@@DrMikeMetal very very cool man, I have been producing my own project for around 4 years now. I would be interested in learning how to do things better, do you have a way I can contact you?
@@ptbempire absolutely! Please shoot me an email, you can find it in YT contact info. Also, multitracks for my projects are available for free in case you want to practise mixing! The Overcoming Project
dropped logic, cubase and fl for Reaper! wich hasnt give me any trouble since. It does everything the others are simply lacking.. no bugs. no crashes. Superb workflow and enhanced creativity... in much less time. just uploaded a song made with it to my channel... its called: "the best DAW is Reaper"For every genre. Thanks😊
I use Reaper as my main DAW (I tend to work in ProTools in some studios), and even without any customization i encounter it more intuitive and confortable (to me) to edit than ProTools. in v6.20 was introduced the razor edit and that was a great improvement. And for comping, PT nowdays in the more clunky. I preffer the logic style, and now in Reaper 7, was introduced the fixed lanes, that are similar to playlist like PT but smoother using the swipe comping like Logic, so se best of both worlds, anyway you can use the old take metod if you preffer. For MIDI, yes is't not the best thing, but it's not the limited MIDI editor that people tend to think and talk about, but people are too lazy to read the manual, or even to read the menu options haha. Then, in general , when of MIDI editor is talking about, big part of people tend to ponderate Cubase, but others really does't like it, and/or encounter the Reaper MIDI editor more usefull. Even being Cubase users. So it´s always abut workflow and whats fits for you. Now, which DAW (of this three) are the best for Metal... the answer is Reaper. Because Metalhead are always bankrupt 😆😆😆
I started with logic and became very comfortable with, from time to time I'm thinking about trying reaper or cubase but then again I'm thinking that it will take me way longer to work with until I know them and I just stick with Logic
Interesting, the comping workflow you are showing here for Reaper is the old workflow, and it has been replaced with a much better "Track Lanes" workflow in version 7, that's much better than logic and pro tools, and it's similar to pro tools swipe comp but has a lot more going on. You should check that. And yes, Reaper is known to have odd defaults, but everything about Reaper is customizable, so if you don't like something about Reaper, you can change it. Also do things like add community made scrips to enhance Reaper's functionality, which is basically unheard of in any other DAW. Reaper also has their own plugin types called JSFX, and it basically lets you write plugins and have them interpreted in real-time. Reaper already comes with over 200 JSFX plugins, but there are many more free community made JSFX plugins that exist like Tukan, Saike etc.
Pro Tools is only the "Industry Standard" because they bought into studios and gave them the software and training for free in exchange for exclusivity contracts, and by the time other DAW's reached a mature enough level to be pro grade, Pro Tools was already entrenched, and it became an issue of not wanting to retrain the engineers and lose money from shutting down to retool everything. Some smaller, engineer owned studios started using other DAW's because that was what the owner/operator learned on.
@@chrisanderson9981 Correct. A lot of this stuff is holdovers from the days when Mac Pro towers had twin dual core PowerPC CPU's in a server board as their fastest CPU offering, and DDR2 1200 was the fastest RAM that they could accept, even though they came with DDR2 800 out of the box. There are physical DigiDesign/Avid mixers for live use where you can load AAX format plugins onto them, and older ones that still take RTAS. This is the only legitimate purpose of that, IMO. Universal Audio and a few others have similar functions for onboard DSP, and while that is still sub-optimal, it's also my opinion that their implementation is better for studio use, but only because they don't make large format mixers. If they did, I'd say it's better for live use as well. Of course, the other big drawback is that UA's format mostly supports their own plugins, while Pro-Tools' AAX format has licensing that allows for third party plugins that will work. Still, makes a lot more sense for live use, than studio. Apple Silicon, AMD, and Intel have more than enough power, even on mid range hardware that is a few years old. I have a craptop with a dual core celeron CPU and 4 GB of soldered LPDDR4 that can run NAM or Audio Assault Amp Locker as long as I use Linux for a stripped down version of Windows like 10 Ameliorated or Tiny11.
My man my reaper is set up to where I record in takes and it’ll drop them down automatically to my guitars Left and Right. I recently got a Mac mini and am forcing myself to learn Logic it’s been tough
I dunno, I put my STL high gain amp sims through Logic with no other processing and it sounds like arse. I put the same setup through reaper and it sounds phenomenal... everyone says it should sound all the same but Reaper sounds multitudes better. Im still hugely confused as to why this is the case. Its like logic degrades the sound of high gain amp sim plugins
@edwardponder66 I meant, gain staging in your DAW. Have you ever measured the RMS on your master channel? If you are clipping the master output, it may change the sound a lot
Already cut my teeth on Logic. Still way more functionality than I will ever know how to use. Don’t see the point in wasting time learning another DAW. Drawback is you can only run it on a Mac.
