Go back 30 years and the DAW - Digital Audio Workstation - as we know it today simply didn’t exist. Sure, we had MIDI sequencing software, which could be used to trigger synths, samplers and the like, but the computer was just one part of a much wider music-making setup. As technology progressed, these sequencers became more powerful, with the introduction of larger and faster hard disks enabling us to record audio into them.

The scene was then set for PCs and Macs to become the centrepieces of our studios; early versions of Steinberg’s VST standard made it possible to add plugin effects, and it wasn’t long before virtual instruments became a thing, too. Still, even at the end of the century, there were those who scoffed at the idea of a wholly software-based studio, but we don’t hear them scoffing now (although, to be fair, they might just be scoffing very quietly).

Yes, there’s still something to be said for involving a hardware synth or drum machine in your electronic music-making, but the fact that you can Do It All within a single piece of software is now undeniable. Intuit quickbooks pro 2016 for mac. Spoilt for choice As far as DAWs go, the class of 2018 is certainly the most powerful yet. What’s more, these applications are getting more and more accessible, and offering alternative ways of working that will appeal to both beginners and diehard producers who are looking to change their creative ways. But the fundamentals of the DAW remain the same: fire one up and you can record, arrange, edit, mix and master your music right there on your computer.

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These are the basics, but it’s also true that every DAW enables you to go about your music-making business in a slightly different way, and the right software for one person won’t be the right software for everyone. Ultimately, the best DAW will be the one that enables you to get your music-making done as effectively and painlessly as possible. However, what’s life without a bit of healthy competition? This year, as in others, we asked you to pick the best DAW in the world right now by voting for your favourite, and you did so in your thousands.

What follows is a ranked rundown of all the contenders, so you can get a good idea of each DAW’s strengths and weaknesses and see exactly what other musicians are using. Prev Page 1 of 21 Next Prev Page 1 of 21 Next. It may no longer be a leading light in the DAW world, but when it was launched in 1998, its automatic audio timestretching and pitch shifting marked Acid out as revolutionary. Now in the hands of Magix, which acquired the application from Sony Creative Software, Acid has finally got the update it desperately needed, for version 8 has now been released. Thankfully, the interface has been given a much-needed revamp, with the old ‘Windows 95’ look replaced with a “sleek and modern” GUI that’s designed to work well in dimmed environments.

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The software now has a 64-bit architecture, and you can make 24-bit/192kHz multitrack recordings. Advanced MIDI and audio editing features are also promised. Magix says that Acid Pro 8 comes with more than $1000-worth of plugin instruments and effects, including the DN-e1 virtual analogue synth, Vintage Effects Suite, Vandal guitar processing plugin and Vita 2 sampler. You also get a 9GB library of ACIDized loops and samples. All of which sounds promising, but it remains to be seen if Acid will ever be able to make up the ground that it’s lost to the likes of Ableton Live.

FIND OUT MORE: Prev Page 2 of 21 Next Prev Page 2 of 21 Next. Ardour is often cited as one of the, but it's actually an excellent piece of software full stop. Now available for Linux, OS X and Windows, version 5 brought us a redesigned GUI with a tabbed interface, as well as new features to help you when you're mixing, using plugins, making tempo changes and (if you're that way inclined) writing scripts. In fact, Ardour seems more like a big-league DAW every time we look at it, but with all the benefits of being an open source application. And with subscriptions starting from as little as $1 a month, it's also eminently affordable. Prev Page 3 of 21 Next Prev Page 3 of 21 Next. Although it's primarily designed as a post production tool, some of you have told us that you also use Steinberg's highest-end application as a good old DAW.

Was released in 2017, with big new features for video game audio developers, a Sampler track, additional effects and instruments and a whole lot more. We suspect that the vast majority of musicians will be more than satisfied by the features offered by Cubase - to which Nuendo has a lot of similarities - but if you're intrigued to find out what an extra grand gets you, take the free trial for a spin. FIND OUT MORE: Prev Page 4 of 21 Next Prev Page 4 of 21 Next. You’ll have to search long and hard to find a more beginner-friendly DAW than this one, which ships with all new Macs and can now be download for free, too. Non-musicians can simply sequence the supplied audio loops, but a decent collection of software instruments comes supplied, too () as does multitrack recording functionality and a good selection of virtual guitar amps and stompboxes. GarageBand feels more like a 'mini Logic' than ever these days. Drummer is great for automatically generating beats, Smart Controls make for more pleasant editing of sounds, and you can even use the Logic Remote iPad app to control the software.