Thoughts on Bitwig Studio 3 Grid vs. VCV Rack, Reaktor, Eurorack, Softube Modular

[@DaveWheitner]

"You're always traveling to a .wav file in the end." This video not only helped me to appreciate Bitwig more; it also helped me to clarify the meaning of life. :)

[@brokenrazor7708]

As a non musician who just likes to make noise for fun, I feel like bitwig was my best decision. I tried reason for a while and liked messing with the routing cables. Looked at ableton and saw that for almost double the price I get basically no devices. Settled on bitwig because I wanted to make music and had no need for a “workstation” as in DAW. I dont record vocals, but do have an 0coast and it works great with bitwigs hardware device. Everything I wanted at the right price. I also have reaktor but almost never use it. Keep it up and know that I for one support everything you are saying here. thanks.

[@lukasjuhrich503]

„As a non musician who just likes to make noise for fun“ - Fun to see that there's other people like me out there :D I'm gonna save that terminology for later use.

[@hostnik777]

I now know what I have been doing wrong this whole time - I don't have any books on my desk, they're all up on the bookshelves or next to the places where I read them. I didn't know that my equipment was trying to read them to so we could be on the same page with our ideas.

[@TonyS-440]

The Grid is what drew me to Bitwig because I’m extremely interested in modular but it’s intimidating; I have vcv rack, and miRack, on iOS and really don’t get far in those before being frustrated/overwhelmed. Great video on this topic man!

[@No.0.o.0]

I love The Grid so much! I've been using Renoise as my main DAW for almost 10 years and I still love it but I just tried the demo for Bitwig and I'm in love. I have a eurorack setup (which I also love) but there is something really fun about running a ton of phase and swarm oscillators in series and modulating everything to hell. Also, your music is awesome and you make great videos!

[@sebp400]

same here! I even tried Bitwig with Redux to get a tracker inside it and it's amazing.

[@aneri72]

Since you are on the subject of Bitwig vs Reaktor etc. The only thing I wish for in Bitwig, is for the same "raw" quality or "analogishness" of OSC and Filters, that Reaktor has. Or the possibility for developers to create their own GRID devices, effects and modulators. I'm not a developer myself, just a hobby "non musician" tinkerer. But some of the work from for example "Toybox Audio" for Reaktor, would be just killer to have in the GRID. A man can dream right 🙂

[@neo-babylon7872]

Bitwig is way ahead of the other other DAWs when it comes to features. And the great thing about Bitwig is that, given its modularity, everyone can shape it very close to the way they like. Though there are 2 features I’m really missing with Bitwig: - Drawable LFO’s - And non-linear macro movement (Exponential movement like Serum) . I know you can do that with math modules but it’s complex to dial in the settings you’re looking for. I hope they’ll be working on these features.

[@neo-babylon7872]

​@@Artek604 My comment was clearly my opinion and anyone should be able to see that. And I'm going to post stuff like this and state my mind no matter what you do, you can go to corner and be silent the rest of your life. Also I don't care about other DAW users, it's not like I'm trying to convert them to my religion or something... And I'm sure they're intelligent enough to research Bitwig by demoing it and reading about it on website and not on a short comment like that... (Very humble of you to assume that they'll not realize that). I'm not sure about how it is to make Orchestral music in Bitwig as I haven't made it. But like I said, given Bitwig's modularity, it's possible to shape it the way you like and that makes it better than the other DAWS as it's more shapeable. And the part about being humble was so irrelevant to my comment that I'm wondering if something of the sort happened to you on a personal level and you just wanted it said and this comment presented you with an opportunity.

[@BorisBarroso]

I think those features will appear in the grid in future versions. The grid has the potential to replace most of other plugins.

[@manny_f]

Bitwig's development cycle is spectacular. ATM FL Studio is the most flexible DAW, though most people don't know because haven't explored its full capabilities. Bitwig comes a close second and I'm on the verge of buying a license because I'm really liking the grid.

