DAWLESS SETUP: 5 Reasons Why People Go DAWless | 424recording.com

Having a DAWless setup is something many people don't understand in 2021. Here's 5 reasons people choose a DAWless setup. Check out my DAWless setup in depth at 424recording.com/dawless-setup
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[@desmondmoller1670]

I went dawless. I’ve been using garage band for years but I’m still overwhelmed by the amount of plugins and how to best use them. So instead I made a pedalboard and bought a Tascam. That’s how I came across this channel. Super inspired and have recorded 5 songs in 4 days.

[@desmondmoller1670]

I’m on soundcloud #the trailer tapes

[@424Recording]

Wow, that is a prolific few days. I'm glad to here you've been getting inspired, Desmond. I'll have to check out the souncloud tracks! Cheers!

[@YellowJelloMusic]

Same here, plugins and limitless amount of tracks. Also menu browsing and windows and shit. Screw that. I bought my 414 because of this too.

[@louaguado995]

For me it's portability. I know we can use a mic, interface and laptop, but a portable digital recorder does everything those 3 things do in one unit. Also no system crashes, hardware incompatibility or latency.

[@4Ever4Track]

Plus, turning knobs is soooo much more fun than clicking a mouse. Great channel man. I’m recording to a tascam 246 and have permanently ditched the daw.

[@424Recording]

Yes, the tactile nature of DAWless cannot be understated. I think we're built to use tools; computers can be a bit strange in terms of editing by proxy, if that makes sense. Nice! 246. I always wanted one of those. How are you liking it?

[@4Ever4Track]

@@424Recording I really like the 246. It sounds amazing and the thing is built solidly. It has a few quirks like the effects send and return can only be assigned to tracks 1-4, so there is no way to monitor effects without commuting them to tape, but there is a workaround for that and discovering it was fun. I’m trying to startup a channel just to post my songs and adventures with it. I’d welcome your advice on camera, editing, and getting started. Thx dude. Keep up the good work!

[@whiteshedrecordings]

#6 - Every Logic/Mac update is messing with my plugins now. #7 - Over producing tracks for no reason other than the abundance of options. #8 - Because all the cool kids on the 424 Discord are going DAWless ya nerds!

[@424Recording]

Yup, pretty much the first three reasons I went DAWless too haha

[@aaron4757]

😂😂

[@Psztyk236]

Very good #1 point. I remember when I started working as programmer in 2018 and immediately had a huge creativity crisis - after spending 8h/day staring at code and screen the last thing I wanted to do in my free time was staring at a computer even more. Discovering Tascam’s Portastudios as well as this channel has been a blessing for me

[@YellowJelloMusic]

AAW! 😂 Genius, love it. 1) Fcuk recording on the computer, it kills my flow. 2) Limitations breed creativity, also it just sounds good to me. 3) I like getting a real human performance with flaws in my songs, not just loops.

[@424Recording]

AAW yeah!

[@jakestechtravels4864]

As a programmer / software tester by day who spends 8+ hr stuck in front of a multi monitor setup, Reason number 1 is SUPER relatable! I only recently got back into music production after 13ish years away (I did it in college / uni) and when coming back to it I lost all creativity / motivation when launching a 'fully fledged DAW'... Then decided to limit myself to an iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) with iPad mini 6, a collection of apps and hardware. Not looked back and love making music again. I know the iPads are technically screens... but its only used to route the hardware into / synth engines. Also, Ableton Link is amazing.... like this did not exist back in my uni days! All fun stuff. Brilliant video too!

[@juanmico4085]

I'm old enough to have made music before DAWs existed, and was extremely relieved when I could finally ditch the cumbersome and limited Tascams and Fostexes of this world, even ADATs, ugh... so I can't say I understand this "new" DAWless trend, other than being a bit of a fad, and an extremely expensive one at that. We humans love buying and owning stuff, and hardware purchases quench that thirst. On the other hand, I can understand the sheer amount of options in the software world can be paralyzing and kill inspiration and workflow. It's a bit of a classical vs. jazz debate. Some like the predictability and control of the former, and some the freshness and spontaneity of the latter. None is better, it's a matter of what suits your personality better I guess.

[@sinistar99]

I totally get it and I use both a DAW and a DAWless setup as they tend to compliment each other. I find the latter much more inspiring musically and there is a tactile gratification there. It's kinda like thumbing through a collection of vinyl LPs vs scrolling through a Spotify playlist on your phone.

