A Guide to The Best DAW Software For Your Home Studio 

A truly significant companion to you in your music studio will be the DAW Software of your choice. This is literally where all the magic comes together to happen. Your stellar recordings, edits and production all fall into place in a digital format with the help of the best DAW software for you.

The question is, with all the scores of brilliant options out there, how do we choose the right one? Well, our list of great recommendations is here to make that decision much easier. But first…

What to consider when choosing best the DAW software?

This is a pretty simple consideration to bear in mind. What exactly are your intentions? Are you primarily recording, mixing or editing? Are you looking for music production software? Or do you need something all encompassing that can do it all? DAW software often come in a variety of options to suit your needs.

You may also consider limited or complete software versions based on your budget. Beginners may want to go for a limited version if the budget won’t allow, and then upgrade at a later stage. Intermediate and Pro level producers may want to go for the premium choices off the bat.

Our guide below on the best DAW softare options, provides details you need, based on your home music studio requirements.

The 8 Best DAWs of 2021

1. Imageline FL Studio

FL Studio is a world renowned DAW that has seen the genesis of the careers of a number of big shot music producers and Djs. The likes of Martin Garrix and Alan Walker have unleashed their creativity and chart topping bangers to world, using FL Studio. This software is profoundly popular amongst producers in the spaces of  Electronic Dance Music and Hip Hop, but  it certainly not limited to these. FL studio features its distinguished Piano Roll, the highest professional Mixer, and incredible array of Instruments and Effects, as well as an efficient and highly flexible Browser and Playlist for organising.

The software is an amazing for both novice and expert producers alike. FL Studio comes in four separate editions, ranging from entry level to professional versions. Find out all about FL Studio, the pricing and various editions here.

2 . Cubase Pro

Steinberg’s Cubase is a true veteran in the game. This is one of the longest-running professional DAW brands out there, and can definitely be considered one of the best DAW software on the market. Cubase first made it’s debut in to the music production world over 2 decades ago in 1989… So we can pretty much gather that they’ve had ample time to refine the quality and intuitive user experience of the software. Cubase has been used by popular modern producers in the music industry such as Zedd and Stimming, amongst many others. So we have industry credibility right there.

Uses: Cubase Pro is great for all purposes, including recording, mixing, editing and composing.

Read reviews and specs on Cubase Pro here on Amazon.

Alternatively, for beginners see these smaller budget  options, bearing in mind they have fewer features than the pro level Cubase Pro

• Cubase Artist on Amazon
• Cubase Elements on Amazon

3. Propellerhead Reason

Reason is an incredible DAW software offering a number of unique attributes. It has an awesome virtual collaboration tool allowing you tools. However, beyond that, it features an extremely array of bundled virtual instruments onboard. From a visual aesthetic perspective, the interface has also been wonderfully thought out, offering an organic analogue appeal.

Uses: Reason is great for composing mixing and editing. Overall EDM production can be achieved pretty well with this software.

• Check out Propellerhead Reason 11 here on Amazon.

4. Avid Pro Tools

By far Pro, Tools is one of the more popular DAWs out there, as it has found its place as an industry standard. It is used by both industry professionals as well as home studio novices across the world. Pro Tools has relatively good variety in the plugins department, however, compared to its competing DAW counterparts, is slightly limited by not having a multiband compressor. This is generally not a big issue, however, it is cause for many users either really loving it or not.

Uses: Pro tools  is specifically good for recording, editing and mixing processes.

For more info and for specs, check out Pro Tools here on Amazon.

5. PreSonus Studio One 3 

In recent years, this line of DAW developed by PreSonus has rocketed to formidable popularity. PreSonus is a brand best renowned for all their output of technical music studio gear, such as their audio interfaces for example. However, Studio One was first presented to the world back in 2009, and cleverly marketed by accompanying it in other PreSonus hardware packages. Presently, Studio is very widely used by home studio producers. Characterising the DAW is its streamlined and intuitive drag and drop user interface.

Uses: It is ideal for all levels of production, including, composing, recording, editing and mixing.

Check out the following versions available for Studio One 3 on, Available on Amazon:

• Studio One 3 Professional – The fully featured version for Professional level outputs
• Studio One 3 Artist – A budget friendly version, consisting of fewer features, however appropriate for mixing and editing

6. Ableton Live

Extremely popular amongst some of the world’s best known producers and DJs. One of the main defining and differentiating factors about this DAW is its live performance tool. Ableton Live was primarily created to serve as an apparatus for live performance. Because of this, it sort of lacks a little in the more sophisticated features of editing and mixing. Ableton is also available in multiple versions, including the Suite and Standard versions

Uses: Ideal for for electronic music production and live performance.

For comparison and mores specs out these versions of Ableton on Amazon:

• Ableton Live 10: Suite
• Ableton Live 10 :Standard

 

7. Cakewalk Sonar

This DAW is really popular amongst music producers, despite it being solely available for Windows. It has a stellar user interface that is incredible dynamic in performance. The only limitations with this DAW are the fact that it is not Mac compatible. This not only shuts out that group of people, but also makes is it difficult to cross collaborate with different platforms. (Windows vs Mac). So this is a factor to really think about as far as the best DAW software for you.

Despite this, it is worth mentioning as it has truly secured on of the top spots in the world of music production.

Uses: ideal for recording mixing and editing

Have a look as Sonar here on Amazon.

8. MOTU Digital Performer

This is yet another DAW veteran. Having first made its debut back in 1990, it has only very recently become available on Windows from Mac. This new-found cross compatibility is awesome for potential collaborations.

It features 64-bit DAW Software with Audio Recording. Also MIDI Sequencing and Scoring, along with Plug-in Processors and Software Instruments

Uses: This is a wonderful option for all round recording studio functionality. This includes composing, recording as well as mixing

For details and specs, have a look at MOTU Digital Performer here on Amazon.

And there we have it!

The suggested Best DAW Software for home music studios were listed in no particular order here. However, these are best options available in the industry. Here’s hoping we’ve helped get on your way to finding the best one for you! Enjoy. For other essential gear, go to our recommended gear suggestions.