DAW With Focus On Recording Rather Than Internal Beat Making and MIDI?

[dbsfgyd1]

Cubase. Any iteration.

or Reaper if you want something free.

+1 on Cubasis. Also a great tool for remote recording sessions. You will need a PC or a Mac. iPad they state will work. ChromeBook will not.

While as far as I know there is no limits on the amount of tracks, keep in mind, the files can get very large and storage space on your hard drive may disappear pretty quick. .

 

[brianrost]

I mean that's what ProTools is. Apparently they've got a free version now, no idea if it's any good.

The current ProTools free version stores everything in the cloud and only allows a couple of projects to be saved. OK for screwing around or demos, not so much for anything important.

The free Presonus Studio One Prime is worth a look.

Cubase Elements (the cheapest...$100) is fine for home recording projects, the more expensive versions add a lot of stuff you say you don't care about.

If you use a Mac, Logic is well worth the $200. Good amp sims, pedal sims, very good audio FX (compressors, EQs, etc.).

 

[40Hz]

I’d recommend taking a look at Harrison Consoles Mixbus or Mixbus 32C.

I’d strongly suggest going for the 32c version if possible. It’s got a significant number of useful enhancements when compared to the classic version. And the classic version is no slouch.

The only difference in system requirements between the two versions is that Mixbus 32c requires a minimum screen height of 1200 pixels vs 900 pixels for the classic version. (Note: either way you’ll want the biggest monitor with the most pixels you can afford for a DAW, so treat that 1200 number as an absolute minimum.)

Mixbus 32c lists for $349 direct from Harrison. (The classic version is only $89.) And demo software is available for both to try before you buy. But if you put yourself on their mailing list you’ll soon start receiving significant discount offers on their products. So sign up, download a demo, and try waiting a bit before taking the plunge. Unless they’ve drastically changed the way they’re doing business recently, a discount offer will soon be forthcoming.

I got my first copy of Mix-bus 32c for $99 that way.

 

[wraub]

I'm on PC, and I use StudioOne. It works well as a simple recorder, when that's what I want.
It also has tons of stuff it can do, including MIDI if desired (I have used it for that, it's been plug and play).

Studio One 5 Prime is free. https://shop.presonus.com/Studio-One-5-Prime
I have no affiliation, just a satisfied user.

 

[monkeyfinger]

I use Presonus Studio One 5 on Windows 10. My brother, a professional recording engineer, uses Logic on Mac. Both are very good.

 

[Morse_77]

+1 for Cakewalk.

Why?
1. Free
2. Works on Windows PC/Laptop
3. Easy to use (focus on recording bass tracks)
4. I've been using it for decades, so I'm bias (as most people in this thread )

 

[Basslice]

I don't want to sound preachy, but your stated hatred of certain systems and architectures implies you may not have the flexibility to get where you want to go.

I too went from cassette recording to digital. First to a simple Zoom recorder, then years ago I bought a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4. It came with Ableton Lite and I really suffered and it sat there. For years.

I think the biggest hurdle you will need to get over is that DAW recording is NOT like plugging into a tape recorder. You have to start thinking like a recording engineer since that is the basic signal chain architecture that all decent DAWs emulate. For better or for worse. Knowing what a bus is for example. How to route signals.

• Read Tweak's Guide: Invalid Link Removed
• Read the FAQs at the beginning of this forum
  
• I also bought and read, "The Art of Digital Audio Recording: A Practical Guide for Home and Studio", by Steve Savage.

Some of the information in those sources is outdated, but at least they gave me an impression of what a DAW really is and is trying to do.

1. There will be a learning curve and you will have to invest time, a lot at first, before things become second nature, and that doesn't matter what DAW you use. If that is an issue, you will get no where fast.
   
2. You don't have to become a recording engineer to record decent tracks, but I found that the more I understand about real studio setups, the more I can accomplish.
3. MIDI can be your friend- a really good one- but it doesn't have to get in your way.
4. Things you describe as bloatware are actually pretty useful at times. I do not load or use the "free" limited use software that come with interfaces or DAWs. They each have their own learning curves and then you have to buy the full version. I like the Pro Tools plugins that come with the DAW and they get the job done 90% of the time.