[@kunaikai]

I know you can technically record a performance on a DAW but recording in an AAW helps so much. It’s like taking off the training wheels.

[@tomblaze2]

The dawless community misses you bro 😢

[@erwinsteenbergen]

I would even go further: tried recording ‘ dry signals’ once (so I could edit, etc afterwards) but that totally kills the vibe. Nowadays, I make a decision and stick with that. Does the synth with that particular delay sound awesome? Record it. The sound hugely influences your playing, so to me it doesn’t make sense wanting to alter the fundamentals afterwards.

[@unclemick-synths]

Absolutely right. Get the sound you want, ballpark EQ to fit with the existing tracks, ballpark compress if necessary, add any sweetening and then commit to the sound. Do a quick test recording to see what comes back off "tape" then go for it.

[@424Recording]

Commitment is key to getting stuff done!

[@markusleb]

Go DAW-less with a DAW, just for trying out! I have been doing that recently by limiting myself to four mono tracks only, applied tape channel strips, and basically limited myself to the functionality I could find on a Tascam 4-track. Interesting experience!

[@unclemick-synths]

With bounces I used to get 10 tracks on 4-track cassette but it took planning.

[@JH-lo9ut]

Computers tend to crave too much of my mental capacity, and my patience too. I am not a complete computer illiterate, at least I wasn't, but I stopped enjoying working on a computer years ago. I have been doing practical and technical work for most of my career. I find working with my hands more enjoyable and more intuitive. The steady stream of software updates makes sure I never really catch up on the skills I need to be able to fully understand and appreciate how programs and OS's work. When knowledge gets obsolete so quickly, it doesn't even seem worth the effort to learn new stuff. (It is like all those login accounts that you use so rarely, that you never remember the password when you need them.) But I love to learn stuff and aquire new skills. I usually go to the tried and tested methods that has stood the test of time. So, when I started to make electronic music as a hobby I went for a pretty small hardware setup. I can add more gear as I learn to use what I have. I know that if I have too many options, it just kills all my creativity. I have so far spent less money than I would have needed to spend on a new quality laptop and software.

[@gyorgyludanyi]

For example in 1930, musicians at the time did not have a computer. Yet many great songs were born ...

[@mrwolfsang]

I love the idea of DAW-less recording. I would love to go all analog with 2" tape machines with the real consoles.

[@unclemick-synths]

Make sure you employ a tape-op to do all the alignment etc. for you. Tape is fun but I much prefer digital multitracking if only for the undo when the punch-in turns out even worse than the mistake! 😊

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

If I had the cash flow that's what I would do but your talking a lot of money to buy a working 2"tape machine and a good analogue working studio counsel and all the outboard gear and cables ect... Your talking like 15-20k for a working 2" tape multitracker and decent studio board with at least 8 channels plus mic pres and compressors and eq, it would be awesome but not practical anymore unless your wiping your ass with $100 bills and drinking champagne for breakfast then go for it!!

[@bobzmuda3940]

4 tracks and cassettes are just fine at accomplishing this for a budget, i have 3 portastudios in a chain to record anything i want to tape

[@0000song0000]

@@bobzmuda3940 which models?

[@bobzmuda3940]

@@0000song0000 a 144, a 464, and a 424mk3 ✌️

[@georgegeez8708]

This is the era I came from, analog Dawless. I'm in the middle of buying all the old analog equipment I need to build my studio. I'm almost there. Take these computer based producers and put them in a hardware studio, they'll be intimidated. Give them an editing block and a reel to reel and tell them to edit, they'll end up in the hospital with a bad gash in their hands. Lmao. Shout out to you and all the real hardware producers.

[@chosensmusic]

😂 signal flow -

[@mackmccord3743]

All my Superheroes went dawless back in all of great music making. And Eye grew up and was created to dawless music and that music still bumps.... So dawless Eye shall be. But in all seriousness. Eye don't use midi sounds and Eye don't love computers! Dope video! 🕶️💜

[@leogolive]

I’m trying to understand why some people say that foregoing a DAW to make music is a fad? I have a Tascam DP-24 and Studio One. I love them both, but I definitely get tired of having to use a computer to make music. It’s great being able to just turn on some equipment and go. It could easily be said that buying and using every plugin is a fad.

