Dawless Setups Sound Better and Are Not Hard To Use

[@BVRRZ_2SMG]

I've been a FL user for 15 years, got MPC One+ 6 months ago and I don't look at the computer no more... Bolo changed my world with promoting MPC now I can't look back

[@jaymac8421]

I’ve been using FL studio for a few years, got the Mpc one+ and a Roland Fantom 06 last year and I haven’t touched my laptop either!!

[@isaacneuton10]

i use fl studio and i’m thinking about getting an mpc one retro but i may the get the one + since i can get it new. i wish they made more colors accessible

[@jjbing3]

I’ve been using FL for more than 20 yrs. I bought an MPC one + and Im still using Fl studio too. I use both and go back and forth. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@darrygswa]

I saw legends Eightball & MJG in a Kountry Wayne video using a Akai Key 37 in their studio

[@LifeIsRythm]

The subscription trap is so real, we might have to look at hardware again! For me that's bad, I'm on the road most of the time.

[@evianxlucy]

i originally interpreted subscription trap as the kinda trap you make from too many splice loops jfjdjjdlfjldk

[@rcc3music]

I'm using Studio One 7 now just for a hobby but back in the 90s and I still have all of this stuff, MPC 60II, RACK with about five keyboard modules in it, plus a keyboard, mixer with patch Bay outboard effects, initially I had a real to real 8-track (running sympte) and graduated to a 16 track digital recorder. Ah the good ole days.

[@BoloDaProducer]

Sounds like a classic setup!

[@nevarcruz4852]

you just got me to break out the old Korg Triton and run it into my PC runing Akai MPC SW

[@LaurenceCousins-ov9tn]

@@nevarcruz4852 My cousin, who shared with me that I inspired him to create music, had an old Korg Trinity workstation and a mpc. Probably the 2000 or 2000XL

[@jaymac8421]

I’ve got my Mpc one+ and a Roland Fantom and I’m never going back to sitting in front of a laptop again and the arranger with the 3.0 update should make DAW users feel right at home.

[@buttoncreationz]

I have the MPC X, MPC 61, MPK 261 and MPC Live. And I just got the Roland 07. None of it means nothing if I can past the beat exam. 😂

[@MarvelousProductions]

I miss this type of setup.

[@nunndaless2249]

SAVE THIS VIDEO!!!….Bolo just gave us a Major Gem 💎. WHY you may ask? Good question lol because the reason this video is so dope is simply because a Dawless setup is for producers not necessarily engineers. One thing about today’s music is too many people sound the same the reason is they’re all using daws system from laptop, iPad tablets, etc., and all those sounds are similar or the same. Old school producers wasnt to much concerned about Levels, mix downs and so forth…. Just good old loops drums keyboards and what not . I personally love using a controller MPC controller with midi sound modules and keyboard midi sound. As for mixing that’s for someone else to mix(That’s the good thing about Daws frfr)mix as you go concept, in my opinion it slows down your production and creative Ideas. Dawless set is for creativity The uniqueness will separate you to where you will have your own sound almost like a real musician in a band …you are just the orchestra . Great tip Bolo …

[@justin555666]

My favorite aspect of producing using an MPC is it gets me to use my ears more. Rather than visually looking at the notes against the grid like I tend to do in a DAW, I listen for issues and then dig in if necessary. I just think that’s a much better practice because at the end of the day, it’s about whether it sounds good.

[@rbbeatz5591]

I still haven’t opened my MPC One. I got it when it first came out back in Feb 2020. I know I know 🤦🏾‍♂️. I’m an Ableton user and really didn’t feel like sitting down to learn it 🤷🏾‍♂️. You said something that really hit home at the beginning of the video. You said “I own it”……😳🤔 I really never looked at it like that. I mean a license is just what it says, A LICENSE! Almost like renting vs owning a home. I truly enjoy using Ableton, but you got me rethinking this dawless set up. 🤔

[@jaymac8421]

Learn it brother, just have fun with it!

[@bulletheadbeatz2296]

I came to that exact same realization about 4 or 5 years ago. I have damn near every plugin I could ever want, but one day, I realized that it's all just software that never goes up in value and isn't tangible. So what do I really own??? Nothing!! If I leave this earth, all that software won't mean shit to my kids! I bought a neq Moog Sub 37 back in 2018 for $1200. If you look at the used prices today, I can damn near make money selling it. But yeah, Bro, I felt Bolo too when he said, "I own it!!!" That was definitely a flex! 🫡

[@JohnGaray]

Once you have the flow down, you rip through it!

[@BoloDaProducer]

True

[@PealzLive]

What’s good Bolo, great video as usual. Been following you since I started my music journey 2-3 years ago. Start out using FL now I’m using MPC LIVE 2 and ROLAND JUNO D6

[@BoloDaProducer]

Dope Setup!!