I can't believe you didn't touch up on Logic's FATAL MAJOR FLAW - it comes for Mac ONLY. So you first have to buy a mac which are ridiculously expensive (mine cost £1000, which is stupid money as is but actually little mac standards), and you'll have to endure the "fun" of using a mac, getting used to the clunky and nonsensical interface, and being forced to lead an apple lifestyle - get an apple phone and other mac gear (also stupidly expensive and I the case of apple phones, also absolutely rubbish and not worth the price) as of course these macs are so rigid in design that everything works ONLY with apple gear, so it's going to be hell trying to get your finished projects off the mac and into your mobile phone or anything from your phone onto your mac, as even when you plug it in it won't recognise your phone and you'll need third party apps to do that. Speaking of apps, macs are built like vaults and essentially seem to treat everything, not from the severely lacking official mac store as a virus or malware, and you'll have to fuck about in settings and type your password in a bunch of times just to download plug ins or stuff, and even then it'll be a pain in the ass as they'll get blocked and you'll have to go to system settings to unblock them. Having worked on Logic for years now, I feel much happier writing ore productions on my fostex 160 multitracker 4 track tape recorder than working "with" my mac (half the time I feel like I'm working AGAINST it). I hate computers as is, but Macs are absolutely nerve-wracking and cost way too much. Came here for something that's like Logic for Windows as I really want to move back to Windows, both for gaming and for using DAWs to turn Demos into full productions. Logic is amazing as a DAW, but some money crazed bitch in Microsoft in like the 90s sold Logic to mac and now there's no way to get Logic on a PC unless you use archival versions like Logic pro 4, which won't work with my plugins. So the next thing I have in my sights is Reaper as it seems more like Logic. I've looked at Pro Tools, and it just seems too complex to get my head around, especially since I'm used to Logic and the interface, and spent at least 5 years now using it, I really don't have time to learn a new program from scratch. The original idea, of course, was that I kept making all the songs on my Fostex 160 (old but gold and never fails), then take that to a studio near me and use a stationary mac with Logic and more processing power and way more and better plugins + outboard gear, to turn my demo tapes into productions. Unfortunately, I have a feeling the geezer who works there and was meant to have me booked in, doesn't have time or will atm as he seems to be going through some nasty mental health relapse, bless him, so I want to at least try and get these songs turned into full productions by myself on a computer that actually works and I can deal with, vs a scrappy macbook that craps out, crashes and goes "system overload" every time I record and on top of that is just a pleasure (!) To work with. My reason for getting Logic was the easy layout and ease of use and interface and the fact that we used Logic in college and it was easier to do coursework at home with Logic projects and to actually apply what I learned in college, vs trying to deal with cakewalk or some absolute trash like Soundtrap or BandLab, and also Logic had an offer at the time that allowed us to purchase it for £80 which was still rather expensive but way cheaper than the usual price of Logic which I've heard is really heafty.
Hi Mike, as you mentioned, knowing inside out your DAW of choice, and the compatibility of the system (DAW, host, AD/DA interface) is way more important. I use PT HDX with Lynx A (n) & Avid HD I/O as a hybrid pitch & catch system on recording and mixing duties. The majority of my crashes are due to 3rd party plugins, rarely from PT itself. Some bugs, here and there, nothing major. With proper workaround (knowing the system) the job is done. Saying this, my workflow does not require plethora of plugins, but rather complicated routings, vast I/O's, outboard processing and PT satellite control. I do use stock plugins unless the circumstance ask for something special (Soothe, ProAudio DSM, DMG, etc etc). This is where any recording, or mixing system, based on DAW, should be build according to needs, methodology, wallet capacity and future vision. NOT according to the marketing shenanigans and futures we might not need. Sure, the rest of the DAW on the market have their pros and cons, as PT does. Some have unique features, some are oriented and directed around specific mindsets, and some require steep learning curve. The point is, none of them can accommodate what I personally do, in the way I do it. For the same reason, my setup won't accommodate someone else with different workflow and needs. For me PT was (and still is) the closest and the fastest DAW when transitioning from and towards analog workflows (large format consoles, analog gear, etc etc). The editing and the automation are extremely powerful, and the ability of transferring sessions between and from to another studio, is what made PT "Industry Standard". As far as the PT cost, you are absolutely right ! It’s damn expensive, and thanks fuck, some of the old policies are long gone. At least now we can choose if we want to pay for the annual update plan or not. Without getting penalised ! The reality is, in professional environment, the costs have been already passed to the clients in one way or another. Technically speaking, IF jobs are coming, and prices are adjusted accordingly (system maintenance and skills), the expenses of paying annually for PT is negligible, and maybe it is the last concern. On the other hand, the depreciation of the Avid/Digidesign systems through the years is criminally insane. This, is the major reason why people have to think twice about owning PT systems.