[@424Recording]

Yeah, I don't understand it, either. It's strange to me that it is a point of contention or considered a fad, too

[@unknown9274]

started dawless because i work on a computer all day and tbh i was a bit overwhelmed with the possibilities of a daw at first. you learn a lot about a daw when you learn the hardware first. now i‘m gravitating more towards a daw again and got myself a hybrid setup so i can take advantage of both worlds

[@swapmeetdj]

Latency issues are a great reason to go DAWless if you have a weak computer and use a lot of hardware. For a lofi enthusiast it seems much more convenient to achieve saturation with cassette as opposed to digging for plugins, even if it’s mixer stereo outs into a basic deck.

[@424Recording]

Yeah, something to be said about recording in real time!

[@TheFakeNewsFrog]

My reasons for going semi-DAWless: 1. I’ve got a giant tower of ADAT 8’s (64 channels). 2. Currently collecting more outboard gear. 3. Vintage 32 channel console. 4. Actual cassette. 5. Actual reel-to-reel. 6. Actual Drums, Guitars, Mics, and amps. 7. Flexibility, Creativity, and Inspiration. I’m not completely DAWless, but that’s because I use my DAW to import sessions for mixing, and also as a DSP. To use plugins with the console, I just patch from the analog I/O on my A32 into the inserts. When mixing, audio tracks will go into the ADAT’s, get converted to analog, then out the board. I can also patch from my RTR and cassette machines straight into the analog I/O on the A32. This is to bypass the ADAT converters and try minimise ‘colouring’ the sound any further. Great video’s man!

[@424Recording]

That's quite the setup! Thanks!

[@MikeFoerster]

I would fit under #1 and #3 for sure. I'm tired of computers also I love my rack stuff.

[@floncyb5436]

Good stuff!!

[@emanuelwhitehead6039]

Going dawless for that sound you get

[@JeffHendricks]

I can 100% identify with all of these reasons. I borrowed (semi-permanent loan?) a Tascam DP-01FX, a digital 8-track recorder with fx and a CD-R. I finally realized that my music and creativity works best when I'm performing on the fly. So now I'm looking for ways to be able to produce/create full or mostly complete tracks in a couple of passes, with minimal editing. I love playing music. I really hate editing. The closer I can get to recording everything on the fly, the better. I could use a computer for this, sure, but it's more removed from the process than hardware. I make ambient music videos with my guitar & pedalboard, a cellphone, and a USB mixer going into the phone. Simple. Easy. No real editing required.

[@Marthergunn]

Yes five good points there, I also find it so satisfying playing real instruments, and using real hardware and feel a great sense of achievement playing and recording the old fashion way. I started off on a portastudio many years ago and always loved recording that way. I still have a Tascam 424 mk1 ! Recently got the The Tascam model 12, after selling my dp24 track. To me It’s too easy to string together a bunch of loops and edit everything to death in a daw. I get that people like producing music that way also and I have nothing against it and dabble in it myself now and again.

[@DamnWow]

Hey man Love your videos. They’ve really helped me out a lot How are you liking the digitakt?

[@424Recording]

That's awesome. I'm glad to hear they've been helpful. Digitakt is great. It's best used as its own instrument. It also seems simple but I feel like I'm barely scratching the surface with it. I'm a big fan of Elektron in general. I think they're one of the most exciting companies out there right now

[@musicistherapy2]

Allen and Heath z10 into a Zoom H4n with JBL studio monitors, 90s Alesis rack effects and EQ, a load of pedals, a handful of guitars, three mesa tube amps, a couple keyboards, and a few shure sm57s. Perfect home studio setup. I hook a laptop into the Zed just to provide audio and video from the internet, and I drag and drop from the zoom onto the laptop for file management. I have an interface and could run a daw, but I hate the screen and the mouse. I need tactile feel and the ability to hook things up and see the connections. A Mackie PA system makes it easy to take the whole show on the road .

[@jimfolkers8463]

I own the tascam Dp-03SD and the Tascam Dp-32SD...is there anyway to add more preamp outputs to either of these? Maybe by using additional external preamp? Can this be done?

[@Heleno.]

In your dawless setups, what do you use to record audio?

[@ederromero8356]

I always feel like the recording on the computer never sounds like what I was playing. And then I have to add all these computer fx and then it really sounds nothing like it. It sounds great through a loop pedal tho. Also I like to being able to play all my tracks back with out a computer present. I recently got a Aeros loop studio. It’s amazing. Downside I don’t have all my songs recorded to share with whoever

[@jasonelambeth]

Whoa, Dr. Seuss is in the house!!

