Bitwig 8-track, getting it for free and limitations etc

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tavasti
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Bitwig 8-track, getting it for free and limitations etc

Post by tavasti »

Bitwig is multi-platform commercial DAW, also having linux-native version. Specially for electronic music it is said to be superb.

It has 3 versions (prices may be different for you, because your VAT might be lower): Studio (full version, 399€), 16-track (99€) and 8-track which is available with some devices, but luckily, there is also old link which seems to work: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitwig/comment ... _computer/
I tested, got Bitwig 8-track from there, registration works. Needs registration of account with working email.

8-Track has its limitations: max 8 tracks, max 8 scenes (for clip-launching mode, like Ableton Live), and it can have max 2 VST plugin instances/project. Meaning you are mostly limited to instruments and effects available in Bitwig itself, or you have to circumvent this limitation. I think your options are:

a) make track, and record it (8-track does not have 'bounce'), so you can remove VST and start working on next track
b) connect to external programs, for example run your plugins in carla. Audio connections need to be defined in setup, and there is 4/8 I/O bus limit, so even there you got limits. And for midi, Bitwig only shows Alsa midi HW devices. So to get midi from Bitwig to Carla, your options are
- have midi port in interface, and put midi cable from your interface going back to your interface (physical loop back)
- use virtual, see viewtopic.php?t=19707

See other limitations https://www.bitwig.com/feature-list-8-track/

For getting rid of that 2 vst limitation, 16-track version would be need, https://www.bitwig.com/16-track/

I personally ended up to conclusion these limitations and needs for tricks are not my thing, and uninstalled 8-track before even starting to learn it, but wanted to share my insights for everybody, in hope that someone else might find this helpful. I think we have few Bitwig users who can tell how great Bitwig is, and possibly even turn me back to re-consider :-)
Last edited by tavasti on Thu Apr 21, 2022 11:25 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and some comments

Post by Linuxmusician01 »

Thanks for clearing that up! I for one appreciate it. Considering the 10% inflation in my country and the insane energy prices this year I cannot buy (yet) another DAW. Not even for 99€. Thanks for pointing out that the free 8-track version is only suited for learning.
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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and some comments

Post by tavasti »

Linuxmusician01 wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:33 am Thanks for clearing that up! I for one appreciate it. Considering the 10% inflation in my country and the insane energy prices this year I cannot buy (yet) another DAW. Not even for 99€. Thanks for pointing out that the free 8-track version is only suited for learning.
Maybe you are bit over-extrapolating? Bitwig has its own synths, and sure, if you use recorded audio (self made or loops), I suppose it is suitable also for small production. And 2 tracks with freely chosen vst synths, and rest Bitwig-made synths, does not sound totally unusable. But sure, sounded one more extra limitation, and made me turn away. On the other hand, some people use limitations as a tool to be more productive: avoid option paralysis with limited options.

Sure, paying 99€ for company who makes linux-native DAW does not sound impossible thing, but right now spend my extra money to support Ukraine armed forces.

Edit: changed synth -> DAW :-)
Last edited by tavasti on Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by tavasti »

On facebook (linked this thread there) got this info:
Even in 16 track there is no sidechaning and no vst multi output

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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by glowrak guy »

First off, Ukraine winning the evil and tragic war against Europe, is indeed a priority. The demented russian dictator won't stop at Ukraine unless crushed on the battlefield, or removed ala Kruschev. There are field hospitals that need funding, among the other donation options.

As to Bitwig 8Track, it's OK to call it Bitwig Effects Rack instead, and use it's excellent effects and workflow
as a powerful toolbox or ampsim.

Another option is to load Carla Rack plugin as one of the two slots. I just tested, loading five plugins in a bitwigged Carla,
plugin names you all would recognize, commercial and freeware 8)
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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by sysrqer »

tavasti wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 6:58 pm On facebook (linked this thread there) got this info:
Even in 16 track there is no sidechaning and no vst multi output
I don't think the sidechain part is correct - https://www.bitwig.com/feature-list-8-track/
The two VSTs you're allowed in 8-Track can have sidechain feature so that should work, that's how I read it at least but I don't have a copy to test. More importantly, and much more powerful, is that it has the Audio Sidechain modulator. With this you can sidechain (modulate) any parameter with the shape of any audio signal.
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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by porzione »

16-track - VST multi-out and side-chain not supported, but unlimited VST https://www.bitwig.com/16-track/feature ... ison.html/
sysrqer wrote: Wed Apr 13, 2022 3:27 pm I don't think the sidechain part is correct - https://www.bitwig.com/feature-list-8-track/
The two VSTs you're allowed in 8-Track can have sidechain feature so that should work, that's how I read it at least but I don't have a copy to test. More importantly, and much more powerful, is that it has the Audio Sidechain modulator. With this you can sidechain (modulate) any parameter with the shape of any audio signal.

