New DAW software question and help?

[budda12ax7]

I am using my focusrite scarlet 18i, but dislike the Appleton Lite that came with it. Was fussing around with Reaper, but is there another EASY to use recording software? I am trying the Presonus Prime free software, but hit a wall with it. I am familiar with Cubase LE from my ADAT days, but need something easy.

Any suggestions?

[soggy mittens]

ableton is pretty easy, have you tried youtube vids?

[Grey]

Yeah, Ableton is pretty straight forward. All DAW's are "complicated" to a certain extent simply by way of the number of features they include, what specifically are you trying to do?

[zeoy]

This: https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw
Tracktion is the most user friendly DAW I've ever used (and I used a lot and for many years)

[budda12ax7]

Will look at Appleton. Just home recording, multiple tracks.

[Grey]

What's Appleton? Tracktion is a good suggestion too, and you may also want to look into Audacity for an even more stripped down recording program.

[Larry Mal]

Are we talking Mac or PC?

[milanm]

I'm a big fan of Ableton but i'm pretty invested, been using it for years.

I have heard great things about Reaper and Bitwig (the new kid on the block)

[tremolo3]

Audacity is the most straightforward for recording and some really basic editing, but Reaper is the best I've used in terms of how balanced is between the work flow and the tools available.

[budda12ax7]

Are we talking Mac or PC?

PC

[budda12ax7]

Messed a bit with the Presonus Prime, will look into Traction. Basically recording live drums, I have 8 ins on my scarlet. Ugg....I would just a tactile mixing board....

[mackerelmint]

Just dropping in to say that Reaper is poo with poo sprinkles on top, served on a bed of poo.

[soggy mittens]

[milanm]

Lolz,

Seriously, if Ableton puts you off have a look at Bitwig - http://www.bitwig.com

I've heard its really REALLY good.

[Larry Mal]

So, Ableton is great, but it's probably the one bit of musical software that works in a different system.

All the others (except for Bitwig, which I'll try and address later) work around a linear flow based on non-destructive editing and a workflow derived from analog mixers.

Without getting into it too much, Live is different, it has the same capabilities as Pro Tools and Cubase and all that, but it also specializes in assembling bits of information together quickly- organizing musical "clips" into "scenes". That's where the "live" portion comes from.

I have Ableton, I love it, but I've never after all these years been completely comfortable with the workflow in it and I really, really wish I was. I will accept that the problem is mine, but then again, it may be that you need a more "traditional" DAW for the work you do rather than what Live offers. In other words, if you aren't getting it now, you may never get it, no matter how successful others are with it. Or you may. Who knows? But it is like the one DAW that works differently enough from all the others (and maybe Digital Performer to a slight degree) that it may not gel with you.

(I haven't used Bitwig, but would like to and almost bought it over Christmas. But my understanding is that while it's different, it works basically like Live does at its heart, regarding workflow and philosophy.)

I'd be happy to make recommendations, but it would be helpful to know what you wanted to spend, and more importantly, how you see yourself working with this software. Just you and a guitar and a mic? Or will virtual instruments come into play? Are you recording drums?

The easiest thing to do would be to buy one of the full packages, like Cubase or Digital Performer or Sonar, and then you are set. There's nothing that you would need done that this software won't do for you, and you've spent the money and you have the best. The rest is up to you.

Otherwise, if you won't come off the money, then we'll be talking Reaper (which I don't like) and "lite" versions, or maybe Studio One, which is great.