[@kayk.745]

Another home run, Roberto. (hatte nach dem ersten "Nothing" um ein Haar 'nen Schluck Kaffee über's Tablet etc..., haha) Greetings from a subber and patreon, keep it UP mate!

[@MikeKruggel]

Let’s keep in mind, this is the first release with the grid. I can only imagine they will add more advanced modules later on for the hardcore user. Either way, good points in the video

[@shadowhenge7118]

Agree entirely... once you understand how a synthesizer works, and stop fretting over the little details... a still unlimited world is open to you.

[@holonmundi5320]

I agree completely that Bitwig chose a good balance between myopic focus and playability. There still is room for making more elaborate modules in the Grid.

[@TechnoShamanism]

Cheers for this video. I’ve been eyeing Bitwig almost exclusively for the Grid. I’m an Ableton Live user who switched over to Studio One last year and I’m super happy with Studio One. There are some lovely elements in Bitwig that I’d appreciate in a DAW but it is also missing some of the features I use and love in S1 (comping etc) that keep me from switching over to it as my main DAW. So the Grid was the one thing attracting me to it. Your video helps me to be patient with the purchase and play around a little more with the Demo maybe, to see if the workflow really is more fun / easier / more direct for me. The Berlin argument is a good one of course, but then I’ve already given LOTS of my money to Ableton, hence also supporting the local community, lol.

[@PolarityMusic]

thx for the feedback, and let me know if you have questions. you can join my discord and hit me with random questions :) discord.gg/rjMNbhur

[@robertphilp5271]

Hi Polarity. Massive fan of your videos and music. I rarely comment on KZbin but I actually think I disagree that there isn't something different between Bitwig/Grid and other modular environments and DAWs. I think that the ability to route audio and MIDI between devices and tracks in Bitwig is something that is special and lacking in other environments. In Bitwig, I could have a single track with a Poly Grid synth and I could route the audio from multiple other tracks or devices anywhere in my project and sidechain/influence any number of parameters in that modular synth from any number of sources anywhere in my project. This kind of behaviour is not possible in the vast majority of other environments and DAWs. It can lead to all kinds of unusual sound design, experimentation and mixing tricks which are not easily created elsewhere. People have been sidechaining the bass from the kick for years, but in Bitwig I can sidechain anything from anything else! This is just one example of a deep inter-connectivity that is difficult or impossible to achieve in many other DAWs. The modulator system in combination with the Grid and the general flexible routing are a very powerful package. I understand that this approach might not appeal to everyone, but if you like to experiment and enjoy having "happy accidents" with electronic music production then it's something quite special.

[@monsooncity484]

I think a lot of the complaining regarding Bitwig recently is due to the fact that they just released v3.0, so a lot of people see that as an opportunity to put it down and say "oh but it still doesn't have this feature, or that feature, or this other feature etc.", because for whatever reason those people don't like Bitwig and want to discourage others from using it. Maybe it's loyalty to another DAW, maybe it's just that they want to like it but are bitter that it doesn't have those features that some other DAW they use does have. It most likely varies from person to person. Either way I think Bitwig is an amazing DAW, especially for how young it is. In fact considering how young Bitwig is and how good it is already, I'd say it has a metric fuckton of potential to be the most powerful DAW out there at some point down the line, but honestly that doesn't matter to me because what I love about Bitwig is that it's not trying to be a one-size fits all, jack of all trades DAW. Bitwig caters to a specific audience, and the reason I love it so much is that I fit perfectly in that target audience. I do wish people would stop bashing DAWs that don't appeal to them as if their opinion is right and everyone else is wrong though, because it's unnecessary and really annoying.

[@Michael-fx1ls]

can you define please , who is the target the small group bitwig caters to. tanx man

[@Tarnith]

The way you interface with a medium interacts with and sculpts the media that's created. This is something I love about the package of Bitwig, it encourages experimentation and rapid iteration/resampling and design. It's really where I feel it blows away certain other environments. Max is great for example, or Pure Data, but they rarely feel as fun and experimental as quickly. The downside of this is sometimes things are less precise, and when you try to really refine something you don't have as much granular control. I don't see the inclusion of something more complex like a device editor/vst in the grid for example as taking away from what it is, but allowing the community to continually extend what's possible. I'd say a large majority of Bitwig users probably don't even write Grid patches, although we'll see if that changes.

