Modartt user forum - DAW for a beginner

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (johnstaf) — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 23:17:38 +0000

I use Cubase and couldn't do without it, but when I just want to load up an instrument and play, it doesn't get any simpler than Reaper. I have a file on my desktop with nothing but my pianos in it so I can just click and play, and then save it under another name if I want to record. Reaper doesn't get complicated unless you want to do complicated things with it. Someone else can even make up the file for her.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 20:19:19 +0000

Probably not a good idea since Pianoteq is not fully portable...

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (Gaston) — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:15:29 +0000

Going a little further with my USB key, would it be a crazy idea to install Pianoteq on the same key ?

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 18:47:35 +0000

Gaston wrote:

(Unfortunately she lives too far for me and I can't advise her in person).

Thankfully we have Teamviewer for remote control and troubleshooting these days (it's free for personal usage)! Oh and Skype of course.

I think doing a portable Reaper install on a USB stick is a great way to go. Perhaps you could check out Reatraction, which greatly simplifies the menus etc, as a starting point for this young person - of course you can put your keyboard assignments and mouse modifiers in there?

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (Gaston) — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 15:19:08 +0000

Thank you EvilDragon, as you know (we know each other on the Reaper forums where I am Zblogny) I have been a Reaperian for a long time. So I am absolutely convinced.
I was only hoping to find a more directly affordable tool for a beginner.
So I followed Lylo and Dazric's proposals: I installed Cakewalk and Mulab.
I wanted to do a very simple test: load Pianoteq VSTi and import a MIDI file recorded with Pianoteq standalone.
Neither Cakewalk nor Mulab allowed me to do this quickly, efficiently and hassle-free.
So I come back to Reaper, with a very simple idea:
I will make a portable install on a USB key, import my configuration (simplifying it a bit, mine is considerably customized), and send this key to the young person concerned. Maybe I'll do a little tutorial to help her get started. (Unfortunately she lives too far for me and I can't advise her in person).

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (fubarable) — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 03:11:41 +0000

EvilDragon wrote:

Reaper is a much lighter download, and can be portable on a USB stick, for example. Sonar can't. Also authorization scheme for Reaper is a simple keyfile instead of requiring Internet authorization. Also loads faster and has better VST performance (lower CPU usage due to better multicore utilization).
First-time Reaper users that had no previous DAW experience in great majority of cases have no problems with user friendliness of it.

Also don't forget to mention the tremendously supportive Reaper user community, including the Reaper Forums where many questions, both newbie and expert, get answered daily. This, it's tremendous power and its low cost were the selling points for me.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (dazric) — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 10:29:48 +0000

Reaper may seem a bit intimidating at first, but I think it's a heck of a lot more user-friendly than Cubase. I tried Cubase for a while (before I discovered Reaper) - it nearly drove me up the wall!
Edit: referring back to Gaston's original post, I see that he wouldn't recommend Reaper as a starter DAW. How about MuLab Free? It's somewhat limited, but if all you want is just Pianoteq and one or two tracks, it may be enough. The interface is fairly minimalist and easy to understand.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 08:49:46 +0000

Why not?

Reaper is a much lighter download, and can be portable on a USB stick, for example. Sonar can't. Also authorization scheme for Reaper is a simple keyfile instead of requiring Internet authorization. Also loads faster and has better VST performance (lower CPU usage due to better multicore utilization).

First-time Reaper users that had no previous DAW experience in great majority of cases have no problems with user friendliness of it.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (Lylo) — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 08:08:43 +0000

Yes I know this answer. If you prefer (and as you said) Cakewalk is more user friendly think and at least, the daw is free so why use an another ?

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 16:58:49 +0000

Well, not necessarily. I open Reaper, choose audio interface (it asks you for that when you start it for the very first time after install), add a track, arm it, choose its input, and press record. Big f'n deal - it's the same in any DAW. Oh and of course (as in any DAW), gotta point it to the folder where your VSTs are, if it isn't one of default folders (which it already uses by default, so on first load it also scanned all your plugins too, if you installed them in the default VST folder). That's total rocket science! :=)

I would say any DAW that has "track types" (like Sonar, Cubase, etc), is actually more complicated than Reaper, which doesn't have track types - this is really a much simpler concept to grasp for newbies. A track is defined by the type of input you select to record on it. Can be audio, can be MIDI. Reaper doesn't care, it just records it. Total rocket science!

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (Lylo) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 13:59:00 +0000

Cakewalk is more simple.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 12:57:20 +0000

Sure there is, you can use Reaper past the trial date with no limitations... Sure it's not moral, but developers allow it and go by honesty rather than forcing you to pay out.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (Lylo) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 11:17:35 +0000

For me no hesitation : Cakewalk by Bandlab.

Free, relatively easy and with vsti support.

There's no another choice.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:46:02 +0000

Cantabile is not a DAW, it's a live host. Bit different purpose.

Re: DAW for a beginner

null@example.com (OrganoPleno) — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:10:10 +0000

Gaston wrote:

What would be the easiest DAW for a beginner?

I like Cantabile. Simple and to the point.

https://www.cantabilesoftware.com

And the Introductory Version is Free!