Evaluating what you really need in a DAW/interface/controller combo
This article on deciding “What DAW Interface do I need?” first appeared in Recording Magazine. I reprint it here with permission, and I encourage you to subscribe to that publication, as they are a stand up bunch of folk! PS: you may find affiliate links in this post and I may get a commission if you buy something. 🙂
The heart of the modern studio (even big ones) is no longer the 24-track tape machine and large-format console. It’s the digital audio workstation (DAW), the audio interface, and maybe the control surface.
In fact, technology being what it is, a bona fide studio could look like any other office.
But they don’t, do they? Recordists still love gear, so studios look like the Starship Enterprise – full of switches, knobs, and lights.
That’s awesome, but the question is – could you let go of spaceship syndrome in favor of an affordable, efficient work environment?
The answer is up to you, of course, but here are some thoughts about evaluating what you really need in your DAW/interface/controller combo.
What does your studio do?
Many modern studios are specialized; tuned to the operator’s strengths. Drummers have drum studios. Singers have vocal studios. Mixers have mix rooms.
This is the first thing to consider when deciding on your interface and controller.
Let’s say you’re a drummer who sends drum tracks off and never mixes. If so, maybe you can skip a controller all together. But you’re going to need at least an 8-channel interface.
For a vocal studio, maybe you only ever need one channel of input at a time. You could save money (and increase the quality) of your set up by opting for an awesome single interface and definitely skip the controller.
If you’re mixing, you’ll probably find a point-and-click workflow inefficient. So, a nice controller with 8 or 16 faders and some programmable knobs could be good. Do you need it to be a 56-channel, $20,000 monster though?
You DO want your controller to have banks at least, so you can control many tracks. But you may not need much of an interface if you’re never recording. Perhaps two high-end outputs will do – maybe you can save that money for a great summing mixer.
In other words, your spaceship may not need all the knobs in the world – just the ones that take you to your planet.
Your studio future
Also consider you studio’s future. This is a slippery slope, because we all want to be prepared for any creative whim we dream up. If you’ve won the lottery, ignore this and build out for every eventuality.
If you’re normal, though, it’s worth thinking about. Maybe when you work alone you only need three channels to record stereo keys and a vocal. But is it possible you might have a guitarist and a second singer in?
Maybe you think you’ll record a whole band someday and you’d at least like to have that option. If that’s a real possibility, maybe you need 16 channels of input. Will you need a controller? That may depend on whether you’re mixing a lot too.
You want to think a little about the future – but also about what you’ll never do. I’ll never record myself playing drums again. I’m just too sucky.
Space
Speaking of drums, bands, and all that…don’t be unrealistic about space– if your room is 8 by 8 you’re never recording a band in there, chief. Might as well stick to what you can use. 8 channels is probably plenty in a tiny room that’ll never fit more than 2 musicians.
Similarly, a 16-channel controller might be awesome for a mix engineer – but do you have room? Are you ever going to have room? Your coffee’s gotta go somewhere – and not on the gear!
Your joy
Finally, consider what you love. I myself have been tempted by the new-fangled Slate Raven – touch screen awesomeness with all manner of cool control features. But at the end of the day, I want physical faders.
It’s about what’s going to give you the most joy. That may mean letting your studio get a little spaceshippy, it’s true. But you may also get a kick out of an efficient workflow that doesn’t make you feel like you overspent.
In other words, don’t just get the biggest baddest controller and interface you can afford. Think about what you really need, what you really want, and what you’ll really use. That way you can opt for quality over number of sheer faders and buttons and lights.
Unless you’re going to Vulcan. In which case, pack it in, baby. It’s a long ride.
I love spaceships and nature, and thus I have plants and knobs in my studio. Discuss with my @AaronJTrumm on socials.