[@BorisBarroso]

One thing that really helps a lot in creativity is to embrace limitations, being precise (perfectionists) many times keeps you out of focus, embrace limitations, although I feel with the grid limitations are really small (The sandbox is huge).

[@trevor4835]

This is exactly the topic I was wondering about

[@EnervatedSociety]

We are so spoiled already but for some reason there are a lot of people who just can't get enough. They're always after more features, more VSTs. more, more, more. I've seen some people open up their DAWS and when they reach for a plugin the list takes up the whole screen. It's ridicules. 8+ compressors, 20 synths, 9 delays, ect? Really? I have Bitwig's instruments and 2 u-he synths. That's my softsynth collection. If I could remove a couple that came with Bitwig I would, just because I'm not going to use them. Then I have a few hardware synths and samplers from the 80s/90s that I've had forever and still use in everything. I feel like I have too many synths already, so I don't get it. There isn't enough time to really learn that many synths and make music too. Again, I don't get people like that. Man, these people would have been totally lost back before modern DAWs. If it can record, I can make it work. Again, we are so spoiled.

[@VeganCheeseburger]

Well said. It's the human condition. We're never satisfied.

[@jxt206t7]

It seems to me that a lot of people are more interested in what the DAW can't do instead of using the the strengths of the program. If every DAW could do everything, more than one DAW would be stupid.

[@BorisBarroso]

I know the name of the DAW, CubaProAble...MatrixPlus

[@jxt206t7]

@ConManliness wooosh

[@lazykid9167]

You probably wanted to say that it hits the "Sweetspot" :)

[@bryndayy]

I've used VCV and Reaktor and they are neat but they aren't what I want when I'm making music at all. If I want to get a unique effect or a very modulated synth or something, The Grid allows me to basically create that myself, usually fairly easily. If I have a VST that does what I want I'll drop it in, but if not I can often make it with The Grid. I'm very much one of the people you are talking about that making The Grid the way they did expands their user base to. I must admit I'd love easier comping though! That's honestly the only thing I do that makes me think about using another DAW - maybe just for vocal recording and comping.

[@KlaraKopf]

BITWIG has the ability 2 B that DAW U need at that particular time working on that particular job. It is flexible, scaleable, crossing platforms, versatile and very informative. A wise man once said: _"... it's all about the workflow!"_ ;-)

[@avefuqua]

Nice. Is there a way to drag the machine midi files into 16 prepared midi slots without creating additional 16 slots automatically by bitwig ?

[@word2RG]

Is that thoughtfulness? We dont see many of your type around here.. :)

[@KYNG000]

VCV & Cherry Audio verses Bitwig ‘s Grid or Combine & Layer Them In a Track & Within the Grid as Instruments/Effects 🤔🤔

[@BrooseWayniac]

„Humans! LOL“ (short sentence and so True) iam looking for a buchla 259e osc in the Grid... it would be great to implent outstanding Modul classics to the Grid in the Grid Fashioned Modul UI of course

[@arandomguy8229]

... and also it comes from berlin : D

[@KutAnimus]

> Humans Couldn't agree more.

[@gudmundurThor96Nr2]

I recently bought Bitwig. From your experience how is hardware integration. I recently got myself a Korg Monologue but have yet to buy an Audio Interface.

[@atomaalatonal]

reactor is more down to the programming stuff. but you need much knowledge to use it. but it doesnt have a whole production daw built around it. and bitwig is deeper than modular synths too. buit you can use bitwig live too, like modular synths.

[@brooklynkayak]

I think what you said about mastering is true. Mastering is a thing from the past. It's way to fix something wrong in the mix. Fix it in the mix instead. This is coming from a person who was a mastering engineer in the past.

