Best Music Production Software
Posted April 16, 2018 by
In 2018, music production software has become more mobile than ever. This updated list of the best music production software includes packages that automatically scale to fit any screen size. New technologies in modern DAWs eliminate latency when using wireless devices as interfaces or virtual instruments.
This year, we’ve also seen great improvements to the built-in virtual synthesizers included with music production software. You can expect your DAW to come with more built-in samples than ever — and more interesting ways to manipulate those samples to fit the needs of your project.
Quick Look
| Software | Price | Why? | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Tools | $299.00 | Pro Tools is simply the industry standard. If you want to have a career as a professional audio engineer, you should have at least a little experience with Pro Tools. | See Prices |
| Logic Pro | $199.99 | Pro Tools may be the standard for DAW software, but Apple’s Logic Pro isn’t far behind. The only thing possibly holding Logic Pro back is the fact that it doesn’t support Windows — but then, Logic Pro is responsible for selling a great many Macs. | See on iTunes |
| FL Studio | ~$285.00 | FL Studio (formely Fruity Loops) is well known for making great sounds and beats for rap/hip/and R&B. With those genres mending with pop these days, it makes for a great software choice. | See Prices |
| Ableton Live | $79 and up | Ableton Live doesn’t lack features, but it strips the interface down to the bare essentials to simplify your workflow. It’s the ideal DAW for creativity and spontaneity. | See Prices |
Any seasoned producer will tell you that choosing the best audio engineering software is more than comparing data points like pricing or percentage of usage – it’s a personal choice. Better yet, it’s a personal journey.
About 10 years ago, the industry standard was Pro Tools, and one could argue that you weren’t a “professional” if you didn’t use it. Today that has changed, and there are many powerful DAW’s out there that can get the job done. Often times the top audio engineering software programs are used in conjuncture with each other.
Top Music Production Software
1. Pro Tools
What’s new for 2018?
For 2018, Avid has added features to Pro Tools that make it easier to use than ever. If you use fades frequently in your projects, you’ll love the ability to adjust fades and crossfades quickly using the Smart Tool. You can even commit the same fade shape to many clips in a batch instead of working on fades individually.
Pro Tools now lets you work on tracks with musicians and producers in any location using the new Avid Cloud collaboration feature. Upload your work and give access to your collaborators. When they modify the project, you’ll see the changes on your computer automatically.
Overview
Pro Tools is massive, and because of it, there is a bit of a learning curve. I remember when I first tried to use it, it took me an hour just to learn how to record myself saying “Hello World!” in the microphone (after a few hours of setup). It is the framework for creating great projects, however a lot of the work is actually left up to you. This is why some people spend thousands of dollars on pro tools classes.
You don’t have to learn Pro Tools to become a professional, but if you want the best sound quality, you definitely want to learn Pro Tools. On top of this, if you need any sort of top-flight recording in real-time, then Pro Tools is your only choice.
Even if you end up buying another DAW – you really should consider purchasing Pro Tools as well. This is because many studios use it and it is a good idea have it around for compatibility reasons. The new subscription model of Pro Tools 12 makes it pretty reasonably affordable.
Computer Compatibility
Pro Tools is the king of compatibility when it comes to computers. Pro Tools is both compatible with Mac and with PC. This means that when you are sending files, or working with other producers, you are able to share a lot easier.
However even though the program itself is compatible with both computer types, that means there is a lot of variation when it comes plugins (64 vs 32 bit matters).
MIDI Integration
There was a time when Pro Tools was slacking in this category, and other DAW’s were able to catch up. However that time is over and Pro Tools has great MIDI integration.
Community & Support
Pro Tools has one of the largest communities out there, and you can learn Pro Tools online in many different places. Right now there is about 16,500,000 results when you google something like “pro tools tutorial.”
Virtual Instruments
Pro tools has been in the running for the worst virtual instruments for quite some time though, so if the best virtual instruments is what you are looking for, I would look elsewhere on this list.
2. Logic Pro
What’s new for 2018?
The biggest addition in Logic Pro 10.2 is the Alchemy Synthesizer. Apple purchased Camel Audio — the maker of Alchemy — in 2015, making Alchemy now a Final Cut Pro-exclusive plugin. Alchemy is a digital synthesizer that comes with a library of more than 3,000 samples that you can locate easily using the built-in search engine. Alchemy also comes with an analog synthesizer component — and it works with third-party samples.
Overview
This DAW is definitely for the music producer/engineer that is looking for a lot of help with actually creating the music. Out of the box it comes with some of the best virtual instruments and it can save you a lot of money when it comes to plugins that are included in the suite.
