Which DAW is the best?

I am a Pro Tools user since that is the only DAW they taught at 2 technical institutions I attended.., but I was thinking of learning Logic too since there are alot of logic users, especially in the MIDI world... . Would it be a good idea? or a waste of time? I was told by engineers that Pro Tools has the most brilliant sound quality. Correct me if I am wrong, but as an impartial observer, i have noticed this brilliance in the sound and realized that the person who told me this could have a valid point. And I am not even talking about Pro Tools HD - just LE - the sound seems "big" as all the pro tools users say. And then I asked why is this so? And then other engineers said it is because digidesign has the best algorithms for sound. Is this why it sounds that much better? Are these proven facts?

But I also heard that Logic is the best for MIDI. But then some member of the Audio Engineering Society told me not to listen to such misconceptions and misinformation and that although many of Logic's Midi navigation, setup, and functions seem more straightforward, he mentioned that starting at version 5 or 6 (i think one of those versions), that is when Pro Tools became an equal to Logic in MIDI... but he said that many MIDI users stick to logic, even though Pro Tools kept exponentially becoming far more advanced for audio, and took over as the industry standard... but he said many Logic Users would not switch, and part of the reason is because for MIDI, logic is just more "automatic" and that those people are too stubborn and lazy to switch to a more superior pro tools... because they would then have to learn a "manual machine" but that they are also too closed minded and stick to the "automatic" and refuse to admit the sound and depth of Pro Tools rapidly became light years ahead of all the rest and ended up in ll the major studios as the #1 DAW.

so in other words, he said to look at it in the following analogy: like in cars - automatic vs. standard... that for MIDI Pro Tools would be like driving a manual car in comparision to Logic which for MIDI is the automatic,... but mainly that Pro Tools is taught as the main DAW at all the reputable institutions of sound for a reason.

For these reasons he told me not to consider any other platform if I have started Pro Tools - and that is because he said pro tools is "light years ahead of any other DAW", and to accept the fact that even if MIDI is more complex and takes more steps for Pro Tools (like manual gear changes on a manual automobile), to just accept it, deal with it, and learn it since it is worth the overall advantage in everything else. To me, I have begun an overview of Logi with someone and I have confirmed that MIDI workflow does in fact require more tedious procedures in Pro Tools and is less streamlined indeed. But i still did not see the vast depth in logic as it was all hyped up to be by it's users who do not appear to be looking at this impartially, but from a colored lens.

I would like some thoughts on this matter, because there has to be a DAW out there that is the best - there must be a number one, and I need to settle this once and for all. Is it pro tools indeed that is light years ahead? Is this reasonig 100% valid? Should I only focus on Pro Tools and forget about every other DAW? At this point, in the Toontrack forum, there seems to be majority agreement that Logic is equal. Huh? This goes contrary to what I was taught.

 

the best daw is not the question, it really is "what is the best daw for me?"

Everyone has different needs, and a person that is working from studio to studio, with many different artists and projects, will probably be using protools often.

But there are still many that use cubase, nuendo, sonar, logic, reaper, digital performer, etc.

There's no question protools is one of the most popular, but it is no longer light years ahead of the rest like many used to think.

Some say learn a few different platforms, that's cool if you want. For me, I just say work with what you're most comfortable with, because in reality audio can be transfered as stems between everything, and many support the open format or support opening session files from other DAWs.

I don't think there is a general "best" it really comes down to what you're trying to do and what platform let's you do it in a way that you like.

 

This is just silliness on the part of the people who've told you that. If you have heard 'brilliant' Pro Tools tracks it's because they were well-produced by the people who made them, not some unique quality of the DAW. Even cheapo DAWs like Reaper are capable of excellent, professional sound. Every DAW has its evangelists, though, and it sounds like you've run into Pro Tools' most hardcore fundamentalists.

You also mentioned Logic and MIDI... again, it's really a question of specifically what MIDI features work best for you. I've personally worked with Reaper, Ableton, and Cubase- and of the 3 I found Cubase to have the MIDI features (I have a number of external MIDI instruments in addition to VSTis) that suited me the best. Groove Quantize is an essential tool for me (not present in Reaper), and I love Cubase's MIDI event editor.

 

Who invented Asio?
Who invented VST(-plugin)?
Who makes midi-sequencer since 1984?...for C64 was it.





I personally always "worked" with Cubase. I like it. Midi is great. But i didnt test other companies alot. Mostly cause i want to know cubase real good and work fast. One DAW is enough for my brain atm..



I forgot: One reason for this might also be, that im german and live not far from Steinberg/Hamburg.
If i was US, the chance is high, that i would have chosen Sonar.
With a mac Logic.

 

I call for Logic!