[@dzing74]

can you build a sylenth 1 type synth using the grid?

[@PolarityMusic]

that should be possible yes

[@dzing74]

@@PolarityMusic can you do a video?

[@PolarityMusic]

1. that would too long 2. sylenth is basically just a regular subtractive synth :)

[@dzing74]

@@PolarityMusic true but bitwigs polysynth cant get anywhere near it, i just wondered if the grid could do saw leads and plucks like seperate plugins like sylenth, serum etc. I shall do some experimenting with it.

[@PolarityMusic]

@@dzing74 send me a saw lead from sylenth you think you cant do in bitwig and i will try me best to come up with a preset for you :)

[@linstate007]

I get the point that you can make music in every enviroment but what about quality?

[@PolarityMusic]

define "quality"?

[@brooklynkayak]

@@PolarityMusic Yes, I was going to say. It depends on your perspective of what quality is.

[@monsooncity484]

First off, yes quality is subjective, and also you weren't clear about what you mean by quality, do you mean in terms of sound fidelity, or do you mean in terms of character and vibe? You gotta give us more context. Ultimately what I will say is that personally, I've used a lot of different DAWs, a lot of different synth plugins, and a lot of different effects plugins - yet there hasn't been a single one of these tools that I couldn't figure out how to make sound good. The technology available today has reached a standard of quality that I can say with 100% confidence, it's not about the tools you use, it's about how you use them. I know that saying is kind of cliche, but it's true. Doesn't matter what DAW you use, doesn't matter whether you use analog or digital gear, it's the way you use your gear/software that has the most influence on whether you're able to make good music with them. Anyone who disagrees with that, well I suppose you're entitled to your own opinion, but I'm speaking from true personal experience here. I've been making music since 2010 and I've been around the block multiple times when it comes to the software I've used, and for many years now I've been able to work out how to get good sounds/music out of my setup regardless of what software I'm using.

[@WARDISWARD]

BItwig grid is flawed because you can't do feedback loops without using the delayline , with a shortest delaytime of 5ms ( which is a lot ) The readout of the LOngdelay module actually says 0.02ms but that is not true and has already been confirmed by the btwig developers THis means you can NOT replicate certain dx7algoritms that uses more then 1 operator in the feedback loop (algo 4 and 6 ) Because the added delaytime will mess up the phase and the end result . This is a serious flaw and none of the other modulars have this ( reaktor , vcv rack ) they all have a 1 unit sample feedback loop if needed

[@PolarityMusic]

1. thats not a problem for the majority of users. 2. probably gets fixed in the coming weeks

[@wi2rd]

And this makes it flawed why? Saying a jeep is flawed because it's not a supercar is complete nonsense. It is what it is, use it for what it is, and who knows, perhaps they can implement a proper feedback module/solution in the future.

[@WARDISWARD]

@@wi2rd You will understand when you have a nord modular and or reaktor Feedback loops are fantastic , but not in bitwig

[@WARDISWARD]

@@PolarityMusic THat's the problem , the majority won't notice this , but once they start to delve in deeper they will eventually . I noticed this straight way after playing with bitwig 3 demo , I've been building in reaktor for over 10 years so I am kind of sensitive to this stuff It puts a serious limitation on the modular approach , no tunable delay lines for karplus strong synthesis , because we would need a 1unit sample for feeding the delay back to itself etc.. ( yes I know the comb filter can do kind of karplus )

[@wi2rd]

@@WARDISWARD There is nothing to understand here. Arguing something is broken because it does not do what you want it to do is failing logic. Your statement is subjective. You can say it does not fit your workflow, fine, but you can't argue it's "flawed" because of what is in your eyes a missing feature. Simply put in a feature request and leave it at that.

[@yeahna]

This didn't age well lol VCV kills especially from a sound design aspect.

[@PolarityMusic]

Ok what exactly kills what?

[@tristen_grant]

@@PolarityMusic Funny how they never answered.