Hi James! Thank you so much. Amazing summary, I love it. You're right on the money with your observations. Yes, just the 3rd party plugin crashes for me in PT.
It's pretty cool that you used my friend's band as background music! I love Jon he's such a great guy
@@ptbempire this is our Collab with Jon at The Overcoming Project!
@@ptbempire and yes, he is insane haha
@@DrMikeMetal very very cool man, I have been producing my own project for around 4 years now. I would be interested in learning how to do things better, do you have a way I can contact you?
@@ptbempire absolutely! Please shoot me an email, you can find it in YT contact info.
Also, multitracks for my projects are available for free in case you want to practise mixing! The Overcoming Project
@@DrMikeMetal I prefer to send you a mix I did if you wouldn’t mind, I don’t have monitors just headphones
GarageBand 🎉
@@bloodstreamband slaps
@ just posted my first video! I do use plug ins but people underestimate the fact that a DAW is just a DAW 😂
I use and love Reaper .. the customisability is off the charts, and some of the JS plugins for it both stock and 3rd party are absolutely excellent
I agree for sure! How long did it take you to set up all the customisation for your own needs?
Reaper user here. Cheers my friend.
@@MrOscyn cheers and enjoy brother!!
dropped logic, cubase and fl for Reaper! wich hasnt give me any trouble since. It does everything the others are simply lacking.. no bugs. no crashes. Superb workflow and enhanced creativity... in much less time. just uploaded a song made with it to my channel... its called: "the best DAW is Reaper"For every genre. Thanks😊
sweet!!
What about Ableton live and cubase?
@@Rationalisyourfather Cubase is great. Ableton is quite awesome as well but I just don't use these 2. I used to work in Cubase when I was a kid.
I use Reaper as my main DAW (I tend to work in ProTools in some studios), and even without any customization i encounter it more intuitive and confortable (to me) to edit than ProTools. in v6.20 was introduced the razor edit and that was a great improvement. And for comping, PT nowdays in the more clunky. I preffer the logic style, and now in Reaper 7, was introduced the fixed lanes, that are similar to playlist like PT but smoother using the swipe comping like Logic, so se best of both worlds, anyway you can use the old take metod if you preffer.
For MIDI, yes is't not the best thing, but it's not the limited MIDI editor that people tend to think and talk about, but people are too lazy to read the manual, or even to read the menu options haha. Then, in general , when of MIDI editor is talking about, big part of people tend to ponderate Cubase, but others really does't like it, and/or encounter the Reaper MIDI editor more usefull. Even being Cubase users. So it´s always abut workflow and whats fits for you.
Now, which DAW (of this three) are the best for Metal... the answer is Reaper. Because Metalhead are always bankrupt
😆😆😆
@@JazzeXtremo7 thank you so much for sharing your experience. Super valuable!
I use Logic Pro and for me it’s the obvious choice because it’s very easy to use and gives you a ton of great features.
@@OscarLindbergMusic 💯
Cubase is my preferred DAW. Reaper #2, but best value for money.
I started with logic and became very comfortable with, from time to time I'm thinking about trying reaper or cubase but then again I'm thinking that it will take me way longer to work with until I know them and I just stick with Logic
@@constantinranis yeah learning the daw inside out goes the long way
Interesting, the comping workflow you are showing here for Reaper is the old workflow, and it has been replaced with a much better "Track Lanes" workflow in version 7, that's much better than logic and pro tools, and it's similar to pro tools swipe comp but has a lot more going on. You should check that. And yes, Reaper is known to have odd defaults, but everything about Reaper is customizable, so if you don't like something about Reaper, you can change it. Also do things like add community made scrips to enhance Reaper's functionality, which is basically unheard of in any other DAW.
Reaper also has their own plugin types called JSFX, and it basically lets you write plugins and have them interpreted in real-time. Reaper already comes with over 200 JSFX plugins, but there are many more free community made JSFX plugins that exist like Tukan, Saike etc.
