20 Windows DAWs Worth Using
Most of the world use Windows computers, so the chances are you’re one of them. So if you want to produce music on your computer, what are your options? Fortunately there are a heap of them – most of the big name digital audio workstation software works fine on Windows, and they’re not your only choices. So sit down and take a menu. We list the “big gun” software you can choose from, some inexpensive (less than $100) alternatives, and a few free options.
Sometimes the last thing you need when you’re making a choice is more options! But personally I prefer to know what the alternatives are before making up my mind – especially when it potentially costs a lot of money. I’d really appreciate comments of your own experiences. Feel free to let us know which programs you’ve used, how easy they were to get your mind around, and whether they have the features you needed. I’ll add many of your comments to the 2012 version of the list.
The Big Guns
If you’re serious about producing music, you’ll want to invest in the best software you can afford. Here are eleven of the top DAWs, ranging in price from $200 all the way up to $1000. We start with the DAWs we tend to focus on here at Audiotuts+ (the only one missing is Apple’s Logic Pro, which only works on Macs), then branch out to six other popular and powerful alternatives – including a few that are relatively new.
Avid Pro Tools 9
$595 at Amazon
“Power, creativity, and flexibility in the world’s most advanced audio production platform.”
“Whether you’re in a professional facility, home studio, or on the road, nothing gives you the quality, speed, capability, ease, and inspiration to create like Pro Tools, the most widely used audio creation/production system in the industry. With Pro Tools 9, you can compose, record, edit, and mix music and sound for picture the way you want—with a high-performance Avid audio interface or without, on a Mac or PC, and with more flexibility than ever.”
With Pro Tools 9 you no longer need to purchase Digidesign or M-Audio hardware in order to get it. There is now a software-only option, which is great news.
Explore Pro Tools at Audiotuts+:
Image-Line FL Studio 9
$279 (Signature Bundle), $195 (Producer Edition) at Amazon
“FL Studio 9 is a complete software music production environment, representing the culmination of more than 10 years of sustained & focused development. FL9 is the fastest way from your brain to your speakers.”
Explore FL Studio at Audiotuts+:
Ableton Live 8
$395 at Amazon
“Ableton Live is about making music; for composition, songwriting, recording, production, remixing and live performance. Live’s nonlinear, intuitive flow, alongside powerful real-time editing and flexible performance options, make it a unique studio tool and a favorite with live performers. If you’d rather be “making music” than just “using music software,” Ableton Live is for you. Live 8, the latest version, includes a wealth of new techniques and improvements with a new groove engine, revamped warping, live looping, new effects, crossfades in the Arrangement View and a reworked MIDI editor.”
Explore Ableton Live at Audiotuts+:
- Ableton Live Tutorials
- Ableton Live Quick Tips
- Discover Ableton Live
- 17 Amazing Ableton Live Tutorials
Propellerhead Reason 5 and Record 1.5
$283 (Reason) and $169 (Record for Reason owners) from Amazon (or $387 for both)
“Reason is a virtual studio rack with all the tools and instruments you need to turn your ideas into music. With its generous sound bank and intuitive flow, Reason helps you along in creative process, and is the music software that never gets in your way.”
“Record gives you unlimited audio tracks, world class effects and mixing gear, and a whole new take on music recording. With an intuitive, straightforward interface and a hands-on approach to capturing performances, Record was designed for musicians – not audio engineers. This is recording done right.”
Explore Reason (and Record) at Audiotuts+:
Steinberg Cubase 6
$478.36 from Amazon
“With an array of sensational features and advanced tools designed to deliver the best and most harmonious results, Cubase 6 is your go-to audio workstation for recording, editing, mixing and producing music of all types. With its emphasis not only on technology and precision but also on user friendliness, usability and ergonomics, Cubase 6 empowers creative imagination to bring out the best in you. That’s why Cubase is the choice of countless musicians and producers around the world. That’s why Cubase 6 is the most advanced music production system today.”
Explore Cubase at Audiotuts+:
Another Six Popular DAWs
No website can cover everything, so at Audiotuts+ we limit our main focus to the applications listed above. That doesn’t mean the other alternatives are not worth considering. Here are six of them. Do you feel that we should be covering some of these?
- Cakewalk SONAR, around $350
- Sony ACID Pro 7, $229.30 at Amazon
- Adobe Audition 3, $411.91 at Amazon
- Magix Samplitude 11 Pro, $999
- PreSonus Studio One Pro, $299 from Amazon
Great DAWs for Less than $100
If you’re just starting out, or are on a tight budget, then you may not be ready to fork out $1000 for a software program – or even $200. Here are seven great quality apps that you can pick up for less than $100 (or just over $100 in one case).