I chose to learn Pro Tools. Why? It is good stuff and there are so many "how to" tutorials on the web that I can always Google my way out of a problem. It took me months of work and studying and failing to learn it, but it is worth it. I just bought the new 2020 version. Do I love their subscription model and iLok? No. But they need to get paid. If you have a problem with that you can get Reaper for $60 and it will probably do what you want. My cousin owns a professional studio and he uses Cubase.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[getbent]

I was a dedicated GarageBand user for over a decade, very easy to just jump in and lay down tracks. When I decided to ditch Mac, I started using Reaper and that is only slightly more complicated, but with more features, and still pretty easy to jump in and start recording with real or VST instruments.

 

[MonetBass]

Another vote for Studio One Prime from Presonus, which is free. Studio One 5 Prime | PreSonus Shop

I came from Cubase and found Studio One intuitive and having some nice plugins. Additional ones can be purchased, too.

 

[bmusic]

Pro Tools. It has worked pretty much flawlessly for me for 26 years, and I’m on it all day. Powerful, flexible, intuitive, and made for audio.

Also reliable, and in the professional audio world, universal. Because it’s simply the best.

 

[Monkey]

Another satisfied Reaper user here. I started as a total amateur and it took an investment of time with tutorial videos to get reasonably up to speed, but I love it now.

 

[magyk8ball]

Im using studio one on an aging mac, but i think it runs on pc also. Pretty easy to use in my opinion, and you could easily just not add any midi tracks.

But, for completely off the rails recording (not completely synced to the metronome) and importing audio, id have to give the nod to digital performer. Its complex, but powerful and extremely stable.

 

[Rib 13]

Theres no stopping you from just ignoring that stuff on any DAW that will do the recording to your satisfaction.....For Example: Up until about 2010, Sony ACID was a fine simple DAW with many great capabilities but with a simpler UI for just recording, if one ignored all the DJ-friendly loop functionality and MIDI/VSTi creation processes

 

[Peeved T-40]

Protools... its the industry standard for a reason

you know what I’ve noticed? Industry standards usually suck ass and ProTools is no exception

 

[Deleted member 365158]

I went from protools to reaper because of price snd I don’t like subscriptions to software.
Protools kicks butt but reaper is very good too.... so are the other DAWs mentioned in this thread but reaper seems closer to protools at least how i use it.
As mentioned by @Basslice , there is a learning curve no matter what you go with.
I have templates made now for recording my band’s rehearsals where i have “set it and forgot it”.
I copy and rename the template file, open it and start recording. Easy once its all set up.

 

[monkeyfinger]

Protools is the industry standard because it was the first fully functional non-linear audio recording and mixing system. So when there was nothing else, studio engineers leaned that tool. Since learning these systems is very time-consuming, most have chosen to stick with that product. I don't think it is the best choice for someone new. Protools is reluctant to make and substantial changes to its product for fear of upsetting its user base. So it sticks with its antiquated model.

 

[RyanSaranich]

I mean, they're all basically the same and offer practically the same features. The only one I would steer you away from is something like Ableton or Fruity Loops (<= does that still exist?) which are definitely more suited for the programming crowd.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this. If it's not, please direct me to a more appropriate location.

As the title says, I want a DAW That's more focused on recording and bring in tracks. Pretty much every DAW I've tried is loaded down with MIDI and beat making stuff and I'm just not interested. I already find DAW interfaces confusing and then when you through MIDI and beat stuff in my face I just get lost.

I'm looking for something streamlined and more like a digital tape deck with infinite tracks I suppose.

But please NOT Audacity. I hate Audacity with the burning rage of a thousand suns!

+1 for Reaper. Inexpensive, intuitive and very easy to use. Just as powerful as Pro-Tools, and less crashy.

 

[LBS-bass]

Theres no stopping you from just ignoring that stuff on any DAW that will do the recording to your satisfaction.....For Example: Up until about 2010, Sony ACID was a fine simple DAW with many great capabilities but with a simpler UI for just recording, if one ignored all the DJ-friendly loop functionality and MIDI/VSTi creation processes

There are some minor initialization things that you might have to navigate through; I'm most familiar with Logic and the first thing I have to do is initialize a track. I'm presented there with options. Select audio track and I never have to futz around with MIDI at all, unless I want to. It's pretty simple to just ignore the MIDI in that program and I imagine most of the others would be the same, unless they are designed for EDM or beat makers.

 

[DirtDog]

Ardour

If you have a Presonus interface, it doesn’t get much simpler than Capture.