Intuitive DAW for recording guitar

[Qstick333]

I am a beginner in recording and just like to have fun. I will often use a DAW as a looper for jamming/having fun. Occasionally I will load a backing track or a drum loop. I've been learning to add effects with plugins. I'm as hobby as it gets, but am enjoying learning about recording and having fun.

For my guitar - I will occasionally mic my amps with a Heil PR30 or I will use a Neural Plugin.

I've been using Reaper because it is affordable and the purchase includes updates for years. I find it frustrating to use as the workflow just doesn't make sense to me. It feels like Reaper is waiting for me to customize it and make it my own version, but I am not up for that. I've been thinking about Ableton or Cubase, as I've read both are more straightforward and intuitive.

I'm lost and a bit frustrated - what DAW do you recommend for being the most straightforward? I don't need endless features, I just want something that makes more sense for a beginner going at it alone.

Thanks!

[ef37a]

I am a beginner in recording and just like to have fun. I will often use a DAW as a looper for jamming/having fun. Occasionally I will load a backing track or a drum loop. I've been learning to add effects with plugins. I'm as hobby as it gets, but am enjoying learning about recording and having fun.

For my guitar - I will occasionally mic my amps with a Heil PR30 or I will use a Neural Plugin.

I've been using Reaper because it is affordable and the purchase includes updates for years. I find it frustrating to use as the workflow just doesn't make sense to me. It feels like Reaper is waiting for me to customize it and make it my own version, but I am not up for that. I've been thinking about Ableton or Cubase, as I've read both are more straightforward and intuitive.

I'm lost and a bit frustrated - what DAW do you recommend for being the most straightforward? I don't need endless features, I just want something that makes more sense for a beginner going at it alone.

Thanks!

Now you won't want to hear this but! Reaper is at least as easy to use as most DAWs. I had Cubase some years ago and did not ever get comfortable with it. Ableton 'might' suit you better because it is aimed at live work?

My son and I have been using Samplitude for over ten years. You could try the 30 day demo but they are in financial difficulties at the moment so I would not part with any money yet!

But really, keep plugging away with Reaper. As you say, it is cheap, it also has a very low CPU hit compared to most DAWs of equal power. Handy if your PC is not Deep Thought. Reaper also has THE best following and someone somewhere will always be able to help you. SoS have also done many "techniques" articles on Reaper. No doubt someone will find you some links?

Dave.

[The Elf]

The DAW that any of us favour to us will seem 'intuitive'.

Cubase is absolutely the one for me - everything in there flows like warm custard. But would it suit you? I have a lot of respect for Reaper, but I don't find it easy, or slick, and I only use it when I have to. So I can say to give Cubase a try as if you feel the same it may be the one for you.

Steinberg offer a Cubase trial for 60 days free, so nothing to lose, I'd say.

[Drew Stephenson]

Most DAWs offer a trial period but if Reaper isn't working for you it might be worth looking at something like Ableton or FL Studio for a different paradigm.

[resistorman]

I too use Reaper and Samplitude, but I think for ease of use something like Garage Band is great. The only Windows equivalent I can think of is Magix Music Maker. You can get a free trial, and it's only $30 Even if Magix goes under it will continue to work for many years.

https://www.magix.com/us/music-editing/ ... r/premium/

[ajay_m]

I find cubase and Ableton baffling but have no trouble with reaper. I started originally with sonar.

It depends what you want to do. Reaper can loop fine but Ableton pretty much works with loops as fundamental building blocks. There is playtime for reaper which lets let you work in a more abletonish way. It's free to evaluate and only 20 euros to purchase so you might want to look at that first.

[sonics]

I think it's down to how you'd like to work too.
Live is great for loop-based music creaters, and those who work with looped and repeating elements.

I'm an old-fashioned linear composing/engineering type, but Studio One is incredibly easy to use for loops and looped sections as well. I had call to work in a less linear way a few years ago and was really surprised at what SO could do, and how easy it was to do it.

If you're serious about this, spend some time with the demos and see what feels comfortable. It'll be worth it.

[RichardT]

We’re all different in what we find easy or difficult.

All the major DAWs are very powerful bits of software with their own strengths and weaknesses, and they all take a long time to get to know properly.

In your circumstances I would look at GarageBand if you’re on Mac - it’s less complex than a full DAW.

Otherwise, I would start by getting some help with learning more about Reaper - look at some online training material focussed on recording, for example.

[yeroc]

You’ve posted in Windows so I know this isn’t the most convenient answer, but…

GarageBand easily. Live Loops or traditional timeline track based recording, whatever works for you. Plenty of built in amp sims and effect chains that are perfectly passable in a mix and fun to faff around with solo.

Can be had on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Plenty of used/refurb M1 MacBook Airs that are capable machines and relatively affordable when you consider the amount of inspiration and actual work you can get done.

[Arpangel]

Absolutely, got an M1 Air running Garageband, no issues.

[Qstick333]

You’ve posted in Windows so I know this isn’t the most convenient answer, but…

GarageBand easily. Live Loops or traditional timeline track based recording, whatever works for you. Plenty of built in amp sims and effect chains that are perfectly passable in a mix and fun to faff around with solo.

Can be had on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Plenty of used/refurb M1 MacBook Airs that are capable machines and relatively affordable when you consider the amount of inspiration and actual work you can get done.

Thanks - I don't want to make a move towards Mac. My office uses windows based software and my entire household is on windows. Beyond the challenge of using something new, that's money that can be socked away for a purchase of gear another day.

[Qstick333]

I find cubase and Ableton baffling but have no trouble with reaper. I started originally with sonar.

