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Want to jump right into making music? No problem! But first you are going to have to choose the right software to make it. Here's a roundup of the top 10 Digital Audio Workstations out there from good, up to great!
The.DAW.DEFINES.
HOW.YOU.Produce.
10 CM Software Suite $Free
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/
Who says you need to pay through the teeth for a great Digital Audio Workstation? No one Did!!! This great production magazine has been hard at work for a long time to bring its readers its own software suite for only the cost of a computer music magazine.
The amazing thing is that the suite is actually really good, and easily sits up here against some of the most expensive suites out there. Not only is it a great simple DAW but it is constantly update via the magazine and features free plugins designed by some of the biggest plug in creators out there.
If you are on a budget, you have got to check it out!
9 Tracktion $149
Buy Mackie Tracktion 2 Recording/Sequencing Software with Plug-In Bundle Here!
Tracktion is fairly new to the market which meant they were able to learn a lot from their competitors before they started development. The evidence of this is in their great software!
If you like sifting through endless menus and windows to make music, Tracktion might is not be for you. Based on a simple, single-screen interface, Tracktion is the fast, powerful, complete solution. Tracktion comes with all the power and plug-ins you'll ever need. So if you want to keep your music flowing--not locked in menus or limitations then this might be the perfect solution for you.
Tracktion represents a move away from the modal dialog boxes, multiple menus and cluttered windows common to most legacy MIDI sequencers and Digital Audio Workstations in favor of a streamlined, single-screen approach that presents the user only with the options they need for the task they are currently doing, such as editing audio, adjusting MIDI automation parameters, effects settings, etc. Both also are notable for the use of a more abstract visual style that does not attempt to visually replicate "real world" recording equipment or effects boxes. For any producers who enjoy a more minimal approach to making music and still want the power of a decent audio engine might want to check Tracktion out.
8 Audition $349
Buy Adobe Audition Here!
Adobe Audition has been around for a while, it used to be called Cool Edit Pro before Adobe bought it out. Like most other DAWS it features a multitrack editor, but it also features a Non-Destructive edit environment.
What helps set Audition apart from some of the other contenders are the great plugins that Adobe managed to get made specifically for Auditions, like the mastering plugins provided by Izotope. Izotope for those who don't know created the great Mastering Plug in, Ozone, plus the great sound distorting/mangling plugin, Trash.
This is a great solid tool, and also one to keep an eye on as we have all seen the quality that adobe consistently bring out.
7 Sonar $499
Buy Cakewalk SONAR 6 Producer Edition Here!
Sonar is a perfect example of a solid Digital Audio Workstation. It has all the features you would expect, runs smoothly, supports all the hardware you need and is a great production tool.
What makes sonar different and a contender for the top 10 are two new features recently added:
Active Controller Technology (ACT) is a feature that assists in the process of remapping parameters of MIDI controllers or surfaces. Having the ability to control effects and virtual instruments. It can be configured to support any generic MIDI Controller
AudioSnap is a tool that makes it possible to fix audio timing without slicing up or destructively editing audio tracks. It is possible to quantize one part at a time or an entire project. Instead of quantizing a whole clip, it is possible to split the clip into smaller pieces, or into beat-length pieces by using the Split Beats Into Clips command. If the succeeding beats in a clip do not line up with the grid, the clip can be quantized by using the AudioSnap Beats command, which will line up the beats in the clip with the grid
What do they mean? Essentially they mean you will make music faster, and with much less hassle. Plug in any MIDI controller and you can use any parameter in the software. Throw in any mp3 or sound clip and you can loop it, stretch it and play with it easily in real time.
6 Reason $399
www.propellerheads.se/
Coming in at a respectable number six is Propellerheads Reason, a production suite that I personally have developed a love-hate relationship with.
Reason is quite simply unlike any other Digital Audio Workstation out there. It is an all one on studio capable of as much as your CPU can handle.
The layout of Reason is what differs it from its counterparts. Reason emulates a studio rack. You add actual synth units, eq units, compression units in much the same way you would set up an actual studio. Even to the extent that you go behind the big rack and wire up the inputs and out puts of all the machines you create.
This gives you a fantastic hands on feel, great for anyone who likes that old school touch. However, Reason does not accept any other VSTS other then the ones made by propeller head.
Don't be fooled though, the VST restriction does not mean you cannot create any sound you are after with some careful work. Reason in a full fledged studio in a box and mastering aside, I know a tone of artists who have made some great commercial tracks using nothing but reason.
