What is a DAW

A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is software used for recording, editing, mixing, and producing audio. It serves as the central hub for music production, sound design, and post-production tasks, offering tools to arrange tracks, apply effects, edit audio clips, and manage MIDI data for virtual instruments. DAWs provide a wide range of features, such as multi-track recording, audio manipulation, and integration with plugins (like VSTs or AUs), enabling users to create anything from simple beats to complex, fully produced songs.

Let's clear up some common questions on DAWs

What is the best DAW?

Choosing the right DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) can make a big difference in your music production journey. Each one has its own vibe, strengths, and tools, depending on how you like to create.

So in short there is no “best” DAW but there is probably a best DAW for you..

What DAW should I buy?

Right. We can’t tell you that, we can’t even agree ourselves 🙃 seriously. We’ll drop some staff picks at the end to consider. But we’re down to help you figure that out for yourself. It’s gonna take a little leg work on your end to figure out what you want from a DAW but, trust us, it’s worth it up front to poke around.

What to consider when checking out DAWs

When deciding what DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to buy, consider the following factors to find the best fit for your needs:

  1. Workflow & Ease of Use

    • User Interface: Does the DAW’s interface feel intuitive? Some DAWs are more user-friendly (like Logic Pro X or Ableton Live), while others may require more time to learn (like Reaper or Cubase).
    • Customizability: Do you need a highly customizable workflow (Reaper) or prefer something more streamlined out of the box (FL Studio)?

  2. Your Main Purpose

    • Recording Live Instruments: If you plan to record live instruments, focus on DAWs with strong audio recording capabilities (like Pro Tools or Cubase).
    • MIDI and Virtual Instruments: For electronic music, film scoring, or MIDI-heavy production, choose DAWs with advanced MIDI features (Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase).
    • Post-Production: If your focus is on editing audio for video or post-production (like in sound design or podcasting), look for DAWs with great editing tools (Pro Tools, Reaper Nuendo).

  3. Included Instruments & Plugins

    • Bundled Sounds & Effects: Some DAWs come with a wide array of built-in instruments, effects, and sounds (Logic Pro X, Ableton Live), while others offer fewer bundled options but support third-party plugins (Reaper).
    • Expandability: Consider if you'll need external plugins and whether your DAW supports VST/AU/AAX formats to expand its functionality.

  4. Compatibility & System Requirements

    • Platform: Is the DAW compatible with your OS? Logic Pro X is exclusive to macOS, while others like Cubase and Reaper are cross-platform.
    • System Resources: How powerful is your computer? Lightweight DAWs like Reaper are efficient, while others may demand more from your system (Ableton Live, Pro Tools)

  5. Budget

    • Price vs Features: Some DAWs are expensive but offer a full suite of professional tools (Pro Tools, Cubase), while others provide a lot of value at a lower price (Reaper).
    • Licensing: Consider whether the DAW offers one-time purchase options or subscription models. Some (like Reaper) have flexible, affordable licensing.

  6. Support for Your Genre or Style

    • Genre-Specific Tools: Certain DAWs are better for specific genres. Ableton Live is known for electronic and live performance, while Pro Tools is preferred in traditional recording studios.
    • Community & Tutorials: Does the DAW have a strong community and learning resources? If you're new to production, having access to a wide range of tutorials can be crucial.

  7. Collaboration & File Sharing

    • Project Compatibility: If you plan to collaborate with others, consider using a DAW that’s widely adopted in your genre or field (Pro Tools, Ableton Live).
    • Cloud Features: Some DAWs offer cloud-based collaboration tools that make working with others remotely easier (Ableton and Cubase for example).

  8. Customer Support & Updates

    • Updates & Support: Look for DAWs with active development and regular updates to stay current with new features. Also, check the reputation of the company's customer service. By balancing these factors, you can choose the DAW that best fits your workflow, musical goals, and budget.