@@ranajoyshil sick! Thanks so much for sharing, this is awesome
Pro Tools is only the "Industry Standard" because they bought into studios and gave them the software and training for free in exchange for exclusivity contracts, and by the time other DAW's reached a mature enough level to be pro grade, Pro Tools was already entrenched, and it became an issue of not wanting to retrain the engineers and lose money from shutting down to retool everything. Some smaller, engineer owned studios started using other DAW's because that was what the owner/operator learned on.
@@needsLITHIUM that sounds about right. Thank you for sharing!
Boutta piss off so many elitists with this knowledge 😂😂
@@ETHVN231 as always haha
They housed the DSP on board the hardware units too if I'm not mistaken. Now computers are so much more powerful where that isn't an issue....
@@chrisanderson9981 Correct. A lot of this stuff is holdovers from the days when Mac Pro towers had twin dual core PowerPC CPU's in a server board as their fastest CPU offering, and DDR2 1200 was the fastest RAM that they could accept, even though they came with DDR2 800 out of the box. There are physical DigiDesign/Avid mixers for live use where you can load AAX format plugins onto them, and older ones that still take RTAS. This is the only legitimate purpose of that, IMO. Universal Audio and a few others have similar functions for onboard DSP, and while that is still sub-optimal, it's also my opinion that their implementation is better for studio use, but only because they don't make large format mixers. If they did, I'd say it's better for live use as well. Of course, the other big drawback is that UA's format mostly supports their own plugins, while Pro-Tools' AAX format has licensing that allows for third party plugins that will work.
Still, makes a lot more sense for live use, than studio. Apple Silicon, AMD, and Intel have more than enough power, even on mid range hardware that is a few years old. I have a craptop with a dual core celeron CPU and 4 GB of soldered LPDDR4 that can run NAM or Audio Assault Amp Locker as long as I use Linux for a stripped down version of Windows like 10 Ameliorated or Tiny11.
My man my reaper is set up to where I record in takes and it’ll drop them down automatically to my guitars Left and Right. I recently got a Mac mini and am forcing myself to learn Logic it’s been tough
@@DrDanka69 each daw has its default workflows which may or may not be the right ones for you ..
I'm using Ableton... it's cheap, when it crashes everything is still there when you re-open it and I find the UI intuitive.
@@Ardent_Sleeper it's actually OK! We used it for some remote tracking. Works fine!
ableton is cheap?
I dunno, I put my STL high gain amp sims through Logic with no other processing and it sounds like arse. I put the same setup through reaper and it sounds phenomenal... everyone says it should sound all the same but Reaper sounds multitudes better. Im still hugely confused as to why this is the case. Its like logic degrades the sound of high gain amp sim plugins
@@edwardponder66 gain staging?
@DrMikeMetal Nah, lowering the gain just weakens the signal. Amp sims come out crystal clear in Reaper but through Logic pro, very notably not as good
@edwardponder66 I meant, gain staging in your DAW. Have you ever measured the RMS on your master channel? If you are clipping the master output, it may change the sound a lot
@@DrMikeMetal ok, that's something I need to look into. Do you know any links that'd help me with this? Cheers
@edwardponder66 I do have a video about it
Studio one 😉😁
@@mrplasma3162 🔥🔥🔥
i use FL Studio actually, while it's annoying to record guitars with it i still think it's a really underrated daw for metal!
@@feduwtc fair enough! What's annoying for recording guitars though?
Already cut my teeth on Logic. Still way more functionality than I will ever know how to use. Don’t see the point in wasting time learning another DAW. Drawback is you can only run it on a Mac.
@@marcdicamillo9453 💯
Cubase 😅
@@reecegrant3994 sweet! Love it. Haven't used it in a while as already have these 3 haha
Reaper user here
@@jcalzada74 rad. Any custom UIs for you?
I really don't customize Reaper much I keep it simple pretty much factory except for the dark theme
@@jcalzada74 do you like how comping is organised?
Did anyone here ever use Cakewalk?
@@R-SXX ages ago! Was fun
@@DrMikeMetal may I ask what your opinion on it is and why you switched back to other daws?
Logic Pro 11 not longer X. Still love the content.
@@mosquedadavid haha righto
People need to pay for reaper, its $60!
@@RJS0507 correct
I can't believe you didn't touch up on Logic's FATAL MAJOR FLAW - it comes for Mac ONLY.
