So, I’m switching up my workflow in 2022, and I’m hoping to hear your thoughts on which DAW to use

cian

@krassmann said:
@seonnthaproducer good decision. I think you won’t regret it. On iOS we have quite a choice of creative playgrounds and probably the most advanced DAWless options existing on a computing device. But when it comes to the classical DAW workflow Cubasis 3 is IMHO the best you can get. It is also great for finishing what you came up with in one of those creative playgrounds especially if you are able to embrace a workflow where you commit to audio early. I always struggled with that and sometimes I still do. It’s hard to give up the ability to have everything as Midi data until the very end and still being able to tweak it but making this step is also liberating because too many options are often overwhelming and slowing down the creative process.

The biggest problem for me is that transferring your AUV3s from AUM is a pain, and very uncreative. Something I'm experimenting with now is just making tracks in MIDI using stock presets for drums/synth sounds, and then focusing on creating loops using LK - until I have a set of materials that I'm happy with. Then transferring the MIDI to Cubasis, and focusing on designing sounds/producing/arranging in Cubasis. Still early days, but this does actually seem to be a faster workflow generally, as I find I tend to redo all my sounds anyway once I have a working arrangement, so the hour I spent custom designing a perfect kick/bass was largely a waste of time... I like editing stuff in Cubasis, I just don't like creating things in it. And I really miss the flexibility of the bus/MIDI architecture that you get with AUM.

For ambient type stuff I find that nothing really can beat AUM for creating a rough mix, and final mixdown in Cubasis is pretty straightforward.

I do wish Cubasis had more flexibility with its Audio tracks though. NanoStudio is great in what it allows you to do, it just frustratingly lacks certain things (audio tracks, AUV3 automation) and I suspect will never get those things.

Increasingly I do wonder if I would be better off just using Reaper though.

pr4y_4_beats

@Korakios said:

@pr4y_4_beats said:

@mojozart said:
Of those, Zenbeats has got to be the most fun, and it supports a couple different workflows, including an Ableton-like one that is unique in iOS. If you've already invested in Zenbeats then you don't need to worry about hidden costs. Pay $30/year and get everything for free.

However, I strongly suggest you check out Loopy Pro. It is now a competitive DAW as well as a superior looper.

Question. I have been really interested in zenbeats for a while but the confusing subscription/unlock options are putting me off and the conflicting reviews. See, on my Android phone I purchased the cloud subscription for 2.99 a month because it would get paid as part of my ATT bill, which my extremely wealthy parents in law pay for and let me buy apps and stuff, BUT when I logged into the same account on my iPad, I did not have any sort of cloud subscription, in fact my Android phone didn't even have anything unlocked after buying the cloud service. I couldn't even fully use the zen synth it gave me the unlock symbol and I had to purchase more IAPs... Even though it said "free month pro cloud subscription with any cloud subscription purchase, everything unlocked!"

So it's just extremely confusing. I also want to know, can you import samples and loops? Or are you stuck with only the zenbeats sample packs and loops that Roland puts out?

I don't want to buy a 30$ year subscription if nothing even changes... And using my own loops and samples is vital for me... It just feels so buggy and weird and endless confusing subscription vs. unlock options that didnt change anything in the app...

It's endlessly frustrating I don't even want to buy the "15 points" iOS unlock because if I bought the 2.99 cloud subscription on Android and literally nothing changed, I'm afraid nothing's going to change on my iPad either...

So can you help me out here and explain more about zenbeats? Please

You don't need any subscription for using Zenbeats , just use the iOS unlock and you get the current features for lifetime (until new major version , but still you can use the old features . I have the v1 unlock , still working )
I haven't use it on Android but suggest you open a

ticket

You can import samples/loops and use your AUs (no

IAA support)

Edit: for using audio loops I think you don't even need the unlock

Ok so you don't need the subscription. Just the 15$ iOS unlock and you have full access to ALL the features? All the synths and can use your own drum sounds and stuff? So the subscription is just for Roland loops and sample packs? IOS unlock is EVERYTHING except the loops and sample packs that Roland puts out?

Also what's your opinion of it as a DAW?

Jumpercollins

Jumped into MTS Studio last night. Very interesting DAW for iPad OS. Let’s you select AU midi under keyboard type think KB-1. Also has a load of it own which I was most surprised with. Audio Stretching is good. Multi midi editor for editing multi tracks, build your own patterns. One note chord Suggester. Once you get your head the workflow it’s a winner. Support midi 2 and MPE.

senhorlampada

@cian said:
Something I'm experimenting with now is just making tracks in MIDI using stock presets for drums/synth sounds, and then focusing on creating loops using LK - until I have a set of materials that I'm happy with. Then transferring the MIDI to Cubasis, and focusing on designing sounds/producing/arranging in Cubasis. Still early days, but this does actually seem to be a faster workflow generally, as I find I tend to redo all my sounds anyway once I have a working arrangement, so the hour I spent custom designing a perfect kick/bass was largely a waste of time... I like editing stuff in Cubasis, I just don't like creating things in it. And I really miss the flexibility of the bus/MIDI architecture that you get with AUM.

