<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Overall: Pro Tools 12<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/8pF-adpyGtiDPnJUpZryKX-DnMU=\/1500x454\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/Avid-3f222d999f7044f2ab2b4b980b984826.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuy on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThere’s no way around it: Pro Tools is the industry standard for DAWs. Set foot into any professional recording studio, and you\u2019re much more likely to find Pro Tools than any other software. And a few versions ago, Avid severed the M-Box requirement\u2014which allows you to use the software at home with any audio interface. It\u2019s an easy choice if you\u2019re looking for all-around production software for live instruments and sequencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are two plans to choose from: Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate. you can record up to 128 tracks simultaneously, with capabilities for up to 64 separate hard-wired inputs\/outputs (if your hardware can handle it). Taken at a mixing level, the software will support up to 512 instrument and 1024 MIDI<\/a> tracks, meaning you won\u2019t be held up no matter how big your projects get. There are even 120 plus bonus plugins included.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTake a look at other product reviews and shop for the best audio interfaces<\/a> available online.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRunner-Up, Best Overall: Reason 12 at Reason Studios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Propellerhead](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/IM-dVlqSIohglHwzxxi_5SA_Mxw=\/640x826\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/Reason-cc8c9465281f4766aa4f8f29edf9341a.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuy on Reasonstudios.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nReason Studios is mostly known in the music industry for its plugins and effects. But their flagship Reason DAW has a fair fanbase that straddles the line between those looking for electronic production and those looking for live instrument recording. It\u2019s a rare piece of recording software without a hyper-limited specialty. Buying their full Reason 12 edition gets you a host of features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With their newest update (12), you get Mimic, a fun new sampler for the modern beatmaker and producer. It is designed for quick and immediate triggering, chopping, and manipulation. The update also includes a huge sound bank with more than 29,000 device patches, loops, and samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They still offer their classic, but still unique, Matrix Pattern Sequencer for controlling tracks with a maximum of 32 steps per pattern. There\u2019s VST support<\/a> and an Ableton Live link in case you prefer producing in Reason but sequencing live playback in Ableton. But, like any software, it\u2019s about feel and preference, and Reason has more than a few loyal fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Value: Logic Pro X<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Logic](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/fyA0TL_WGhNb08aX2RoiuSTS7cw=\/640x640\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/LogicProX-5b3f8ed946e0fb00375b693a.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuy on Apple<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNext to Pro Tools and Ableton, Logic Pro is usually on the shortlist for the best in audio production software. With the latest X iteration of the line, they\u2019ve opted to go for a slimmed down version without all the bloated sound libraries, and in doing so, they\u2019ve knocked the price down from the $500-range to the $200-range. But when you factor in the features you get, it easily earns the \u201cbest value\u201d spot here. It now has a Smart Tempo feature that reads and matches a BPM, adjusting your recording to what’s in your project. They\u2019ve also stepped up the stock plugins for reverb, vintage EQs, and more. They\u2019ve upgraded the drummer patches to include a variety of musical genres and you can even use the Logic Remote app to turn your phone into a remote controller. Add that in with all the expected I\/Os, tracking capabilities, and super-intuitive modulation functions (a signature of the Logic line for a while), and you\u2019ve got yourself a full-service DAW for a mid-range price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best for Electronic: Ableton Live 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Ableton](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/n16ZmeonO3usi72hMrJHcndxjmw=\/2500x385\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/Ableton-39a516d1661c45f6930719c8fa6b006a.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuy on Ableton.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf Pro Tools is the industry standard for full, dedicated studio features, then Ableton is the standard for DJs, EDM, and hip-hop beats. Ableton Live 11 comes with a host of features perfect for any beat maker\u2014up-and-coming or experienced. Like all the earlier iterations, Live comes in three versions: a lighter, cheaper Intro version, a Standard edition, and a full Suite that includes all of the plugins and sounds you’ll ever need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In our experience, the Suite is a little overkill for the average producer, so we\u2019ve chosen the Standard here. It offers you unlimited audio and MIDI tracks for wherever your project takes you, 12 send and return buses for effects, up to 256 different mono ins and outs, the ability to capture MIDI inputs for live programming, some cool complex warp modes, and more. They\u2019ve included more than 1,800 different built-in sounds (all in all a 10GB library!), plus 37 audio effects and 14 MIDI effects, all included in the Standard edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ableton Live 11 software comes with a host of features perfect for any beat maker<\/a>\u2014up-and-coming or experienced. One of the biggest updates with the Live 11 edition is its comping capabilities. You can organize multiple passes of an audio or MIDI performance into individual takes, and you can link two or more audio or MIDI tracks to edit the content simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInterested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best DJ equipment items<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe 7 Best Beat-Making Softwares to Buy in 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBest for Songwriters: Presonus Studio One 5 Artist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"PreSonus](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/9Bi0obP-qS7_R6RMwwgT_sNNKCc=\/1883x320\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/Studio_One-c8fbd17f2cf84af783c182f480e52248.