I spent most of the day, testing procedures to complete projects.. DAW vs G70.

Combination of the two is excellent, any project can be done ,,, even with video.

Individually, is another matter..

Every project I did today with just the DAW (G70 used only to input note on/off midi data),

Took forever, and fine tuning a pain in the neck. After I completed a project in a DAW,

I did the same project with only the G70.. Time wise DAW projects were 10 times longer than the G70.

I even used short cuts with the DAW (audio loops to finish the project).

The last project I tested....I wrote a 4 layer patch. A blend of Acoustic piano/ Rhodes/ and string pad

The LA piano sound. I also wrote a manual bass to switch to when needed.

It took literary more than half an hour to set this combo with VST's (Split and layered).

Less than a minute on the G70 (including fine tuning the tones and EQ, and effects).

I had to go back and correct some things on the DAW project and add effects (another ten minutes).

Now it was time to locate and place in the DAW the tracks.. drums bass, guitar etc, also a drum fill in
spots.. also tried to have a proper ending with drums and bass.
this project took about another 45 minutes.

Mixdown and mixing another 10 minutes. .By the time it was completed it took over two hours.

Using just the G70,After I wrote my layered tone patch, I selected a style, edited the sounds
(make up tools), performed it and captured as a midi file..
I also did two more accent tracks as my intro and ending. Total time was about ten minutes.

I recorded it as a wav on my Tascam DR-07.

The quality of the projects were far better with the G70 over the DAW.

After today, I think I will scratch the path I was thinking, buying a high end laptop
and using Roland cloud subscription for my VST's. There still is advantage with multi track
recording (over dubs).. but for putting together sounds and a performance (midi).. No contest.

G70 will be my tool of choice.. PS: I already knew this going into todays testing..

Fran you won't get any argument from me. I don't do anything with audio, VST's etc. Not even vocals (for now.) So 90% of the doodads on the screen in Ableton, FL Studio, etc., are just an irrelevant nuisance. To me MIDI is still king, and that makes XG Works or just using the on-board sequencer a better choice.

If someone made a fairly simple MIDI sequencer GUI app for PC I could be tempted to change my tune (pun intended.) Maybe I'm a dinosaur but for my modest needs every DAW i tried was pure frustration. Open to suggestions.

A VST is no different to using an XG sound-set via XG works as they are both controlled by Midi, either by you playing the notes on the keyboard or via a sequencer.

Yes you can do audio in a DAW but you don’t have too.

If you just want to use VSTs without any extras (Like XG Works) just use a stand-alone VST Host such as Cantabile Lite

There also plenty of basic Midi sequencers out there just do a google search.

Bill

Vist and Daw can add to the sound --- I have no knowledge of either.

I enjoy using my time in what the keyboard offers. Not that it is better, but my choice is to use my time to create what is in me, the things I hear; how I can create my version of the song I am playing.
In my younger days I used Cakewalk – Sonar. Time changed many things.

John C.

Actually they work very well together..

If you want to edit or create midi or audio in any form, use your daw..
And then import it in your arranger keyboard workstation..

So much more pleasant and lots faster then using the tools inside a keyboard..



Your experience is probably based on the fact that you know the G70 inside and out, and the daw of choice not so well? Just spend more time on the right daw and you will get fluent in it...


Now, i can hear you think, the right daw?
Is there any difference?

Well, just dont try being creative on a daw like pro tools..
Its mostly build around mastering a final mix..

For simple midi and audio recordings, logic pro x is the way to go, for its lightning fast workflow..


Same for when you want to use VST’s as expansion to your keyboards
Dont use an expansive daw, but choose a simple VST host..


Each of them shines in certain aspects, while its out of place in others..

Bachus have you tried to use Mixcraft 9pro DAW..?

I tried Logic pro X and wasn't impressed..

https://acoustica.com/mixcraft

I don’t know Fran.., I have zero issues with efficiency using a DAW vs a keyboards onboard sequencer. I find the DAW to be considerably faster in the workflow. One very important advantage of the DAW is keyboard shortcuts. I can complete a drum track in less than half the time it takes on an arranger (and workstation) because of keyboard shortcuts. Also the flexibility in moving entire clips of data, something that greatly speeds up workflow.

A lot of it honestly falls down to how well you know your DAW, and the VST’s you’re using. The ability to run dual screens can’t be overlooked either. Having your main workspace on one with the Mixer set to full screen on the other (with a midi controller loaded with assignable knobs and faders).., well that’s just a little chunk of heaven right there.

Squeak is right. But, it appears he is using his daw enough to be completely secure with it’s features.

There in lies the problem. Today’s daws are so sophisticated, that if you don’t use them consistently...you tend to forget those features.

I for one use Cubase 10.5 and Mixcraft 9. If I don’t use either for a few weeks...it’s like starting all over. Maybe it’s my aging grey matter

Hey Dan,, If you look closer to the things I compared, I think you will see the G70 was faster.. Writing a sound program, adding effects , capturing a style performance via midi capture (way faster), adding and editing sound parameters and sequence data... and never touching a mouse..

That’s my point though Fran, and that is there doesn’t have to be a lot of mouse clicking either. Mapping controls isn’t just for the DAW. Many VST’s allow you to map controls to them as well. I can can open and close a VST, adjust parameters (including effects), and not touch the mouse. It’s like I said, it falls down to how well you know the DAW you’re using and the VST’s you have. Also.., many synth/workstations have preset templates built in for popular DAWS. My MOXF is a great example.

Sqk