Meet the DAWs

  1. Reaper

    Reaper is a highly customizable, lightweight DAW that’s ideal for users who want maximum control over their workflow without the hefty price tag. While it might not come with as many built-in instruments and effects as some other DAWs, Reaper excels in flexibility, supporting an array of plugins and offering deep customization options. It’s known for being extremely efficient, handling large projects with ease, and its licensing model is more affordable compared to most competitors.

    Why People Love It:

    • Affordable with flexible licensing
    • Extremely lightweight and efficient
    • Deep customization and scripting capabilities

    2. You can learn more here.

  2. Cubase

    Cubase is a long-standing DAW popular with both beginners and professional producers, offering a balance of powerful tools and a user-friendly interface. It’s especially well-regarded for MIDI composition, making it a favorite among composers, songwriters, and producers working with virtual instruments. Cubase provides a robust suite of tools for everything from recording and editing to mixing and mastering, with a focus on high-quality sound processing and advanced features.

    Why People Love It:

    • - Excellent for MIDI composition
    • - Versatile, all-in-one production environment
    • - Powerful sound processing and mixing tools

    3. You can learn more here.

  3. Logic

    Logic Pro X If you’re an Apple user, Logic Pro X might be your go-to. It’s super powerful, yet easy to use, especially if you’re diving into songwriting, recording, or mixing. Logic comes with a ton of built-in instruments and effects, so you can pretty much do everything from composing to mastering without needing extra plugins. It’s a solid choice for musicians who want a complete package for producing any genre.

    Why People Love It:

    • All-in-one production suite
    • Huge library of sounds and instruments
    • Great for songwriting, recording, and mixing

    You can learn more here.

  4. Pro Tools

    Pro Tools is the go-to DAW in professional recording studios. If you’re working with live instruments, doing serious audio editing, or planning to mix huge sessions, this is the one. Pro Tools is built for handling big projects, and it’s known for its top-tier audio recording quality. It might feel a little more complex compared to other DAWs, but if you’re aiming for pro-level recording or working in high-end studios, Pro Tools is essential.

    Why People Love It:

    • The OG industry standard for recording and mixing
    • Super powerful audio editing
    • Great for large, professional-level projects

    You can learn more here.

  5. Ableton

    Ableton Live Ableton Live is a favorite for electronic music producers and live performers. Its unique grid-based setup (called Session View) makes it super easy to play around with loops and samples in real time, which is why so many DJs and EDM artists love it. Plus, it’s packed with creative sound design tools that let you manipulate audio in really cool ways. If you’re into electronic music or perform live, Ableton is your jam.

    Why People Love It:

    • Perfect for live performances and electronic music
    • Creative tools to shape and twist sounds - Fast, intuitive workflow
    • Awesome online community


    You can learn more here.

  6. FL Studio

    FL Studio, or “FruityLoops” as old-school users still call it, is especially popular among beginners and electronic producers. It has a super user-friendly, pattern-based layout and one of the best piano rolls around for creating MIDI patterns. If you’re into making beats, especially for genres like hip-hop or EDM, FL Studio makes it quick and fun to get ideas down.

    Why People Love It:

    • Easy to pick up for beginners
    • Amazing MIDI tools (hello, piano roll!)
    • Perfect for beat-making and electronic music

    You can learn more here.


No matter what kind of music you make, there’s a DAW out there that fits your style. Whether it’s rocking out with Reaper, performing live with Ableton, crafting songs in Logic, cranking out beats in FL Studio, or going pro with Pro Tools, it’s all about finding the right tool for how you like to create music.

After you pick a DAW

Find some tutorials, get familiar, and start making some music. Come back here and check out our quick intro to {cheap plugins} and then give Maastr a whirl 🙂

About us

Maastr is an AI online mastering service, that tackles music mastering in a more holistic way creating a better end result. It comes from leveraging 20 years of experience from our lead mastering engineer Jay Maas. Maastr is now run and by a small team of music and community

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