The Digital Audio Workstation

Which DAW is the best? There are already so many to choose from:

Ableton, Pro Tools, Reaper, Garageband, Logic, Cubase?

What do you do? What do they all do? Download them all to test them out. That sounds like a lot of memory used up.

Before you jump in here’s what you need to keep in mind.

They all make/create music!

At their core, DAWs share the fundamental goal of music creation. Regardless of the software you select, all DAWs facilitate the arrangement, recording, editing, and mixing of audio and MIDI, giving birth to compositions that span genres and emotions.

Avid Pro Tools

I found it very easy to follow visually and they pack a lot into the layout. It is known to take a little longer to get used to but if you are planning to be in and out of studios, my guess is you will pick it up pretty quick. 

When I first started producing music you could purchase Pro Tools standalone, I believe I had the student version of Pro Tools 11. Now Avid offers a free version with 16 tracks of audio/midi and they have a subscription billed monthly.

A staple in professional studios, Pro Tools reigns supreme in audio editing and mixing. Its reputation for high-quality sound and seamless collaboration sets it apart. Its interface may require some adaptation, but once mastered, its fast editing and robust mixing environment make it a go-to for music engineers.

Garageband / Logic Pro

Another household name on the other end of the spectrum is GarageBand. Every Mac comes equipped with GarageBand and you can do a lot with it. Most bedroom producers get their start with this DAW. Super user-friendly and It is completely free you would be surprised at how effective it has been for some artists.

I bought my first Macbook Pro in 2013 and I rocked GarageBand for a couple of months before moving over to Ableton. As Ive mentioned most bedroom producers get their start with garage band and move up to its big brother Logic which a lot of household names swear by. Used by bands and DJs alike.

A macOS-exclusive offering, GarageBand is perfect for beginners and budding producers. Its user-friendly interface and pre-installed virtual instruments empower novices, while its integration with Logic Pro allows for seamless progression as skills evolve.

Building upon GarageBand's foundation, Logic Pro serves as a comprehensive DAW for advanced users. Its powerful MIDI capabilities and extensive plugin library make it a favorite for both bands and DJs, transforming ideas into polished productions.

Cubase 

Steinberg's Cubase, a veteran in the DAW domain, shines with strong audio and MIDI features. Trusted by artists for over three decades, it's a versatile choice suitable for everything from film scoring to electronic composition. When I purchased my ZOOM H1N it came paired with Cubase AI and Wave Cast. I dabbled around for a while and it definitely has a lot of excellent features. It looks similar to Reaper and that made it easy to dive right in. They have an excellent video series on Youtube.

Reaper

This is my favorite DAW, the one I use the most. It is super versatile and has a lot of what you are looking for already built-in even Auto-Tune! Reaper stands as a lightweight yet powerful option, catering to low-spec systems. Customizability and affordability are its strong suits, with regular updates and an active community. Its flexibility might initially overwhelm newcomers, but it's an excellent investment for those seeking efficiency without resource strain.

I learned a lot in college about Reaper but the Reaper Blog on Youtube exposed to me how versatile it really was, you even edit videos. Check out the Reaper blog below.

Ableton Live

This is everyone’s favorite DAW. Loved by artists across many genres. Ableton offers a very unique interface and the ability to loop ideas quickly in the session view and drag them into the arrangement view for assembly. You can create it quite quickly!

Ideal for electronic music and live performances. Its versatility in MIDI and audio manipulation, combined with exceptional time-stretching capabilities, make it a favorite among DJs and producers. While its learning curve might be steeper, its creative potential is boundless.

I would often battle with Ableton when trying to find or use certain features that are standard in DAWS across the board such as pitch and timing stretching. It has a very minimal look yet is jammed with a lot. It wasn’t until I found an electronic music producer called Taetro who works strictly in Ableton, that I was able to finally wrap my head around it. Here is a link to Taetro’s Ableton series.

The question of which DAW is the "best" is akin to asking an artist which brush is the best for painting. The answer lies in your individual preferences, goals, and workflow. Consider the genre you wish to specialize in, your level of expertise, and your hardware resources.

What are your musical goals, preferred workflow, and budget when making your choice? Don't hesitate to explore free trials and demos to get hands-on experience before committing to a particular DAW. Happy music-making!

A Blog by

Christopher Grehan

Clovermind Music LLC