by Stefan Wyeth | 3,5 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 5 Minutes
Choose the best DAW

Which is the best DAW for you?  ·  Source: Steinberg / Avid

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Have you chosen the best DAW for your creative workflow? Most of us don’t have the time to try them all. So instead, let’s look at some tried and tested options and learn some of the basic differences between the DAW systems you’ll come across today.

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When you’re just starting out in music production, the range of DAWs available makes it hard to know which one to use. Moreover, when you don’t have much experience creating music, the tools you use can shape the direction of your approach.

This limitation is certainly the case with software. However, while DAWs all offer a similar set of features they each have strengths in different areas. So it’s important to find one that compliments your own creative process, allowing you to grow in the future.

Which is the best DAW for your music production workflow?

Each DAW has its own specific background as to how it was developed and some have become an intrinsic part of the music industry over the past 30 years. We’ll discuss some of the most popular DAWs available today, and hopefully, we can find one that suits you best.

We’ve chosen each DAW according to workflow, features, design philosophy, and price. With the idea of covering a wide scope of options, there are also alternative suggestions in each case. So be sure to check these out!

Reaper

It’s possible to find a decent DAW on the budget end of the market, and Reaper is a prime example of this. Since its introduction in 2006, Reaper has steadily built a following with professionals and home recording enthusiasts alike.

Almost every aspect of the workflow is customizable, and its one of the most resource-efficient DAW systems available. The entire download package (for Mac) is only 25MB, and it also offers compatibility with Windows and Linux.

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Apart from the included ReaPlugs 64-bit plug-in suite, Reaper also supports VST2, VST3, and AU. Additional features like oversampling allow you to run plug-ins at higher sample rates than your global setting and auto-bypass on silence lessens the strain on your CPU.

As an alternative, Bandlab Cakewalk is a free DAW with years of development behind it.

Reaper

Reaper

Apple Logic Pro

Although Apple bought it in 2002, Logic began as C-Lab Creator in 1987 on Atari ST which, in turn, evolved into Emagic Notator. As it developed, Logic became sought after for the power of its software instruments and effects, some of which were sold separately at the time.

These same Emagic instruments, like the ES1 and ES2 synthesizers, for example, are still part of Logic Pro today. Moreover, the amount of included content and overall creative power has always been an aspect that drew many users to the platform.

The accuracy of Logic’s audio features has gradually caught up over the years, and it remains one of the best value options for making music on MacOS.

If you like Logic’s workflow but aren’t a Mac user, check out Presonus Studio One as a possible alternative.

Apple Logic Pro

Apple Logic Pro

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Presonus Studio One 6 Professional Download
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Ableton Live

If you’re looking to make electronic music, Ableton Live is arguably one of the best-suited DAWs for this purpose. With the combination of easy-to-use plug-ins and the intuitive session view, it provides an excellent platform for formulating new ideas quickly.

Another area where Live stands out when compared to other DAWs is the way in which it interfaces with external hardware. In terms of latency, stability, and clocking flexibility it offers outstanding performance which is why it’s generally the preferred DAW for use on stage.

In addition, features like Racks and Max for Live bring a unique level of customization to its creative arsenal that certainly appeals to some users.

Another DAW with plenty of overlapping features, but a slightly different approach is Bitwig Studio.

Ableton Live

Ableton Live

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Ableton Live 11 Suite Download
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Reason

Reason Studios began as Propellerhead Software with offerings like ReCycle in 1994 and the cult virtual studio ReBirth RB-338 in 1997. With a visual approach to software instruments, Reason was launched in 2000 with internal MIDI sequencing capabilities.

It wasn’t until version 6 that Reason could in fact record audio, and features like Rack Extensions and VST support followed in subsequent versions.

The virtual studio rack lends itself to a different type of creativity, and being able to create your own internal audio and CV routings, as well as Combinator instruments has a unique sensibility.

If you aren’t taken with the Reason approach but you’re looking to make Hip-Hop or EDM, FL Studio is a great option used by many top producers.

Reason

Reason

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Reason Studios Reason 12 Download
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Avid Pro Tools

Pro Tools began as a basic 4-track digital production suite in 1991, with a separate editor and mixing workstation. The design philosophy was to replicate and exceed the recording quality standards set by SSL consoles and tape machines.

In addition, Digidesign began offering hardware integration with multiple linked DSP cards alongside Pro Tools, which meant that the processing demands weren’t reliant on 3rd-party computer technology.

This, among other features quickly defined Pro Tools as the industry standard recording system used in studios globally for any application. Today, faster chips mean we don’t rely on external DSP as much, but Pro Tools is still one of the most reliable DAWs available.

If Pro Tools isn’t for you, but you’re looking for a similar level of digital accuracy, check out Steinberg Cubase.

Avid Pro Tools

Avid Pro Tools

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Avid Pro Tools Studio Perpetual Download
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Which DAW do you use?

