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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Looking For A Lite Daw, But Still Pro
Posted by: KenA Feb 1 2016, 02:05 AM
Hi everyone,
I'm in the quest of an alternative for the currently DAW I'm using which is Ableton Live. I quite like Live, but there's many aspects in there I really don't need, eg: 2 visual modes (Arrangement and Session views), most of the Software Instruments, tons of loops and one shots, among some other things. (things that basically bloats the software)
What I use is the basic stuff any musician may use: tracks, mixer, midi, audio, time stretching and VST support.
Well, any tips help. Thanks, Ken.
Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 1 2016, 04:08 AM
Reaper, this is what Glen uses . It will do everything you need for 60 bucks
Posted by: Phil66 Feb 1 2016, 09:31 AM
Reaper 
Posted by: Tom51 Feb 1 2016, 10:38 AM
I use Steinberg Cubase Elements 8 - which is a downstripped version of Cubase and costs here somewhat around 80 bucks.
Posted by: KenA Feb 1 2016, 11:55 AM
Thanks, I'll definitely try Cubase Elements and Reaper.
I've tested both GarageBand and Logic, both sw do something strange, eg. they alter the guitar sound. The guitar signal path I'm testing is:
Guitar > real Amp head > Suhr Reactive Load > Audio Interface > DAW
The result sounds like I'm using an amp simulator sw instead. I also tried my previous setup which was:
Guitar > Joyo American and AC Tone pedals > Audio Interface > DAW : same altered sound
But maybe it's something I'm doing wrong inside GarageBand and Logic?
Plus Logic is not Lite at all :-(
Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 1 2016, 12:15 PM
I've tested both GarageBand and Logic, both sw do something strange, eg. they alter the guitar sound. The guitar signal path I'm testing is:
Guitar > real Amp head > Suhr Reactive Load > Audio Interface > DAW
The result sounds like I'm using an amp simulator sw instead. I also tried my previous setup which was:
Guitar > Joyo American and AC Tone pedals > Audio Interface > DAW : same altered sound
But maybe it's something I'm doing wrong inside GarageBand and Logic?
Plus Logic is not Lite at all :-(
do you have a speaker simulator in that chain
Posted by: KenA Feb 1 2016, 12:21 PM
in the hardware side No, but last in the DAW I have Recabinet. I made sure that in Logic or Garageband I had a similar setup in the DAW as well. I also deleted Recabinet in Logic and played to test if there wasn't any other cabinet in the chain.
I still believe I'm doing something wrong (not the SW's fault).
Well nevermind because I'll probably not going to use Logic since it appears to be another heavy sw.
Posted by: Mertay Feb 1 2016, 12:51 PM
http://harrisonconsoles.com/site/mixbus.html
The entire DAW is analog modeled and though I never used it, its said to be not complicated.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Feb 1 2016, 01:26 PM
I have recently moved to Reaper from Cubase, and while there's a short learning curve, I'm not looking back. It supports all the things I need personally.
Posted by: KenA Feb 1 2016, 02:42 PM
Not sure about this one. Looks quite good, but quite heavy, but I'll add it on my list.
I'll try this one too!
Posted by: Phil66 Feb 1 2016, 09:02 PM
The one good thing about Reaper is that there are many GMCers who use or have used it so there's always help available. If you go for a less popular DAW and have issues it may take longer to sort out.
CHeers
Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 2 2016, 08:34 AM
I'm with everyone else 
If you want lite and still good quality, grab REAPER. You can download and use it for free with just a nag screen popping up at the start. So you can try it and then buy it or not You can always download the free version of Pro Tools which is of course "pro" but not that light and not that complete to be honest.
Posted by: KenA Feb 2 2016, 12:13 PM
I'm testing Reaper and it's very good, but I need to see how it deals with MIDI devices and learn the overall aspects of the DAW. The overall sound quality I get using an equivalent setup I use in Ableton is very similar from each other. Not sure if it has Timestretching tool. It's a very lite sw. I think I'll do further studies on this one!!!
Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 2 2016, 01:47 PM
not sure what you mean about stretching , but if it slowing the track down without changing the pitch , just double click the BPM and type in what speed you want .
Posted by: KenA Feb 2 2016, 01:56 PM
That's definitely part of time stretching abilities a sw may have, but there are a few more things than just slowing down, eg. the ability to detect transients so one can alter/fix minor errors, etc.
But, no problem at all if Reaper does not include an specific tool for that. We can do it outside the DAW in case it's needed.
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