[@424Recording]

A DAW is and AAW and an AAW is a DAW?

[@jasonelambeth]

@@424Recording haha yep!!

[@tomblaze2]

2021 - and I'm mostly Dawless - Track into iphone/Garagebandios with hardware

[@dawlesspuzzle]

Which app you use for Iphone recording? Thanks

[@Barry101er]

That is more reasonable; tape - who has the room/inclination to store it? Not me.

[@tomblaze2]

@@dawlesspuzzlespire studio

[@ryan2stix]

I got my roland drums taking 4 tracks ok my model24.. my guitar is plugged into a fod pedal for grit, and I double my tracks, direct into the unit..bass direct, and a keyboard plugged direct.. nothing can beat the tactile feel of using a board hands on.. I mix with headphones (yes, I know but it works for me) and I give myself a time limit of 15 minutes to mix and master a tune, all on the model24.. looking to add a hologram microcosm pedal into the mix.. can't wait to get weird

[@geraldbillak8537]

I use a Fostex mr8 digital multitracker so I guess I'm somewhere in between 😄

[@JRP3music]

I like to use my Zoom R24 and transfer it to DAW for fine tune eq and minimal processing. I try to capture my sound as it is and not to dink around with plug ins too much. I also, like to multi-track from my Beringer X18 and use PreSonus Studio One. It is less complicated, but I enjoy my Zoom R24 to capture many ideas without a computer. I am also liking the the new Tascam digital mixer with SD Recording.

[@keitomineproductions4133]

I went dawless because of school. Being forced to learn 3 Daws even though I already had my preference, kinda kills the fun in music creation in my opinion. Though, the hardware sequencer I bought technically runs a daw so I'm cheating. It still beats working at the computer though.

[@KoolteethDeBlog]

To me it was the difference of playing real instruments which synths realy are. Feeling a sound while turning a knob or a mod wheel just slightly isn't like setting automation curves. I use a mix of analog and digital synths, both make cool sounds. And I record digital on a Zoom Livetrack L12. My only problem is the sequencing. Don't ask yourself wheather analog or digital, ask if you can build up your tracks the same way as with your used to DAW. Spend time with it and invest in it, gear comes, gear goes, but the sequencer as your new "AW" mustn't be frustrating. ;)

[@theelectricsplash7384]

Does recording on the ZoomR16 count as DAW-less? Technically it's a digital recorder, but the small screen only displays the runtime of the track (kind of like the 424) and the project number. For the most part there is no visual distraction like a big computer screen. As much as I love the 424, it's very finicky and not as reliable as I'd like for recording a full band, though it is great for solo artists and making demos, or using it for special effects. I still want to see if I can use the 424 effects loop to put effects on the ZoomR16 -- I suppose that would be similar to how I used the 424 effects loop to put effects onto certain parts of a song while mastering the track to another tape machine. Gosh, I'm going to get off the internet so I can record something. Thanks for the continued inspiration!

[@424Recording]

Yeah! I think so, Stefan. DAWless I think is more about just not using a computer or being beholden to it. I honestly didn't realize that DAWs can be hardware. The 424 is definitely finicky but I've always dug the workflow and I know you have, too. The results you've gotten on the Zoom speak for themselves! Yeah, I think you could use the effects loop like that! Yeah, I've been staying off the Internet except for brief windows a couple times a week. Get at it and I hope you're doing well!

[@alexwalker67]

Not sure if it counts as it's still digital, but I recently got my Boss BR1600CD out of storage as I was finding the unlimited options on Reaper meant I never finished anything. I use it like a multi track and I've had a surge in creativity. Thanks for your inspiration.

[@unclemick-synths]

I went back to my Korg D1600 but I've also got an MPC One so I can work on the arrangement more easily. Yep technically they're DAWs in the strictest sense but we all know what DAWless really means.

[@zachariea]

Hey man, I really love your YT vids (and indie music too btw;)). I am getting into music quite a lot as of lately and have been producing exclusively through Ableton for the past two years. Obviously with covid, I hate staring my computer now so I'm looking to go DAWless - am hesitating between a Tascam Model 12 or a 4 track (they go for at least 300£ here in London, which is so expensive!). Any ideas? :)

[@424Recording]

Thanks, Zacharie! That's a tough choice. The Model 12 is not a bad option but you could also look into the DP series from Tascam or the similar Zoom versions. 300 seems to be about the going price for 424s lately; the big thing with those is there's a bit of a learning curve and they're more susceptible to breaking down or having something wrong with them due to their age. But they're a lot of fun! I guess it also depends on your setup and how many tracks you need... I hope this helps. Cheers and thanks for watching and listening!

