video though 🎹🎸🎧

[@madpanman]

WHAT ABLETON THEME IS THAT? 0:36

[@JasonBrocket]

Sorry, I have no idea mate. That's an image from online.

[@madpanman]

@@JasonBrocket thanks man hopefully some will see the question and answer... great info btw...

[@JasonBrocket]

@@madpanman I'd be interested in knowing what that theme is as well! Thanks for the comment.

[@musician1971a]

For Studio One you DO NOT need a subscription. That includes Studio One Pro, which has everything and you can buy it in full. There are more PreSonus software products though and if you want those you can either buy these or go for the Sphere membership. This includes notation software and many extra soundsets as well as add-ons like more devices in the Fat Channel channel strip plugin (which already has 3 types of compressor and 3 types of EQ as a standard) as well as additional channel strips. But nowhere do you need to subscribe to anything to get anything unless you choose so. So I'm sorry, but you provided wrong information there. Knowing this I hesitate to trust the other reviews.

[@hoossembechiri6136]

Good video bro ..but why you didnt montion nuendo

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi Hoossem, I haven’t used Nuendo, but my understanding is that it is aimed at audio and video postproduction. Cubase is Steinberg’s flagship music production tool. If you are doing professional sound for games or film then Nuendo is probably the better choice, but Nuendo is also expensive.

[@Dave-lz3rm]

@@JasonBrocket Very true, and it's also $1000 unless crossgrading from certain competitors.

[@Getsmore]

Maschine works amazing for me. I finished song from start to finish in less than 30 minutes

[@JasonBrocket]

Ok, it's not a DAW, but I am interested in the hardware process. How much set up is required to get going? Can you use external VSTs through it?

[@Getsmore]

@@JasonBrocket of course you can all vst’s

[@Getsmore]

It works great in standalone(that’s the way I usually use it). But you can use it within a DAW also

[@DecayingWings]

Who is it beast for 😅

[@ms.rebelle]

Cakewalk

[@moidage]

Get your foot in the daw 😝

[@beatkellermusic]

your initial DAW was cakewalk?

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi, no my original DAW was Propellorheads Reason. I used versions 1, 2.5, 4 and then upgraded to 10 back in 2019. It's just not very good for sequencing, mixing and mastering.

[@juicerox]

@@JasonBrocket Not very good for sequencing, mixing, and mastering? As of version 12, Reason is as capable as any other DAW out there. I use Cubase and Studio One as well but still prefer Reason to sequence with and probably prefer Cubase to mix and master but certainly can be done in Reason since they opened up to VST years ago. Great video BTW. Keep them coming!

[@JasonBrocket]

@@juicerox Hi Jordan, thanks for the comment. If Reason works for you that's fantastic. Personally I found it incredibly frustrating. It has its place: you can do some reasonably interesting sound design with it, but after using a number of other DAWs, I wouldn't touch Reason for sequencing or mixing. Keep making music 🙂.

[@lannylan638]

👍👍👍

[@Drelo120]

Reason Studios

[@techiq7389]

Its "Digital Audio workstation mate......No need to choose, just get Ableton, Problem solved.

[@imnetec]

Cons of Ableton, the price.

[@JasonBrocket]

Yes, it is pricey. But all of the top end products are. If you're looking for cheap try Reaper.

[@narutofan4545]

Wtf is ableton not for hip hop

[@JasonBrocket]

Hi, as I said in the video Ableton Live is good for any type of music.

[@barrakingbeatz7794]

Say Doors 1 more time

[@JasonBrocket]

Doors! 😁

[@SjarMenace]

Lol thought you where a girlin thumbnail