Computer Compatibility
Logic Pro requires a Mac computer, and you can find it right in the iTunes store. If you’re a Window’s user this pretty much cancels out your option of getting this DAW that once started out as an electric piano plugin. But also, if you are a Windows user, you may still just want to get a MAC and install Logic Pro Anyway.
Despite it’s limitation to using a MAC computer, you will find that it highly compatible with a lot of other audio engineering software programs that can be found on this “Best of” list. Here’s an example: Are you on the road and using Garage Band to record some tunes? A lot of popular musicians actually do this, and you can open your GarageBand files directly in Logic Pro. You can also export music notation to MusicXML and there is ReWire support for Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live, and other popular DAW’s.
Logic will work with any FireWire or USB interface.
MIDI Integration
Logic Pro works with many of the most popular MIDI keyboard controllers and surfaces out there (like M-audio which many people think is just for Pro Tools). Additional plugins are available from third party manufacturers.
Community & Support
Logic is probably second to Pro Tools in popularity, but there still a very enormous population of producers out there using the software and you can usually find anything you are looking for in terms of tutorials or support within a few Google searches.
SEE CURRENT PRICE
Be sure to check out the Pro Training Series
3. Cubase
What’s new for 2018?
Cubase 8.5 is the second music production package on our list that has added online collaboration. Steinberg calls this feature VST Transit. Uploading tracks to Steinberg’s cloud services as you work on them enables you to collaborate on projects in real time. Cubase 8.5 includes 750 MB of cloud storage space and allows you to transfer up to 1.5 GB of data each month. For more storage space and traffic, you’ll need to upgrade your account.
Cubase 8.5 also includes an upgraded version of the Retrologue virtual synthesizer. Retrologue 2 comes with 400 presets that you can tweak to your heart’s content with the new arpeggiator, oscillator and other new effects.
Overview
To a lot of music producers Cubase just “feels” better. When it comes to workflow, and not feeling “Menu-y” cubase really is a top notch choice. It also is good in terms of your budget (however with Pro Tools new subscription model it really is hard to NOT sign up).
If freedom with plugins is extremely important to you, then Cubase might be the choice for you. You are not dependent upon the plugin developers. The consensus seems to be that if you have a focus on MIDI, and are a one man shop, then Cubase seems the way to go – especially for the musician/artist/songwriter.
Three things that make Cubase a great option is their Parts and Lanes, a “real” sample editor (including offline processing), and very powerful monitoring and metering options.
Computer Compatibility
You can use it on both a Windows computer and a Mac.
MIDI Integration & Composiiton
Just like the rest of the DAW’s on this list, Cubase is fully compatible with a vast variety of MIDI controllers. For a good list of MIDI controllers that are compatible/ work well with Cubase, check out this link. Like most instruments/hardware, this typically depends on your taste.
The EDM community can be very MAC heavy, and for that reason there are a lot of Logic users out there, but if you are looking for something that can do it all for you, and are looking for an alternative to Logic, then you need to check out Cubase.
4. Ableton Live
What’s new for 2018?
If you like using Ableton Live to enhance your live performances or at-home experimentation, you’re going to love the new Link feature. Link removes the latency that inevitably results when you attempt to use multiple devices simultaneously over a wireless network. Connect multiple smartphones, tablets and synth pads using Link, and you’ll never have to worry about network latency causing your performances to fall out of sync.
Overview
The software is called Ableton Live for a reason – it is regarded by many as the best DAW on the market to use for live recording. The software can be really fun because you are making a song with parts – just like you are when you are performing.
The software was created in 1999, it is extremely simple to set up, and it comes equipped with a lot of built in sound packages.
One more reason to consider this DAW is that Ableton Live won’t cause as many problems when you are mapping sounds through the DAW.
Computer Compatibility
Ableton Live 9 is compatible with Windows 10, however Ableton Live 8 may have issues as it is a legacy version. Ableton Live will also work on a Mac.
MIDI Integration & Composiiton
Ableton Live has partnered up with some great brands to create gear just for them specifically. This has allowed for some awesome MIDI’s to hit the market and makes for seamless integrations.
5. REAPER
What’s new for 2018?
Reaper 5.28 greatly enhances the MIDI functionality of this already formidable budget DAW. Reaper can now quantize your live performances to MIDI more accurately according to note subdivisions that you select. Reaper 5.28 also improves the process of editing MIDI by making it easier to copy and paste specific passages. The MIDI interface has also been updated to make selecting specific MIDI events easier.