[@RICHFOW]

Having done both, I like the DAW quality and effects options. I can record vocals and keyboards into DAW and add whatever additional instruments that I want including effects. With my TASCAM recorder, I am limited to the sound of the first recording. I am experimenting with recording onto TASCAM and then to DAW. The DAW allows more options and freedom in my opinion.

[@424Recording]

There's definite advantages to using the DAW, especially for mixing. I've gotten over the 'endless tweaking phase' when using DAWs but I know this phase can hold a lot of people back. I'm planning to circle back around to a hybrid setup in 2022 haha

[@truthfinder4973]

does tascam dp01 count as going dawless? im looking at things now dp01, and tascam model 24, and even vcr with hi-fi gonna be in the mix then the last one in the mix is Tascam MF case cassette and no fx or eq. butt use this to make drum tracks then bounce to tascam dp01,then from there to vcr hi-fi for good -Compression, then last stage to be sent to model 24. god i cant wait to get the gear i miss the old days.

[@424Recording]

I'd say so yeah. VCR! That sounds fun!

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

I was dawless for many years recording on to multitrack reel to reel, and Tascam cassette 4 track to Tascam hard disc. I swore I'd never go to computer recording till I finally found a system that I was happy with, the Presonus Studiolive series III 24 and Studio one 5, yea I know its a DAW, but I can just plug in and record on the board/64x64 interface or in interface mode or daw mode and mix my tracks in my daw with my mixer channels like it was a analogue tape set up if I want to or record right into the built on board SDHC card if I don't want to turn on my PC, or record my band live, it's the best of both worlds and I was a total beginner on computer recording just 6 years ago now I don't know how I got along without it.

[@424Recording]

That's awesome, Fabian. I think I'll wind up with a hybrid setup, as there are certain things that are advantageous about integrating the computer, especially when it comes to composition, I'm finding. I just hope I can discover a cool setup like the Presonus you describe. Cheers!

[@-thetapestream-channel1808]

agree!!!!!

[@brainbox9219]

Well for me, I’m new and I’m used to playing instruments, mainly bass guitar, tactile feel and hardware limitations would just be better for me atm, I already invested in a daw I like but even then, don’t know enough about electronic based music to really just know what I want to do with a track, I can always come up with something cool but learning a daw is taking too long and I’ve already acquired a couple hardware synths and a drum machine, just gonna get a key step pro and sync everything and go from there lol

[@asatclassic]

If you had to pick between a cassette portastudio or the Tascam model 12, what would you choose?

[@unclemick-synths]

I'd go for the model 12. 4-track is too much of a pain (and my 244 is hot-rodded so I can stripe one track with SMPTE to enable MTC).

[@424Recording]

Yeah, the Model 12 is definitely more practical but the 424 is just plain fun (but also a pain, as Mick states). I'm using the 424, though, and the Model 12 for some mixing of live inputs and bounced down

[@unclemick-synths]

@@424Recording when I've finished fixing my 244 (dead neoprene parts in the deck) I'm planning on recording breaks on it then mixing on it and sampling the output into my MPC One and then flipping the samples. Keeping the fun bit but avoid the hassles of bouncing.

[@cfdemarco2]

Always an interesting subject. I have both a Logic based DAW setup and a Tascam DP24 setup. Of course, recording with the computer is way easier, when considering the editing capabilities. If you don't the production, say you want to move a verse, etc, very easy on a DAW....not so much on a DP24, where it's hit or miss. Once you put it down on the DP, if you don't like it, you generally have to redo the entire songs. It's also difficult to get realistic sound "Acoustic Rock Drum" using a drum machine (Unless you have a real drummer)...Dawless seems to work better now-a-days for EDM or Hip-Hop...again, unless you have really players. It can get frustrating dealing with iLock, software limitations due to not enough computer resources. Or like the time i had to wipe the drive; had to reload all my software, and go through all the authorization process'. Using Disk Utility, I created a CLONE drive for my iMac, which is supposed to make it so I don't have to do all that again. I Have not had test that yet. Yes, it is more fun with the Tascam, and all the gear; and I don't get side-tracked checking my email or shopping, looking at X-rated stuff. But it takes FOREVER to do the same things on a the Tascam, that you do on a DAW. I generally always have to transfer files to a DAW from the Tascam, especially for Mastering, editing. Thankfully, I have one of the older Tascam DP 24's with 5 pin midi ports. I use the Tascam as the Master and the Roland DR-880 drum machine as the slave, push play on the Tascam, starts the drum machine. When/If I transfer to the DAW, you just make sure you set the tempo in Logic first to the setting from the Tascam, "Then" drag over the files from the Tascam...so far, it's worked like a charm. Then I can remove the not-so-great sounding DR-80 drums and replace them with either EZdrummer loops, or "Drum Machine" in Logic, or use Logic drum loops; sounds WAY better than the Roland DR-880. (although I love my DR-880 for jamming and songwriting) While neither one can get you "Broadcast Quality" results like the big boy Pro recording studios, you'll get closer to it with a DAW, especially if you are not singing. Technically, if I had the $$$$$, I'd hire top session people and record at Capital Records....haha....but.....sigh!

