Powerful Dawless Recording Setup (For Any Genre)

[@nedogled]

What's the one piece of gear you'd add to your dream DAWless setup? Let me know and I'll try my best to help you integrate it!

[@Burbah]

Definitely some summing gear like a tape machine at the end of the chain, even without the reels it can color the whole master beautifully.

[@nedogled]

@@Burbah oh yes! I'm doing that with software and tape saturation plugins in Harrison Mixbus when I start mixing. But if I wanted to keep it all hardware, a tape machine would be my first choice for additional gear.

[@manofsound9098]

A master recorder that utilizes SD cards. This way you can take them with you and also import them into any situation. Most multitrack mixers and interfaces use SD today. Go Old school! Fostex or Roland master recorders. (not a multitask). A limiter and compressor is a MUST have for your final product.

[@manofsound9098]

Can I add some helpful tips? Finally, I am not alone. My entire studio is all hardware. I write music for today's TV commercials, podcasts and broadcasting. PC upgrades, software subscriptions and audio interfaces cost more and more. Hardware is truly the way to go. I left the Daw community in 2018 and never looked back! At the end of your video, you asked for some tips. Here is my take. TIP#1 When doing hard disk recording I still use the Roland VSR 880 for hard disk mastering to a Tascam SD-20M. This way you always have a backup, make changes and cleanup mistakes on the fly. TIP#2 Use a Mio XL for a midi router. You can use it without a PC. I can route over 11 workstations and synths with it without any data loss or lag. TIP#3 Use a rackmount USB Porter like SEDNA 13 port USB hub. Many of today's synths can run on use power. This saves Power strips and outlets. TIP#4 A good reliable mixer like the Tascam Model 12, 24 however I use the Mackie Onyx 24. TIP#5 Sequencers. The easiest to use sequencer ever was the Ensoniq line of workstations like VFX-SD However they are no longer in business. My #1 choice today is the Yamaha MODX+ workstations. My seconds is the Akai MPC Key 61. Basically, looping and chaining each pattern together and mixdown to an MP3 or WAV. (These are all stand-alone) No Daw needed. TIP #6 Use a USB noise filter and also use Ferrite Core Bead Choke Rings on your audio and USB cables. This really eliminates noise. TIP#7 (VERY IMPORTANT) If you intended to share or sell your music online, absolutely be sure to register ALL your music with the ISRC. You can acquire you own ISRC number online. This protects your music from unauthorized use. When My music is online, all my music is registered. If someone uses one of my songs in a KZbin video, I get paid royalties. When radio or TV stations play my music, I get royalties and also my music is protected. If you upload your own music to music sharing platforms to sell your music, this is a MUST! NEDOGLED - Thanks so much for this video!💫

[@nedogled]

Wow man thanks for all the great tips! You've taken the DAWLESS approach to its peak methinks :) Definitely a couple of tips in there I'll need to try out myself. Thanks again for sharing

[@electrosonicnebula]

That's a no-bullshit setup that makes a lot of sense.

[@5cttyo503]

This is the video I’ve been looking for🫡

[@DJDigitalJosh]

Sold on the 1st sentence: Making music on a computer screen sucks! 😂 subbed

[@nedogled]

A lot of people scoff at the term DAWLESS.... but I wouldn't have it any other way! Always glad to see there's more of us friend 😄

[@Roarksmusic]

Very cool peice of video that you produced. I really appreciate how intentional you were with the pacing and cadence in your speech. Thanks again for sharing with me your corner of creativity and expression. These are special spaces for those of us who create.

[@nedogled]

Thanks! I've really put in quite a bit of effort into these videos... it's a process that's always improving, and it's cool when someone notices 🙃

[@lionra4523]

Thank you!

[@pakolerma3885]

LOVE THE MODEL 12 SET UP!

[@ufopilotFPV]

My productivity and enjoyment have skyrocketed since i ditched the daw and got a tascam model 12. I should have done it years ago.. i cannot emphasise enough how good the analogue preamps sound ! Im sticking with hardware 👍

[@nedogled]

Absolutely! I do think it's this new wave of mixer/recorders (Model 12, Livetrak and Bluebox) that were the missing piece that made ditching the DAW an easy decision for me.