Overview
Are you looking for a DAW that is reliable enough to use without crashing for months? One that you also don’t need to buy a new computer with (a huge hidden cost in actually buying DAW software). If so, then the “grind it out” REAPER software by Cockos is a great option for you.
The best part about REAPER is the price. You could literally buy it, install it on your computer, and if you don’t like, well you only lost around $60 if you qualify for getting it at the discount price. Another great thing about the program being so cheap is that you can use that money to spend on third party plugins (they do have free plugins as well).
Computer Compatibility
You can use Reaper on a Windows 32-bit, a Windows 64-bit, an OS X 32-bit, and an OS X 64 bit.
MIDI integration
As far as we can tell, REAPER integrates just fine with MIDI if you use the plugin ReaControlMidi. There may have been updates since this article has been written and you may want to do a little bit more research to truly figure out what type of team a MIDI and REPEAR makes.
6. FL Studio
What’s new for 2018?
FL Studio 12 has a greatly enhanced interface to make complex production tasks easier than ever. If you’re using a touch screen display, you’ll love the fact that FL Studio now accepts multiple simultaneous inputs. Control the mixer directly with your touch screen notebook or tablet. The FL Studio interface now scales itself automatically to fit on any screen size — from a single notebook to a high-end desktop with several displays. You can detach any element of the interface and move it anywhere you like for a smoother workflow.
Overview
FL Studio is great for beginners as it is quite easy to learn compared to other DAW’s that have been mentioned on this list. And something that is also great for beginners is the pricing and the fact that you get free upgrades to new editions. There are many VSTS and effects that can be used with FL studio, but that can also be said for the other DAW’s on this list.
It is a great idea to start of with FL studio, but after a few years you will probably find yourself wanting more out of your DAW.
Computer Compatibility
The Mac version is beta, so it’s probably a better idea to go with a different DAW if you are not using Windows – unless you feel like you would like to give the beta a shot that is of course.
MIDI Integration
FL studio supports many MIDI devices, and you can get a lot more information from their MIDI forum section that specifically tackles these types of topics.
SEE CURRENT PRICES (fruity edition)
SEE CURRENT PRICES (producer edition – free upgrades for life)
7. ACID Pro 7
Overview
ACID Pro has expanded its feature set over the years, growing from a loop-based synthesizer into a full DAW. At the core, though, ACID Pro maintains the simplicity that has made it so popular for so many years. ACID Pro makes working with samples incredibly easy by allowing you to import samples from any source and work with multiple file types within the same project.
Pros
ACID Pro allows for virtually endless possibilities in manipulating samples. You can adjust the pitch or tempo without losing the sample’s original sound quality. When you add a new sample, ACID Pro automatically analyzes it and matches it to the groove of your existing track.
Cons
The primary drawback of ACID Pro is the fact that it’s becoming a bit long in the tooth. ACID Pro 7 was originally released in 2009, and little has changed since then except the price. While the price of ACID Pro 7 at the time of its original release was $315, the price is now just $149.95.
Features
In spite of its age, ACID Pro remains a feature-rich DAW. The built-in mixer supports surround channels and submixes. It even allows you to mix sounds from outside sources and apply effects to them in real time. ACID Pro has full support for MIDI and hardware control panels — and the sample editing features are still tops in the industry.
Cakewalk SONAR
Overview
Cakewalk SONAR is the latest iteration in a DAW that began life as an MS-DOS MIDI sequencer nearly 30 years ago. Cakewalk SONAR is famous for its beautiful interface that resembles a bank of analog devices while retaining the clean look that you expect from high-end recording software. With a 64-bit mixing engine — and support for unlimited digital and MIDI tracks — Cakewalk SONAR scales effortlessly to meet the needs of any project.
Pros
Cakewalk SONAR has some of the highest sound quality available in any DAW today. In addition to the 64-bit mixing engine, Cakewalk SONAR features improved sound quality for plugins and imported audio. SONAR automatically increases the sample rate when you use a plugin or import a new sound to prevent sound quality loss when you mix down the finished track.
Cons
Some have criticized Cakewalk SONAR’s lack of advanced music notation features. In addition, you may not find SONAR’s interface as easy to use on computers with smaller displays.
Features
Cakewalk SONAR features support for touch screen devices. It also comes with an impressive array of effects and virtual instruments. Using the included plugins, you can do anything from emulating a tube amplifier to correcting a vocalist’s pitch in real time.
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audioassemble
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