DAW Pt. 2

In this post I will discuss two more of the available DAWs used in audio production. The last post was solely dedicated to Pro Tools because not only is it the DAW I use at home, but it is the industry standard and found in most professional studios across the world. In this post I will discuss Reason and Logic, explaining what each of these DAWs have to offer and how they are different from Pro Tools. First I will start with Propellerhead's Reason. This is the next DAW that I am most familiar with. Reason consists of an edit window, which is very similar to the Pro Tools edit window (just not as many features), and a rack window, with is a virtual model of a rack mount system that could be found in a studio using analog gear. Here is a quick image of the rack, edit window, and packaging. Reason is an integrated music recording and production studio with unlimited audio tracks, million-dollar mixing, and a massive collection of sounds included. Reason comes with all the instruments, effects and mixing tools you need for writing, recording, remixing and producing great-sounding tracks. With its generous sound bank and intuitive flow, Reason helps you along in the creative process. It is the music making software that keeps you focused on the music and lets you finish that song. Should you need even more creative options, Rack Extensions expand Reason and lets you add more instruments and effects, created by Propellerhead and others.

As you can see in the second to last picture, Reason gives the user total control over the routing in their setup. This is one of the features that Pro Tools, along with other DAWs, do not provide. This can be very helpful when producing music because there is more flexibility in the routing system. Just as Pro Tools, Reason comes with several virtual instruments that can be controlled either by a MIDI controller or can be manually written with the pencil tool in the MIDI editor. Some of the instruments include, Subtractor (a digital analog modeling synthesizer) Thor, Malstrom, Kong Drum Designer, NNXT Sampler, Dr Rex Loop Player,and ReDrum Drum Computer. Each of these instruments can have samples loaded into them as well as loops. Instruments such as Thor and Subtractor have synthesizer controls that allow the user to create their own sounds inside the instrument. One thing I really enjoy with Reason is that every singe parameter on a virtual insturment can be automated by just right clicking on your mouse over the parameter. Not only will the program record your movements in real time, but the automation can also be on via the pencil tool located on our edit screen (sequencer). Older versions of Reason forced the user to purchase another Propellerhead program called Record, which allowed the user to record audio signals from their audio interface, however, in the newest version of Reason, Reason 6, the program is a full DAW and allows the user to record audio signal directly into the program. I have a strong feeling that Propellerhead decided to do this because they were forced to stay up to date with modern technology. Another great feature Reason has is the ability to be ReWired with Pro Tools. This means that the entire Reason program can act as a plug-in with your Pro Tools DAW. This gives the user the ability to access the virtual instruments in Reason but control them with Pro Tools. The user can then use plug-ins only found in Pro Tools and apply them to Reason data. This is a very useful feature to users that decide to use both Reason and Pro Tool.

Reason for me has always been my program to use when I am creating music. Of course I ReWired the program through Pro Tools to continue improving my workflow with Pro Tools, but Reason has helped me learn routing as well as create some awesome music. If creating music digitally and you are not so much into analog recording through a digital interface, then Reason may be the DAW for you.

Here is a track I produced in Reason.
Reason is available through the Propellerhead wedsite for $449.00

Next I will discuss a program called Logic. To start off, Logic does have one let down and that is it is only available on Mac OS, which means this program is not compatible with PCs or Windows. Right there I know that is a huge setback for some users because programs like Reason and Pro Tools can be installed on both the Windows and Max operating systems, as well as files can be open on both OS's with no problem. Another drawback I had with Logic was that older versions of Logic can not be installed on up to date software. I think it was Mac Mountain Lion that wouldn't let me install a version of Logic used in Snow Leopard, which really got to me because my OS was only two updates more than Snow Leopard.

With that being said, Logic Studio Pro is a Mac product that is available in the Apple Store App installed on Mac computers. It is a full functional DAW that is designed for the musician. You already know how to write great music. Logic Pro 9 streamlines the technical side of things, so you can record, edit, and mix it on your own. Tap into a huge collection of instruments, sounds, and loops for inspiration. Get set up and start recording quickly. Perform complex edits in a fraction of the time. And mix down projects of any scale with full automation and surround capabilities.

One thing I really love about Logic is that it has a really easy to navigate media library. In this library are a bunch of preset loops and samples that will help any artist jump start their creative work. So if you are a guitarist say and you want to record your original pieces but would like to add backing for it, Logic is a great program to do this with. If you are an engineer that wants to take control of the entire production process, some of the features and functions in Logic may be useless to you and you may be finding yourself to have more control.

Another feature that is great about Logic are the some of the virtual instruments that come with. For example, the ES1, ES2, and Sculpture. The ES1 is a digital synth that models an analog synthesizer, the ES2 which is another synthesizer that has very powerful features. Then there is Sculpture which allows users to generate sound with a sophisticated physical modeling synth that lets you control whether a virtual string is bowed or plucked and what the string and the body of the instrument are made of. This is a feature that has just been introduced to me in that past few months. From what I have learned about electronic synthesis, I can say that Sculpture can produce some pretty complex sound and has control features that takes production to the next level. Users can add drums, bass, strings, violin, you name it, to their tracks and help them develop as a musician and produce great tracks.

There are also several plug-in features that comes with Logic. Along with the virtual instruments comes amp designers and reverb designers. These plug-ins allow the user to manual create the sound of their amp and reverb. this means one can record through their DI input on their digital interface and run that dry sound through amp designer and create their own sound.

Logic Studio Pro 9 is available through the Apple Store for $199.99

So which DAW do you go with? For my I went with the industry standard. I wanted to get proficient enough in this program to be able to function with the par when professional studio work comes. There are also so many editing features and plug-in control in Pro Tools that it is a digital playground for recording engineers. Maybe you are into creating your own music and want to work with Logic or Reason. Both programs allow the user to recording directly into the DAW, giving musicians the ability to expand on their work. If you are the one man band, one of these two programs may be good for you. Either way, if one is true to their passion, they will get used to all of these programs and become proficient enough with the software that you can work in any if necessary.

Leave comments and feedback on what you think the best DAW available is. There are still several DAWs that I did not cover. If you would like to share what these DAWs offer please feel free to post that in the comment section.

TTYL,

BCEB

*It's not about how fast you can pump something out, it's how efficient you can use your knowledge to create the best available product while delivering a professional experience.* TTYL, BCEB *It's not about how fast you can pump something out, it's how efficient you can use your knowledge to create the best available product while delivering a professional experience.*