Yet another question about DAWs

What is the most common used DAW software out there? Like if I'd want to move on, which software should I pick to call myself adequate in digital composition and mixing? I was thinking about Pro Tools, but that's just because I hear a lot about this particular DAW. Others are Nuedo, Cubase, Digital Performer etc. So to rephrase, what would be the best investment? Specifically for soundtrack production (timings, video sync etc)

And another question. What is the common opinion about FL Studio? Is it really that behind and why? Because I started from it and so far it's been serving me just well in my orchestral score ventures.

The reason I ask is that maybe I waste my time and it's for better to start mastering better software. I've never heard of someone more or less serious composing music in FL Studio. Neither I do have any serious experience with any other software other than FL studio. So I'm asking for advice.

This has been addressed sort of tangentially in other threads, but I'll see if I can pull together a consensus for you. My rule of thumb for DAWs is that you must love what you work with. Period.

Your DAW, ultimately, will not determine how good you are at digital composing and mixing. Functionally speaking, almost all DAWs are equivalent in terms of what they can actually do. The differences are almost always just superficial differences of workflow and aesthetic. Gearheads love to go on about how the audio engine in one DAW (theirs) is massively superior to all others — while his/her competitor will reverse the argument with identical fervor. You can see what I'm saying.

The truth is that handing a ProTools HD rig to a random jackass will not a fine digital musician make. I've heard things coming out of hardware 8-track sequencers that mash the daylights out of any mix coming out of a fancy DAW. Quality is in the skill and ingenuity of the creator and — crucially — the ears of the beholder.

I keep saying this over and over again, but it bears repeating: DAW recommendations are useless. I can give you a rundown of what I think of all the DAWs you mentioned above (and several more that I've had the pleasure or nightmarish misfortune of playing with), but all that gets you is the opinion of a random guy on the internet about a completely personal and subjective thing. Worse, it'll give you unhelpful bias. You can ask every chef in the world for their opinion on spaghetti, but the fact remains that even if they all say it's it's the heavenly brain pasta of love and bliss — you won't actually know what you think of spaghetti until you eat some.

Which brings me to the next point: they have demos. Try them. Give each one a fair chance and see which feels the most comfortable. All DAWs share a number of core functionalities that will be familiar from one to the next, but they will differ in the means by which you accomplish tasks. Workflow is what differs. Find the one that fits you closest and run with it. If you can do everything you need to do in FL Studio, then by all means stay in FL Studio — only upgrade if you're actually running up against limitations or have time/money to burn. Picking up a new DAW isn't the task of a lazy afternoon. It takes time and patience.

Regarding FL Studio though, the reason it has a fairly negative reputation today (this is my speculation, by the way) is because of its 'lowly' origins as little more than a glorified loop assembly infrastructure. It has since evolved into a very capable DAW, but for most folks it doesn't compare since they prefer DAWs that were built for more meticulous sequencing work right from their inception and have therefore had more time to be polished and optimized for that kind of task rather than being adapted for the purpose.

All that being said, what you're asking for is advice, so here's mine: be creative. Be brilliant and daring and don't miss the forest for the trees. Don't treat a DAW like a status symbol, nor expect it to function as a magical fount of mixing skill. Skill is earned through practice and patience. Train your ears, then trust them. Test your limits, then push them. Your DAW is just a tool, so pick the one that fits best into your workflow as an extension of your creative energy. You should feel like the DAW disappears — allowing you to focus on the music and forget about the technicalities. It's nothing but the interface to your ingenuity.

So try the demos, be patient, read the manuals (seriously, read them — they're good and written for a reason), and don't expect any transformation without effort.

Good luck and let us know which you settle on! :happy:

You know, you quelled my fear. :) The only thing I dislike in FL Studio now is the lack of one good video synch tool. Standard plug-in bugs terribly when tempo changes.

Another reason why I was thinking about DAW change is because often when I'm being asked about what software I use by someone who's familiar with the topic, and I answer, I get frowned upon attitude. And with my small experience in other software I start to think that maybe I'm missing something. Like you can master putting screws into the wall with hammer, but there is a screwdriver which can do the job ten times effective and accurate. And it would be useful to learn how to use it in advance, not when you suddenly get a chance to install a redwood shelf on a pro finished wall.

I think I'll put this venture aside for a time being though. Just needed to hear some reasonable opinion on the topic. Thanks for that.