[@bubuAudio]

nice video, man !! thank you! a lot of good tips !! 🤓

[@nedogled]

Glad you liked it!

[@AlpaySahingoez]

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed watching it. The Model 12 looks interesting.

[@nedogled]

Glad you enjoyed it! I've also made a video about the Model 12 if you'd like to know more about how I use it kzbin.info/www/bejne/noqTlYyHiJmnqbs

[@carbilicon]

It's good to have a 'brain' in your setup; it provides for less clutter. Nice one.

[@struxtures]

Thanks for sharing your setup!

[@G4Nazarener]

I use Digitone and Syntakt on a Yamaha mg06 mixer. Roland SE02 & SH01 are connected to Digitone‘s inputs for mixing and FX. A Minifreak is connected to Syntakt‘s inputs. I can attenuate the inputs differently for each pattern and store the settings. My Midi Router is Blokas MidiHub with four In‘s and Out‘s. Both Elektrons can play each other and be played by the MiniFreak. I‘m recording on Deluge and transfer via SD-card into a MacBook.

[@nedogled]

Thanks for sharing! That's a very capable setup indeed

[@eliotisabet-muller3404]

thanks for this video man, I was trying to understand the basics for a dawless setup but I couldn't find a good video that explained all of what you said. keep up the great work man. and, +1 follower ; )

[@nedogled]

Thank you and glad you found the video helpful! 😁

[@gwugluud]

I must have notebooks to write lyrics down, jot notes down on what things I’ve done to tracks, etc etc. Pen and paper will never stop being perfectly modern and futuristic. It’s too practical.

[@unclemick-synths]

I also use notebooks as an index to my idea recordings. Notebook pages have a "shape" to the writing that makes it quick to flick through to find something (plus I date the pages). Even when renamed, disk files don't have that and it soon becomes a meaningless blob. Files lose the context that a notebook gives.

[@gwugluud]

@@unclemick-synths I never throw them away. I’ll be stuck for lyrics or something, and I’ll stick my hand in the pile, and it’ll be one from 1993 or something, and I’ll find something I’d forgot about ages ago, and there it is. A “new” song idea, lol.

[@gwugluud]

@@unclemick-synths And I grok just exactly what you mean re “files”. Computers die within 2 or 3 years, no matter how much “virus protection” I have, and I’ve looked for a song I was involved in ten years ago, and I’ll realize that the only way I still “have” it is because it’s on my YT channel, and it’s the only “copy” I’ll have of it.

[@unclemick-synths]

@@gwugluud I am paranoid with my backups. A file doesn't truly exist unless it's in at least three places with one preferably off-site! 😀

[@jaffajenkins]

HELLO DuDe ... ... LOVE YOUR Video as its a very similar story to mine and now after 5 years going Dawless ive finished my studio ... With ONE , Exeption .... finding the RIGHT Mixer .... Ive been useing my old DJM 750 From my djing days connecting to a YAMAHA MG166cx mixer Which i LOVE ...... But its now starting to dye as i bought it 2nd hand 6 years ago and now is about 15 years old , the trouble is i cant seem to find a mixer that has the Yamahas Warmth and Smooth sound ,, i bought a ZOOM L-12 and after 3 days Sold it as it was COLD , With NO Personality im about to watch your vid on the Tascam Modal 12 as i love the sound of my Tascam Dr-05 Can you relate to this Sinario SiR ..

[@nedogled]

Hey man! Love your channel :) Just had a listen to a couple of your acid delicacies and I'm really enjoying them! Have you put together a release on Bandcamp maybe? Regarding the mixer, I'm trying to drive and saturate everything on the instrument side, so the preamps on my Model 12 are not a big factor in recording... plus I add a lot of saturation during mixing :D Hope it works for your too!

[@musicsmurf7382]

Man, thanks for sharing, love your studio corner ant the mood. Cool stuff.

[@nedogled]

Glad you enjoyed it dear Smurf! 😁

[@VIRGILSEGALMUSIC]

Great video, thank you Such an unusual set-up, interesting and refreshing. And I love "I won't have empty mixer input staring me in the face and catalyzing that nasty gear acquisition fire that burns deep inside me" which I will be using as a mantra for my daily meditations ;)

[@nedogled]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! That quote is straight out of real life haha 😁

[@cedarsbrothers]

Great video!