[@scottwhitlow8468]

What would you say would be the best modern digital DAWLESS product right now? I am noticing some newer recording machines out that still have the nice color screens and some editing features that promote a little bit of both and seamlessly allow you to take your tracks to your computer. But, that allow you to start out on the recording platform first (Tascam’s new mixers/recorders come to mind). Which one do you think would be best?

[@424Recording]

That's a tough question, because technically, what someone brought to my attention recently, is that those Tascams are in fact DAWs. I always thought of DAWs as the computer programs specifically so I guess I'm going more computerless this year than anything else. But to answer your question, I think the Elektron stuff is really cool. The Digitakt + a MIDI Thru box has become the brain of my setup. But I also don't have much experience with all the offerings out there but that would be my two cents. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@scottwhitlow8468]

@@424Recording Sorry, I was referring to the more traditional multitrack recorders (tascam model 12 or Zoom LiveTraks, etc). The Digitakt does look cool but it looks like it is more geared towards electronic music perhaps?

[@Arperture]

@@scottwhitlow8468 IMHO, the Model 12 is perfect for DAWless because it has MIDI in/out and can loop audio within a track with VAMP. When you do need a DAW, it can control your faders, sends and transports with HUI control. Bonus, it can send/receive multitrack audio to your iPad or iPhone to mix or add effects in AUM. Sometimes I'll send all my audio into AUM by channel and use Audio Units as in-line effects for my analog gear. You can really get experimental with that.

[@unclemick-synths]

@@scottwhitlow8468 I don't know about the Digitakt but I use my MPC One mainly for recording. When I do chop samples it's parts I've played in myself. Often I'm using samples to save on audio tracks (it is limited to 8 stereo audio tracks). The only samples I use that I didn't play myself are drums. I like the flexibility of working the arrangement as the piece develops rather than the fixed arrangment that tape-paradigm recording imposes. Digital multitrackers like my Korg D1600 do allow editing but it's not the same as being able to just add a new sequence and try out a pre-chorus or second bridge plus with the multitracker there's the hassle of backing out of the edit if the idea doesn't work. These products are more flexible in the kind of music they can handle than people think.

[@sesa1076]

3 All Day!

[@thesystemboot2664]

Hybrid for 2021 here. I've been working on trip hop stuff(lo fi hip hop to study and relax to for the youths). I have been recording beats to tape and resampling lately. Also doing some reamping through tube amps and guitar fx. I mainly use analog hardware synths and guitar as source. I do use drum samples but been sending them in and out of the box as well. Using Renoise as my DAW, and I can sync it to 4track via a Tascam MTS-30.

[@424Recording]

This sounds like where I'm headed... good stuff!

[@kdakan]

I think going dawless creates more problems that it solves. However, I have recently gone less dependent on my daw, I am using it only to record the final audio tracks and the midi drums track, and adjusting the levels while mixing, nothing more. I don't like hunting for better plugins and making detailed adjustments, it takes too much of my limited free time for creating music.

[@676bun]

For me it comes down to only knowing one way to record and when I see people use computer and learn they spent weeks or months on one song,.. that blows me away and think "WHY!!" . I learned from a friend how to record on the fly real fast and we didn't spend more than 2 hours on a song. I worry if I started using a DAW, i'd become too much of a perfectionist. Less is more, thats why Costco only sales one brand of ketchup because they know if you give people 10 choices, they wont buy any ketchup and if you give people limitless choices of production with a DAW they create less music.

