Your opinion on these DAWs

[ctrlzone]

i'm not aware of an autoload function for the last song.
What you can do, is set the default Template.
under Preferences/File, theres an option to safe current set as default.
This will load at the Start or anytime you create a new Song.

there's also a default Setting for each Device, even plugins. just Right-click in the Title Bar, save as default.
in a Plugin you click configure and select the parameters you want, then turn configure off again, and safe as default.
This way you also select which parameters automap to your Controller.

for the looks you can try different themes among other things like color and zoom factor.
Preferences/Look

i don't know much about Systems-exclusive, but you need Max for that.


may give Reaper a shot, its powerful and from what i know can handle Sysex.
its very cheap but you can actually use it for free, after 60 days a little message starts to pop up at start and you have to wait a couple seconds, but otherwise no limitations. i think a full license is only 60 bucks.
they have a huge Forum with a friendly and knowledgable Community.
the only downside for Reaper is that its not that Beginner friendly imo.

 

[joet63]

Hi macstatic, Have looked at Reason by Propellerheads? It's a very intuitive program and possibly what you are looking for in a DAW. I'm still learning with it (noob) lol but I love the workflow with it.

 

[macstatic]

Hi macstatic, Have looked at Reason by Propellerheads? It's a very intuitive program and possibly what you are looking for in a DAW. I'm still learning with it (noob) lol but I love the workflow with it.

No, I haven't tried it yet, but see they have a trial version for download so I could look into that. Have you tried other DAWs to compare it with?
I should probably figure out what I need in a DAW (not very easy as I don't have the experience to know what a DAW has to offer) and find some sort of comparison chart. Another DAW which I've installed is Tracktion's Waveform 10 free. I hear it's good but has an awkward layout compared to other DAWs, but as a newbie to the DAW world that's no concern. I have no idea how it compares to Live, Studio One, Logic, Reason or any of the others DAWs worth considering but would like to hear from anyone who has used it.

i'm not aware of an autoload function for the last song.
What you can do, is set the default Template.

Not quite the same as continuing where you left off, but I can see how useful a ready-to use setup would be. Coming from the 80's/90s MIDI sequencing world where you'd spend at least 10-15 minutes setting every little thing up before you could even think about making music I can see how this can be a game-changer and actually let you record your ideas before you forget them! 👍
Thanks for your other suggestions as well.

may give Reaper a shot, its powerful and from what i know can handle Sysex.
its very cheap but you can actually use it for free, after 60 days a little message starts to pop up at start and you have to wait a couple seconds, but otherwise no limitations. i think a full license is only 60 bucks.
they have a huge Forum with a friendly and knowledgable Community.
the only downside for Reaper is that its not that Beginner friendly imo.

Yes, Reaper's price is definitely right, and has been suggested earlier, but the last part is what scares me away. Even the "beginner friendly" DAWs have a high learning curve
Choices, choices.....

 

[joet63]

I have used both Cubase and Garageband, Cubase a long time ago and more recent GarageBand. They were both ok but I preferred Reason, only for the fact that it was a much more stable program then, (Reason4), it has grown into a heavyweight DAW in my opinion, I love Thor (synth) you can make a lot of different soundscapes with it also Subtractor and Malstrom are heavyweight machines too, here is a snippet from Wikipedia:

Reason 1.0 was released on November 22, 2000. The program's design mimics a studio rack into which users can insert virtual devices such as instruments, effects processors, and mixers. These modules can be controlled from Reason's built-in MIDI sequencer or from other sequencing applications such as Pro Tools, Logic, FL Studio, REAPER, Digital Performer, Cubase, Sonar, and GarageBand via Propellerhead's ReWire protocol in the 32-bit versions of these programs. Since the release of version 6 Reason supports ReWire with 64-bithosts.

As of version 7.0.1, devices available include:

• Subtractor: a subtractive synthesizer[2]
• Malström: a graintable synthesizer (granular synthesis + wavetable synthesis)[3]
• NN-19: a simple sampler, which loads pre-recorded instrumental and vocal sounds
• NN-XT: an advanced sampler, which features the option of tweaking the various modulation, oscillation, and filter parameters of a preloaded sample or patch
• Dr Octo Rex: a loop playback device, which slices prerecorded samples
• Redrum: a sample based drum machine with a step sequencer
• Thor: a semi-modular synthesizer which features, among others, wavetable synthesis,[4] frequency modulation synthesis (FM), and phase distortion synthesis
• Kong Drum Designer: a 16-pad drum synthesizer with analog synthesizers emulating the classic generators of drums like the Roland TR series, physical modelling drum synthesizers and sampler akin to the Akai MPC series.
• Neptune: A voice synthesizer and pitch correction tool, capable of Vocoder-like polyphonic voice synthesis as well as robotic, AutoTune-like pitch adjustment and more subtle pitch corrections.[5]
• Alligator: A triple filtered gate, sometimes known as a "trance gate". Alligator splits an incoming signal into three signals, which are then gated and filtered using lowpass, bandpass and highpass filters on each respective channel. Alligator also is capable of adding delay, distortion, phasing and stereo panning effects to each channel, and each of the filters can be modulated with a filter envelope embedded in the unit.[6]
• Pulveriser: A multi-purpose piece of virtual hardware that combines compression, distortion, filters, tremolo, parallel signal processing and an envelope follower.[7]
• The Echo: An echo unit based on tape echo and delay.[8]
• External MIDI Instrument: A device which allows for MIDI output from Reason to an external MIDI instrument]

Sounds from these devices can be routed via either of two mixing devices or simple merging and splitting utilities. Effects include distortion, reverb, chorus, a vocoder, and masteringeffects. The Combinator device, introduced in Reason 3.0, allows users to combine multiple modules into one. Another device connects Reason to Propellerhead's (now discontinued) ReBirth RB-338.