Cockos REAPER 3
$150 (full commercial license) or $40 (discounted license)
“Audio production without limits.”
“REAPER is a digital audio workstation: a complete multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering environment.”
“REAPER is designed to let you work quickly and creatively, without imposing any artificial limits on what you can do. REAPER doesn’t have track types, busses, tools, or offline processing. If you want to create a drum bus, simply add a track above the drum tracks and press the folder button – the drums will automatically send to the folder, Once you get the drum levels and FX tweaked right where you want them, you can record the folder’s output to non-destructively freeze the drums and move on. ”
Renoise
Costs 58 EUR
“With Renoise you create loops, beats and melodies efficiently step-by-step. It’s a complete, expandable Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with a refreshing twist. Renoise is affordable, yet no corners have been cut in regard to features.”
Five Budget Versions of the Big Guns
FL Studio, Ableton Live, Cakewalk, Sony ACID and PreSonus Studio One have budget versions of their software for under $100.
- FL Studio 9 Fruity Edition, $98 from Amazon
- Ableton Live Intro, $95 at Amazon
- Cakewalk SONAR Home Studio 7 XL, $91.77 at Amazon
- Sony ACID Music Studio 8, $50.80 at Amazon
- PreSonus Studio One Artist, $101.34 at Amazon
For Free!
I enjoy checking out free software and comparing it with the more expensive alternatives, and have become very impressed with the quality of free software. Here are a few apps that cost nothing, but look like they perform admirably well. If you’ve tried any of them, please let us know your opinion in the comments.
Traverso DAW
“Traverso DAW is an audio recording and editing program which is very well suited to record a single voice, a band, an ensemble, a whole orchestra or any other source of music! Both the home and professional user will find Traverso attractive, it’s clean interface is easy to learn, and enables you to work quickly and efficiently!”
MU.LAB 3
“Enjoy making music.”
“MU.LAB is a hi-quality music application for Mac OSX and Windows, transforming your computer into a complete music studio! MU.LAB does not overwhelm you with a complex feature set, in which you can get lost. On the contrary, MU.LAB is a user-friendly yet rock-solid musical tool designed to create, finetune and play Your Music!”
Frinika
I wouldn’t call Frinika beautiful, but it seems functional. Being Java-based it works on most operating systems.
“Frinika is a free (licensed under GNU GPL) complete music workstation software containing sequencer, midi support, soft synthesizers, audio recorder, piano roll/tracker/notation editing and more. The goal of Frinika is to be a complete platform for making music with your computer, using the versatile Java platform to be able to run on several operating systems, and being open source to be able to embrace the best open source technology being available at any time.”
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For professional purposes I obviously use Cubase but for quick ideas etc. Reaper is king
Are you counting DP7 in that total of 21? If so, that’s not an option for Windows users.
Whoops! Thanks Christian. I’ve removed it from the list, and now it is a list of 20.
Presonus Studio 1 is for 21$ for 3 days on the presonus site
Bargain!
i dont think i see Audiomulch on the list. http://www.audiomulch.com/
its like Ableton and Max combined but not the way Ableton and Max have collaborated.
“Most of the world use Windows computers” – well, most of the CORPORATE world still use Windows, but in the creative fields (music production, photography, graphic design, etc), OS X is still pro industry standard. I wouldn’t set foot in a studio using Windows as their main operating system.
Well, then you wouldn’t set your foot in quite many professional studios.
Maybe you count just USA as world, in Europe situation is a bit different. As much as “the fancy ones” use MacOS+Pro Tools or Logic, there are many who consider Nuendo as standard for recording orchestras and work with soundtracks, and in several countries (like Germany) Sequoia is the standard for classical music and radio stations (info from Moritz Bergfeld from Musikproduktion KG).
Have you ever heard of Sonar?
Just because the fancy macs are in doesn’t mean a windows pc is not worth working with.
I think that’s a pretty shallow way of thinkin don’t you think?
Please explain why you wouldn’t use Windows as your DAW.
And then list your favorite musical artists.
I have to laugh when I hear comments like that. I have never in my life had a desire to pay three times what an item is worth. I don’t need an iphone, because my affordable droid works just fine. I don’t need a Macbook pro because my windows laptop is much more than adequate, and I have been running a recording studio open to the public since 2003 with windows PCs and Sonar Producer and never once have I ever said “Wow, I wish I had a Mac”. My 6-core 3.7Ghz processor with 16 gigs of RAM easily slices through 40 tracks of audio and any HD video I ever needed to edit. I paid $1200 for the PC, fully loaded with the best of everything, and my laptop was $300. I have had to reinstall my operating system maybe twice since 2003. My Droid was $149 and my plan is $45/month unlimited everything. I never had a person tell me they were unhappy with my work, or that they wouldn’t work with me because I didn’t use what the “masses” consider to be the “industry standard”, nor have I ever needed to fall in line because I saw everyone else standing in line. To think that way is an immediate limitation on possibilities and creativity, not to mention a stressed-out bank account! I have seen my fair share of studios that have mac/protools HD and still can’t make a decent recording. I also take my wife out on the town constantly with my savings, so she’s happy about my frugal decision-making.