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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by oddy.o.lynx »

You can load Carla or other Plugin Host like Element and from there you can load more VST/LV2's.

At any rate I started with 8 Track and eventually upped to Full Version.
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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by tavasti »

oddy.o.lynx wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:52 pm You can load Carla or other Plugin Host like Element and from there you can load more VST/LV2's.

At any rate I started with 8 Track and eventually upped to Full Version.
Ok, thanks. On reddit there was also some very positive comments about Bitwig, maybe I have to reconsider and re-install that 8-track

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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by tavasti »

tavasti wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 9:47 pm On reddit there was also some very positive comments about Bitwig, maybe I have to reconsider and re-install that 8-track
Ok, I started to look at it, and indeed, Bitwig seems to have many cool features, even looking videos of 'Discover Bitwig' showed many

https://www.bitwig.com/learnings/discov ... tudio-117/

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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it and limitations it has

Post by tavasti »

I'll write here tips and observations from bitwig this far:

* youtuber Venus Theory has great video 'Bitwig 15 SWEET Tips Beginners Should Know' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQEnO0AagDw
* Bitwig is using exclusively midi controllers, which means a2jmidid has to be killed. a2jmidid is used to bridge alsa-midi to jack so that mixbus/ardour sees midi devices
* Bitwigs own synths available in 8-track aren't impressing me. At least on browsing presets for a while, nothing really impressive, but I might be spoiled with all the synths I have (I wasn't impressed with Vital factory presets). Did not even try to check how to use them for sound design. So conclusion is that need to use VSTs
* Bitwig file browser audition for midi files is with synth sound (some init patch), so selecting drum midi files won't work with it, see separate topic viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24451 I reported flaw to Bitwig, will see if that gets fixed some day.
* Touching clip launcher disables normal timeline arranger, and it has to be enabled again from these buttons, for all tracks od one track at the time
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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it for free and limitations etc

Post by sysrqer »

The built in synths and fx are in some ways barebones. The power comes in the containers they have and the modulators you can use with them. For example, the reverb has an fx section for both the tank and the wet so you can do some crazy things. I can see why the presets might not get your attention but they are very powerful devices when you dig into them.

Garron is another youtuber with loads of great in-depth videos which show the power of the devices and bitwig in general.
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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it for free and limitations etc

Post by porzione »

My biggest disappointment with Bitwig was the inability to rename notes. For example, drum names are only available for the built-in drum machine. I tried some workarounds from Reddit but nothing helped.
But I really like the user interface and I play with the 8 track version from time to time.

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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it for free and limitations etc

Post by WforWoollyMammoth »

porzione wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:33 pm My biggest disappointment with Bitwig was the inability to rename notes. For example, drum names are only available for the built-in drum machine. I tried some workarounds from Reddit but nothing helped.
But I really like the user interface and I play with the 8 track version from time to time.
Heh. I found myself recently being frustrated over this. Never thought I'd care much about such things, but it does make using external drum machine plugins feel clumsy. Bitwig really seems to be designed with a "you should just stick with the native devices" mindset. It has good plugin support, but it's almost as if there was... an attitude involved behind it all.
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Re: Bitwig 8-track, getting it for free and limitations etc

Post by WforWoollyMammoth »

I use Bitwig and I pretty much have it open on my PC all day. In many ways, it has even replaced JACK for me with its modularity. It's not just a DAW, but an environment to jam and try out things for me. I really like Bitwig.

Regardless, I just loathe these cut-down budget versions of DAWs. I understand that it's a part of the business plan for the company and if having these versions available generates profit, yeah, the companies are going to put these things out. They just feel like "crippleware" to me. It wouldn't cost them any extra to give the customers a version without the artificially introduced limitations included. If anything, coming up with the different versions and maintaining them all just adds to the costs. The 8-track version as a demo is okay, but the 16-track version is just pointless.
Last edited by WforWoollyMammoth on Thu May 05, 2022 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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