Are you intrigued about making music without staring at a computer screen? Maybe you read about “dawless” setups or watched clips on youtube of folks pushing buttons and twisting knobs to make a sound that you would like to recreate? So how do you begin? Thats what this guide is for!
What Exactly is a DAWless setup?
A DAWless setup is a music production environment that does not rely on a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) running on a computer. Instead it utilizes hardware instruments, FX, sequencers, drum machines, synthesizers and modules to create, perform and record music.
It is typically, but not necessarily, based around modern sounding electronic music. In fact adding in a traditional instrument like a clarinet, trumpet or guitar is a brilliant way to create a more interesting music production.
Why Go DAWless?
There are many reasons musicians choose the DAWless path:
- Tactile Experience: The physical interaction with knobs, buttons, and faders can be incredibly engaging and inspiring.
- Focus and Creativity: Without the endless possibilities and distractions of a DAW, you’re often forced to be more creative with the limitations of your hardware. When I make DAW based productions, I can get lose a whole evening exploring one VST, and find I have not acomplished any music creation by the end of the session.
- Reduced Screen Time: If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer for your dayjob, a dawless setup can offer a welcome break from the screen.
- Unique Sound: Whilst most instruments can be recreated in software to a greater or lesser extent, somehow they often seem to lose that distinct sonic character found in hardware. Modern software instruments often have settings to make them less ‘perfect’ to try and recreate that hardware sound.
- Live Perfomance: DAWless setups can make for a dynamic and visual live performance. It takes real skill to play multiple hardware instruments at the same time, like spinning plates!
How to go DAWless?
Well we are going to need some hardware. Whilst a DAWless setup does not have to be expensive, it definetly can be. So the best advice is to start small and gradyally expand as your budget and needs allow. I always recommend folks to start with 2 or at most 3 pieces of hardware, and don’t even think about buying anything else until you have spend considerable time learning and understanding them. So what gear do you need?
Sound Source
Where will your sounds originate. Consider:
- Synthesizers: These come in various forms (analog, digital, virtual analog) and offer a vast palette of sounds, from lush pads to gritty basslines. Look for beginner-friendly models with intuitive interfaces.
- Grooveboxes: These often combine a drum machine, synthesizer, and sequencer in one unit, making them a fantastic all-in-one starting point.
- Samplers: These allow you to record and manipulate audio samples, opening up a world of sonic possibilities. Entry-level samplers are becoming increasingly affordable.
- Drum Machines: contain a selection of drum sounds, a sequencer to play them and some performance features, such as fills, for extra interest and variety
Some Beginner Friendly Options include:
- Roland AIRA Compact Series (T-8, S-1, P-6, J-6). These are pocket sized and battery powered, with classic Roland sounds. But be mindful due to their small size they can be fiddly to use and you may outgro them
- Arturia Microfreak: this small synth is a real powerhouse, with a unique interface, it will likely require some external FX added to it.
- Korg Minilogue: A Classic starter synth. the newer XD version adds FX to.
- Behringer ‘Clones’: Behringer have a wide portfolio often based on classic designs by other companys, but at a budget price. Take a look at the Crave or Grind for example.
- Elektron Digitakt/Digitone: the Swedish manufacturers synths do cost more, but are packed with functionality, making them an excellent long term purchase. Look out for earlier versions on the used marketplace.
- Korg Volca Series: A predecessor to the Roland AIRAs that really kicked off the small synth crave. Each box offers a different type of synthesis. check out the Korg Volca Beats, Drum, FM and Keys models. Again you might outgrow these, or they could become the bedrock of a larger setup.
Sequencer
A sequencer is the brain of your dawless setup, telling your sound sources when and what notes to play.
- Built-in Sequencers: Many synthesizers and grooveboxes have their own sequencers, which is ideal for beginners.
- Dedicated Hardware Sequencers: These offer more advanced features like polyphony, longer sequence lengths, and intricate pattern manipulation. You can always add one later as your setup grows
Some popular options:
- Artuira Beatstep, Keystep and Keystep Pro. These dont make any sounds, but they do play nice with others!
- Korg SQ-1 and SQ-64
- Novation Circuit Tracks: This Groovebox which is the followup to the original Novation Circuit includes build in sounds, a drum machine and can sequence up to 4 external instruments, making it a fantastic beginner device.
Mixer
Some devices such as the Roland TR-8 or Novation Circuit Tracks have inputs allowing you to connect other devices into them, but most devices only have an ouput, so once you have 2 or 3 bits of hardware then you would require a mixer to bring them alltogether. For a begineer setup, a small mixer with no more than 8 channels should suffice, but it is easy to grow beyond that in time. Also look out for some mixers with build in recording options. The Zoom L6 has quickly become a popular mixer/recorder for DAWless musicians.
Headphones and Speakers
When I started in DAWless I repurposed an existing HiFi with an audio input for the speaker setup. In time you may want to use some dedicated monitor speakers such as the Eris Presonus 3.5 . Depending on your environment you would also likely want to procure some comftable and great sounding headphones. There is no reason to skimp on the investment of quality headphones.
Cables and Ancillaries
To connect the hardware elements sequencing together will require MIDI cables and for the Audio you will require TS or TRS cables. Different equipment uses different formats and sizes of cables, so you will no doubt end up with quite a collection. More so if you head in Modular or Semi-Modular direction.
Beginner DAWless Advice
As well as the sounds you make, a DAWless setup often focusses a lot on the workflow. Which device connects to what? Which sequencer will you use – separate on each synth – or one master sequencer to rule them all, such as Digitakt to control different hardware. How will you bring the sounds together, via a mixer, or feeding inputs into other synths to use their ducking FX for example. The options can start to get limitless. So this leads us to our tips:
TIP #1: Start Small
Do not try to buy everything at once. Focus on one, two or at most three pieces of gear and learn them deeply. Make sure to try to understand every parameter and feature inside out. It is too easy to think, oh if I just had Synthesizer X, then I could make this certain sound that I need! But where does that lead, chasing further and further purchases, where often you could make the same or similar sounds with the devices you already have.
TIP#2: Read the Instructions*
Take the time to go through the manuals to learn the features of the gear.
*Except Behringer, they seem to write the most basic manuals that barely list the feaures, for these you need to head straight to TIP#3 YouTube for the tutorials!
TIP#3: Youtube Tutorials
There are many videos online created by the DAWless comunity to help explain the hardware, including those on our DAWless channel
TIP#4: Embrace Limitations
Each hardware device by its very nature has limitations. But this is what can lead to the happy sonic accidents. Connecting up hardware together can bring these unexpected results to take you in new directions.
Getting Started in DAWless
So what are you waiting for? Start exploring the resources to being your DAWless journey.