[@nedogled]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you like my other videos too 🙃

[@ryan2stix]

My set up.. tascam model24, roland td27 drum kit that takes 4 channels (two overheads, snare and kick). I go bass direct into the tascam, I use a couple guitar pedals and record my guitar through those, direct into the tascam (no amp)... double up the guitar tracks, panned hard left/right, then a 3rd guitar down the middle under the mix... loving my results. stereo export, drop the file in reaper for a little compression and push the volume, and done.

[@nedogled]

Excellent setup!

[@mikaa.a.hyytinen9176]

Same. DAW’s perfect for recording and mixing an album, and virtual instruments can be great to demo ideas out before recording the album version. But performing live - especially with a band - I prefer not having computers on stage anymore.

[@Yong.J]

I've been getting tired of having to update plugins on my Mac every time after a macOS update, but if you're using a DAW-based system, you probably have to do that. I prefer a DAW-less setup for sketching, composing, and/or live, and I only use my DAW for mastering.

[@nedogled]

Exactly!

[@robertgarvansnyder4665]

Would love to see how you use the Model 12. I've got a Model 16 at the core of my setup. One question: are you integrating any sends from the mixer? If so, how are you setting them up?

[@nedogled]

Hey, so I've done a whole video on how I use the Model 12 kzbin.info/www/bejne/noqTlYyHiJmnqbs The workaround I use for sends is that I send some of the channels to the sub mix, which goes into my sampler (Roland SP-404 Mk2) so I can quickly record/sample anything I want, add effects and bring it back into the mixer. Hope that helps!

[@dj.branko]

good stuff, looking forward to seeing more

[@SynthFun]

Definitely would like to know about your guitar's body shape. I just fiddle with a guitar. Recently switched from a single cut squire baritone to a schecter c-6 elite. Kind of miss the way the plain old tele body behaved.

[@flowmaka]

Great tutorial brother! Love your setup. Music seems to sound better going through circuits sometimes instead of strictly in the box. There’s an organic sound that tends to be pleasing to the ears. Have you considered any of the Akai MPC X, MPC Live, or MPC One as a drum machine? It’s also a capable sequencer with time shift, humanize, and other functions to slightly make the drums play behind, before, or right on the beat. It has a DAW type recorder along with sample and stem import and export. I use the MPC One and it controls and syncs with my hardware synths. It will definitely save you space! Peace and Blessings bro!

[@nedogled]

Thanks man! I have indeed looked into the MPCs, but they've always seemed too big and bulky for my limited space. Other than that, they seem extremely capable as the center of a setup. All the best to you brother!

[@flowmaka]

@@nedogled Awesome! Your setup is completely amazing brother! Keep up the good work!

[@jamman6]

Thank you for this! I want to do similar set up like yours. Using DAW at the moment only but want to add hardware instruments. It would be great if you could do a video on how you actually record from start to finish... Take us through your recording process... For example when you record keyboard part is it going through mixer into DAW? And I don't really understand how the midi clock works... You have a lot of cables too! 🙏 Cheers brother!

[@nedogled]

Thanks! I'm making new music now, but the process is so... chaotic, that it's difficult to document coherently. I'll definitiely give it a try in an upcoming video :) In the meantime, you can get an idea by watching my live jams kzbin.info/aero/PL2uJ7rGY6VogLFagiTSAbXqYkcEisKj9V I don't record anything to the DAW, everything is recorded to the Tascam Model 12. Most of my keyboard parts are sequenced, but I do play a few of the key melodies live. The MIDI box has 1 input and several outputs. So I send the Digitone's MIDI OUT into the box, and then MIDI cables go from the box to each of the instruments. Of course, the MIDI channels need to be setup up on each instrument to match the channel that the Digitone is sending, but once done I don't really think about it anymore. And yeah, if you plan to go down this road... it might be wise to buy a spool of cables and solder your connectors depending on the length you'll need, instead of how I did it 😅

[@votremain]

omg that guitar!!!

