Welcome to my exploration of the best digital audio workstation (DAW) to pair with the Yamaha Genos arranger keyboard. If you’re like me and love to create music, finding the right DAW can significantly enhance your workflow and overall experience. Join me as I share my firsthand experiences with several DAWs and reveal my ultimate choice.
The Quest for the Best DAW Begins
A few weeks ago, I set out on a mission to connect my Yamaha Genos to my computer, diving into the world of MIDI and audio editing. I downloaded several DAWs, each with its own unique features, hoping to discover which one would become my go-to software. I tried out a cut-down version of Ableton Live that came with my M-Audio Hammer 88 MIDI controller, a limited version of Cubase AI that came with my audio interface, and I also installed Cakewalk by BandLab and Harrison Mixbus. Here’s the rundown of what I tested:
- Ableton Live
- Cubase AI
- Cakewalk by Bandlab
- Harrision Mixbus
- Reaper
To my surprise, I found value in all of them—except for Reaper, which I uninstalled shortly after installing it. However, I soon realized I needed to give it another shot, and that decision led me to my DAW of choice.
My Take on Ableton Live
With my new M-Audio Hammer 88 MIDI controller came a fantastic software bundle, including Ableton Live. I was excited to test out the included VST instruments, and Ableton delivered a solid performance. However, as a composer and publisher, I quickly realized that its loop-based workflow didn’t quite fit my style. I need a more linear approach, so I moved on.
Revisiting Cubase AI
When I purchased a Steinberg audio interface, I received a coupon for Cubase AI, along with a tempting upgrade offer to the Elements edition for around $70. I had used Cubase years ago and hoped that the wealth of YouTube tutorials would help me master it again. While I have a lot of experience in music production, I found Cubase cumbersome and less intuitive than I remembered. It worked great on a dual 4K monitor setup, but it didn’t mesh well with my workflow, so I decided to keep looking.
Discovering Harrison Mixbus
As someone who enjoys working on Linux, I was eager to try Harrison Mixbus on both my Linux workstation and Windows 10. My experience was generally positive, but I hit a snag with the Yamaha Genos’s MIDI patch changes. Since Cubase is owned by Yamaha, it handled this complexity with ease. I attempted to create the necessary MIDI files myself, but without a way to name my settings, it became too cumbersome to manage. So, I pressed on in my search.
Nostalgia with Cakewalk by BandLab
My journey took a nostalgic turn when I revisited Cakewalk, a software I once used in a small recording studio back in the late ’90s. However, I was disheartened by its interface, which felt outdated and uninviting. Without feeling comfortable in the environment, I uninstalled it before truly giving it a chance.
Reaper: The Hidden Gem
Initially, I dismissed Reaper due to its outdated appearance, but after watching a YouTube video showcasing its revamped interface, I decided to give it another chance. I was blown away! Reaper now sports a sleek, polished look reminiscent of Logic Pro, leaving behind its previous 1985 aesthetic.
Seamless Integration with Yamaha Genos
The real magic of Reaper lies in its seamless communication with the Yamaha Genos. I love how it allows me to access raw MIDI data easily—something that other DAWs often obscure. With just a couple of clicks, I can view program changes and tweak settings without a hassle.
When it comes to audio quality, Reaper exceeds my expectations, offering far more than I’ll ever need. Its flexibility and user-friendly design have transformed my music production experience.
Conclusion: Why Reaper Became My Go-To DAW
After testing various DAWs, I’ve come to the conclusion that Reaper is the best choice for pairing with the Yamaha Genos. Its intuitive interface, powerful capabilities, and seamless MIDI integration have made it my top pick. Whether you’re just starting your musical journey or looking to refine your craft, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Reaper a try.
Stay tuned for more insights and tips as I continue my adventures in music production with the Yamaha Genos and beyond!
I came across your website tonight while trying to find an answer to this question:
“Is there anyone out there who’s successfully using a Yamaha arranger keyboard hooked up to Reaper?” — and I am delighted to read your articles. You’ve given me courage to connect my Tyros 5 to Acer laptop using Reaper. (Hope it works as well as your Genos to Behringer to Dell workstation.) Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the wonderful article, Ernst. I own a Genos but can’t figure out how to record MIDI in Cubase Artist 8. It’s so convoluted and the resources are non-existent, as far as I can tell. At this point, I have to record my Genos using the onboard MIDI recorder, and then import the MIDI file to Cubase for editing. Why doesn’t Yamaha offer a dedicated DAW for the Genos for use on a MAC or PC??? I’d pay decent coins for that :).
Are you saying that Reaper is pretty easy to use? Can the Genos be easily recorded in Reaper without all the techno-jibberish of Cubase? Thanks…
Hi there.
I have installed Cubase and played with it a lot. You are correct. It is tedious to use and just doesn’t “look” right on my 4K monitor.
So …. I decided to check out other software and settled on Reaper which has just released version 6. Reaper offers an unlimited trial and costs less than the Cubase update would.
If I were you, I’d download and install Reaper. Then make a simple recording to a USB stick and import that recording into Reaper (save on Genos, load on Reaper).
The “crime” seems to be on the Genos side. For some reason, the YAMAHA engineers removed the program changes as we are all used to and replaced them with their Hex code ones.
In Reaper, you can clearly see just the MIDI CC changes and edit them as well.
Learning a new piece of software is time consuming and at times frustrating but in the end, Reaper works. I have come to love it. It’s a clever and robust piece of software and with optional skins, it can look as good as Logic.
Check it out at https://www.reaper.fm/ and also the themes which are found in the resources section of that page: https://stash.reaper.fm/tag/Themes
I no longer use Cubase. Just connect the Genos via the USB cables (no MIDI cables needed) and everything works. Watch some of the YouTube videos to learn how to set the track in and output and you should be good to go.