I'm trying to decide which DAW to learn first and I'm overwhelmed by all the options. I've heard good things about FL Studio, Ableton, Logic, and Reaper, but I don't know which one to start with.
What I really need are good DAW tutorials for beginners that actually teach you how to use the software properly, not just how to make one specific beat. I want to understand the workflow and all the basic functions.
Are there any YouTube channels that specialize in music production software tutorials for different DAWs? I'd like to see comparisons and maybe try a few before committing to buying one.
Also, are there any free music production lessons YouTube that focus specifically on DAW basics? I'm willing to put in the time to learn properly if I can find good resources.
I'm trying to decide on a DAW too! For DAW tutorials for beginners, I've been watching a lot of In The Mix" for FL Studio. He has a complete beginner's guide that's really thorough.
For Ableton Live, "Sadowick Production" has an amazing beginner course that's completely free on YouTube. It's one of the best music production software tutorials I've found.
If you're considering Logic, "MusicTechHelpGuy" is the go-to channel. His Logic Pro X 101 series is legendary in the community.
What type of computer do you have? That might narrow down your options since some DAWs are Mac-only.
For Reaper tutorials, Reaper Mania" is absolutely essential. Kenny Gioia has created what's basically a complete free course on Reaper through his YouTube channel.
For Pro Tools, "Pro Tools Expert" has great beginner content. They cover everything from basic setup to advanced techniques.
If you're looking for free music production lessons YouTube that cover multiple DAWs, "Production Music Live" has content for different software. They often show how to achieve the same result in different DAWs which is really helpful for comparison.
Have you tried any demo versions yet? Most DAWs offer free trials so you can test them out before buying.
For Cubase tutorials, Dom Sigalas" has some great content. He's a professional composer who uses Cubase and shares a lot of useful tips.
For Studio One, "Joe Gilder" from "Home Studio Corner" has good tutorials. He's switched to Studio One recently and shares his learning process.
"Musician on a Mission" has DAW-agnostic content that's really helpful for understanding concepts that apply to any software. Their music production basics YouTube content is great for beginners.
What's your budget? Some DAWs are much more affordable than others, especially for beginners.
For Bitwig Studio tutorials, LNA Does Audio Stuff" has some great content. She's very knowledgeable about Bitwig and electronic music production.
If you're interested in free DAWs, "Cakewalk by BandLab" is completely free and has a good community. There are tutorials on the BandLab YouTube channel.
"Udemy" often has sales on DAW courses, but you can find a lot of free music production software tutorials on YouTube that cover the same material.
What type of music do you want to make? Some DAWs are better suited for certain genres or workflows.
For electronic music production, Ableton Live is really popular and has tons of tutorials. Underdog Electronic Music School" has great Ableton content focused on electronic genres.
For FL Studio, "In The Mix" and "Busy Works Beats" have tons of tutorials. FL Studio is particularly popular for hip hop and electronic music.
If you're into more experimental music, "Mr. Bill" uses Ableton and Bitwig and has incredible tutorials on sound design and creative workflows.
Have you considered what kind of workflow you prefer? Some DAWs are better for linear recording, others for loop-based production.