So you first have to buy a mac which are ridiculously expensive (mine cost £1000, which is stupid money as is but actually little mac standards), and you'll have to endure the "fun" of using a mac, getting used to the clunky and nonsensical interface, and being forced to lead an apple lifestyle - get an apple phone and other mac gear (also stupidly expensive and I the case of apple phones, also absolutely rubbish and not worth the price) as of course these macs are so rigid in design that everything works ONLY with apple gear, so it's going to be hell trying to get your finished projects off the mac and into your mobile phone or anything from your phone onto your mac, as even when you plug it in it won't recognise your phone and you'll need third party apps to do that. Speaking of apps, macs are built like vaults and essentially seem to treat everything, not from the severely lacking official mac store as a virus or malware, and you'll have to fuck about in settings and type your password in a bunch of times just to download plug ins or stuff, and even then it'll be a pain in the ass as they'll get blocked and you'll have to go to system settings to unblock them.
Having worked on Logic for years now, I feel much happier writing ore productions on my fostex 160 multitracker 4 track tape recorder than working "with" my mac (half the time I feel like I'm working AGAINST it). I hate computers as is, but Macs are absolutely nerve-wracking and cost way too much.
Came here for something that's like Logic for Windows as I really want to move back to Windows, both for gaming and for using DAWs to turn Demos into full productions. Logic is amazing as a DAW, but some money crazed bitch in Microsoft in like the 90s sold Logic to mac and now there's no way to get Logic on a PC unless you use archival versions like Logic pro 4, which won't work with my plugins. So the next thing I have in my sights is Reaper as it seems more like Logic. I've looked at Pro Tools, and it just seems too complex to get my head around, especially since I'm used to Logic and the interface, and spent at least 5 years now using it, I really don't have time to learn a new program from scratch. The original idea, of course, was that I kept making all the songs on my Fostex 160 (old but gold and never fails), then take that to a studio near me and use a stationary mac with Logic and more processing power and way more and better plugins + outboard gear, to turn my demo tapes into productions. Unfortunately, I have a feeling the geezer who works there and was meant to have me booked in, doesn't have time or will atm as he seems to be going through some nasty mental health relapse, bless him, so I want to at least try and get these songs turned into full productions by myself on a computer that actually works and I can deal with, vs a scrappy macbook that craps out, crashes and goes "system overload" every time I record and on top of that is just a pleasure (!) To work with.
My reason for getting Logic was the easy layout and ease of use and interface and the fact that we used Logic in college and it was easier to do coursework at home with Logic projects and to actually apply what I learned in college, vs trying to deal with cakewalk or some absolute trash like Soundtrap or BandLab, and also Logic had an offer at the time that allowed us to purchase it for £80 which was still rather expensive but way cheaper than the usual price of Logic which I've heard is really heafty.
@@AnkothOfficial for this exact reason, I'm running a hackintosh :)
Hi Mike, as you mentioned, knowing inside out your DAW of choice, and the compatibility of the system (DAW, host, AD/DA interface) is way more important.
I use PT HDX with Lynx A (n) & Avid HD I/O as a hybrid pitch & catch system on recording and mixing duties. The majority of my crashes are due to 3rd party plugins, rarely from PT itself. Some bugs, here and there, nothing major. With proper workaround (knowing the system) the job is done. Saying this, my workflow does not require plethora of plugins, but rather complicated routings, vast I/O's, outboard processing and PT satellite control. I do use stock plugins unless the circumstance ask for something special (Soothe, ProAudio DSM, DMG, etc etc).
This is where any recording, or mixing system, based on DAW, should be build according to needs, methodology, wallet capacity and future vision. NOT according to the marketing shenanigans and futures we might not need.
Sure, the rest of the DAW on the market have their pros and cons, as PT does. Some have unique features, some are oriented and directed around specific mindsets, and some require steep learning curve. The point is, none of them can accommodate what I personally do, in the way I do it. For the same reason, my setup won't accommodate someone else with different workflow and needs.
For me PT was (and still is) the closest and the fastest DAW when transitioning from and towards analog workflows (large format consoles, analog gear, etc etc). The editing and the automation are extremely powerful, and the ability of transferring sessions between and from to another studio, is what made PT "Industry Standard".
As far as the PT cost, you are absolutely right ! It’s damn expensive, and thanks fuck, some of the old policies are long gone. At least now we can choose if we want to pay for the annual update plan or not. Without getting penalised !
The reality is, in professional environment, the costs have been already passed to the clients in one way or another. Technically speaking, IF jobs are coming, and prices are adjusted accordingly (system maintenance and skills), the expenses of paying annually for PT is negligible, and maybe it is the last concern.
On the other hand, the depreciation of the Avid/Digidesign systems through the years is criminally insane. This, is the major reason why people have to think twice about owning PT systems.
Hi James! Thank you so much. Amazing summary, I love it. You're right on the money with your observations. Yes, just the 3rd party plugin crashes for me in PT.