Digital audio workstations: which is best for you?

Basic audio editing (for eg podcasts, blogging)

We recommend: BandLab (online), Audacity (PC or Mac), or GarageBand (Mac only)

For basic audio editing you don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with a more complicated programme (and a heavier price tag).

The benefits of a programme like BandLab is that it can be accessed online for free and used on any browser. It has a simple and accessible interface and allows you to add basic instrument tracks if necessary. Editing audio is straightforward, from adjusting volumes of multiple tracks, splitting and chopping, panning, and adding preset effects.

Audacity and GarageBand offer slightly more in-depth treatment of audio and a wider variety of effects and software instruments. However, they require fully downloading the programme and may also require a slightly more powerful computer.   

Freelance performing (home recordings) 

We recommend: Logic Pro X

For many performers, lockdown has meant adapting to new ways of working, and home recordings have become a steady source of income. For musicians accustomed to the stage, the technical world of recording can seem daunting.

If you’ll be sending your recordings to an audio professional for mixing and mastering, you don’t need to worry too much about your software. However, if you’re doing this part of the process yourself, it would be worth investing in a more advanced DAW, such as Logic Pro X, Cubase, or Pro Tools.

These programmes enable you to edit your audio and apply effects, such as EQ, reverb, compression and pitch/duration editing, to a high professional standard. They can also seamlessly integrate third party plug-in software if you decide to go down a more advanced mixing route.

We’d recommend Logic Pro X (£199) for this, because it has the most accessible and intuitive user interface. It’s also cheaper than Cubase and Pro Tools (both £499 – although it’s worth pointing out that both Cubase and Pro Tools have cheaper beginners’ programmes).

Classical composing 

We recommend: Cubase

It’s hard enough getting works commissioned and performed, and nearly impossible under Covid restrictions, but fortunately huge advances in software make producing an exceptionally real-sounding full orchestral score very possible at home.

Becoming familiar with these programmes allows composers to diversify their careers – moving into, for instance, orchestration, arranging and musical direction. Many of these jobs require knowledge of and fluency with at least one type of DAW and notation software.

Audio generated on notation software, even with upgrades such as Note Performer, is still far from realistic. To create more authentic sounds, it’s worth investing in either Cubase or Logic Pro X. One of the main functions of DAWs, aside from audio production, is the use of software instruments through MIDI (musical instrument digital interface). This essentially allows you to manually create (using the mouse or a midi keyboard/controller) realistic orchestral sounds through the use of ‘samples’. Most DAWs come with extensive sample libraries, and there is an increasingly large market of third-party plug-ins that allow you to create almost perfect replicas of orchestral instruments through your DAW.

Similarly you can import music from your notation software into your DAW for better sounds than you’ll find in Sibelius, or you can create your music in your DAW and export your MIDI notes to your notation software, for real musicians to use. If this is going to be your primary use for your DAW, then we’d recommend Cubase: it allows for much tidier organisation of instrumental tracks. Plus, Cubase and Dorico are both made by Steinberg – resulting in greater compatibility, so working between the two programmes is seamless.

For more information visit: 

Cubase

Logic Pro X

Pro Tools

BandLab

Audacity

GarageBand