What DAW do you use and why?

[djfunq]

I had to/and can work with almost every platform. Q-bass, Logic, Reason, Ableton and Protools.
At home i work with Ableton
Last week I saw a docu on HBO about Richie Hawtin where he uses Ableton synced with Traktor, synced with a
a main A&H mixer synced with a 2 other dj's Magda and Loco Dice who also had their own A&H mixer fed into the main.
also synced with led/light visuals and direct feed to internet...
Some serious signal flowing ova there...

[djfunq]

I believe from my experience :
-Ableton is more versatile for live performances
because of it's flexible routing possibilities.
- For actual analog studio recording no doubt protools tops the bill.
- Qbass and Logic are good programs for home producing.

[dj aakmael]

Pro Tools for the DAW, running with other stuff via midi and rewire like Reason, Maschine, KORG Triton and other various plugins. To me there's nothing like Pro Tools for vocals, and this is the first DAW I actually learned the most about when I was in a different studio.

peace
aak

[Ashwell]

Hey Aakmael, what sets pro tools above the rest for you when it comes to vocals? Just curious, I've heard others say the same thing.

[dj aakmael]

Hey Aakmael, what sets pro tools above the rest for you when it comes to vocals? Just curious, I've heard others say the same thing.

I personally think Pro Tools adds a nice "digital gloss" over the vocals as well as other tracks. I know it's to each his own when it comes to DAW's in general, however I've worked with Cubase, Ableton and Logic before but none of those really provides that gloss imo.

I've even heard others say this who use both, they like Logic for the apparent thicker feel and bounce tracks down to to Pro Tools when they're ready to add vox and master.

Edit:

To add, I also understand that Logic may be a lot simpler to use than Pro Tools. Pro Tools can be a bitch when you are first setting it up, but when it's runnin' good with all your plugins working and everything gellin' it's smooth sailing

[Dj Bones]

Very informative bones thanks ;-)

Sorry Steve, was having a bad day.

I have used cakewalk and cubase. Both in ther many differnt versions and then used Logic on a PC for ages and really got into it. When that PC died I moved Nuendo but still preferred Logic.

Now back with Logic on a Mac. Like the look, the feel and functions.

[Ashwell]

@Aakmael - thanks for the skinny.

[Sweep 181]

i am using Digital Performer, i am very used to it, it is a great software! i think it is the best for the audio ... much better than logic for sure for this purpose. a bit similar as pro tools for the audio. also using ableton for playing live and using it in rewire in Digital performer for choosing any kind of loop, rythmics etc.

[Marshall Jefferson]

David Morales has used Performer for years.

[rissa]

I use pro tools now I used to use logic and I still have logic but it's funny, every time some other program comes up with something new Pro Tools incorporates that function into it's system. ie ableton and it's time stretch with makers, Pro Tools had that with in six months later. I rewire Reason, Ableton, and various other DAW proprams right into Pro Tools. I was intimidated by Pro Tools but now I find it easier to use than most DAWs.

Me too I absolutely love Pro Tools ...the interface and everything is much easier for me ..the only thing it lacks is the VSTs that come with Logic ...if i had more vsts i would stick to just using pro tools

[rich carrick]

I use Logic because a) it's easy to use b) I have a macbook & Logic runs well on it c) you can pay to get a year's worth of tuition on anything Apple at your local Apple store (£80 for a lesson a week for a whole year) - so naturally I chose Logic

for DJing (if I used anything other than vinyl) I'd use Ableton as I've seen it in action and it's ace

[Timmy Mc]

Me too I absolutely love Pro Tools ...the interface and everything is much easier for me ..the only thing it lacks is the VSTs that come with Logic ...if i had more vsts i would stick to just using pro tools

Yeah and if you are using a MAC it's hard to get free stuff

[PumasNFatLaces]

Presonus Studio One Pro. It's a very nice DAW. Easily routable and get the creativity going fast.

[DJN Project]

A mini survey
Please tell me what DAW you use and the reasons for choosing it

Thanks

DJN Project we use , Reason, Logic and Protools. I prefer protools for mixing, and adding extra Vitual inst sounds

[blackwax]

Thanks for all the responses

As suspected Logic seems the most popular still
Ableton seems to be doing very well

Also seems as if lots of people use multiple platforms depending on the task at hand

This came about because I was wondering if there was an industry standard of sorts
Seems like logic is popular but by no means a standard
I know that my poll won't count for that much as it's not on a big enough scale but I did find it interesting

Being a cubase user I have often found it frustrating when I find good custom made maps and tools on the web but always seems not to be a cubase version

[kav]

I guess im the only one representing FL Studio. I find it very easy to put down my groove i have in mind into FL with ease. Im also learning Ableton on the side too.

