IS AN OUTSIDE DAW NECESSARY AT ALL?

Please forgive me if this post was already made, I did a search and found nothing.
So I originally started making music in 2011 on Propellerhead Reason 5 which was a pirated version, don't judge me. I didn't have it long, maybe a year before I was blocked from using it so I was away from music until I purchased my MPCLIVE in December 2018. I'm brand new to this, so excuse my ignorance, but my question is this..

Is it necessary for me to have Reason, Ableton, Logic or any other DAW if I've already constructed and mixed everything on my MPC? And if yes, what are the advantages of having an additional DAW? because in my opinion, the MPCLIVE/X are pretty much standalone DAWS in a box.

If there are other posts related to what I'm referring to, please post the link so I can study up, thanks.

There’s many posts here relating to this question, and this topic has been discussed to death.

the responses you will get will be mixed.

I dont use a DAW at all and i dont see any reason for it but many people use it for whatever reason.

Remember hit records back in the day before computers never used a DAW.

In the end, its up to your work style and how integrated you want to be with other producers who use DAWs. Maybe you NEED to work with a daw to be more compatible with other Lin’s in the production chain.

Joswun wrote:Please forgive me if this post was already made, I did a search and found nothing.
So I originally started making music in 2011 on Propellerhead Reason 5 which was a pirated version, don't judge me. I didn't have it long, maybe a year before I was blocked from using it so I was away from music until I purchased my MPCLIVE in December 2018. I'm brand new to this, so excuse my ignorance, but my question is this..

Is it necessary for me to have Reason, Ableton, Logic or any other DAW if I've already constructed and mixed everything on my MPC? And if yes, what are the advantages of having an additional DAW? because in my opinion, the MPCLIVE/X are pretty much standalone DAWS in a box.

If there are other posts related to what I'm referring to, please post the link so I can study up, thanks.

If you can mix your songs to your satisfaction, then no, a DAW is not necessary.

For me, as is, I need a DAW. Logic in my case. Reasons? Plugin delay compensation, VCA tracks, stereo panning & multi-output plugin support would be at the top of the list.

marctronixx wrote:There’s many posts here relating to this question, and this topic has been discussed to death.

the responses you will get will be mixed.

I dont use a DAW at all and i dont see any reason for it but many people use it for whatever reason.

Remember hit records back in the day before computers never used a DAW.

In the end, its up to your work style and how integrated you want to be with other producers who use DAWs. Maybe you NEED to work with a daw to be more compatible with other Lin’s in the production chain.

Don't get me wrong, I have a trial version of Reason 10 and also have Ableton Live lite that I've been messing with just to get familiar, and they're both pretty easy to work with. But outside of expensive plug ins and a more in depth user interface, I've really been confused as to why anyone using a new MPC would NEED the additional DAW. I guess it all depends on how you started making music maybe? I got my start in the 90's, I was never fully familiar with the equipment in the studio, but the first machine I came in contact with was the SP1200, mostly making basic beats for songs my childhood crew were making, so maybe that plays into it, I don't know.

I just see a large field of people that call themselves beatmakers/producers but really seem to be tech junkies, in my experience, creating great music is 90% ideas 10% technology, but it seems to have reversed with this outpour of technology.. eh, my opinion, to each his own. Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

I agree. I only use Ableton to tidy up & add bits here & there. 99% of my beat-making is in the box. I almost never use the MPC sw, it's just there if needed.

Joswun wrote:Don't get me wrong, I have a trial version of Reason 10 and also have Ableton Live lite that I've been messing with just to get familiar, and they're both pretty easy to work with. But outside of expensive plug ins and a more in depth user interface, I've really been confused as to why anyone using a new MPC would NEED the additional DAW. I guess it all depends on how you started making music maybe? I got my start in the 90's, I was never fully familiar with the equipment in the studio, but the first machine I came in contact with was the SP1200, mostly making basic beats for songs my childhood crew were making, so maybe that plays into it, I don't know.

I just see a large field of people that call themselves beatmakers/producers but really seem to be tech junkies, in my experience, creating great music is 90% ideas 10% technology, but it seems to have reversed with this outpour of technology.. eh, my opinion, to each his own. Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Ha! I guess my post was skipped.

Beat makers & producers don't NEED DAWs, mixing engineers do... or an analog mixing board & outboard gear. Many of us wear all 3 hats. Either way, I do all my creating in the MPC. I MIX in my DAW. The MPC software is missing some key features related to mixing, some of which I listed above.

And I'm far from a tech junkie.

If your coming back using the MPC Software is fine. Now that may change as you what to do more, but the 2.4 all has it all.

