Recording Without a Daw – Here’s How

Using a DAW has been the most common way to record audio for a long time. However, that can make things overly complicated in certain situations. In other cases, you might want to record without a DAW for creative reasons. If you’re looking for solutions for such cases or want to be inspired by alternative ways to record, read this blog post to find out how to handle various recording situations without a DAW.

Boss RC-600 Loop Station

We’ll take a look at various solutions and tools such as portable recorders for on-location recording. We’ll also show you how compact multitrack studios can help improve your podcasting and streaming workflow. And for the synth fans among you, we’ll also explore hardware production setups for synths. Last but not least, we’ll look at loop stations, which can be a creative recording solution for live performers.

Desktop-Loopstation Boss RC-505 MKII

Portable Recorders: Simply hit record!

No matter if you’re conducting interviews for a radio show, recording nature sounds for video overdubbing, or looking to use field recording to capture creative samples: To use a DAW for any of these applications, you’d need to carry at least a laptop, an audio interface, and one or two microphones. In cases like these, it is much easier to record without a DAW using a portable recorder such as the Zoom H4essential. From an SD card recorder to built-in stereo microphones and a speaker to a limiter that prevents clipping, it offers everything you need to record in a compact package – at 24 bit / 96 kHz studio quality. Moreover, it offers two XLR inputs for connecting additional microphones. During playback, you can adjust the playback speed and apply pitch correction. The high-contrast display lets you keep an eye on all important recording parameters. With a portable recorder like this, you won’t miss your DAW while recording on the go.

Zoom H4n Pro Black

Sometimes, however, you might need more features while still requiring a compact solution. That can be the case if you’re recording audio for video shoots. For this application, a portable recorder such as the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II is a good choice. It allows you to connect four microphones to its XLR-1/4” combo jacks and offers an additional 1/8” input for aux signals or another microphone. The Mixpre is particularly well-suited for use with video recordings, as it can both generate a timecode and process the one from the camera. Moreover, it includes a mixer function and can be remotely controlled via an app. Thanks to 76 dB of preamp gain and low self-noise, you can record even the quietest of sounds. And you’re not limited to recording onto an SD card, as the Mixpre also functions as a USB audio interface, working seamlessly with your DAW. It provides you with 8 inputs and 4 outputs.

Sound Devices MixPre-6 II

Multitrack Studios: From Recording Bands to Streaming

If you’d like to make more complex multitrack recordings without a DAW and don’t want to make do without a mixer, a digital compact studio like the Tascam DP-24 SD is a great choice. This classic among hardware multitrack recorders uses an SD card and can record up to eight tracks and play back 24 tracks simultaneously. Especially when you want to record multiple tracks simultaneously, you’ll find that the color display, 19 faders, and EQ and pan knobs will help you achieve a good mix even during recording. An auto punch feature allows for easy overdubs without a DAW. This way, you can polish up your recordings. Locator markers make working without a DAW especially convenient. In addition to dynamic processing, the portable studio even includes guitar multi-effects and mastering tools. With the Tascam DP-24 SD, you can complete an entire music production project without ever needing a computer-based DAW.

Tascam DP-24 SD

Podcasting and streaming is a different world altogether. A podcasting studio like the Rode Rodecaster Pro can be very helpful, especially if you often have guests on your show. Need to connect four condenser microphones that require phantom power? No problem. To ensure your guests feel comfortable, the Rodecaster Pro lets you make a separate headphone mix for each participant. It also features assignable pads for firing off jingles and sound effects. This way, you can concentrate on the conversation while launching the appropriate sounds at the push of a button. To bring in a guest over the phone, use the mix-minus feature. It ensures that callers don’t hear their own voice with a delay in the mix. The compact studio is easy to use as it can automatically adjust the microphone gain. And because it also works as an audio interface, you can also use it to record voiceovers, vocals, and instruments in your DAW.

Podcast Productionstudio Rode Rodecaster

DAWless Tracks: Music Production with Hardware Synthesizers

Recording software or hardware synths in a DAW is usually accomplished via MIDI. But with the built-in hardware sequencers of some synthesizers, you can go a step further. For example, the Teenage Engineering OP-1 is a super-compact workstation that offers plenty of recording capabilities. You can record the internal synth and drum sounds onto eight virtual recording tapes with four stereo tracks each and a maximum recording time of six minutes. What’s more, there are four different recording modes to choose from: Studio, Vintage, Porta, and Disc Mini. Besides recording synths and beats, you can use the OP-1 to record your own samples with a maximum recording time of 160 minutes. And with up to 24 hours of battery life, it’s perfect for extended recording sessions at the hotel, on the train, or at the lake on a warm summer evening.

Teenage Engineering OP-1 field

The “MPC” in AKAI Professional MPC X SE stands for “Music Production Center,” a production machine that doesn’t require a computer and DAW. It can do everything from programming drums to making your own samples to recording external instruments and vocals. The 16 drum pads are perfect for making beats, and you can really get creative with the sample chopping feature. The PAD Perform feature makes it easy to find chords and scales for your melodies. The MPC comes loaded with 10 GB of internal sounds. Thanks to a large touchscreen, it is easy to use. Another highlight of the MPC X SE is the option to connect MIDI controllers via Bluetooth for an even more hands-on workflow – all without a computer and mouse.

AKAI Professional MPC X SE

Creative Recordings in Live Situations: Loop Stations

Ed Sheeran is known for his live looping performances during which he builds up complete songs layer by layer. As a former street musician, he knows how to use just his voice and a guitar to lay down the basic tracks of a song to sing and play over. You can do the same with the Sheeran Loopers Looper +. From a colour screen to Loop Status LEDs to Undo, Reverse, and Fade features, it offers everything that makes a looping fan’s heart beat faster. Get creative and record up to 180 minutes of music in up to 128 separate loops. In Single Mode, you can record unlimited overdubs onto a single track. Multi Mode offers two tracks. Sync Mode allows you to combine two tracks of different lengths while ensuring that they stay in sync. And Song Mode offers two tracks, which you can use for different sections of a song. If you’ve pre-recorded loops externally, you can import them into the Looper + via USB. And last but not least, it also works as an audio interface – just in case you want to use your guitar or bass loops in a DAW after all. The best thing is that this loop station offers up to six hours of battery life, so it can handle long gigs without a hiccup.

Sheeran Loopers Looper +

But don’t worry! If this long list of features seems a bit much and you’d prefer an easy-to-use and compact device that offers the core features of a looper, check out the Harley Benton Mini Looper. It records up to 10 minutes of audio with unlimited overdubs. If you get creative with your guitar or bass and record percussive sounds, chords, melodies, and short phrases and interludes, even this simple looper lets you record complete songs. Your imagination is the only limit.

Harley Benton Mini Looper

YouTube Video Tutorials: Thomann Bedroom Producers

If you want to learn more about producing at home with or without a DAW, check out our YouTube Channel Thomann Bedroom Producers for many helpful tutorials and tips for a great sound.

Feedback: Recording without a DAW

When and where do you like to record audio without a DAW? Do you have any experience with the tools covered in this article? Share your tips for recording without a DAW in the comments!

Lawrence started playing the electric guitar because of his passion for rock music. Back in the day he played in a metal band, but now plays more for himself.

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