 

Apple Logic Studio & Ableton Live Suite...All of your music projects can be accomplished between these two. I use Logic more for a "live concert" feel, and Live for a more creative project.

 

I'm in Reaper camp. It's great, affordable, has some very nifty stuff and it's very open-ended. You can do your own thing with it. If there's something missing, you can probably make a macro or a script to do it. Amazing stuff.

Also, it's the fastest DAW yet. From downloading to installation and first run in less than 30 seconds!

 

i'm a live user but. there is no such thing as "the best DAW" or "the best VST/VSTi", there are a bunch of options out there, some more intuitive than others. as said before, the best one is the one that fits you best. for example, i love ableton's workflow but others just feel it has a steep learning curve or things aren't where they should be.
they all are all better/worse than others in certain aspects, so i think there is no better daw, just better daw for you

 

So you should Ableton in your list too then!

The discussion is a little pointless and for a professional engineer to say one is better than the other makes them look slightly stupid imo. If there was one tool which was the best, then all professional artists would solely use that tool. The fact that artists use everything out there, even Reason (yes -- barking mad) means that there is no "best" tool.

I'm hopeless at arrangement so I use Live because the way you can improvise and put song structures together is more flexible than other tools, but from a mastering perspective you can get a song in Ableton to sound as good as as with Pro tools or Logic. As has been said above. Find out what your personal needs are and pick a tool based on its strengths for you. Dont be swayed by idiots who tell you there is only one tool out there.

 

I got AbletonLive...but don't use it.

 

Each to his own I guess.

 

I can only agree with some previouse posts, that there are no best DAW, software etc.
it always depends on needs of user and tasks,
I am used to cubase, but i am no saying that I work with cubase, i work with music, and cubase is perfect tool for me,
ok I can agree that "native" Logic's VSTI may sound better then Cubase's but I use NI so I do not need cheap VSTI which came with DAw, same is with plugins like dynamics FX, Eq...
ok eq may be an acception because I think Cubase has good EQ. but dynamics.... I use liquid mix, fabric C and hard ware, same with FX. Ok we can say that protools HD came with more usefull plugins, or some good plugins are for protools only, but it is again matter of additional value of DAW, but not main value. so may be it is good to answer what DAW should do for me and then choose ....
technically, after Cubase 5 allows export several tracs at the same time I think protools have nothing to interest me, ok some solo options in PT8... but it is not big deal in compare to multiple fades, wich in cubase is easy...
may be best DAW is matter of test only?

 

Hello.

For me, its not really a case of which is best. Its what you know and how well you you use it. I have often considered changing both platform and DAW because of people saying how great the plugins are and how well the midi is implemented. Yes, some DAWs do have better plugs, more efficient ways of working and better features. But do you want to splash out on a new setup/DAW then spend months learning it (when you probably already have a perfectly fine setup) when you could just carry on making great tracks in software you already know.

 

indeed, the question is: what is the tool that fits better with you?

for me, it is Ableton Live 8.1 with max for live.

 

(it's an occasion to come out and say hi to the almighty NI users community. so, i say hi to all of you guys .)

well, cubase sx3 seems to almost perfectly tailored to my needs, but actually i find it a bit unstable and therefore not reliable (there were cases that i couldn't reopen some older projects after reinstalling the system).

i am going to migrate my audio setup to macbook pro (i am using macs for years but only for graphic design which is my profession - never tried any audio related works on that platform). i've heard lots of good testimonials on Logic, so consider buying a copy maybe, but can anyone please let me know if:

1. is there any "external hardware synth/effect" feature present, like in cubase? i llove to use multiple analog delays, reverbs and flangers i own... not to mention synth modules and retrofitted analogs. it's just flawless within cubase.

2. is there a possibility to use all the pc's VSTis (i know there's an VST to AU wrapper)? there are some cool little things that are VSTi only, no AU version...

i am not an audio pro in any case (it's just a hobby), so please forgive if any of my questions seem "vo duyen". cheers!

 

ardour, rosegarden, hydrogen2, zynsubfx, linuxsampler, audacity and freecycle is whats best for me.

 

Hi back =)

Do you have audio tracks and can you send MIDI outside the box? Yes.

No. You can run Mac VSTs with the VST-AU wrapper (or Kore, for that matter- it functions as a wrapper in this case), but you can't run PC VSTs.

And yeah, the perfect DAW's a matter of personal taste. My two mainstays are Sonar and Live.

ew

 

one way is to run all the VSTs inside Bidule in Host mode, running on a PC, then link it up to your mac as if it were a soundmodule (i.e. midi and audio)

It is most likely possible to do this with a DAW host too

I have no idea if this is possible inside a windows virtual machine on a mac

cheers
Tone

 

wine will run almost all vsts

 

thank you guys!
btw, and then again, why not developing the maschine to be more like a DAW itself? 8)