You can make a whole mix with Live standalone now, after 2.4 update.
But still I make the final step with a computer, and I use presonus studio 1.
I mean, it is not necessary but I record 3 stereo tracks through the outputs of Mpc to a computer and then make the final balance, some multiband, eq, stereo width and so on.

Frisbi wrote:You can make a whole mix with Live standalone now, after 2.4 update.
But still I make the final step with a computer, and I use presonus studio 1.
I mean, it is not necessary but I record 3 stereo tracks through the outputs of Mpc to a computer and then make the final balance, some multiband, eq, stereo width and so on.

Why three tracks?

Bezo wrote:

Joswun wrote:Don't get me wrong, I have a trial version of Reason 10 and also have Ableton Live lite that I've been messing with just to get familiar, and they're both pretty easy to work with. But outside of expensive plug ins and a more in depth user interface, I've really been confused as to why anyone using a new MPC would NEED the additional DAW. I guess it all depends on how you started making music maybe? I got my start in the 90's, I was never fully familiar with the equipment in the studio, but the first machine I came in contact with was the SP1200, mostly making basic beats for songs my childhood crew were making, so maybe that plays into it, I don't know.

I just see a large field of people that call themselves beatmakers/producers but really seem to be tech junkies, in my experience, creating great music is 90% ideas 10% technology, but it seems to have reversed with this outpour of technology.. eh, my opinion, to each his own. Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Ha! I guess my post was skipped.

Beat makers & producers don't NEED DAWs, mixing engineers do... or an analog mixing board & outboard gear. Many of us wear all 3 hats. Either way, I do all my creating in the MPC. I MIX in my DAW. The MPC software is missing some key features related to mixing, some of which I listed above.

And I'm far from a tech junkie.

I definitely get this logic, that was in the neighborhood of where my understanding was, much appreciated.

Joswun wrote:

marctronixx wrote:There’s many posts here relating to this question, and this topic has been discussed to death.

the responses you will get will be mixed.

I dont use a DAW at all and i dont see any reason for it but many people use it for whatever reason.

Remember hit records back in the day before computers never used a DAW.

In the end, its up to your work style and how integrated you want to be with other producers who use DAWs. Maybe you NEED to work with a daw to be more compatible with other Lin’s in the production chain.

Don't get me wrong, I have a trial version of Reason 10 and also have Ableton Live lite that I've been messing with just to get familiar, and they're both pretty easy to work with. But outside of expensive plug ins and a more in depth user interface, I've really been confused as to why anyone using a new MPC would NEED the additional DAW. I guess it all depends on how you started making music maybe? I got my start in the 90's, I was never fully familiar with the equipment in the studio, but the first machine I came in contact with was the SP1200, mostly making basic beats for songs my childhood crew were making, so maybe that plays into it, I don't know.

I just see a large field of people that call themselves beatmakers/producers but really seem to be tech junkies, in my experience, creating great music is 90% ideas 10% technology, but it seems to have reversed with this outpour of technology.. eh, my opinion, to each his own. Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Are you able too complete songs and record vocals, and finish a master mix? if you have a workflow by all means do you. All a daw allows for me is the ability to mix songs completely with vocal tracks they way that I want too. If you're just making beats as a semi beginner investing in a daw might not need to be your main focus or a reason to incorporate a DAW just yet.

I do music on different levels. So l use a couple if Daws. The things l wanna do the Mpc live ain't cutting. Period.
I have Reason 10.1. You get 8 effect send and l set up a template wuth those effect good trying that with the MPC in stand alone. Automation lanes, do videos in the DAW and the list goes on. Otchestral cues in standalone, again good luck.

I use to strictly do music in the mpc 2000XL.

I'll rock both. Best of both worlds.

So l have Reason 10.1 and Studio One 3.5.6.

Joswun wrote:Please forgive me if this post was already made, I did a search and found nothing.
So I originally started making music in 2011 on Propellerhead Reason 5 which was a pirated version, don't judge me. I didn't have it long, maybe a year before I was blocked from using it so I was away from music until I purchased my MPCLIVE in December 2018. I'm brand new to this, so excuse my ignorance, but my question is this..

Is it necessary for me to have Reason, Ableton, Logic or any other DAW if I've already constructed and mixed everything on my MPC? And if yes, what are the advantages of having an additional DAW? because in my opinion, the MPCLIVE/X are pretty much standalone DAWS in a box.

If there are other posts related to what I'm referring to, please post the link so I can study up, thanks.

kaydigi wrote:

Frisbi wrote:You can make a whole mix with Live standalone now, after 2.4 update.
But still I make the final step with a computer, and I use presonus studio 1.
I mean, it is not necessary but I record 3 stereo tracks through the outputs of Mpc to a computer and then make the final balance, some multiband, eq, stereo width and so on.

Why three tracks?

Because Mpc Live has 3 stereo outputs