It depends what you want to do. Reaper can loop fine but Ableton pretty much works with loops as fundamental building blocks. There is playtime for reaper which lets let you work in a more abletonish way. It's free to evaluate and only 20 euros to purchase so you might want to look at that first.

I'll look into playtime. I thought it was just a theme, but it looks like a pretty powerful plugin.

[adrian_k]

There is also Cakewalk Next ( https://www.cakewalk.com/next) which looks like GarageBand for Windows (and Mac apparently), but that “coming soon” label has been there a long time, I wouldn’t hold your breath.

[ef37a]

There is also Cakewalk Next ( https://www.cakewalk.com/next) which looks like GarageBand for Windows (and Mac apparently), but that “coming soon” label has been there a long time, I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Ah yes, Cakewalk. Although my son has years invested in Samplitude (Pro X3) he has started using Reaper and Cakewalk for certain MIDI work and samples.

Dave.

[netwiz]

If you don't need a complete set of bells and whistles then two DAWs which, when mentioned, get plaudits for ease of use are Waveform, and Mixcraft, although they are still well featured. I haven't used them in anger but have been looking around quite a bit. Worth a look.

[Peevy]

Cakewalk by Bandlab is a completely free DAW and is Windows only. There is soon going to be paid version called Cakewalk Sonar. I would recommend that you download and try out Cakewalk by Bandlab while it's still free. The free version will continue to run, but will not have continued support. You may only use some of the features, but it has all the capability you require.
You can download it here:

https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk

[N i g e l]

CbB has included features that the op would love such as TH3 guitar vst, amps cabs , fx , etc. Also drum vst, with kits and loops & matrix programming.

[ef37a]

That word "intuitive". No DAW really is but if you spend some time with any of them you start to get a feel for it. Then, when you try another one you are baffled at first then find..."Oh! So THAT'S how they do THAT!"

It's a slog no matter where you start. Sorry!

Dave.

[PippaPumpkin]

Hello,

I can sympathize with you position. I struggled with my DAW from the beginning. I have tried a few and they don't differ all that much. It's a pain, but you need to learn to use your DAW like you have learned playing the guitar (although it is much easier than learning guitar in my opinion. Once you understand the basics your good to go for the most part. Good luck!

I like this youtuber. They make funny faces and sounds sometimes.

Maybe this can help you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXj3IBcijT8

[Chet Leeway]

Try Tracktion Waveform Free. It's super easy and super fast for basic tasks, and, as you may have guessed, it's free.

The guy who came up with Tracktion intentially tried to rethink the process of recording/arranging/mixing in computers, so if other DAWs don't feel intuitive to you, maybe this one will.

[Sam Spoons]

As Dave says above no DAW is intuitive (or conversely, the most intuitive DAW is the one you use now). It's easy to go down the rabbit hole and spend months trying different DAWs when spending half that time learning how to use the one you have would get you making music much sooner.

[ef37a]

As Dave says above no DAW is intuitive (or conversely, the most intuitive DAW is the one you use now). It's easy to go down the rabbit hole and spend months trying different DAWs when spending half that time learning how to use the one you have would get you making music much sooner.

DAWs split roughly into two camps. The 'linear' versions that emulate a tape machine and a mixer and what I dub the "cut and shunt" types. Samplitude for instance is very much of the "linear" stamp and Fruity Loops say the latter from what I remember of it. Many DAWs are a bit of both.

My son started with tape, a Teac A3440 cos that's ALL dad knew about! Samplitude (actually MAGIX sound studio gen 3 ten quid from WH Smiths! ) seemed a logical progression. Many people now know nothing of tape and mixers are a mystery to them. An advantage in some ways?

Dave.

[tea for two]

I don't need endless features, I just want something that makes more sense for a beginner going at it alone.

I will often use a DAW as a looper for jamming/having fun.

For my guitar - I will occasionally mic my amps with a Heil PR30 or I will use a Neural Plugin.

Thanks!

Audacity worth a look
https://www.audacityteam.org/

The big names cubase cakewalksonar reaper do a lot, Audacity does less bells n whistles in comparison, which could be just ticket for you.

[Lostgallifreyan]

I didn't know what to suggest when this thread was new, lots of people with knowledge of things I don't...

Now that I've read the posts, there's one thing I can say: it may be worth looking for an older CakeWalk. I like Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 because it's solid, fast, light on CPU demand, and easy (and cheap on Ebay if you can find it). I'd never get rid of Cakewalk Pro 9 because it's a very nice balance of ease and good ability. It's good for quick experiments as well as detailed work.

[ajay_m]

Of course dedicated hardware is an expensive but sometimes effective option. Currently we have the Akai Force along with it's MPC siblings, and a keyboard version (which to be honest I think is pretty nice) and we have Maschine+ and we have Ableton's Push 3 standalone. Which I think is a tad overpriced but it is a very sexy beast.

All of these do free you up from faffing around with computers though of course they really are dedicated computers with control surfaces "under the hood".
But as the owner of an Akai Force although it has some quirks it is still a lot more direct to interact with.
Case in point the other day. Turn on PC. Start reaper and load a project. Start playing. Why are all my midi notes delayed by 2 sec. Exit reaper.reboot. problem still there. Exit reaper. Unplug and replug the midisport 2x2 interface. Restart reaper. Realise the crackling noise on rapid scales is because I forgot to set max note count in kontakt for a demanding piano vst. Grapple with Kontakts horrible UI where you have a tiny little number and you have to scroll up and down putting the mouse right next to it.
And so on.
Whereas with the force just turn it on and off we go. It has quite a nice looper built in, too.
But everyone's workflow is different, so I guess the best thing is to experiment, and if you can find a music shop with any of the above gear, have a play with it and see if it gels.