Dawless or DAW… it’s a point of endless debate, but I say, why not both? Today we’re going to take a look at the many benefits that come from creating a hybrid setup. This setup combines the intuitive and fun workflow of a dawless setup with the power and flexibility of a DAW. While these two workflows seem opposite of each other, combining the best parts of what they offer patches the weak points of each and allows for a better creative process.
An Evolution For Dawless Setups
A normal Dawless Setup typically consists of a brain, like the Circuit Tracks, sending midi to multiple synths with all of the audio from these synths sent back into the Circuit (or another FX Unit) for effects and mixing. Where the hybrid setup comes into play is by using a mixer or multi channel audio interface and routing each instrument individually to a separate channel of your DAW.
In this example, we have 5 channels, 1 for each piece of gear and one for midi being sent into the computer from a synth. You might be asking, what makes a few channels so great? With this routing, we now can get the best of both Dawless and Daw worlds, utilizing the hands on and tactile nature of gear and no screen during creation along with the unlimited mix and fx possibilities of a DAW for mixing and mastering. This also allows for embellishing what we create on hardware with additional soft synths and drums (this is where that Midi Out from the synth comes into play). This might sound like a lot but let’s look at this in action.
Mixing/Mastering in the DAW
Let’s take a look at what this setup allowed for in the mixing process. With each track separate, I’m able to control the volume individually and alter it even after the recording session. Effects are now available on a per track basis, meaning different reverb, delay and other textures can be applied to specific elements. I can also add side chain and filtering to tracks for smoother transitions.
The beauty of this setup is you have far more control over each piece of a track and can alter volumes, parts etc. AFTER recording a jam. If you use the Midi out technique, you can also add additional synths, melodies, even drums to flesh out parts. It’s also possible to resample, re-sequence or extend/shorten segments.
Do you work in a similar setup? Let me know in the comments what your setup looks like and if you’re considering adding anything I talked about today.
Links to the gear I use:
Novation Circuit Tracks: https://amzn.to/41kgtmD
Roland SP404 MKII: https://amzn.to/3SrqlqC
Behringer MS-1: https://amzn.to/3KsYjsS
Korg Minilogue: https://amzn.to/3Zf9adV
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