Writing music in DAW: what's your workflow?

Question

I'm just curious how people write music in DAW when they have no input MIDI devices. Piano roll isn't particularly convenient to write music, and built-in score editors seem to be so so, too.

I used to write notes in Guitar Pro and then export it as midi and import in my DAW. However, I find this approach increasingly inconvenient as I'd like to be able to edit notes in place.

I've heard one can use external editors by means of VST and synchronize data between them and DAW.

So how do you usually write down your notes when you have no real input device? Do you use piano roll or built-in score editor or something? And what DAWs do you find the most convenient for this process?

Answer 1

Maybe there's a 'virtual keyboard'. Else you'll just have to do what musicians have always had to do, write marks on the (virtual) paper. As you say, all sequencers have a 'piano roll' method, some have a notation one. Would an 'external editor' offer anything that wasn't in a good DAW?

Answer 2

basically my workflow is simple,

1. Chords,
2. Melody,
3. Layering the melody and chords,
4. Adding main drums on it,
5. Put some fx,
6. Mixing
7. if overall is good, Mastering