As FL Studio also has lifetime free updates it may be your ideal DAW!
…. and many many other options
PreSonus Studio One is fantastic. Have been using it since it’s beta testing two years ago, and they’re always constantly improving it.
Zynewave Podium good for me free or purchase available!
http://www.zynewave.com
Thanks Alper. It looks very interesting, and at $50 US it’s a bargain.
If you search for Zynewave Podium reviews you will not find nothing in many Audio sites, but this is a great DAW if you are looking for a Daw for Windows. It costs $50, but there´s also a free version, completely functional, like no other. Like FL or Reason, is an extremely stable DAW.
In reality every software is good and there’s no the best one in the world.
There’s a best software for everyone of us. It depends from what you need. Anyway, looking and comparing different versions like shareware, freeware and open source, there are many differences that you can understand only using theme.
From the last 2/3 years with dual core processor (especially the last I3, I5, I7 and many others) there’s no particular differences from a PC or a Mac (about performances) and every software is good to run. It depend how you use and setting your system.
I think Reaper isn’t getting the proper creds here… Reaper is absolutely fanatic. And I think you missed the big gun on Windows… Sonar.
I can’t speak on the midi capabilities, but seriously, give Reaper another look… I see no reason to ever upgrade Sonar again. Reaper is cheap and does the job very well.
Hi Skattabrain. Sonar is number 6 in the list, and keep watching for a Reaper quick tip in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your comment!
For starters I think Sony Acid Pro is a good option. I did!
There are so many dang DAW options! I personally use Props Reason/Record and Logic Pro ( I know I know, this is a windows article…)
On windows I’ve also have experimented with FL Studio , Adobe Audition, REAPER, Pro Tools, Sonar, ACID, Abelton Live just to name a few.
My biggest piece of advice… switching DAWs won’t make your music any better! Pick 1 or 2 and stick to them. I learned the hard way…
Mulab
Ableton Live
Tracktion ^^
Zynewave podium
For to make music like other tenor but more ease of use…
I have been a Reaper user for awhile, came from Cubase / Magix land…was a Studio One beta tester & still use it at times…it’s all good.
The Kristal Audio Engine is another Free DAW that has a good following for being abandon-ware…used it for years as my main DAW and like a lot of folks still love it’s simplicity.
Thanks Alper for the Zynewave’s Podium link, never heard of that one but after grabbing the free version a few hours ago I will say that I like what I see!
I started out using Reason 2.0 up until Reason 4 then i discovered Ableton and used the rewire option to combine the two , i then started collecting VST’s like a madman and Reason just lost it’s appeal when i found synths like Native’s Massive / Sylenth etc. then i had no use for Malstroms and thors although i still have fond memories of Recycle & NNXT for jobs like vocals , the Mac debate is just myth imo the majority use windows therefore we hear of problems concerning windows more often (but this is mostly caused by people using cracked DAWs & VST’s which are always doomed anyway) , great topic this & have got an itch to try Reaper out now after reading.
I haven’t got years of experience and haven’t used most of the DAWs listed here, but I can vouch for MuLab from Mutools. It’s a really solid and capable system that so far has been able to do everything I’ve wanted, and I haven’t delved into its depths yet. One other thing to point out is that the developer is very active on the MuLab forum at KVR and is super-responsive. I’m not saying it’s better than any other, as I don’t know and am not interested in ‘my DAW’s better than yours’ debates, but for me it’s excellent.
Here is another list of freeware audio recording and editing software:
http://musicofsongs.com/freeware-audio-software/
Just discovered this site. But unless i am wrong HOW could you not list Mixcraft? – hands down the only intuitive program I’ve seen and under $100. So easy and it acts like word, just drag highlight and do anything. They have lousy drum loops but just about everything works with it.
I have tried all Lives but not sure what is in Live Intro
PT, Logic, Cubase, Reason are amazing and powerful but ultimately for me (an old school 8/16 track – I like tactile controls) a more audio, music based person who wants to put the ideas down, chop them into loops and drag them and add effects here and there – Mixcraft and maybe Live get my vote. I make the music and just need drums and PT and Logic elongate the process.