[@nedogled]

😁 I've done a whole video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJezpZuXj5d7pLs

[@unclemick-synths]

I still have my Korg D1600 multitracker but I prefer my MPC One as the centrepiece because it gives me a non-linear recording environment. Mostly these days I go direct to stereo and just master on the PC because I do a lot of my "mixing" before I hit Record.

[@nedogled]

Nice! The new MPCs are quite powerful, you can almost make the case they are DAWs :)

[@unclemick-synths]

@@nedogled yes, they pretty well are. The benefit for me over a computer DAW is that editing is enough hassle that I only fix problems I actually hear whereas in a DAW I find myself fixing "problems" I think I am seeing and that usually takes the life out of the music as badly as quantization.

[@nedogled]

@@unclemick-synths Absolutely agree on that! Music production seems to have swung from aural to visual in the past few decades in general...

[@HermanvanGelder]

Very atmospheric you could tell us what gear was used.

[@nedogled]

Thanks! What else can I tell you about the gear?

[@vibetone355]

Certainly the best way to l got a very bad back with using computer recording DAWs all my stuff is placed within easy reach. I stand up for keyboard playing but not more than an hour, playing guitar sat up on my bed is best for me, guitar pedals loopers and mixers monitors drum machine iPads and multi track recorders all at arms length on shelves next to me, being comfortable is important when creating music. Good luck with your music ❤❤

[@nedogled]

Thanks Paul! Absolutely, ergonomics are key for me too. If it hurts, I won't stand for it :) Especially when it comes to guitar. It's one of the reasons why I went headless for the guitar, and that will be my next video. Thanks for watching and good luck!

[@philt77]

I have an old analogue mixer. Can i record multiple tracks out of that. Mackie onyx. It has recording out 1-4 and 5-12. Its like scart cable thing. I have Minilogue xd and digitakt. But no computer. Can i get a recorder of some sort or buy model 12 and firget bout the Onyx?

[@nedogled]

Hmm I'm guessing there must be recorders in the market like that, but I don't think they would be much cheaper than the Model 12, which provides a more streamlined experience being a mixer + recorder in one.

[@index7787]

A fellow Bigitone!!!

[@nedogled]

Feels like it's the best kept secret in Elektron's lineup 🤫

[@gwugluud]

The only thing that keeps me using a DAW (Reaper, the only DAW with a sensible setup) are the great plugins you can use, and the capabilities they have. But aesthetically, I very much prefer good multitracks, such as the Boss BR-1600 I have. I began with a Teac 4-track cassette in 1981, and having a way to lay multiple tracks seemed really wild then. It caused a lot of good times.

[@nedogled]

That's true, there are a lot of great plugins in DAWs, but the temptation to buy new ones was always breathing down my neck when I was a full time DAW user :) I haven't heard of the Boss BR-1600 before, thanks for bringing that to my attention! I'll actually be publishing the video about my mixer/recorder tomorrow, so stay tuned for that one. It's a continuation of what the mighty Teac started all those decades ago!

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

I had a BR 1600 for a little while and had to sell it. Can you use it as a DAW controller at all? I know it's getting on a bit but I really like it. Otherwise I'll have to go for the Tascam model he uses in this video (I started off on a Tascam tape 4 track. So much fun)... thanks.

[@gwugluud]

@@titmusspaultpaul5 Whenever I try to get into the deeper features with a DAW, it gets convoluted and confusing, and if I think I’m in the mode to do what I want to attempt, then I engage it, either nothing happens at all, or very strange things happen which destroys my project. I think it likely that via some sort of MIDI setup, what you described could be done, but I really don’t know, I’m afraid. Sorry I couldn’t help you. If you googled about, there’s every kind of instructional things out there, just a more obscure thing such as that may take some effort in order to happen upon. Maybe state it directly “Will a Boss BR-1600 work as a controller within a DAW”, and there will be something.

[@SynthFun]

I bought a Tascam 32sd. Not sure if that is considered DAWless, but no computer screen.

[@nedogled]

Definitely. I think it's the infinite possibilities of the DAW that mark the key difference from recording to a mixer, which is much more straightforward in comparison, but also limited (which can sometimes be a good thing). That, and the mouse and keyboard interface which I never got along with for composing on a DAW.