[@unclemick-synths]

I've heard Elton John complaining about how the modern recording process is so slow compared to the good old days. It wasn't even old-fartism, it was just a fact. Comping especially is a huge time-waster compared to simply punching-in over the mistakes there and then.

[@676bun]

@@unclemick-synths yeah, Elton John could probably crank out songs in his sleep back then. I have to use computers at work to diagnose problems... When I think of recording music on a computer, it reminds me of work and doesn't sound like any fun.

[@424Recording]

I always use the example of if Elton John (or your favorite artist) came over and you recorded him on a 4-track, it'd sound amazing because it's Elton John. The recording medium doesn't matter. The sound comes from the sound before it's even recorded

[@676bun]

@@424Recording haha, yeah my latest obsession has been Karen Carpenter. I use to think they were to vanilla 70s soft rock, but lately i've kinda started to get into her voice. Yeah, i can imagine even if I had Karen over and recorded her on a cheap answering machine, it would still sound amazing. Now whenever I think of the word "harmonizing" her & her brother come to mind... OH!! and The Ravonettes.

[@Guitar6ty]

With a Tascam you just turn it on and it works no bugs glitches or problems booting up. DAWs are a pain in the ass especially if you dont use it every day then you have to re learn the whole thing again. By the time you have done that forget it.

[@muzicluvrable]

I’m tired of the cracking ,popping, freezing up, and shutting down of my computer when I try to record 4-5 track of midi, anf for the price of a computer that can handle all my gear I can buy a LOT of hardware. So I’m trading some of my gear and getting more hardware and standalone gear.

[@424Recording]

This is the same thing that happened to me, Raymond, and what's kicked off DAWless recording for 2021. Are you using Logic Pro by any chance? It was the same thing: 3 or 4 tracks deep and the whole session came grinding to halt. It's been a bummer but I finally said no more computer for now

[@muzicluvrable]

@@424Recording WOW…..Yes Logic Pro is one of them, the other one is Maschine …If i get 4 tracks without the noise or problem i’m lucky.

[@Nikkibausch]

Seems like as soon as I go dawless and build a pure analog studio it was the new thing and prices of real gear skyrocketed

[@424Recording]

Yeah, I think with the winter & the pandemic, the sales of everything has been off the charts

[@Formelyknownasnone]

Updates / crashes / ilok/ signatures/driver conflicts / unexplained errors

[@nowavecharles]

I'll be honest I've been tempted to go DAWless. Recording on cassette tape sounds interesting. But at this point I really can't justify it. I support all the Tascfam doing it, but right now it's not in the cards for me. I love looking at everything on the server. I should just record. Cause I feel like I have this thing where I'm hesitant to record cause I think my songs are not finished or good enough. Honestly who cares? I don't have to release it. It's just good to mess around. Good luck to everyone!

[@YellowJelloMusic]

Yeah, that's the spirit, don't let your perfectionism take over and just record! :)

[@nowavecharles]

@@YellowJelloMusic Thank you banana man :)

[@jasonelambeth]

Agree with the Jello man! If you don’t record it, it will never be finished! Go to it buddy!

[@YellowJelloMusic]

No need to thank the big banana man in the sky for he will always be there to say what must be said. Jason knows what's up. His productivity is through the roof.

[@nowavecharles]

@@jasonelambeth Thanks Jason. So true you guys!

[@peteytwofinger]

when you are better than everyone else ...

[@michaelmattson3515]

Funny..... you really have to play your part all the way thru.

[@armswim10]

I just wish this weren't so dogmatic....I see both sides of the argument, but think a lot of people get caught up in the consumerism around the experience. I know I was/am. But I'm over here trying to sort out which synths I want to keep and which I want to sell so that I can have that sweet spot where I don't own a glut of gear that just stares back at me most of the year.

[@valdir7426]

using hardware/synths is great; but I don't see myself producing entire tracks using finicky and obtuse machines with endless menu diving. I look at an elektron machine or a an akai mpc and I have no clue what this thing does; and it feels like it would be endless pain to use. having a visual representation of a timeline and direct access to everything just makes things easier. DAWs like ableton also allows you to pretty much create your live instrument; and to me a live performance or improvised performance means the computer is closed and away and I never have to look at the screen or use mouse/keyboard. Also working in the box or with a "hybrid" setup is simply a lot less expensive and makes for more compact setup (for exemple for a performance I use live mostly as a mixer with effects; and there is no practical alternative for this that wouldn't be a giant digital mixer with racks or a super expensive machine) I like the kind of hacky flexibility offered by modular systems though; and they also work great with computers. this whole conversation about dawless purity seems a bit artificial; whatever tool you can use to make music and/or perform live is fine.