BUT nothing like apple loops i converted the “caf” files in logic to AIFF and now I can use them anywhere
STILL, I find little glitches on windows – Can I turn off MSE? is it screen resolution or maybe it’s overworked? Macs do just workI love logic though it does require asedative to use – but only Mac – I love mixcraft but its only windows.
ANY Advice on making windows Daws run smooth no glitches would help – thanks
Podium is fantastic! try it.
http://www.zynewave.com
I use Logic Pro mainly and having tried other softwares, i find logic pro to have the best sounding virtual instruments if you alot of composing. Also, it’s easy to learn, straightforward and easy to navigate.
I’m aware that this is a windows thread and i’ve no grudges against windows, but here’s the deal. Apple made their hardware. They came out with their software.
Therefore a software and hardware from the same company should work together without any glitches, yes?
Can’t be wasting music inspiration from technical compatibility probs!
Just my two cents
I keep hearing people rave about Logic, and then hear rumors Apple may drop it. If it’s only for the Mac, how many users can there be (any one know)?
If its a small user base Apple probably can’t afford to keep supporting it. And why would they when they’re making tons of money on iTunes?
Jon
Just curious, why is Vienna Ensemble Pro not on the list? Were do the rest of you guys rate that DAW?
Hi Wayne. Thanks for letting us know about it. Do you use the product? From the description, it looks like a network mixing solution for Vienna instruments rather than a full-blown DAW. Have you tried using it as a DAW?
No I haven’t I was just curious if anyone else has used it. It’s definately one that isn’t very popular yet.
What brought my attention to Vienna Ensemble was the fact that it can be used in 64bit format like few others can.
Is there any DAW that particularly better for editing vocals?
which windows DAW would get your vote if you, like me, weren’t so much interested in virtual instruments and FX? i have a full hardware studio set-up (synths, drum machine, sampler, EQ, FX, compressor, mixer) but am looking to use a DAW simply for recording ease. up until now i’ve been recording directly to my mpc and, while i am used to this method, there is too much trial and error. since i don’t have as much time anymore, i’d like to be able to record quickly and easily to my PC — and have more mastering/mix-down options. thanks.
Hi Byron. I’d suggest REAPER. It’s inexpensive, fast, but still powerful. You can try it out for free to see if you like it.
Most of the above DAW are MIDI and Audio sequencers, Reason on its own is great for simply Keyboard work, and the additional of Record add the benefit of adding guitars, but a need for a higher spec machine that some of us can only dream of, and whilst Apple OS might be considered a solution by many, it does come at a considerable monetary outlay.
Being Guitarist first, Keyboard Player second and occasional Bass Player third, I wanted something that I cam record my Korg X5DR, Guitars and Bass into it in real time, without the quantize squeezing of many other programs, thus a real interpretation of feel and expression, which can only be attained in the real world.
I have attained over use of this program the integration of Reason for additional soundscapes, but in the main, what I record is real, no sequencing.
The program I use is called RiffWorks available via : http://www.sonomawireworks.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10
and there is a free version also : http://www.sonomawireworks.com/T4
The standard version includes 9 sets of drums on purchase, and the ability to use REX2 files also.
I would suggest that this program is reviewed and the reviewer listens to what has been produced with it via the RiffWorld website : http://www.riffworld.com/
Just thought I’d mention the “free” list is a bit limited. MuLab is great, Traverso’s good, Frinika’s ok,
Jeskola Buzz is a professional quality tracker from the same humble beginnings as Renoise with every kind of synth, sequencer, effect imaginable – all chainable. LMMS, audio and soft-synth sequencer. Simple as Fruityloops with VST and soundfont support, and comes with ZynAddSubFX – an almighty monster of a softsynth. Audacity. Crystal clear recording with sample-byte control and spectrum analysis. I know of and personally know professional recording artists and producers who only work with free software, freeing up money for expensive hardware and instruments.
I just use free because I’m a starving musician cheapskate… I just think people should check them out too, if they’re looking for free stuff.
Give Ardour [1] a try some time. Linux only, but I’ve heard good reviews.
[1] http://ardour.org/
Correction, it works on Linux AND mac.
Thanks Stefan. I’m a fan of Ardour, and have used it on both Linux and Mac – but as you point out it doesn’t run on Windows.
Here’s another cool DAW – “Open octave” – http://www.openoctave.org
as well as “energyXT” and “Qtractor”
and “Mixbus” – http://www.harrisonconsoles.com
Um, you forgot Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS). Its compatible with Windows and its awesome. It can import flp. and I used it when starting out with dubstep. Its really good for all types of music and its completly free. You should add it.