[@TheOriginalCoda]

Watching a video on a screen to learn how to not use a screen. Classic!

[@nedogled]

Haha, and yet most of the gear still has a (tiny) screen. Mind you, it's not the screen that kills the flow for me in a DAW, it's mostly the mouse 🐁

[@TheOriginalCoda]

@@nedogled Agreed. Lately I've been wondering if it's possible and how to use a touch screen (not an iPad though I hate those things)

[@scowlsmcjowls2626]

Pawless dower

[@naturestone3148]

Love the Video and knowledge and man....Do you know the famous Soccerplayer Zlatan Ibrahimovic? You should check him out if you don`t know him. You have the looks and VOICE just like him. Its amazing.

[@nedogled]

Thanks man! It never crossed my mind, but I think you're right haha... I do have some similarities with Zlatan, and we're from the same part of the world after all 😁

[@steveweilhart2359]

appreciate your dedication to this type set-up but the advantages of a computer and a DAW far out ways not to use in music production! IMO

[@nedogled]

I used to think the same way, but my output of finished songs increased exponentially since leaving the DAW, while being a much more enjoyable prices! Still, each to their own 😁

[@KurtLorenz]

❤❤❤

[@Rastetah8472]

I love this!!!! Hate Daws!

[@vibetone355]

The only thing l hate about this set up is all the wires everywhere, does my head in l like to try and hide them best l can,

[@nedogled]

Indeed... the cables seem to be a necessary evil 😁

[@lowflyingdonut]

1. Decide you want to spend less time in front of a screen 2. Watch hours and hours od videos about DAWless setups and gear reviews 3. Narrow down to a few polysynths and research the crap out of the 4. impulse buy a totally different poly without any research at all 5. go to 2

[@nedogled]

Haha, the G.A.S. Wormhole is real! I almost impulse bought a Novation Peak when I was thinking about polysynths, but I'm glad I held back and went for the Digitone Keys instead :)

[@TheOriginalCoda]

@@nedogled Yep, and if you're a multi-instrumentalist, the wormhole is endless

[@resynthesizer4565]

Fostex DMT-8, a couple of ADATS and a BRC. Mackie 1604. Master to CD, 3 head Cassette deck, or Hi-Fi VCR. Sequencing with MMT-8 or a 486 computer running Cakewalk 5.0 for DOS. All synths are hardware synths. A nice mix of vintage digital and analog. I refuse to subscribe e to anything, and most modern DAWS are subscription based.

[@nedogled]

Wow, that's a very nice old school setup :)

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

They’re not all Subscription based. Pro Tools is literally that the only one that comes to mind. Would love to hear your music, keyboard warrior! Care to share so I can tear it to pieces?

[@resynthesizer4565]

@@ghfjfghjasdfasdf You are correct. I edited my post to "most modern DAWS". Why would you want to tear my music to pieces ? I didn't say I was an expert or professional. Just that I prefer the old school hardware.

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Copy that. Thought you might be acting in arrogance… copy that.

[@ilovehardgroove]

Using a notepad in 2024. Pay attention kids. Oh. You aren't even listening... Still looking at your phone... Sigh.

[@nedogled]

😂😁

[@gtberg]

You have too much equipment! How do you do final mastering? in the DAW? How would I do that DAWLESS? I am like you, I want to stay out of a DAW, and I mean completely.

[@nedogled]

Yep! I record everything to a multitrack recorder, but then I mix and master in a DAW. I suppose you could just record the stereo out and then send it to someone for mastering, or use a mastering tool like CloudBounce affiliate.cloudbounce.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=4338 In that case you can skip the DAW

[@rjadamz9117]

I would add an Elektron Rytm and a Microcosm from Hologram 🫠

[@nedogled]

Excellent choice! Rytm seems to be the endgame for drum machines, it just takes up a bit more space than I can afford right now :D The Microcosm seems like an effect that crosses over into being an instrument... I'm debating between getting that or the Strymon Nightsky.

[@rjadamz9117]

@@nedogled funny I was just debating over Nightsky and Meris merc x