4 TIPS TO SELECT THE
AKARSH SHEKHAR
RIGHT DAW FOR YOURSELF
Are you using a Mac OS or Windows computer ?
We will not make a comparison as to which operating system is better or superior . The answer to this question always depends on the situation .
There was a time when Macbased DAWs were indispensable for professional producers and composers due to Apple ’ s faster computers and easier adaptability to creative endeavors than their Windows counterparts . But today , the reality is that whatever you produce on a Mac you can produce on a PC – and vice versa .
While there are many DAWs to choose from for both , keep in mind that some DAWs only work on a single system . For example , Logic Pro X only works on Mac and Sonar Cakewalk only works on Windows .
A good way to make sure you have the DAW you want to use for a long time is to look for a DAW that installs on both Mac and PC . This is mainly because nowadays the internet allows more and more collaboration , you may want to be open to collaboration between music producers .
Audio Plugin Compatibility
There are three types of plugin formats on the market :
AU ( Audio Units – native format for Mac OS X , but not limited to Mac-based DAWs in most DAWs )
VST ( Virtual Studio Technology
– most popular and widely implemented plug-in standard for both Windows and Mac based DAWs )
RTAS ( Real-Time Audio Suite – only available with Pro Tools DAW )
Knowing the formats your DAW uses is essential , as various formats may be incompatible . For example , VST plugins may or may not work on a host DAW that only uses AU plugins .
Your Music Production Goal
“ Workflow ” is the key word when choosing a suitable DAW for producing music . Speed is king in modern music production and business .
Can you produce quickly on your DAW ? Or do you constantly interrupt your creative workflow to fix bugs and find functions while producing on your DAW ?
If you ’ re new , you may not be aware of your workflows yet – because you haven ’ t produced them yet . That ’ s why you should download trial versions of each DAW you ’ re interested in to produce a piece of music . Only then will you begin to discover your favorite DAW .
Not all DAWs are built the same . Here are some questions to ask yourself :
• Are you planning to record more sound or do a full blown synth and virtual instrument composition ?
• Is your music leaning towards electronic music ?
• Are studio recordings something you plan to work with or are you considering doing live pieces as well ?
• What degree of control do you want to exert over audio or MIDI editing ?
• Do you plan to edit and print music sheets ?
Your Budget
Always take advantage of seasonal sales to buy or upgrade your DAW . It doesn ’ t matter if your favorite DAW has just released an update , you can usually afford the wait .
Some of the most successful music producers produce on legacy DAW systems . So unless you really need to spend money on a DAW upgrade , you ’ ll usually have to wait for a seasonal discount like Black Friday or Thanksgiving .
Choose a DAW you can afford . You don ’ t always need to buy the largest version of the DAW .
Take Presonus Studio One for example . Studio One Prime ( free version ) offers three editions , Artist and Professional . If you ’ re a singer-songwriter who records occasionally and uses some instrument sampler – Studio One Artist will be good enough for you . It offers the same functionality for recording , editing , mixing and light mastering – you can do it all in the Artist version . And guess what advantage it has ? You only pay 25 % of the price .
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