[@Wolfman311]

My Dawless setup is: MPC X SE, TEO 5, Minifreak, and I run my synths through a Chase Bliss Onward Pedal and Chroma Console. The sound I get out of this thing just brings a smile to my face 😊

[@bulletheadbeatz2296]

Dope setup, Bro! That Chroma Console is definitely on my "next up" list!!!

[@leogolive]

I have my MPC X connected to my Tascam DP-24. I have the original one that has SD, CD and MIDI. The newer ones only have SD. A couple guitars, a bass, and an old Casio keyboard that I’ve had for over a decade that can be used not only as a midi controller, but actually has some really good sounds already in it. No computer in sight.

[@Fuzzion_Beats]

Did FL Studio for about 15yrs. Now I've switched over to the MPC Live 2. I cannot make beats anywhere near as fast as i could on the PC. such a nlhuge learning curve. You'll catch me in the Beat Reviews Soon!

[@jjbing3]

Exactly! I can make stuff quicker on FL Studio and it’ll be a complete song to bounce out instead of the 4 bar loops I keep making on my MPC one +. 😑

[@toddnarsico3859]

I have a mpc1 +plus connected to a arterial keylab 49 essential. I think I just subscribed to your channel like maybe a month or two ago. But you're the main reason you and your channel on why I got the MPC OnePlus. So I just wanted to say thank you because it's the most amazing thing I've ever owned

[@BoloDaProducer]

That's awesome! 🔥

[@ggrows3601]

I worked on DAWs since when FL was still Fruity Loops, used Pro Tools, Studio One, Cubase, Ableton etc. I got a MPC one and some synths in 2024, hands down 100% better.

[@BoloDaProducer]

It's a different experience for sure!

[@Ellz_The_EnginEar]

My dawless setup is Mpc live 2, MiniFreak, Roland Jp 8000, and Fantom 06 tracking through the Mackie Onyx Mixer. Happily to say this was inspired by Bolo himself. I’ve been dawless exactly 1 year today.

[@Ryan-g5t9r]

Less glitches with standalone. No vst issues

[@RetroSoulProductions]

I see this now after buying Ableton this morning and wanting to use both FL Studio and Logic Pro as back ups before initially going DAWless and using a standalone setup in the near future.

[@BoloDaProducer]

It's a great time to be making music!

[@CoachKOnline]

Can you do a video of the actual process of running or bouncing your tracks to analog. Hearing is believing.

[@BoloDaProducer]

I will soon

[@mr.rightone6588]

New to music, came for the gear. I was just looking for a hobby, never applied myself to music before. This is fun, I won't get rich, but oh well. I got an earthquake in a key or the chirp of a bird. My favorites so far are as follows. Arturia Freaks, SL88/Studio, SL/Mixface, SP 404 Mk2, MC101, Zoom R20. I can operate the equipment and everyday is an exploration in sound and capabilities. Reading manuals is a must and your tutorial videos are superb.

[@Ellz_The_EnginEar]

Love hearing that intro beat.

[@emilbergdahl3063]

Running a very similar rig to you. Mpc key 61, mpc live 2, roland fa-06, arturia astrolab. Sadly though the astrolab is not compatible with the mpc. You get that weird loop and the astrolab do not have a Local Off-switch to fix it in the wat the fa-06 does. But the sounds are sooo good i still keep it to either sample from or straight up audio rec. Hopefully Arturia will fix this but when?! And about the topic I can just say nothing comes close to the raw powerful sound of a mpc. 808s and kicks hit like a train. Everything is at your fingertips at all time. Nothing comes between you and your music. Intimate like. 😂❤

[@bigkeezo]

Stopped by Guitar Center and tickled the ivory’s on that beast Roland Fantom8 Boy them sounds hit like hit hit. 😮 I might need to save up and get me one and won’t come back

[@NDHDStudios]

I totally agree, but what do you think about chopping, punching, and mixing vocals in the MPCX?

[@BoloDaProducer]

It's good

[@nigel345RT]

I had an moc2000 , a Korg Triton and a emu planet phat module back in the day Now I have an MPClive 2 , an MPC key 37 and I just pulled the Korg Triton back out which I’m mainly using as a full size keyboard controller for the live2 and I just picked up the Tascam model 12

[@PalKrony]

Appreciate you Bolo 🙏 started making music in pro tools with virtual instruments and mixing with gaming headphones lol. Saw Hit Boy with the mpc live 2 in a video so got one of those. Sounds so much better. Acquired a pair of studio monitors as well. Been watching your videos and cookups. Still learning, still use the daw for final edits at the moment.

[@BoloDaProducer]

That's awesome!

