#65

Another happy Reaper user here, definitely an affordable and easy to use platform.

4 Likes
#66

I think one way to keep things cheap or at least cheaper is to use what you already have in new ways. Lots of great records were made on old gear or budget gear. Fatboy Slim sequenced on an Atari ST and made a massive hit using ancient hardware. An old laptop from 10 years ago can probably still run software from 10 years ago- you may be able to find older DAW versions that do the trick. I have an old DOS laptop sitting around somewhere that I can always pull out and install trackers on.
Got an old iPhone or Android? Tons of apps still exist that will let you be creative without needing the latest and greatest hardware. They won’t be the newest apps but there’s definitely usable apps out there.
If you’re going to buy, 2ndhand is almost always the right move. If you’re handy with electronics, maybe take a chance on something that’s as-is, especially if you can figure out what the issue is with a quick Google search.

2 Likes
#67

Another super happy Reaper user.

The Logic Pad template included with Hexler’s Touch Osc iOS app works wonderfully with Reaper and really makes a fantastic and comprehensive control surface. It runs just as well on an old iPad 2 as it does on a current iPad Pro.

There’s an Android app, which I don’t know much about other than knowing that it exists. As an aside, the template editing software runs on Catalina 10.15.4, and there’s also a linux installer for the Touch Osc editor, which I have not tried yet.

Then there’s the Reapers web interface, which runs on anything that can run a web browser - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkMAj8CpvIU&feature=emb_title

Then there’s all those free Reaper tutorials by Kenny Goia at the link above which are enough to get going and, in my case, will keep me going for years. :slight_smile: Oh, and Reaper is scriptable via Python, Lua and something called EEL, if you want to go deep like that.

Can’t say enough good about Reaper.

5 Likes
#68

You guys talked me over to trying Reaper :slight_smile: I’ve been trying to come by with FL Studio, but the logic of it just doesn’t sit well with my brain; I struggle most with it’s weird way of handling audio. I would really just want a super simple DAW that would let me mostly just record audio and midi, and arrange my recordings simply and quickly.

Btw Reaper has a “social distancing” free-for-a-couple-of-months thingy going right now it seems.

3 Likes
#69

For Mac users, Logic Pro X has a 90 day free trial.

Also, Main Stage is $30 in the App Store, and I it includes what appears to be most of the library from Logic Pro X, including Alchemy, EXS24, Sculpture, and a bunch of other stuff.

https://www.apple.com/mainstage/plugins-and-sounds/

That’s a pretty nice setup.

1 Like
#70

I have and use both FL and Reaper. They’re both great but have different purposes. But if you wanna talk about keeping things affordable, I spent $99 on my FL license some twenty-odd years ago - I started with Fruity Loops 2. Never had to pay for an update even when they introduced the Mac version.

2 Likes
#71

This is basically what won me over with Reaper. I remember thinking to myself “I just want Audacity but better” and it fits that bill but clearly does a lot more as I’ve grown into it. Those Kenny Goia tutorials are indeed super helpful for learning the basics (he even paces them appropriately to comprehend easily at 1.5X speed).

& without shame I’ll say I used the free trial for much longer than their suggested time, and the reminder every time I opened it that I could keep using it for free but I should pay eventually was persuasive :sweat_smile:

8 Likes
#72

Not so much a DAW, but there’s always the venerable buzz

3 Likes
#73

Buzz looks a lot like SunVox, which is also free.

3 Likes
#74

Another big Reaper fan here!
While the UI might not be super easy at the beginning, it does actually prove that on the long run it might be better to have something with a little more learning curve, than something super easy that will get you frustrated later on.
If you’re getting into Reaper, take your time. Make sure you read the manual and watch these videos:

4 Likes
#75

Add me to the Reaper love fest. Quick and simple recorder on the surface, super deep and powerful workhouse underneath.
I appreciate and try to support business models that price accordingly and don’t overinflate normally and deflate when Black Friday rolls around, doesn’t tie you in to their access portals ect. For that reason, in addition to Reaper, I love Tokyo Dawn and Klanghelm. Not only are they affordable, but do excellent work.

6 Likes
#76

I first picked up Reaper to create Morphagene reels, but I’m thinking it will become my primary DAW. When I primarily worked ITB I used Ableton, but since I’ve transitioned to recording unquantized audio I’ve found it lacking (granted not what it is designed for). As has been said Reaper’s UI is not as nice as other commercial DAWs, but it is great for editing audio (the way you can draw in fades is so nice).

I did some recordings with Garageband this year and it’s perfectly fine for basic recording. Cheap if you already have a Mac!

6 Likes
#77

Valhalla too. 50 for a reverb or delay can seem a bit much as we are discussing full-blown DAW which costs only a bit more, but they are stellar quality and don’t require any bloat software to authenticate and use.

7 Likes
#78

Since this is slowly driting into being a Reaper thread, I’ve started a new dedicated one, so the discussion here can continue about the original topic, i.e. more ways to keep it cheap.

All you Reaper fans, follow along here:

7 Likes
#79

For those who enjoy high quality emulations of classic studio gear, Black Rooster has a great Covid promo right now. All their plugins for $95.

#80

my personal goto cheapo devices are mainly little electronic components. you can get-recycle them even from old or unused devices:

  • dc motors + cell phone vibrators + computer fans (adding speed controllers to them)
  • piezos+ guitar coils + turntable cartridges (the worst sounding ones, the better)
  • collected found objects i attach or solder inside wood-metal boxes
  • old turntables with variable speed (especially with 16rpm)

you can get interesting, funny and unexpected sounds when using basic materials such as paper, plastic, metal, cardboard interacting with all these things i mentioned above.
yep, kinda koma fieldkit, but even more cheaper

keep it cheap = keep it simple. it works for me.

13 Likes
#81

If I for some reason was forced to go super cheap + super minimal, the following combo would keep me entertained:

  • reaper for recording audio + deliberate sequencing
  • orca for generative sequencing
  • vcvrack and pure data for audio generation
  • probably some kind of thing to touch/interact with
10 Likes
#82

Does anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive monitors? And I do mean inexpensive :slight_smile:

I really don’t need/want mastering quality speakers, just something which I can use to listen to the modular and get out from under the headphones, but which aren’t total plastic crap.

1 Like
#83

I really like my IK iLoud Micro Monitors. There are a few B-stock ones on Reverb now for around $250/pair, but I think I got mine for more like $200. They’re tiny and sound really good, to my unprofessional ears. (Cheap is of course relative here…)

5 Likes
#84

I have a circa 14 year old version of these that do the job well and never let me down.