Since this is the first official post, we’ll try to cover the very first and most fundamental question anyone has to face if he wants to write music on a computer: Which software do I use to do that?

This questions breaks down to this one: Which DAW do I choose?

However, before we answer this question, we have to ask: What is a DAW?

Beginners are absolutely lost about what each software is supposed to do, so let’s clarify this out first

DAW means Digital Audio Workstation. DAWs offer a coherent way to record, edit and play back audio. They can range from simple one-track audio editors, to full-blown multitrack editors that can help you record, mix and master a complete record.

The DAW is the first piece of software you’ll have to choose. In the early days DAWs were much simpler than now, and most people were still using analog gear. However, as time passes, more people are throwing away their analog gear in favor of software. The DAW is the first and most important step. It will determine which plugins you can use, compatibility with your system (PC or Mac) and hardware (like audio interfaces) and workflow.

Furthermore, DAWs are professional programs, which have a long learning curve. They are not the average computer program you can learn in one week, unless, of course, you are already an experienced computer musician/producer. This means that you must choose your DAW carefully, since it is highly likely that you will stick with it for the rest of your career.

However, rest assured that technology has advanced so much, that the major DAWs don’t have any huge differences. You can make a complete record with any of the big players in the industry. Most people consider their first DAW to be the best, since, this is the one they know the best how to use. In the end, what is most important, is to choose one and learn it inside-out. Only then will you be able to see what you really need and you will be able to find the one that truly suits you, if you feel the need to change. Furthermore, don’t forget that workflow in this work is extremely important, so, if you learn how to be fast on a program, then, you will not really feel the need to change, since you will be able to record and mix a song so easily, as if it is like second nature to you.

Now, let’s present the main DAWs in existence

Undeniably, the most popular ones are Apple’s Logic (Mac only – also take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic_Pro) and Steinberg’s Cubase (both Mac and PC, but mainly PC- also take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steinberg_Cubase)

Digidesign’s Pro Tools (Mac only, once it also supported PC – also take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Tools) was one the industry standard (and is still used), but now it is not used as much.

Then we have Cakewalk’s Sonar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cakewalk_Sonar), which gets better every year.

There is also the Samplitude (and its big brother Sequoia), as well as Nuendo, Cubase’s big (and expensive) brother.

We also have to mention Digital Performer (for Mac), which is a favorite among some known artists such as Matmos and Autechre

Finally, we’ll mention what I like to call the "special" players. These are DAWs, with very specific purposes. These are  Image Line’s Fruity Loops (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FL_Studio), Propellerhead’s Reason (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reason_(software))and Ableton’s Live (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ableton_Live). Fruity Loops is an excellent DAW for beginners, which comes with many good virtual instruments and is very simple in its usage. Reason, does not account as a true DAW. It is rather an emulation of a studio, where you have a mixer and various instruments. Reason doesn’t support audio, only midi. However, it is VERY simple in its use and is, probably, one of the best choices for beginners. Live is what its name states, the best software for live situations. Its workflow is extremely efficient for DJs that like to mix stuff on-the-fly, allowing you to throw loops as you like, while fitting them in the tempo. However, it is not the best choice if you want a DAW for a full production.

Of course, there some other minor players like Sony’s ACID pro, Cocko’s Reaper and Orion, but here we’ll stay just with the more mainstream products.

So, which DAW should you choose?

First of all, ask yourself these questions:

1)What is my system? A Mac or a PC? If you don’t want to change the system, then stick with what is compatible with your system, in case the program does not work on both environments.

2)Do I want a complete package or something for beginners? If you want a complete package, then your best bet is Logic or Cubase. They are the most expensive DAWs, but they are also, probably, the best ones in existence. They have a long learning curve, but if you are dedicated, you can be sure that you will have in your possession tools that have almost no restriction. On the other hand, software like Reason, Fruity Loops and Live, might help you in your first steps, since trying to learn a program that has a manual of a 1000 pages, not counting the fact that you are supposed to know how digital audio works, can be discouraging (of course, that’s why Musikality Net exists, to help you learn this stuff ).

3)How much money am I willing to give? If money is not an issue, then go for the big players. If it is an issue, then consider the cheaper alternatives, like Sonar and Samplitude. These DAWs, might not be the most popular, however, they constantly get better, as they are trying to get their own slice from the pie. After all, in their effort to constantly get better and take the throne from the most popular DAWs, their companies constantly add features, that might lack from Cubase and Logic. Fruity Loops might be a good solution, since it offers lifetime free upgrades.

Cubase 4 screenshot

Finally, you have to ask yourself how much effort are you willing to put into this, and what are your goals. If for example, you’re planning to have a rock band, then using Reason is out of the question, since Reason supports only midi and is only for electronic musicians. If you’re doing this as a hobby, then maybe Logic and Cubase are not for you and you should stay with Fruity Loops and Live. It all comes down to your goals, resources and effort.

Finally, there are many people who download programs illegaly and prefer to use what is available Availability can be a big factor, since most hobbyists use PCs and, thus, it is easier to find pirated plugins for PC than for Mac. On the other hand, professionals usually use Macs, because of their great stability.

Screenshot from Thor, Reason’s 4 new synthesizer

Of course, we also have to make a special mention to open source software. At the time, there are not any open source DAWs that can pose a challenge to the professional ones. However, they are supported by large communities and they can be a good choice for those who do this as a hobby. Audacity is a good choice for those making their first steps in audio, as it supports audio-only functions and has a very simple interface. Ardour is probably the biggest open source DAW. Finally, there is also Ubuntu Studio, a special edition of the most popular Linux distribution dedicated to media production.

Well, I hope that this article covered the most basic concepts on the subject. For any questions, please leave a comment!