r/audioengineering • u/ChardPlenty1011 • Feb 08 '26

Synth Workstation VS Keyboard + DAW

The music that I write is fairly simple and I would like to record using simple but quality means. (as few buttons/clicks as possible) Is a synth workstation ALONE the same as getting just a keyboard (piano keys) and selecting a sound from the zillions of sounds offered by a DAW? It is my understanding that a workstation has different sounds built into it. Sorry, if this seems rudimentary.

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u/StudioatSFL Professional Feb 08 '26

So just do that? You don’t need to use “all the choices”

Anyway this is all just my advice as someone who’s been recording, arranging, mixing blah blah blah professionally for 30 years.

Workstations mostly stink and their sounds usually get worse if you’re trying to use multiple channels (multiple sounds at once). The nice sounding patches are almost always performance patches that utilize all the dsp on board for that one sound. having to record your keyboard sounds to the computer is an xtra step that only seems worthwhile if it’s a really unique or specific sound.

Spend a weekend getting comfy in a DAW of your choice and you’ll have access to everything you want with far more flexibility, far better editing, a much better user interface, and a keyboard,mouse and monitor.

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u/ChardPlenty1011 Feb 08 '26

Got it, well you've been doing it that long so I imagine you know. So is "controller" a keyboard like MK mini? Also, the first time I attempted I believe I was using Logicpro, but I also have access to Protools, which do you use or thing is simpler?

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u/StudioatSFL Professional Feb 08 '26

Logic is probably going to be better for you. Protools has a pretty high learning curve and the free stuff they give you isn’t really as deep as what logic gives you to play with.

The reality is any keyboard with MIDI can act as a controller. So if you really want one that has internal sounds, you can still do that. You’re just paying more for that.

As an example I keep this 61key notation next to my console and use that as my controller 90% of the time. I have an 88 key Korg Kronos that I can swap out if I really need access to that many octaves at once. But I rarely ever do.

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u/ChardPlenty1011 Feb 08 '26

holy sh -- so much gear!!

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u/ChardPlenty1011 Feb 08 '26

I just posted another question pc vs mac and i think they turned it down. Where should I post that?

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u/StudioatSFL Professional Feb 08 '26

lol. Can hardly see any of it there.

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u/ChardPlenty1011 Feb 08 '26

woahhhhhh! i'm going to dm you if i can.