[checkoneaudio]

i've been using Reason and Native Instuments Maschine as a controller for about the last 6 months or so, Maschine is pretty cool on it's own, but i LIKE Reason waaay much better. These 2 together is now my setup of choice !!! As my DAW i use Nuendo and i been using it for about 4 years... this is pretty much all i use !!!

[Dal-Tex]

After buying a new Macbook Pro I had to also purchase Logic Express even though I like ProTools better. But the new ProTools is like $600 so fuck it. You can check out my tracks: http://soundcloud.com/nawewtech

[DUBFLY]

Tha ease of Ableton really work for me !

[JonasEdenbrandt]

Ableton!
Cause I'm a PC user from the age of 10 and it's to big a hassle to get to the same level of workflow on logic. Started out on reason but then wanted VSTS and audio so switched to ableton with reason rewired but then after learning some VST synths and the synths in ableton reason just got phased out i guess.
I use Logic when i produce with a friend cause he's a logic user and we both really love the synths in logic!

[Twilight Being]

Logic with Live rewired to it here.

Logic just makes sense to me and it works flawlessly but I find Live better for audio manipulation. I also have Pro Tools 9 but frequently find it frustrating to use.

[Dirk Deafner]

I guess im the only one representing FL Studio. I find it very easy to put down my groove i have in mind into FL with ease. Im also learning Ableton on the side too.

Nah, I use FL Studio predominantly as well, so I'm reppin' it with you! I'm actually scared to move to any other DAW other than FL since I'm so use to it....its ease of use really helps me lay down my ideas the second I open the DAW on my computer.

I've messed around with Pro Tools with my engineer a bit last year, and its really good for vocals...for other stuff I'm not sure since I didn't mess with it in that nature....yet.

I also have Ableton Lite 6.0 on my computer but I've barely messed with it. Hoping to get a Maschine sometime soon.

[LoneRanger]

I voted Ableton, but honestly I've been using Maschine almost exclusively now. I love it and I can create whatever I want with it.

It's so easy to use too. I've used everything. Reason, Ableton (I made alot of music on it from 2003-2008), fruity loops (i hate this program with a passion and think it't borderline juvenile...but then again some of my favorite producers use it and make it sound amazing), Acid Pro, Reaktor, and nothing beats maschine. maybe an MPC would...but honestly, I don't feel like learning a new piece of hardware.


Plus, I can pack that up with my laptop and alesis speakers and take it wherever I want. The thing I like the most about maschine is the intergration of software and hardware. It just makes making music fun.

It's funny. I have a microkorg, an 8 track digital recorder, and Akai LPD8 and MPD24, and an axiom 25 as well...and they all just collect dust now.

[Hugo Slime]

I am liking that MJ is using Logic. Irecently upgraded from Reason3 - to NI Complete and Logic - have had a slight bit of dissonance as a lot of well known producers seem to now be using Ableton.

For records Logic, for DJ mixes Ableton.

Had a lot of technical hiccups trying to get Cubase running, got frustrated and gave up. Bought Logic and was writing and recording songs again within 10 minutes. Very simple and easy to use, which is a priority for me. Whenever somebody asks me for a DAW i recommend Logic and they pick it up in minutes, a lot of times people with no previous songwriting experience. Logic is also fully featured and one of the most versatile DAWs out.

I also use Ableton but there's a much steeper learning curve and it's not as flexible as Logic, but it is better for doing a DJ set.

[jah]

I started with Cubase exclusively but this year I made the switch to Ableton for just the speed. I know it has sound issues but mann it just feels good to make music in that thing. Its fun and intuitive and its like a video game for me and I'm a big nerd. I always loved fucking around with ableton but I was apprehensive to make the full switch from cubase especially when I heard much more knowledgable heads saying there is something off with the sound in the low end with ableton. This may be true but I am so sick of having too much choice in this digital world.

I go around in circles with the multitude of plugins and DAWS on offer, trying everything and not spending enough time with one. I need to just stick to one thing and do it well and for me, Ableton is the one I feel most comfortable sticking with... I also run maschine for beats (every now and then I prefer to just draw it in) but Maschine certainly helps when your in the mood!