Yea what an idiot to not make this free proof of concept of a browser daw targeted at 20+ years power users
Other than some side project just for fun, I absolutely see no practical use, application, or function the app can provide that Ardour (which is already open-source and free if you compile it) isn’t going to do infinitely better.
The author isn’t an idiot, quite the opposite, it takes a lot of effort to write even a simple DAW.
But the product makes no sense. The target platform is totally in opposition to the needs the tool requires to fulfill its purpose.
It’s like those people who run DOOM on their smart fridge. The creator isn’t an idiot, it’s just a waste of time outside of saying ‘I did this’ and nobody is ever actually going to choose to seriously play the game with that way.
There’s no need to be snarky like you’re being, it’s possible to make points without coming off like an asshole.
I also need to note that users of free/cheap audio software can be some of the brattiest, most entitled and actively hostile users I've seen anywhere, based in my 20+ years on KVR, GearSpace, and other forums. Every dev in the space needs to have a thick skin and be ready for the "it would be great if only it..." to start rolling in.
Great to see people pushing the "envelope" of browser-based tech!
They probably wouldn’t find that “Logic—al”…
(I couldn’t help myself, I’m a Logic user and you wrote it for me :P)
You are saying this, not me.
Plug-ins are often the secret sauce for our workflows and styles, and prosumers/hobbyists dip into them as well. If your browser based DAW doesn't have, say, Izotope RX support, then that's a non-starter for a ton of people (especially podcasters). I'm not going to round trip between software on my computer and a browser based software, that's for sure. I don't have time for that nonsense.
Regardless of your opinion or how you feel about the above, your tone is needlessly hostile and unproductive.
Both they and I would both love to know if the developer behind this DAW has given any thought to how they might integrate with existing plug-ins such as VSTs, not an easy feat.
People far too often approach projects like this with "this app is only useful for me if it does x..." and I think that framing is poor when someone is just exercising their passion on a project. I'd personally respond with "great, go build your own that supports your plug-ins. Have fun."
Is it? I’m genuinely asking as someone who works in audio production. Plenty of people create tools for us in the podcast space, AI transcriptions for spoken word (premiere has a good one), new ways to automate typically manual processes for mastering, you name it. The thing is it is not a given that the person creating a solution has an audio production background and properly weighs the needs.
Plenty of engineers do work for or work directly for hospitals. Are you going to tell me that they might not overlook something a nurse or doctor might need? Because I assure you it happens in every industry when people come up with new tools and solutions, often because many actually don’t come from a strong background in the industry they’re making tools for. I value an outside perspective, don’t get me wrong. But it has its issues too.
It’s not uncommon and it’s fair for us technicians, the people these solutions are designed for, to ask questions.
I took it personally because all these hacker news retards want to nitpick a hobby project when a post like this (really cool, non-axios.com-tech-guy-libertarian-shit) shows up to feel like they have a big dick despite not being able to build something half as cool themselves
Of course, the Web based DAWs and plugins are young, but some big actors like Roland (see https://roland50.studio/), Ableton (see https://learningsynths.ableton.com/), Propellerheads (they ported to the Web their VST synth Europa), Antares (the real autotune VST is available in the online DAW soundtrap.com).
Real time recording is operational without any hassle on Mac OS, and with some driver configs on Windows or Linux. You need to calibrate "latency compensation", that will automatically adjust the live recording audio to existing tracks.
Yes, online DAWs are close to GarageBand for example, in terms of features. But they also have some advantages : automatic sharing of projects, some DAWS even allow synchronous collaboration à la Google Docs, sharing a project is just sharing a link, and working together on the same project becomes really easy, no hassle for storing the audio files. Publication to spotify/deezer/youtube/apple Music is a click on a button. Most DAWS can be used for free. Etc. It's just the target user profile that is different: while Pro Tools/Logic/Ableton will target studios and pro users, these online DAWS are more for less exigent, more online connected people. Most projects are electronic music, etc.
I use Logic Audio, and I also use online DAWs. I heavily used ampedstudio during the covid lock down with remote friends... Then we roughly recorded / mixed some song projects, then I polished the final version by re-importing the tracks in LOGIC, but this was really for fine tuning things... AmpedStudio and soundtrap (I did not try bandlab) are very capable online DAWS.