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuy on Amazon<\/a>Buy on B&H Photo Video<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPresonus has made a name for itself with a big splash in the audio interface market. Now, with Studio One, Presonus has gotten into the field of digital audio workstations with a worthy competitor to others on the list. The 5 Artist option pushes Studio One to the next level. Arguably, the thing that sets the Studio One line apart is its streamlined, single-window workflow that won\u2019t require you to tab back and forth between a bunch of screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s plenty of simultaneous audio recording, plus smart MIDI sequencing features like a multi-track editing function. There\u2019s a \u201cdrag and drop\u201d loop comping feature, plus more than 30 native effect plugins included. They even offer built-in Melodyne functionality (though with the Artist version, it\u2019s just a trial), which offers an insanely premium level of pitch correction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re trying to compose a track with an infectious beat, check out our selection of the best beat-making software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Budget: Acid Music Studio 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Acid](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/HvIZxEZoaeL_nMgrRQOgsszGo-8=\/640x626\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/Acid_Music_Studio-d5e41ba1c60446098095f187dd63b7be.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuy on Amazon<\/a>Buy on Magix.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAs far as DAWs go, Acid Music has had an interesting history. First, it was owned by Sony and sold as a companion for their award-winning Sound Forge mastering software. Magix purchased the rights to produce the Acid line in 2016, and they’ve revitalized the brand. Acid is available in a Pro version, although it comes with a steep price tag, and we’d recommend some of the other DAWs over it at that price range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, for the budget-conscious, Acid Music Studio 11 is a great option that will give you some solid starter features, such as pro-quality, 24-bit, 192 kHz multitrack sound, powered by a 64-bit engine. It includes eight virtual instruments and six effect plug-ins. Choose from over 2,500 loops used to produce hip hop, house, and rock.
You can record unlimited audio tracks, live track multiple instruments simultaneously, and custom map shortcuts onto your keyboard. It has VST plug-in<\/a> support, so you can expand the software’s functionality with whatever plug-ins you need. Finally, you can export in mp3<\/a>, Wav, or FLAC<\/a> files for whatever you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Plugin: Celemony Melodyne Editor 5<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Melodyne](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/pqicKxUnAFB6hK8tArsZHoawSG4=\/1289x552\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/Melodyne-23997ac06a1c459fa3bf2a660707c289.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuy on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s no way around it: Pro Tools is the industry standard for DAWs. Set foot into any professional recording studio, and you\u2019re much more likely to find Pro Tools than any other software. And a few versions ago, Avid severed the M-Box requirement\u2014which allows you to use the software at home with any audio interface. It\u2019s an easy choice if you\u2019re looking for all-around production software for live instruments and sequencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two plans to choose from: Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate. you can record up to 128 tracks simultaneously, with capabilities for up to 64 separate hard-wired inputs\/outputs (if your hardware can handle it). Taken at a mixing level, the software will support up to 512 instrument and 1024 MIDI<\/a> tracks, meaning you won\u2019t be held up no matter how big your projects get. There are even 120 plus bonus plugins included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look at other product reviews and shop for the best audio interfaces<\/a> available online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy on Reasonstudios.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reason Studios is mostly known in the music industry for its plugins and effects. But their flagship Reason DAW has a fair fanbase that straddles the line between those looking for electronic production and those looking for live instrument recording. It\u2019s a rare piece of recording software without a hyper-limited specialty. Buying their full Reason 12 edition gets you a host of features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With their newest update (12), you get Mimic, a fun new sampler for the modern beatmaker and producer. It is designed for quick and immediate triggering, chopping, and manipulation. The update also includes a huge sound bank with more than 29,000 device patches, loops, and samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They still offer their classic, but still unique, Matrix Pattern Sequencer for controlling tracks with a maximum of 32 steps per pattern. There\u2019s VST support<\/a> and an Ableton Live link in case you prefer producing in Reason but sequencing live playback in Ableton. But, like