How to Get Started in Music Production: Choosing the Right DAW

If you're interested in getting started in music production, one of the first decisions you'll need to make is choosing a digital audio workstation (DAW). A DAW is a type of software used by music producers to create, record, edit, and mix music. There are many different types available on the market, each with its own set of features and capabilities. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the different types of DAWs and how to choose the right DAW for your needs.

The Different Types of DAWS

There are four main types of digital audio workstations:
1. Linear/track-based DAWs: These DAWs are typically designed for recording, mixing, and mastering music. They provide a linear timeline that allows you to see all of your tracks at once and easily edit them.
2. Pattern-based DAWs: These DAWs are typically designed for creating electronic dance music (EDM). They allow you to create and manipulate patterns of sounds, which can later be arranged into a full song.
3. Loop-based DAWs: These DAWs are similar to pattern-based DAWs, but they focus on looping rather than patterns. This makes them ideal for creating loops of sounds that can be used in other songs or productions.
4. Sample-based DAWS: These DAWs focus on samples rather than recorded audio tracks. They allow you to import pre-recorded sounds or samples and manipulate them to create new sounds.
Most popular DAWs allow you to work with 2 or more of these approaches to music production.

The Pros & Cons of each DAW Type

Each type of DAW has its own pros and cons, which you should consider when choosing a DAW for your music production needs. Are you making songs or beats? Will you be recording live instruments or vocals? Do you need to program electronic drums and synths? Are you setting up a home studio?

Linear/track-based DAWs:
Pros:
• Easy to use and understand, especially for beginners
• Ideal for recording, mixing, and mastering music
• provide a linear timeline that allows you to see all of your tracks at once and easily edit them
Cons:
• Limited in terms of creativity and flexibility
• Can be more time-consuming than other types of DAWs

Pattern-based DAWs:
Pros:
• More flexible and creative than linear/track-based DAWs
• Ideal for creating electronic dance music (EDM)
• Allow you to create and manipulate patterns of sounds, which can be then be arranged into a song
Cons:
• Can be more difficult to use than linear/track-based DAWs, especially for beginners

Loop-based DAWs: 
Pros:
• Similar to pattern-based DAWs in terms of flexibility and creativity
• Focus on looping rather than patterns, making them ideal for creating loops of sounds that can be used in other songs or productions
Cons:
• As with pattern-based DAWs, can be more difficult to use than linear/track-based DAWs, especially for beginners

Sample-based DAWS: 
Pros:
• Focus on samples rather than recorded audio tracks, allowing you to import pre-recorded sounds or samples and manipulate them to create new sounds
Cons:
• Limited in terms of creativity and flexibility
• As with pattern-based and loop-based DAWs, can be more difficult to use than linear/track-based DAWs, especially for beginners

The Best DAWs for Music Production

So, which DAW is the best for your home studio? That depends on your needs and wants as a producer. In this section, we will take a look at the pros and cons of some of the most popular DAWs on the market to help you decide which one is right for you.

Pro Tools is one of the most popular DAWs among professional music producers. It has a wide range of features and plugins that allow you to create complex productions. Pro Tools is the most widely used software in most professional recording studios in the world that focus on live (not electronic) music production. Pro Tools can be expensive, and it can be challenging to learn if you are new to music production.

Ableton Live is another popular DAW that is often used by electronic musicians and DJs. Ableton Live is known for its ease of use and intuitive interface. It also has some unique features that make it ideal for live performance, such as the ability to trigger loops and samples in real-time. Ableton Live has a reputation for being less flexible than other DAWs when it comes to recording and editing audio but it has greatly improved in this area since the release of Ableton Live 11 in 2020. Ableton offers a generous 90-day Free trial. You can read more about Ableton Live in this blog post.

FL Studio is a popular DAW among hip hop producers and EDM artists. FL has a wide range of features that allow you to create complex productions. It also has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to learn if you are new to music production. FL Studio can be more limited than other DAWs when it comes to recording audio from external sources (such as microphones) but many producers find it great for both making beats and recording too. True Apple compatibility is always debatable and most people typically use FL on Windows computers.

Logic Pro X is a popular DAW among Apple users. Logic Pro X is packed with features that allow you to create professional-sounding productions. It also integrates well with other Apple products, such as GarageBand and Logic Remote. Logic Pro X is inexpensive and also offers a Free Trial Logic may not be compatible with non-Apple products (such as Windows computers).

How to Choose the Right DAW for You

Consider Your Needs and Wants
Every music producer has different needs and wants when it comes to their DAW. Some producers need a lot of features and flexibility, while others just need something simple to get the job done. Consider what you need and want from a DAW before making your decision.

Consider Your Budget
DAWs can range in price from free to several thousand dollars. If you're just starting out, you may not want to invest a lot of money in a high-end DAW. There are plenty of great options available at more affordable prices. However, if you're serious about music production, you may want to invest in a top-of-the-line DAW that will have all the features and flexibility you need.

Consider Your Experience Level
If you're new to music production, you may want to start with a simpler DAW that is easy to learn and use. As you become more experienced, you can upgrade to a more complex DAW with more features. If you're already experienced in music production, then you'll know what kind of DAW will best suit your needs.

Conclusion

Now that you know the different types of DAWs you can think about which type will best one for your home studio. Consider your needs and wants, your ideal production workflow, your budget, and your experience level to make the best decision. And don't forget to have fun!

Futch - Music Production Coach, Ableton Certified Trainer

Write your first song or beat with this FREE Ableton Live mini-course. No experience necessary.