In a world where music is made both digitally and with analog mixes, you need to be as flexible as possible. That is where knowing which DAWs do what is important. Growing up I was always told, “use the right tool for the right job.” At that time I simply thought they meant not using a screwdriver for a nail, but as I grew older I started to apply that to audio as well. I would not want to use a more editing based system for writing music, and I also want to make sure that I am using the right DAW for edm.
Sony Acid Pro Alternatives Highlighted
- Ableton – best for live performance
- FL Studio – best for MIDI creators
- Reason – best for electronic composition
- Reaper – best for price
Sony Acid Pro Quick Review
Acid Pro is a cheap DAW to work with and it seems they are marketing specifically towards the electronic music creators. There are dozens of creative ways to manipulate your sound as well as expedite the process.
Why Users Like Sony Acid Pro:
- zplane élastique – Acid Pro claims to have the best pitch editing software to leave your audio artifact free no matter how you edit it.
- Virtual Instruments – There is a plethora of virtual instruments to choose from in Acid that include synthesizers, bass, drums, or even your basic piano.
- Customizable Layout – If you ever find a way that is more functional for you to edit than the classic studio layout, you have the option to change your overall layout.
- Mastering Tools – So mastering is a complex finishing touch for any track, but Acid Pro comes with options to help you match your tracks to the appropriate level of whatever format you need.
- Groove Matching – If you find a sample that has the right groove and natural feel, you can import it into Acid to be analyzed and then applied to your own tracks.
Compatibility:
- Windows
- 8, 10
- 1 GB (8 GB recommended)
Price:
- Acid Pro
Sony Acid Pro Users:
- Brother Paul Brown (Grammy winning Producer)
- Akadu (K-Pop, J-Pop)
- Dimitri Vegas (DJ, Producer)
1. Ableton
I wouldn’t call Ableton a simple DAW, but it is easy to learn. The easy to navigate layout made problem solving a breeze when I was first introduced to it. It is easy to see why so many love this DAW.
Features Like Sony Acid Pro:
- Wavetable – Wavetable is the synthesizer that is unique to the Ableton DAW and provides a large number of ways to create your sounds.
- Browser Collections – You can organize and group up all of your effects, plugins, samples, and midi instruments in their customizable browser for ease of use.
- Live – In live environments, Ableton can be customized to cue songs with the push of a button and create an atmosphere of seamless excellence.
Compatibility:
- Mac
- OS X 10.11.6 or later
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- Windows
- Windows 7, 8, or 10
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
Price:
- Intro
- Purchase: $99
- Subscription: $16.50 for 6 months
- Standard
- Purchase: $449
- Subscription: $78.43 for 6 months
- Suite
- Purchase: $749
- Subscription: $124.83 for 6 months
Ableton Users:
- Skrillex- Dance/Electronic
- Deadmau5- Dance/Electronic
- Marshmello- Dance/Electronic
2. FL Studio
FL Studio is a leader in the electronic music world as well as general DAWs. It has a creative and large library of effects and instruments that you can use as the best fuel for your creativity.
Features Like Ableton:
- Piano Roll – In the world of electronic music, MIDI instruments are the heart and soul of the creator, and FL Studio has one of the best processing for MIDI signals between plugins.
- Updates for Life – All updates and new versions of FL Studio and your plugins are FREE for life.
- Live – Has many live functions available to improve live abilities.
Compatibility:
- Mac
- OS X 10.11 or later
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- Windows
- Windows 7 or later
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- Tablet
- Free
Price:
FL Studio Users:
- Avicii (EDM, Electro House)
- Martin Garrix (Progressive House, Future Bass)
- Afrojack (Electro House, Moombahton)
3. Reason
Reason is one of the best DAWs for customization and creative sounds in the world of electronic sounds and music. It has become so well known for its abilities, they have built their rack interface into a plugin that can be used in other DAWs.
Features Like Ableton:
- Instruments – Reason comes with a broad library of 17 instruments to choose from.
- Virtual Studio Rack – Has a rack that can be used to customize your signal chain down to the finer details.
- Reason Compact – This is a mobile device version that is FREE for you to come up with ideas and beats on the go.
Compatibility:
- Mac
- OS X 10.11 or later
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- Windows
- Windows 7 or later
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- Tablet
- Free
Price:
Reason Users:
- Natural (Usher, Alicia Keys, Beyonce)
- DJ Khalil (Logic, Dr. Dre, Eminem)
- Tyler the Creator (Hip-Hop, Rap)
4. Reaper
Reaper is a DAW that sits low on the radar of many engineers but can deliver right next to any of the big dogs. Many fantastic engineers around the world will attest to the ability and dexterity of this DAW.
Features Like Cubase:
- Size – Reaper is created in such a compact manner that it can be run from a portable drive.
- Themes – Users and developers of Reaper create and upload “themes” which are essentially skins so you can have a similar layout as DAWs you are more experienced with.
- Trial – Before you commit, you can try out Reaper for 60 days FREE.
Compatibility:
- Mac
- OS X 10.5-10.14
- Windows
- XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
Price:
Reaper Users:
- Leo Moracchioli (Frog Leap Studios, Youtube)
- Glenn Fricker (SMG Studios, Youtube)
- Tycho (Chillwave, Ambient Music)
Grinding for the Mix
It takes time to learn any product through and through. You cannot expect to be able to pick up any DAW the first time you sit with it and be as fluent as someone who has used it for years.
It can be extremely frustrating to learn the initial shortcuts and signal chain, but the key is trying to approach it with as much enthusiasm as you did your very first DAW. That being said, we try to find some of the best alternatives to any DAW that should leave you with an advantage as you transition.
If you would like to learn more about DAWs check out what we have to say here.
Or if you already have picked your DAW and want to figure out which plugins would be best to add to your arsenal, we have a variety of opinions on some of the best plugins for whatever you could need here
Jarrett is a hardcore Lover-Jazz Lover-Rock Lover-Blues Lover-just a music lover. He has the hair to match — Jarrett and provides in-depth insight into all things guitar and music engineering.