[@SouthernEmperor]

My dawless setup is MPC X and Akai MPK261.

[@darrygswa]

Yea, we all been waiting for something new info to come from Akai .

[@russellkott8348]

Curious, Bolo, when you finishing your beat on the mpc what DAW do you export your files to? How much additional mixing/mastering are you doing outside of the MPC for the final track?

[@BoloDaProducer]

I don’t do any mastering. If it’s loud enough and sounds good I’ll leave it just like that. Sometimes it peaks well over 0db and if it still sounds good I keep it just like that. If I want to saving it inside the computer I’ll run it through my pres and it’ll give me a different type of color to the track.

[@dreamyspace9457]

Bolo..bro…you changed the way I see music lol

[@BoloDaProducer]

🔥

[@Ryan-g5t9r]

Favorite keyboards are the korg triton and roland jx305. Favorite boxes are the akai mpc one and the roland groovebox. With a proper sequencer and sound banks, you really don't need samples.

[@BoloDaProducer]

That's a dope setup!

[@samuelmccann3008]

The MPC hit different.

[@VinceJackson1]

Its a digital device but the signal has to go thru the analog filters & other circuits 😊

[@BoloDaProducer]

Exactly! 😎

[@Lt-qc8uq]

I got the mpc key 37 but wouldn't the beat sound the same even if you record the audio from the MPC into ableton or logic or whatever daw that you use? I like using the MPC in controller mode , I think i get the best of both worlds.

[@pyu771]

I use my MPC One with an Arturia KeyLab 61 MkII as my controller. I have access to Korg and Roland sounds for keygroups, but I actually love the Akai plugins. Fabric, Jura, and Sub Factory are dope, if you know how to tweek 'em to make 'em stand up.

[@beatmanbam]

I haven’t been on my CPU in months

[@donteroberts5467]

I know I use FL and MPC beats but I get that key 37 my laptop gonna collect dust for a while

[@LaurenceCousins-ov9tn]

You can always use your laptop 💻 for other things besides music 🎶 production 😊

[@donteroberts5467]

@ yea that’s true but if I get back on it I’m putting logic in it

[@LaurenceCousins-ov9tn]

@@donteroberts5467 Sounds like a plan. I'm still playing just live percussion, although I do have an Alesis SR-16 drum machine.

[@donteroberts5467]

@ o wow 🤯 really

[@drwjproductions]

I think a few of the folks are missing your point. You have the option to eventually bounce to a DAW and/or bounce straight to tape. Either way at some point it is still analog. I have a reel to reel and that completes my process and then bounce to a DAW for backup purposes. But I know I am in the minority

[@BoloDaProducer]

Thanks for understanding

[@jjbing3]

My biggest thing is I can make a four bar loop on the mpc and then it’s gonna end there. Never make a full beat 😒

[@BoloDaProducer]

You gotta go further with it

[@EmperorKamikaze]

I sold my MPC one, but I'll likely get another someday soon. I didn't like the "MPC workflow" but I currently record on tascam dp24 and sometimes pull tracks from FL. More focused on microphone recording real instruments. Got an inline console, might get another mpc one.

[@BoloDaProducer]

It’s all about finding what works for you!

[@DohBoi863]

Can I have a DAWless setup with an MPC One+ ? I really love the color of that device and if so what's a good cheap keyboard to pair with it ?

[@BoloDaProducer]

Yes

[@DohBoi863]

@BoloDaProducer Hell yeah appreciate the quick response, what's a good keyboard to pair with it 🤔

[@shapeshiftersmediagroup]

Yo Bolo do you still use your Yamaha ModX? Whatever you cookin with, it's always fire bro keep going

[@climjames]

Actually, both the Stand Alone and the PC/Mobile software versions are Digital Audio Workstations. Nonetheless, I understand by 'Dawless' you are talking about the Stand Alone MPC.

[@BoloDaProducer]

You got it!

[@dailove3]

MPC keys 61 with tascam model 24 running in studio one 7 along with roland fa 61.

[@jozeeweils7]

My Dawless set up is a mpc key 61 and a Roland Juno DS 88

[@joefire4265]

I’m rocking mpc x with a Minifreak with tascam model 12 I have the maschine mk3 with my in the box set up

[@BoloDaProducer]

That's a dope setup!

[@dubbzondabeatz8508]

Mpc key 37 yamaha motif planet phatt rack and 64 gb ram PC full of everything

[@jermaine10211]

DAWLESS is the business.

[@bluematrix5001]

BOLO BOLO, CAN YOU SEE MARKERS ON A MPC X?

[@Wolfman311]

Which Manley preamp do you use? As always thank you for all you do.