[@424Recording]

Yeah, I think it's all about find a balance of what works. Hybrid seems to offer the best of all worlds. Cheers!

[@MyManDan]

Dawless, Texas

[@424Recording]

New song title haha

[@momosbreath9713]

It's time to buy a Roland Fantom.

[@424Recording]

Looks interesting. I'll have to look into it!

[@channelite]

I've been using my DAW Bitwig because I lack space for all my gear. Bitwig is cool, but my Digitakt is so much more fun to use.

[@424Recording]

Totally agree!

[@Messiahsoy]

Why I went dawlest is because computer tend to crash and get virus so you may loose all your work. Even a portable hard drive is in danger of loosing all your work so am using a Tascam model 12 saving my work on a SD Card as well using it as a controller.

[@jackcrook4435]

I record to my tascam, then pump the 4 tracks out to my zoom 24 track recorder for more channels, and then mix it all in my DAW. Its made me love my DAW cos its strictly part of my workflow now and I can just be creative with plugins and distortion at the last stage etc. Writing in the DAW sucks ass and is so uninspiring. The only time I use it in the initial stage is to record with bass amp plugins or effects plugins but just going through the DAW into the 4 track.

[@jackcrook4435]

To simplify, DAW is strictly mixing for me now and it rules.

[@424Recording]

This is what I'm hoping to achieve, too, Jack. I can tell that mixing in the DAW will be a huge advantage to what I'm working on right now. I enjoy writing and recording outside of the DAW, mixing isn't bad either, but it's more streamlined in the DAW. Cheers!

[@jackcrook4435]

I also need to add that I never really loved the results until I started printing the finished result back to cassette, because even mixing 4 track channels individually on a computer, they can lose a lot of crosstalk etc what makes them sound cassette-y. It helps to do it through a mixer to add bass or treble to final result as it goes to tape. But yeah, hybrid system is where it’s at!

[@Vaughn6886]

I acquired my first Portastudio about two years ago and this channel has helped me learn a lot. I’m still honing the craft, but I love the sound quality and experience that I’m getting. Thank you for the info! Cheers to DAWless P.s. Here is a room capture recording utilizing only the MK ii: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGK0oaKIjJ17a9U Thanks again 🍻

[@424Recording]

Wonderful! I'm glad to have helped!

[@epiphonium]

I want a Tascam Model 12. It's cheaper than a DAW and a computer upgrade and an interface. Or an Apple.

[@424Recording]

I hear you, epiphonium. This is similar to the realization I had at the beginning of this year when Logic stopped working. For a time, I was faced with upgrading my computer or simply using what I had. The other cool thing with the 12 is if you ever decide to use it as such, it can be used as an interface and integrate with the DAW. Cheers and happy recording

[@epiphonium]

@@424Recording Thanks man. Thanks for the informative video!

[@ds74878]

Exactly...i don't want to look at a computer all day day.

[@424Recording]

Same

[@mxla3955]

"Latency issues or glitches when using DAW or computer is partly why i might turn to dawless recording..

[@424Recording]

Yup that's what happened to me

[@tukoramirez8478]

My reason: better creative flow

[@424Recording]

There's something to be said about flow and flow state. Cheers, DAVE!

[@Arperture]

Painting notes into a piano roll on a screen is not inspiring as a musician. The quickest way to get inspiration from your head to your recording media is by playing an instrument, at least in my opinion.

[@ferrifet7267]

I guess one of my main reasons for going totally dawless for me is the fact I don't have a daw hahahah

[@YellowJelloMusic]

what a lucky man

[@lofimijo208]

aw shiit

[@MexMachine]

An aw is a daw lol

[@wolflove7804]

To stop sounding like a robot lol

[@424Recording]

🤖🤖🤖

[@wolflove7804]

@@424Recording lol

[@lancerains4185]

It's difficult to become a skilled player when you work in daw... basically just computer nerd music

[@424Recording]

Shots fired haha. I agree. You also learn more about how the DAW works by using a mixer. People seems to miss the connection between the DAWless and DAW world: DAWless is an analog way of working where DAW is the digital way. They're the same and inform each other. Cheers, Lance. Thanks for watching!