Intro to Creation Templates: Build Your Own Songwriting Environment
Organise your go-to sounds, tools, and workflows into a ready-to-use creative space.
Whether you’re starting a fresh beat, sketching a topline, or diving deep into a mix, having a personalised DAW template can be the difference between inspiration and frustration. A good template doesn’t make the song for you, but it does get you to the good part faster.
Let’s explore how to build one, what to include, and why it’s one of the best habits you can form as a producer or songwriter.
Why Templates Matter: Reduce Decision Fatigue
Every click counts. When you open a blank DAW session, you're met with hundreds of micro-decisions: what BPM? What virtual instruments? How many tracks? Where's that one drum kit again?
Templates eliminate these friction points. By setting up your favourite sounds, routings, and workflows ahead of time, you allow more brainpower to go into the creative choices, not technical setup.
Think of it as building your own studio assistant, one that knows exactly how you like things set up.
What to Include in Your Template
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. Your template should reflect your process and your sound. Start with what you use most:
Instruments & Libraries: Pre-load your go-to VSTs i.e. 808 kits, piano libraries, synths, or EZDrummer tracks. Set them up with your preferred presets, tunings, or effect chains.
MIDI & Audio Tracks: Create a mix of MIDI and audio tracks based on how you typically work. If you're a vocalist, have a ready-to-record audio track with your favourite mic chain preset.
Folder Stacks & Markers: If you're using Logic, take advantage of Track Stacks to organise instruments (e.g. Drums, Pads, Leads), and set markers for typical song sections (Intro, Verse, Chorus). These are lifesavers for sketching and arrangement.
FX Chains: Drop in bus tracks for reverb, delay, and parallel compression so they’re ready to go when inspiration strikes.
Keep It Lean: Avoid CPU Overload
It’s easy to overload your session by packing it with too many instrument tracks or heavy plugins. Two key strategies:
Freeze MIDI Tracks: In Logic or Ableton, freezing tracks can save massive CPU resources without sacrificing sound quality.
Commit to Audio: For heavier instruments, bounce them to audio early. Not only does this reduce load, but it also helps you make creative decisions faster.
Remember: your template should support the flow, not bog it down.
Evolve As You Go
You don’t need the perfect setup from day one. The more you produce, the clearer your preferences become. Update your template as you evolve; swapping out instruments, refining FX chains, or adding workflow improvements.
A simple way to track changes: save versions. Use a format like
YYYY-MM-DD Production Template or Songwriting Template v1, v2, etc.
Backups & Cloud Sync
Templates are valuable, treat them like gold. Save them in a folder that syncs with Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud. If you accidentally overwrite something or switch machines, your setup is still safe.
Most DAWs Let You Save Templates - Use That to Your Advantage
Nearly every major DAW offers a way to save your current session as a template. This means you can preserve your ideal setup; instruments, routing, effects, markers, and more and reuse it every time you start a new project.
Whether you're using Logic, Ableton, FL Studio, Cubase, or another platform, take a moment to explore how templates work in your software. It’s a built-in feature designed to save time, reduce repetitive setup, and keep you focused on making music.
If your DAW doesn’t have a dedicated template feature, simply create a starter session and duplicate it whenever you begin something new.
Final Thought: Make the Template Work for You
Your DAW is your canvas, and your template is your brush kit. Keep it familiar. Keep it flexible. As you develop your sonic identity, your template should grow with you.
Because the best workflow is the one that gets out of your way.