[@1VERZHN]

I use an octapad into my audio interface. I wish it was an spd sx, but you can’t add samples. I have to use the daw for guitar and vox. I have an arturia keylab with analog lab. Studio one 6

[@hondobusy23]

We got the same set up bollo

[@austinaschh]

Already own FL producer tier and I’m interested in getting a MPC to try using independently. You think if I got a MPC Key 37 I could roll with that alone?

[@opticalman6417]

why does it sound better what the one thing that seperates them apart that changes the game its like saying that vinyl sounds better than digital when in reality its just a case of it having a different sound ?

[@silkywaterfire]

What brand cable do you use on your keyboard?

[@djrek521]

Been making music since 92' all i know is a dawless setup i just dump my beats on fl or logic

[@blackheartmanmusicblackhea8685]

That’s a great setup I love it that type of set up is what I am use to maybe it’s because I am coming from the ATARI 1040 STE. 👍✌️😎

[@RealJohnnyHash]

I use to sell Pro Audio gear and DAWless beatmakers & producers would always say DAWLess sounds "better". I would just nod & close the sale. There are CPUs in the majority of the gear out here. Just because you don't see the "DAW" doesn't mean you're not using one.

[@DurtiCurti]

I agree

[@CEOKAED]

Tho I learned and came up in the standalone world, and refused for yeara to hangup my DA 88's foe Pro Tools....I finally came around to the digital age. At one point my MPC 2000 sh@t the bed and I was FL only but i needed thoem pada and got a Ren then an MPC X.....I just need that screen size now and tho i know the sound of standalone is richer my workflow dictates a hybrid.

[@bluematrix5001]

BOLO BOLO, YOU ACTUALLY SHOULD MAKE A VIDEO EXPLAINMING THE DIFFERENT MODEL OF MPCS. AS WE DO NOT KNOW WHICH ONE YOU HAVE AND WHAT ARE THE COOLEST TODAY

[@BIG1TOWER]

I only use hardware, it’s just better in my opinion.

[@risingphoenix1484]

Those who know….. know.

[@SirObadiah]

Believe it or not… you are still working inside of a daw unless it’s an old MPC

[@BoloDaProducer]

Let’s see… the old MPC’s have a motherboard, ram, storage, and they run of software… sounds like the same thing to me 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@kennyzee3221]

Bolo where is the streaming video? Surely you should have the courage of your convictions regarding that. Why pull the video?

[@aquaevitae]

Hardware VS plug-ins. There is no clear answer which one is better, and there is no one fundamental right way to produce music. The main factor in this topic is, that hardware and pug-ins first of all sounds different, and secondly they offers you different kind of workflow, which leads to different kind of result. I'm personally and definitely a hardware guy, and i'v got nothing against pug-ins guys anyway...

[@igorcarvalhopadilhaandrade5886]

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@johnathanbeats]

Not seeing what’s going on actually help you use your ears more. I like to look away during mixing.

[@jamescornelius6036]

Dawless does sound better, I did it for 30 years, i owned everything, my first drum machine was Akai 909, but, bass , drums, guitar, keyboards, I recorded all of my instruments live, all the way through start to finish, only drawback is in doing orchestral music for films, kontakt libraries are the best for the work I am doing now which is scoring, plus coming from a Church background and still playing in church, I love dawless.

[@BoloDaProducer]

Respect! You've been doing it the right way for a long time!

[@cavrenodem2436]

It's not Dawless when it eventually gets tracked, arranged and mixed in a DAW…😅 Simply making the beat without a computer is not the definition of Dawless… Using a hardware disk recorder to track and mix is. 🤦‍♂️ Come on bruh…

[@BoloDaProducer]

Come on bruh… you still don’t get it?

[@cavrenodem2436]

@@BoloDaProducer What is there to get exactly?? Lol… I know the difference between Dawless and using a DAW. I'm quite sure you do too. So what are we talking about here? I rock with your videos fam, but simply making a beat with an MP and keyboard does not make it Dawless when it ends up getting dumped on a DAW to finish it.

[@jaymac8421]

Just use what works for you.

[@cavrenodem2436]

@@jaymac8421 Ultimately that's all that matters. But the topic at hand, and specifically that was brought up by Bolo himself, is being Dawless. And simply not using a DAW during the beat making process but not the finalizing of the beat/song does not make one "Dawless"... Not using a DAW from start to finish does. So speaking to the original topic introduced is my point.

[@LaurenceCousins-ov9tn]

If you listened to the video 📸 to the end, Bolo said he might do little tweaks in the DAW, but that's not all the time or most of the time. But if you rock with daws, keep doing so.

[@walterpreston9663]

Acid Pro 4 was the easiest in 2001 on Acid Planet RIP 🪦

[@williejr185]

Yes sir. Studio One 7 Pro is what I use now, and it has a hint of that Acid Pro feel.