MAC DAW recommendations....

Muso4142

Member
Hi All,

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro to compliment my amazing AXE FX rig & was thinking of getting recording software for it (Which I feel is about time I ventured into the recording world as i've only been playing guitar for over 30 years! ;))

So my question to the Fractal Borg is what DAW do you recommend & why?

I'm pretty good with software so it doesnt need to be simple, I'm willing to try anything.

Would love to read what your all using.

Keep rockin brothers (& Sisters) \m/
 
Logic 9 is what I've been using for years. And will keep doing so because it does what I need and I know how to use it. 99% of "use this DAW!" recommendations will follow this exact formula because habit over anything else when it comes to DAWs. :)

You can grab GarageBand from the App Store for like <$20 though. As a place to start it's pretty decent.
 
GarageBand is an excellent place to start.
If you want to do some recordings and not want to make a career out of learning/using your DAW, keep it simple.
Spend your time playing guitar and not computering..
Other DAW's have more features, but most everything you need is in GB.
If you need amp plugins, reverb plugins, tons of post recording features, maybe, maybe you need something else, but if you want to do some recording,
mix in other tracks, etc. GB is everything you need..
Or spend $200.00 and try something else..

Loopie..
 
I've been using Cubase 7.5 for a while now on my MacBook Pro, works beautifully. It comes with a lot of the stuff in the box already, so you don't have to go out and purchase additional VSTs to get stuff completely finished.

I have personally never used Logic (which seems to be a fav here), but I can tell you the studio I work with uses Cubase and has no issues with it - that's the reason why I stick with it.

I would love to know the Cubase vs Logic differences though, if anyone knows them?
 
Although, if you are after making simple recordings, then GarageBand is really good for just that. However, don't expect anything too flexible with it.
 
Although, if you are after making simple recordings, then GarageBand is really good for just that. However, don't expect anything too flexible with it.

As this is quickly evolving into a DAW war.. Consider the following from MacWorld.

MacWorld.com>>

If you’re a musician who also owns a Mac, chances are that you’ve spent hours playing with (and playing into) GarageBand. And why would’t you? GarageBand 10 is free for the basic version and for a measly $5 you can expand its content to include 200 sounds, 2,000 loops, 15 drummers, and 40 guitar and piano Basic Lessons. It supports multi-instrument input (with a compatible audio interface), has a solid collection of virtual instruments, enough loops to piece together a track that grooves, amps and pedalboard effects for both guitar and bass players, and mixing tools capable enough to help you produce a great demo.

But its talents aren’t unlimited. Those seeking more professional productions may find they want a more extensive collection of tools—the ability to use multiple time-signatures within a single project, an expansive mixing console, track grouping, support for control surfaces, the opportunity to assign any effect to any track, an advanced score editor, pitch tweaking, and virtual instrument editing. Fortunately, all these features can be found in Apple’s $200 professional digital audio workstation (DAW) app, Logic Pro X.

<< Outgrowing the garage: Moving from GarageBand to Logic Pro X | Macworld

Mostly it depends on your needs.
Apple >> https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/

A Newbie’s Impressions Of Logic Pro X | TechCrunch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0cKq-ZOit4
https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/garageband-to-logic/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlLuT7jvwFM

Review your needs, install and record..
 
As this is quickly evolving into a DAW war.. Consider the following from MacWorld.

MacWorld.com>>

If you’re a musician who also owns a Mac, chances are that you’ve spent hours playing with (and playing into) GarageBand. And why would’t you? GarageBand 10 is free for the basic version and for a measly $5 you can expand its content to include 200 sounds, 2,000 loops, 15 drummers, and 40 guitar and piano Basic Lessons. It supports multi-instrument input (with a compatible audio interface), has a solid collection of virtual instruments, enough loops to piece together a track that grooves, amps and pedalboard effects for both guitar and bass players, and mixing tools capable enough to help you produce a great demo.

But its talents aren’t unlimited. Those seeking more professional productions may find they want a more extensive collection of tools—the ability to use multiple time-signatures within a single project, an expansive mixing console, track grouping, support for control surfaces, the opportunity to assign any effect to any track, an advanced score editor, pitch tweaking, and virtual instrument editing. Fortunately, all these features can be found in Apple’s $200 professional digital audio workstation (DAW) app, Logic Pro X.

<< Outgrowing the garage: Moving from GarageBand to Logic Pro X | Macworld

Mostly it depends on your needs.
Apple >> https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/

A Newbie’s Impressions Of Logic Pro X | TechCrunch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0cKq-ZOit4
https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/garageband-to-logic/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlLuT7jvwFM

Review your needs, install and record..

Trust me, I don't want to start any sort of DAW war, ESPECIALLY as the numbers are already against me! :nightmare:

GarageBand is a brilliant bit of software I agree, I use it myself from time to time just because I like to experiment with different tools. It's just when you get used to much more advanced DAW editors, it becomes limiting.

As you said yourself, it depends on your needs.
 
Like it's been said GarageBand is a nice program to get started with, I used to use Pro Tools, and Digital Performer, now just use Digital Performer ( Pro Tools is good, but I hate Avid.. :) ) Logic is very nice and a great deal these days, and it comes with some decent free Plug In instruments, which are much better then what you get with Digital Performer, but if you want real good instruments plug ins, in my opinion you'll still need to buy separate from other companies, but depends on your needs. Can't go wrong with any of these, lot's of good choices these days.
 
I play around with Reaper ,can try for a month, then buy if you want ,Think its about 40 or 50 bucks.
 
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