recommend a free cross platform DAW please
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 50 posts since 20 Apr, 2015
I'll be giving a short (~2h) seminar to high school students early next year. They have musical training and experience with scoring software but not with DAWs.Windows and mac laptops for sure and hopefully no linux. I need something that is free and cross platform that allows them to save projects.
Given that I won't have much time I think Reaper is out. Would also ideally avoid time-limited trials though that isn't out of the question. I don't know if they'll be setup beforehand so lengthy registration forms and licensing software is not optimal. I'd like the solution to include a synth and a sampler with at least one western orchestral instrument. I realize I might be looking for a unicorn but hey, stranger things than unicorns exist all over the place.
I'll be checking out Studio One Prime next. All recommendations and insights much appreciated.
Given that I won't have much time I think Reaper is out. Would also ideally avoid time-limited trials though that isn't out of the question. I don't know if they'll be setup beforehand so lengthy registration forms and licensing software is not optimal. I'd like the solution to include a synth and a sampler with at least one western orchestral instrument. I realize I might be looking for a unicorn but hey, stranger things than unicorns exist all over the place.
I'll be checking out Studio One Prime next. All recommendations and insights much appreciated.
- KVRAF
- 2697 posts since 3 Aug, 2003 from Narnia
Not cross-platform but free and really good.
https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk
Or...
Cross-platform and free, but not so good IMHO...
https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw
https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk
Or...
Cross-platform and free, but not so good IMHO...
https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw
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- KVRAF
- 7795 posts since 28 Apr, 2013
Last edited by BBFG# on Tue Dec 24, 2019 7:11 am, edited 7 times in total.
- KVRAF
- 2185 posts since 10 Jul, 2006 from Tampa
If you want to demo something they'll probably actually use when they finish the class, you'll probably be stuck using a time-limited demo version of one of the top 4 DAWs (if you can get one). Learning one DAW workflow (like Ableton Live) and then switching to another (like Cubase) is very frustrating, so if your students can stick to one workflow while they're learning, they'll be less frustrated.
For example, you can get Ableton Live Lite for free, and it works on Windows 10 and Mac OS. There is also a free (but not terribly useful or stable) version of Pro Tools, which is also cross-platform (PC/Mac). But if you really want to cover Linux too, you're looking at something like Reaper or Bitwig. Reaper works "experimentally" on Linux, and you can get a 60-day trial version for free. That should be enough to spend some time learning it and demoing it. And it's something your students might actually want to use when they finish the class. As a bonus, your students can get started with it for around $60 (USD) once the class is over.
I don't use any of these DAWs, but people swear by them, so your students won't be stuck learning something that was free...but not very useful.
Steve
For example, you can get Ableton Live Lite for free, and it works on Windows 10 and Mac OS. There is also a free (but not terribly useful or stable) version of Pro Tools, which is also cross-platform (PC/Mac). But if you really want to cover Linux too, you're looking at something like Reaper or Bitwig. Reaper works "experimentally" on Linux, and you can get a 60-day trial version for free. That should be enough to spend some time learning it and demoing it. And it's something your students might actually want to use when they finish the class. As a bonus, your students can get started with it for around $60 (USD) once the class is over.
I don't use any of these DAWs, but people swear by them, so your students won't be stuck learning something that was free...but not very useful.
Steve
Here's some of my stuff: https://soundcloud.com/shadowsoflife. If you hear something you like, I'm looking for collaborators.
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- KVRAF
- 3735 posts since 17 Sep, 2016
Studio One Prime probably comes closest to your requirements.
The main limitation to that is you cannot bring your own VST plugins. But it does include a sampler (rompler) with a small preset instrument library, called "Presence XT". https://www.presonus.com/products/Studi ... e-versions
Studio One Prime is completely free, with no expiration date.
If you are looking for a live sampler, you might want to consider Ableton Live Lite. It includes a basic sampler called "Simpler". https://www.ableton.com/en/products/live-lite/features/
The catch with Live 10 Lite, is that it requires a serial number bundled with select hardware and software products. However you can buy the similar Live 10 Intro for $99. Or else sign up for a 30 day trial. https://www.ableton.com/en/shop/live/
The main limitation to that is you cannot bring your own VST plugins. But it does include a sampler (rompler) with a small preset instrument library, called "Presence XT". https://www.presonus.com/products/Studi ... e-versions
Studio One Prime is completely free, with no expiration date.
If you are looking for a live sampler, you might want to consider Ableton Live Lite. It includes a basic sampler called "Simpler". https://www.ableton.com/en/products/live-lite/features/
The catch with Live 10 Lite, is that it requires a serial number bundled with select hardware and software products. However you can buy the similar Live 10 Intro for $99. Or else sign up for a 30 day trial. https://www.ableton.com/en/shop/live/
Windows 10 and too many plugins
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Scrubbing Monkeys Scrubbing Monkeys https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=397259
- KVRAF
- 1593 posts since 21 Apr, 2017 from Bahia, Brazil
mulab by mutools has a free track limited version. Easy, fun, lots of instruments and features.
mutools.com
oops nevermind. I think it was once that way but now just demo that doesnt meet your requirements.
mutools.com
oops nevermind. I think it was once that way but now just demo that doesnt meet your requirements.
We jumped the fence because it was a fence not be cause the grass was greener.
https://scrubbingmonkeys.bandcamp.com/
https://sites.google.com/view/scrubbing-monkeys
https://scrubbingmonkeys.bandcamp.com/
https://sites.google.com/view/scrubbing-monkeys
- KVRAF
- 8828 posts since 6 Jan, 2017 from Outer Space
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- KVRist
- 386 posts since 21 Jun, 2015 from India
+1 for tracktion. They opensourced tracktion engine, not the DAW.Tj Shredder wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:18 pm Tracktion
https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-daw
I think they even open sourced it...
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- KVRAF
- 2415 posts since 28 Mar, 2007
Cakewalk Bandlab Sonar.
A couple of years ago it cost $499 and was buggy.
Since Bandlab have owned it there have been constant updates and the bugs have been vastly reduced. It has also been improved with ARA 2 support and lots of other enhancements.
Now its free and better than ever.
Its a No brainer.
A couple of years ago it cost $499 and was buggy.
Since Bandlab have owned it there have been constant updates and the bugs have been vastly reduced. It has also been improved with ARA 2 support and lots of other enhancements.
Now its free and better than ever.
Its a No brainer.
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- KVRAF
- 4907 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from Colorado Springs
track toon and BandLab. Two completely different takes on DAW, both completely free and no limitations. It’s a great time to be alive
- KVRian
- 1045 posts since 3 Jul, 2006
Maybe I could suggest something simple here:
LMMS
https://lmms.io/download
It's free, light (30MB) and cross-platform. Also it seems to have evolved a bit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qfa9hGJzoY
LMMS
https://lmms.io/download
It's free, light (30MB) and cross-platform. Also it seems to have evolved a bit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qfa9hGJzoY
== VDX == One Man can make a difference!
My music is on https://soundcloud.com/vdxi | Info | More Info
My music is on https://soundcloud.com/vdxi | Info | More Info
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 50 posts since 20 Apr, 2015
Thanks everyone for the insight, I really appreciate it. I'm going with Studio One Prime. I like how beginner friendly it is, and the included rompler content zzz00m mentioned seems like an excellent intro to this domain. The piano roll tools make it very accessible, and the included loops etc will hopefully be sufficient to make this session a very good quickstart. I don't have long with the students so lack of oscillators, own plugins and whatnot is not an issue. Maybe another day if this goes well.
Cheers
Cheers