More about the Best DAWs:

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Image Sources:
  • Reaper: White Sea Studio
  • Apple Logic Pro: Apple
  • Ableton Live: Ableton
  • Reason: Reason Studios
  • Avid Pro Tools: Avid
Choose the best DAW

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31 responses to “Which is the best DAW system for your style of music?”

    Tchopp says:
    3

    I am happy with AUM on iPad.

    Panos says:
    10

    Renoise!!!

    GarageBand is a great quick starting point for me that I will then expect to logic if I’m getting the feels from my efforts.

    Don says:
    0

    Apple Garageband, love it.

    SA says:
    0

    Reaper for linear audio and mixing, but most of my creative work is done in MPC 2.0 (hybrid DAW with MPC Live hardware.

    I have a guitar background and was late to discover the MPC workflow, but it’s been the biggest improvement for me.

    Derrti. Mr. Derrti says:
    -8

    caustic goti back in the game. from just using a 202 Dr. groove.

    I really had no way of improving how I did more than just beatz before caustic.

    waitin’ for 25 years of caustic. is just amazing because it was my 1st solid mobile work flow of a d.a.w. and then to go from android to ipad.

    and with all the I candy iOS apps we have.
    with going d.a.w.less.

    u can’t really say daw is the only way for music production in 2023.

    it just happens to give a structure to a sound but dat sound can be generated from …. beakmaker3,
    if u say Steinberg gotta say “nuenudo”., and if u going mobile cubasis., n.i. native instruments., maschine., I mean…. developers r turning up on the creative juices daily on iOS apps more than Android even tho “g – stomper studio” give a caustic a good run for the money. and “n track studio” as well. too many sources of getting ideas out and down. cause sum of these even works on Android and iOS like zenbeats by Roland. and akai has the mpc “mpc pro 2” for iOS. all of these really have less need of a daw. depends on your reason and your input for what u have in mind as ideas. to your reason of output as how u want your sound to finally sound. to boost a gain ratio of 5 to 1 for mobile to daw is u can’t really compare unless u really dig deep and do your homework. which will show.

    Randy says:
    0

    you got to be smarter than the tools you use it’s not the software it’s the person.

    Troy Williams says:
    1

    I use MPC 2.0 software.. I mean I use 3rd party Vst plugins. But I guess it’s not considered a DAW

      SA says:
      0

      It may not be as widely known, but I think of it as a DAW, and it’s what I use most. It’s already great and they’re improving it all the time!

    Andrew says:
    0

    Reason to record and arrange then convert to stems and use Harrisons Mixbus for mixing

    Tim says:
    0

    Digital Performer always gets overlooked but it does everything one could want.

    Modern3 says:
    0

    Waveform and Reaper are worlds apart in capability and depth, and I do t understand the infatuation with Live.

    Jamie Fuller says:
    1

    LUNA 👍

    Alan in VA says:
    1

    Ardour for Linux. It comes free with Ubuntu Studio and AV Linux distros and is constantly being improved.

    Peter van Amstel says:
    0

    I’m using the MPC platform. MPC 2.0 on the PC with the MPC one as a controller. loving it!

    Alexis says:
    2

    Cakewalk – does pretty well everything other DAWs do and it’s free. Routing can be a bit of a mystery. I keep looking at other DAWs and then think, why would I change. I use it for EDM, ambient, spoken word and experimental. the one drawback is trying to connect a hardware mixer is a bit of a nightmare: routing again. but for now I am happy.

    Mike Shepherd says:
    0

    Samplitude pro X – got used to it and though I’d like to try something else I can’t be bothered with a steep learning curve to change now

    Brian says:
    0

    I use akai beats

    Kimbo says:
    4

    Cubase rules.

    Asato Maa says:
    3

    I use a Cakewalk by Bandlab for 10 years to make electronic and ambient. It’s free, looks good and simple to use.

    pixelwash says:
    1

    Bitwig works best…

    Svein Hansen says:
    1

    Digital Performer from MOTU

    Frank says:
    0

    Cakewalk is ideal for beginners tutorials and classes in DAW music editing since it’s the only DAW that has a free version with full functionality and no time-limit or annoying expiration pop ups.

    Zerox says:
    -1

    i dont wanna make every time a song, i just like to play my gear whit the features that give me a daw and the best to me is live no way!

    Gabriel Castellano says:
    1

    Cakewalk by bandlab

    mr.davis250 says:
    1

    fl studio 20 is the best bro…..

    Karrade says:
    0

    I use Samplitude Pro X

    Hex says:
    0

    I use Harrison Mixbus. Works well and is pretty intuitive. I’ve been using Mixbus since version 6. The upgrades since then have been solid.

    Patrick Thrasybule says:
    0

    *Production Software.
    Image-Line FL Studio v20.2 signature edition
    Ardour 7.5
    LMMS 1.30
    Zrythm 1.0.0
    Rosegarden 22.12.1
    MusE 4.1
    Renoise 3.4
    Mixbus32C

    Running a Linux DAW with FL in WINE.

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