5 Fruity Loops $399Buy Image Line FL Studio 7 XXL Virtual Studio Here!
Image Line Fruity Loops, sometime known as FL Studio is a slick production environment with an absolutely killer user interface. This baby is smooth as you like it.
As you can probably imagine from its name, Fruity is based on using loops and patterns to build your tracks. A lot of producers find this pattern based approach feels a lot more at home then other types of sequencers and is how they used to working and gives them framework to make their tracks faster. Because of it's ease of use it can be easily used by new producers, but also used the it's limits by veteran producers.
Like a lot of the top contenders you can use other VSTS in this DAW, but fruity has everything you need to start and finish making music right out of the box.
4 Logic $999
Buy Apple Logic Pro 7.2 Here!
Apple Logic was initially owned by eMagic prior to an Apple buy-out. Back then it had a much stronger grasp on the Windows DAW market than it does today. However this was all but obliterated by Apple's buyout, which left the Windows version of the product orphaned from version 6 and up.
If you have a Mac then , Logic is probably going to be your tool of choice. Even though most of the other DAW's are compatible on the Mac, Logic is one of the few designed on the Mac, for the Mac. It features a slick interface and built in instruments and effect that make most PC users jealous.
The application also features distributed processing abilities, which can function across an Ethernet LAN. One machine runs the Logic Pro app, while the other machines on the network run the Logic node app. Logic will then offload the effects and synth processing to the other machines on the network. If the network is fast enough (i.e. gigabit Ethernet) this can work in near-real time, depending on buffer settings and CPU loads. This allows users to combine the power of several Macintosh computers to process Logic Pro's built-in software instruments and plug-ins
3 Cubase $799
Buy Steinberg Cubase 4 Here!
Steinberg Cubase is the choice for many serious producers with its no frill interface and clear work flow. It has been around since around 1989 in many iterations and has evolved with the industry and it's users from it's Atari background to new machines we have today.
Cubase works with RAW audio, Midi and VST instruments. It has low latency, great CPU usage and is very stable. In my opinion it only loses favor with me because of it it's interface. The main problem I have with the Cubase interface is the fact that it is often hard to find the command you want, and doesn't feel as natural as some of the other DAW's. Terminology used in Cubase can also sometimes be different from a lot of the other DAW's which tends to add to the confusion of using it. If you have the time to sit down, experiment and learn Cubase then it may definitely be worth your while but this may not be the best solution for a first time DAW.
2 Pro Tools $299 (M Powered) $495 (Pro Tools LE)
Buy Digidesign Pro Tools Mbox 2 Pro Bundle Here!
Buy Digidesign Pro Tools M-Powered 7.3 Recording Software Here!
There are some who might argue (and quite convincingly) that Pro Tools deserves to be number one on this list, but in my eyes it falls just short. That does not mean that this package has anything wrong with it at all. Pro Tools is quite simply the best production suite available (you will read why it only got number 2 soon).
Pro Tools is the industry standard, if you walk into a studio or mastering house you can bet they use Pro Tools. Why? It has the least latency, it's also just what it says, the most complete and most professional bundle in existence.
Every instrument that comes with Pro Tools is absolutely stunning and chances are, you won't need any other instruments even though it supports them.
The only thing that stops most users from using Pro Tools is the fact that if you want to use the Full package not only do you need to buy the Software, but you need to have a very expensive audio card compatible with the software.
1 Ableton Live $499
Buy Ableton Live 6 Music Software Here!
Ableton Live is my absolute favourite Digital Audio Workstation. It is very simple, but very powerful. Featuring inbuilt synths, drum machine, VST capabilities is stands up proud against the competition. Ableton Live represents a move away from the modal dialog boxes, multiple menus and cluttered windows common to most legacy MIDI sequencers and Digital Audio Workstations, in favor of a streamlined, single-screen approach that presents the user only with the options they need for the task they are currently doing, such as editing audio, adjusting MIDI automation parameters, effects settings, etc. Both also are notable for the use of a more abstract visual style that does not attempt to visually replicate "real world" recording equipment or effects boxes.
One thing however, gives Ableton Live the title as number one on this list.
Live.
Ableton was designed by DJ's and producers to not only be a great DAW, but also to an instrument that can be used on stage. The possibilities are endless! You can use it to DJ, and at the same time throw in some great loops, or a project that you have been working on the past week.
The other deciding factor for Ableton Live for me is the ease of using clips, loops or mp3's while producing new tracks. While live is running I can quite literally throw a new mp3 in, click a couple of buttons and have it playing beat matched right there in front of me. I cant tell you how useful that is.
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