any software, it\u2019s about feel and preference, and Reason has more than a few loyal fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy on Apple<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Next to Pro Tools and Ableton, Logic Pro is usually on the shortlist for the best in audio production software. With the latest X iteration of the line, they\u2019ve opted to go for a slimmed down version without all the bloated sound libraries, and in doing so, they\u2019ve knocked the price down from the $500-range to the $200-range. But when you factor in the features you get, it easily earns the \u201cbest value\u201d spot here. It now has a Smart Tempo feature that reads and matches a BPM, adjusting your recording to what’s in your project. They\u2019ve also stepped up the stock plugins for reverb, vintage EQs, and more. They\u2019ve upgraded the drummer patches to include a variety of musical genres and you can even use the Logic Remote app to turn your phone into a remote controller. Add that in with all the expected I\/Os, tracking capabilities, and super-intuitive modulation functions (a signature of the Logic line for a while), and you\u2019ve got yourself a full-service DAW for a mid-range price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy on Ableton.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If Pro Tools is the industry standard for full, dedicated studio features, then Ableton is the standard for DJs, EDM, and hip-hop beats. Ableton Live 11 comes with a host of features perfect for any beat maker\u2014up-and-coming or experienced. Like all the earlier iterations, Live comes in three versions: a lighter, cheaper Intro version, a Standard edition, and a full Suite that includes all of the plugins and sounds you’ll ever need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our experience, the Suite is a little overkill for the average producer, so we\u2019ve chosen the Standard here. It offers you unlimited audio and MIDI tracks for wherever your project takes you, 12 send and return buses for effects, up to 256 different mono ins and outs, the ability to capture MIDI inputs for live programming, some cool complex warp modes, and more. They\u2019ve included more than 1,800 different built-in sounds (all in all a 10GB library!), plus 37 audio effects and 14 MIDI effects, all included in the Standard edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ableton Live 11 software comes with a host of features perfect for any beat maker<\/a>\u2014up-and-coming or experienced. One of the biggest updates with the Live 11 edition is its comping capabilities. You can organize multiple passes of an audio or MIDI performance into individual takes, and you can link two or more audio or MIDI tracks to edit the content simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best DJ equipment items<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 7 Best Beat-Making Softwares to Buy in 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy on Amazon<\/a>Buy on B&H Photo Video<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presonus has made a name for itself with a big splash in the audio interface market. Now, with Studio One, Presonus has gotten into the field of digital audio workstations with a worthy competitor to others on the list. The 5 Artist option pushes Studio One to the next level. Arguably, the thing that sets the Studio One line apart is its streamlined, single-window workflow that won\u2019t require you to tab back and forth between a bunch of screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s plenty of simultaneous audio recording, plus smart MIDI sequencing features like a multi-track editing function. There\u2019s a \u201cdrag and drop\u201d loop comping feature, plus more than 30 native effect plugins included. They even offer built-in Melodyne functionality (though with the Artist version, it\u2019s just a trial), which offers an insanely premium level of pitch correction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re trying to compose a track with an infectious beat, check out our selection of the best beat-making software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy on Amazon<\/a>Buy on Magix.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As far as DAWs go, Acid Music has had an interesting history. First, it was owned by Sony and sold as a companion for their award-winning Sound Forge mastering software. Magix purchased the rights to produce the Acid line in 2016, and they’ve revitalized the brand. Acid is available in a Pro version, although it comes with a steep price tag, and we’d recommend some of the other DAWs over it at that price range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, for the budget-conscious, Acid Music Studio 11 is a great option that will give you some solid starter features, such as pro-quality, 24-bit, 192 kHz multitrack sound, powered by a 64-bit engine. It includes eight virtual instruments and six effect plug-ins. Choose from over 2,500 loops used to produce hip hop, house, and rock.Runner-Up, Best Overall: Reason 12 at Reason Studios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBest Value: Logic Pro X<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBest for Electronic: Ableton Live 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBest for Songwriters: Presonus Studio One 5 Artist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBest Budget: Acid Music Studio 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
You can record unlimited audio tracks, live track multiple instruments simultaneously, and custom map shortcuts onto your keyboard. It has VST plug-in<\/a> support, so you can expand the software’s functionality with whatever plug-ins you need. Finally, you can export in mp3<\/a>, Wav, or FLAC<\/a> files for whatever you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Plugin: Celemony Melodyne Editor 5<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"Spire](\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/thmb\/u8ECG4Of3h2Q3u4gvw_m0VSvosk=\/1269x1268\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)\/Izotope_spire-9e75a7260f5d4b4383865f02ae0d7ac7.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n