Music Production: In-the-Box or DAW-less?

An extensive hardware-based set-up versus a laptop-and-DAW rig: what’s better when it comes producing tracks? It’s an endless discussion and guest-blogger Michiel Buisman knows that he couldn’t possibly settle it once and for all here. But, like he says, he’s smug enough to think he has something to add to the debate. Here goes.

In the Box

Going for the in-the-box route seems like the most rational choice. It’s much cheaper, much less time-consuming, doesn’t require a ton of space, is more versatile and, on top of that, it’s easier to undo tweaks and edits. There’s also nothing more fun than looking for new DAW plugins. On the downside, you’re going to have to deal with two pitfalls: updates and notifications.

Updates

Software updates are notorious for throwing carefully fine-tuned configurations out of whack and can make your favourite plugin presets bug out, or worse, mess with your laptop’s operating system (I’m looking at you, Apple). Annoyingly, the workaround is creating complete disk image snapshot backups and switching off the WiFi.

Notifications

Then there are notifications and other distractions. If you use your laptop or PC for both music production and pleasure, chances are you’re going to be distracted. We all know that a quick Instagram timeline check can easily turn into a two-hour scrolling session. The workaround? You guessed it: switching off the WiFi again.

Going DAW-less

The alternative route is doing away with that laptop altogether and going DAW-less. But what’s so great about it? Well, first of all, you don’t get any of the drawbacks that come with using software, even though some hardware (e.g. MPC controllers) also come with those pesky, random software updates. In addition, it shows that you mean business since building a hardware set-up requires time, money and dedication.

Closed Mode

Then there’s the concept of open and closed modes, here explained by none other than the legendary John Cleese. If you’re wondering what management concepts have to do with music, well, the answer is everything. Live performing and working with comprehensive audio systems demands serious management capabilities, but that’s a story for another day. If you’re on the computer, it’s tempting to go into closed mode: assessing, prioritising and decision-making. Call it ‘rational’, ‘been-there-done-that’, a closed mindset or whatever…they ain’t fooling me!

Open Mode

Hardware more or less forces you into open mode, which is all about curiosity, experimentation and happy little accidents. While it may not be that efficient or wise to create presets by faffing with patch cables and painstakingly tweaking a small army of knobs and sliders, there’s nothing that beats that hands-on feel.

The Mental Model

There’s one more thing and that’s the mental map you create in your head. Using a DAW, you get an easy overview of everything. Running hardware, you need to be deeply aware of every cog in the wheel. When you start twisting those knobs and getting into the groove, it’s almost like you and the machine become one. Your head’s in the hardware and the hardware is your head. There’s a direct feedback loop, and you don’t get that to the same extent using a computer.

Music Production: In-the-Box or DAW-less?

Choosing is Easy

Choosing between hardware and software is actually less complicated than it seems. In fact, you don’t have to fully commit to one or the other. You can easily mix-and-match and it’s arguably best to achieve results in different phases. Whichever road you choose, what matters is that you’re aware of the pros and cons so you can use the pros to your advantage and use workarounds for the cons.

Authentic Intelligence

The future is already here. We’ve got AI-based tools that are able to create entire songs, and soon, they might do it better than us mere mortals ever could. If you’re struggling to make up your mind, then you might want to look into authentic intelligence (or something similar). This way, you won’t become irrelevant as quickly.