This is the newest version/update Resaon 11

Reason 11[edit]
Reason 11 was announced on August 26, 2019, and is slated for release on September 25, 2019. It adds workflow improvements to the sequencer and a few new devices. It also introduces the new Reason Rack Plugin, a VST3 plugin which allows for Reason's rack to be used as a plugin in other DAWs.[21] An AU plugin version is also planned to release before the end of 2019. Reason 11 will now be offered in three tiers: Reason Intro, Reason and Reason Suite. The new upper tier includes Reason and adds most rack extensions made by Reason Studios including the new Scenic Hybrid Instrument.

New devices will include:

• Quartet Chorus Ensemble: A new chorus device with more extensive features than the original CF-101
• Sweeper Modulation Effect: A device that combines a phaser, flanger and filter unit into one
• Master Bus Compressor: The compressor from the Reason mixer is now available as a rack device
• Channel Dynamics: The compressor/expander/gate effect from the Reason mixer is now available as a rack device
• Channel EQ: The EQ and filter effect from the Reason mixer is now available as a rack device

Rack Extensions developed by Reason Studios during Reason 11 include:

• Scenic Hybrid Instrument: a new instrument with cinematic, atmospheric sounds.

Reason 11 Intro £69, Reason 11 £249, Reason Suite 11 £419, not cheap but good at what it does
You can get it cheaper if you shop around too
I know I cheated copying this but wiki explains so much better than I I have version 9.5 and it rocks for me, ultimately it’s your decision macstatic, I hope you find the right DAW for you.
There’s a really good Reason forum, ReasonTalk.com, they have a great depth of knowledge and are a friendly bunch
Good luck with your research!!

 

[ctrlzone]

Yes, Reaper's price is definitely right, and has been suggested earlier, but the last part is what scares me away. Even the "beginner friendly" DAWs have a high learning curve
Choices, choices.....

Yea, there's no way around it
Just keep an open Mind and try to find out what your essential priorities are.

-Reason has a unique workflow which could fit you, it is patching cables like real hardware in a rack.
but its quite limited in comparison to the big Daw's,
it has the basics to connect external hardware, may give it a shot.

-Tracktion Waveform, i always keep an eye on that one. unique innovative Features, and an actual free Version without
limitations.
i like where they are going but the Team is very small. in some areas they are at the very edge in others it lacks basic
features.


it seems to me that all Daw's have that "external instrument" Device to connect gear, but sysex is special and not every Piece of Hardware understands the same type of messages.

I'm not sure what you really need sysex for,
is the normal Program Change not enough, or not compatible with your gear?
you can set a different Pgm for every clip.

i guess all daw's support that.

a common Software people use is Sysex Librarian
you can receive, save and send sysex with it, it's free, i also recommend Midi Monitor from them,
a great Tool everyone will need at some point.

you can also connect it to Daw's and that way trigger sysex from Ableton. there are videos.
thats probably too clunky but doable.

i think most people use the Librarian externally and then talk to the synth over standard PGM change in the Daw.
you could save the sysex files in the same Folder of your Songs to keep it organized.

Reaper, Cubase,Logic pro,Tracktion, Ableton are the only ones i'm aware of that can send and receive sysex.
with different approaches and limitations.


In Ableton with Max you "can" have the perfect solution. but this depends what hardware you have and if a max file is available for your gear, most are free, some are paid.

it can be anything, here are some examples:

blofeld:

another blofeld:

streichfett:

Nord Lead:

Novation Bass station:

then there are generic ones like this:

you get the idea, just search for your hardware at maxforlive.com
you could also learn max, its not that hard since its a visual programming language similar to pure data/ NI reaktor.
Max is pretty much standard in Universities, you can easily find students that code you something specific for cheap.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

it seems to me that all Daw's have that "external instrument" Device to connect gear, but sysex is special and not every Piece of Hardware understands the same type of messages.

I'm not sure what you really need sysex for,
is the normal Program Change not enough, or not compatible with your gear?

Sysex can be used to make fine adjustments to some pieces of equipment. The SoundCanvas series of modules from Roland can make extensive use of Sysex to store an exact configuration in a MIDI file or similar. A lot of games from the late 80s through the early 00s took advantage of it when they were configured to use such devices. Some even had the capability to load new sounds through sysex (the Roland MT-32 for instance).

 

[ctrlzone]

Sysex can be used to make fine adjustments to some pieces of equipment. The SoundCanvas series of modules from Roland can make extensive use of Sysex to store an exact configuration in a MIDI file or similar. A lot of games from the late 80s through the early 00s took advantage of it when they were configured to use such devices. Some even had the capability to load new sounds through sysex (the Roland MT-32 for instance).

what an interesting device, Kings quest, monkey island, Doom, haha, the memories! and what can i say, it sounds amazing

 

[RogerWilco6502]

what an interesting device, Kings quest, monkey island, Doom, haha, the memories! and what can i say, it sounds amazing

It really is! I agree, it sounds amazing. I have an SC-880 and an SD-20, both of which can be programmed via sysex, I haven't gotten much into that though.