This is a thing I used to do a lot. Trying different stuff now, but this works really well. Generally I used LK or Xequence and BS-16, Sampletank, iM1 or Sunvox as the sound sources all setup with some base sounds template (Like Drums, Percs, 2 basses, 2 pads, 2 leads, etc.)

Some I could keep and layer with other stuff or just change the sounds overall. If any automation was to be used, it would be only after setting the final sound/patch.

cian

@Jumpercollins said:
Jumped into MTS Studio last night. Very interesting DAW for iPad OS. Let’s you select AU midi under keyboard type think KB-1. Also has a load of it own which I was most surprised with. Audio Stretching is good. Multi midi editor for editing multi tracks, build your own patterns. One note chord Suggester. Once you get your head the workflow it’s a winner. Support midi 2 and MPE.

Doesn't it have quite limited audio routing possibilities, and a fairly short effects chain? I remember that being the one downside.

Jumpercollins

@cian said:

@Jumpercollins said:
Jumped into MTS Studio last night. Very interesting DAW for iPad OS. Let’s you select AU midi under keyboard type think KB-1. Also has a load of it own which I was most surprised with. Audio Stretching is good. Multi midi editor for editing multi tracks, build your own patterns. One note chord Suggester. Once you get your head the workflow it’s a winner. Support midi 2 and MPE.

Doesn't it have quite limited audio routing possibilities, and a fairly short effects chain? I remember that being the one downside.

Still learning it, but yes appears to be limited routing a common fact with linear DAWS on iOS. Mixbox can help with effect chains.

Korakios

@pr4y_4_beats said:

@Korakios said:

@pr4y_4_beats said:

@mojozart said:
Of those, Zenbeats has got to be the most fun, and it supports a couple different workflows, including an Ableton-like one that is unique in iOS. If you've already invested in Zenbeats then you don't need to worry about hidden costs. Pay $30/year and get everything for free.

However, I strongly suggest you check out Loopy Pro. It is now a competitive DAW as well as a superior looper.

Question. I have been really interested in zenbeats for a while but the confusing subscription/unlock options are putting me off and the conflicting reviews. See, on my Android phone I purchased the cloud subscription for 2.99 a month because it would get paid as part of my ATT bill, which my extremely wealthy parents in law pay for and let me buy apps and stuff, BUT when I logged into the same account on my iPad, I did not have any sort of cloud subscription, in fact my Android phone didn't even have anything unlocked after buying the cloud service. I couldn't even fully use the zen synth it gave me the unlock symbol and I had to purchase more IAPs... Even though it said "free month pro cloud subscription with any cloud subscription purchase, everything unlocked!"

So it's just extremely confusing. I also want to know, can you import samples and loops? Or are you stuck with only the zenbeats sample packs and loops that Roland puts out?

I don't want to buy a 30$ year subscription if nothing even changes... And using my own loops and samples is vital for me... It just feels so buggy and weird and endless confusing subscription vs. unlock options that didnt change anything in the app...

It's endlessly frustrating I don't even want to buy the "15 points" iOS unlock because if I bought the 2.99 cloud subscription on Android and literally nothing changed, I'm afraid nothing's going to change on my iPad either...

So can you help me out here and explain more about zenbeats? Please

You don't need any subscription for using Zenbeats , just use the iOS unlock and you get the current features for lifetime (until new major version , but still you can use the old features . I have the v1 unlock , still working )
I haven't use it on Android but suggest you open a ticket
You can import samples/loops and use your AUs (no IAA support)
Edit: for using audio loops I think you don't even need the unlock

Ok so you don't need the subscription.
1. Just the 15$ iOS unlock and you have full access to ALL the features?
2. All the synths and can use your own drum sounds and stuff?
3. So the subscription is just for Roland loops and sample packs?
4. IOS unlock is EVERYTHING except the loops and sample packs that Roland puts out?

5. Also what's your opinion of it as a DAW?

1. yes (edit v2 features)
2. yes (edit v2 features)
3. Not necessarily, you can still buy individual sample/preset packs & loops, without subsription
4. you can download Zenbeats for free. You'll need a free account to sign in to the store . There you can see it that iOS unlock offers some additional content . If you use pc or mac it worth starting the one month free subscription where you can access everything (including the mobile version) and try for your self.
5. The development is active ,although a bit slow. There is currently a bug on the midi editor (zoom in/out using gesture) The biggest downside for me is you can't record AU automation by moving knobs ,still you can draw it manually (just found a bug ,will post it on other thread, fortunately devs are responsive )
   But I really like it since there no other DAW that combines clip/scene launch and timeline recording so easily . I strongly suggest you give it a try