Which DAW?

[Skip Ellis]

I've got a new (refurb) Dell desktop coming Thursday with a much better processor than my current HP. It has Win 10 Pro pre-installed. Not interested in Win 11 at all. My main reason for upgrading is my HP is having problems running BIAB 2025 as well as processing video. I'll only be using it for very simple stereo tracking of solo guitar - both electric and acoustic; may occasionally record guitar with some backing tracks but mainly solo. I'm pretty much used to Reaper and also use Audacity once in a while. Will probably download the latest version of those two on the new machine but have looked at a couple of other free DAWs such as Cakewalk and Wavepad - any thoughts on these or should I stick with what I know and not try every one out there. I like Reaper because you can also edit video along with the audio so it's good for the occasional YT or FB video. I've got mics, USB interface, mixer with USB interface, etc but I'm thinking for my simple purposes, I could record audio with my Zoom H1n and process in Reaper. I'm just wanting to simplify and get everything in a centralized location. Any thoughts on other DAWs or whatever?

[gps]

I would stick with the DAW that you know. If you can do what you need to do in Reaper then that will make creating music easier.
Re Cakewalk - I believe the full version isn't free anymore. I used to use it before it was shut down and bandlab took it over and it was good. I now use Cubase and that works for me but you can get great results with any DAW.

[dconeill]

There's a learning curve associated with each DAW. It might be prudent to stick with the one you already know, provided that it does what you want. Don't change just to change - there are costs (learning, at least) involved, for uncertain or possibly no benefit.

[Al Haig]

For simple recording I use a usb mic directly into the computer and the camera app.

For the workstation I have 2 monitors and I highly recommend it. You can run the daw on 1 and troubleshoot with the bot on the other.

2nd about there's no need to change daws without a reason.

[Al Haig]

Here's my workstation.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I think you have a consensus. Reaper and Audacity are both excellent. Audacity is barely a DAW because it lacks some important DAW functions like real time use of VST effects, VSTi capability (MIDI plug-in instruments), direct use of a MIDI keyboard to enter notes, and the ability to edit MIDI files. But I use it for most simple recording because it's easy and the sound quality is excellent. When I need more, I use Tracktion on Windows 10 and Ardour on Linux.

For excellent video recording with audio of equal quality, I use OBS. It can't edit audio or video, so I use Lightworks for post processing and converting to MP4s for YouTube etc. I often record simultaneously on OBS and Audacity, so I can edit the Audacity tracks and add effects before mastering the audio. Then I remove the OBS sound track and substitute the Audacity master audio when editing the video in Lightworks. The free versions of OBS and LIghtworks both have more functionality than I (and most of us, I suspect) need.

I love those vibes, Al Haig!! 2030?

[Al Haig]

Thank you! Yes, it's the Yamaha YV-2030MS.

[dconeill]

... but I'm thinking for my simple purposes, I could record audio with my Zoom H1n and process in Reaper. I'm just wanting to simplify and get everything in a centralized location. ...

Just another thought -
Sometimes "simplify"ing things can lead to a more complicated setup.

Right now, if I understand your previous post correctly, you have more or less the complete hardware/software suite you need. Even if you "simplified" by recording into your Zoom device and then edit in Reaper, I don't see how that is simpler than recording via an instrument interface directly into Reaper - in point of fact the use of the Zoom device as an intermediary makes the setup sound seem to me to be more complicated, not less. The only way it sounds "simpler" is that for acoustic guitar you wouldn't be using separate mics and a mixer - but why do you have to use a mixer? Plug the mics directly into a 2- or 4-input interface and then record directly into Reaper.

Perhaps you would be better served by looking at your workflow with fresh eyes to see if parts of it could be streamlined.
Possible scenario 1:

• speculatively, currently an acoustic guitar into two mics into a mixer into an interface into Reaper
• possible mod: acoustic guitar into two mics into an interface into Reaper - eliminate the hardware mixer

Possible scenario 2:

• speculatively, currently an electric guitar into an amp into two mics into mixer into interface into Reaper
• possible mod: electric guitar into interface into Reaper (maybe in 2 channels), then use a VST to color the electric guitar

Of course these assume you have at least a two-channel interface, for example a FocusRite Scarlett 2i2

[Bob_Ross]

I would stick with the DAW that you know.

It might be prudent to stick with the one you already know

I see my work here is already done...

One thing a lot of home recordists -- especially those who maybe don't have a deep background in professional recording -- can overlook is that the most important commodity you can muster in the studio is efficient workflow: Being able to get stuff done quickly, and not get bogged down setting up track assignments or patching signal flow (either virtually, or with actual cables), and definitely not get distracted by the shiny allure of new features...or, worse still, sidetracked because you don't fully understand how some feature works.

All of those are vibe-killers, and the solution to avoid (or minimize) them is familiarity. And how do you get familiar with a DAW? (besides using it alot) By not changing to a different DAW just because the new one looks like it might offer more capabilities than the one you already own. The familiarity and efficient workflow that you've already developed with the DAW you already own trumps new features/capabilities every time.

:::gets off soapbox:::

[grahambop]

I have Reaper set up so any new project just opens a ‘guitar’ project template which I created, it has everything set up just how I need it, i.e. a track labelled ‘guitar’ with send to reverb bus, compression, delay etc. already applied. Really simplifies recording and saves so much time.

I wouldn’t change from Reaper now, although presumably most good DAWs have this feature. Like the others, I would say stick with what you know, as long as it does what you need.

[emanresu]

I've been thinking about fanboyism for a while. It always is a disturbing inner monologue because the silly part there is yourself.
Now, having said that, if Reaper won't sell itself to another big company, there is nothing out there like Reaper.
I hope it never happens.. this time.