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Choosing the Best DAW for Music

Jul 18, 2024

Choosing the Best DAW for Music Production

Ways to Choose a DAW:

  • You can ask a chatbot
  • You can take advice from music producer friends
  • You can watch breakdowns of Bollywood songs

Parameters to Judge a DAW:

  1. Look and Feel
  2. Audio and MIDI Features
  3. Sound Effects and Plugins
  4. Workflow

Look and Feel:

  • Logic Pro: Transport control on top, sound library on the left, loop library on the right
  • Ableton Live: Track controls on the right, loop and sound library on the left
  • Cubase: Transport control at the bottom
  • Depends on personal preference, feels better with familiarity over time

Audio and MIDI Features:

  • Adobe Audition: Best for audio only, does not support MIDI
  • FL Studio: Simple automations, suitable for live performances and music production
  • Ableton Live: Complex MIDI operations, detailed user manual
  • Pro Tools and Cubase: Balanced support for audio and MIDI, popular in professional studios
  • Logic Pro and Studio One: Widely used in Mac and Windows-based studios respectively
  • Reaper: Best for low specification systems and economical
  • Mixcraft: Suitable in the initial phase, basic audio and MIDI features

Sound Effects and Plugins:

  • Logic Pro: 80GB sound library, high-quality stock effects
  • Ableton Live: Synthesized sounds, suitable for electronic beats
  • FL Studio: Drum samples for EDM and hip-hop-based production
  • Reaper and Mixcraft: Basic sound library, need external library for high quality
  • Logic Pro: Supports Dolby Atmos 3D music production

Workflow:

  • Loop-based workflow: Suitable for hip-hop and EDM (FL Studio, Ableton Live)
  • Linear workflow: Suitable for orchestra, jazz, blues, film songs (Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic Pro)
  • Ableton Live: Supports both workflows
  • Logic Pro and Mixcraft: Loop features, but with limited capabilities

Tools and Library:

  • Logic Pro: Mac-based, $200; 80GB sound library
  • FL Studio, Ableton Live, Cubase: Run on both platforms

Hardware and Software Support:

  • Computer specs do not bottleneck in professional studios
  • High load handling capacity (Pro Tools and Cubase)

Final Recommendations:

  • Choosing a DAW: Based on your music style
  • Major Software: Logic Pro, FL Studio, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Cubase, Reaper
  • Cheap and better Mac option: $75000 MacBook cheaper than a new Windows PC

Note: Choosing a DAW depends on individual needs and style.

Don't forget to comment below with the name of your best DAW!

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