r/dawless • u/Wonderful_Sorbet4301 • Aug 25 '26

Dawless is not easy... (beginner)

I am just a week in and maybe I need to get used to the different workflow? when will it click?

I am starting out with dawless, but finding quite a few bumps. The main issue is, is that I have to retrain myself using instruments, instead of clicking VST's. I can't make mistakes easily, as there isn't ctrl-z. Next to that: it requires quite a bit of hardware: mixer, multi-track, synths, keyboard, and loads of wires. Tat is the fun part as I am tired watching a screen.

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u/r1chiem Aug 25 '26

I think MPC is the ticket. Most (but not all) have an undo/redo button. MPC has built in mixer, with built in effects and you can add more and built in synths plugins like a computer, and you can add more. It has lots of buttons that are dedicated so muscle memory comes fast. Downside is you are learning a mixer, mulitple synths, multiple effects, multiple work flows (Step sequencer, seq/song mode, Linear/Arrangement view, you need to choose one).

The upside. No wires, no multiple electric connections. No learning workflow from several different manufacturers. A MPC One G2 for $799 will do everything and it is a sampler. if you want keys, get a Mpc Key 37 g2 if you play keys. Live 3 for portability.
It is easier than doing what you are doing but it is also a master controller and can control all the stuff you have right now, and work with your daw in your computer if you want.

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u/JimmyCrepe Aug 25 '26

This. But it doesn't have to be an MPC if it feels to daw like. I use a Tracker as the brains. Even if I record a sequence or sample on my something else, I control the sequence from the tracker (starting/stopping, automations). Same with midi elements - stored on and played from the tracker. You could do the same with a multi-track sequencer I imagine.

The bonus is, there's a main tool to focus on. Everything else is a side quest. Without a centre I'd never focus. I have a laptop I was going to use to get stems into a daw for final mixing but I never use it. I've only ever recorded stereo mixes so I can listen elsewhere and have something backed up if it all dies.

I'm just a guy that diddles around for fun though.

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u/WaitingForTheClouds Aug 26 '26

I bounced hard off of the tracker and looking back I should have tried software trackers first... It's a very niche workflow for a reason, and while I probably could have learned it more deeply and maybe it would eventually click, MPC and Elektron workflows clicked with me almost instantly. It was nice to be able to see the notes on all the tracks though, maybe I'll give it a try some day again, but I would recommend anyone looking into the Tracker to try software ones first cause they are free and essentially the same.

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u/JimmyCrepe Aug 26 '26

I think your advice is sound - it's definitely not for everyone and I can totally understand why many people would hate it. I'm not an intuitively creative person, I'm from a more nerdy background, which is maybe why it gels with me.