In the last article, we discussed audio interfaces, studio monitors, and microphones for home studios. Now let us discuss the most important thing “DAW” or digital workstation.
I have listed the 5 best DAWs for beginners planning to start their home studios in this article.
DAWs are multitrack audio recording software that works like an analog audio recorder but with much more functionalities and flexibility.
If you are planning to set up a computer-based recording studio then you need a DAW or digital audio workstation to record and mix down your projects in digital formats like WAV, MP3, and other audio file formats.
DAW syncs with your audio interface and records vocals, digital and acoustic instruments, MIDI instruments, etc in their multitrack recording windows and allows you to mix your project with the help of core and third-party effect plugins.
So, we can say it is the brain of your home studio.
Finding the most suitable DAW for your needs as a beginner is tough. That’s why I have come up with this article: to help you choose an ideal DAW that is aligned with your needs.
Let’s discuss them.
1. Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a budget DAW cum sampler for those who measurly use MIDI instruments to record music.
If we see Ableton Live’s window, it has two main views; Session and Arrangement.
The arrangement view is like a traditional DAW in which you’ll get multiple tracks in an arranged format. Here you can add effects, change routing, and many more settings related to audio and MIDI tracks.
Session view looks like a sketchpad which allows you to create and manipulate MIDI as well as audio clips in real time.
The main feature of Ableton Live is the manipulation and creation of audio and MIDI files with the help of Session View.
That makes it quite different than other traditional DAWs.
Well, you may ask me, if it’s not a traditional DAW then why I’ve added this to my list.
Because it acts like a DAW as well as a sampler best suited for individual music producers.
The features given in Ableton Live along with its low price range make it ideal for small home studio owners.
Maybe you are a songwriter, singer, or instrument player who wants to enter the world of audio recording and going to start a home studio.
Then Ableton Live is the one that best suits your needs. You can produce most of the parts of your project with the help of given samples and MIDI instruments right in Ableton Live.
This does not need musical instrument players.
If this is your requirement then it’s one of the best digital audio workstations for you.
2. FL Studio
FL Studio or Fruity Loops Studio is a great sampler-DAW used by DJs, music producers, songwriters, and musicians.
It’s started as a sampler but with time it enhanced with robust DAW features like multiple track arrangement, mixer, and session views.
It has a vast sample and loop library that you can use to create songs and other projects via the MIDI instrument.
It has a user-friendly interface along with a powerful piano roll editor, and an extensive sound library as I have mentioned above.
It was actually designed for electronic music production but with time it’s evaluated towards feature-rich DAW and now we see all the functionality of a traditional DAW in FL Studio.
In this DAW you will get different types of samplers, synths, and other instruments and also use third-party VST plugins.
It has a browser section that allows you to access all your presets, instruments, audio clips, and project files.
The main features of FL Studio are the step sequencer and piano roll that help you to arrange your own beats, rhythm, and melody in different tracks.
Once you become familiar with FL Studio, producing music on this DAW becomes very easy. That’s why DJs love this DAW. They need fast workflow and FL Studio fulfills their needs.
3. Apple Logic Pro X
This is another great DAW and my favorite. However, to use it properly, you need prior knowledge of DAW recording.
I have been using it since Logic was acquired by Apple in 2009. Since then it’s totally changed and became a versatile DAW in the music production industry.
Apple focused on individual producers and tweaked this DAW for them. Hence it’s one of the best DAWs for home studio owners who produce music individually.
When it comes to the features, you’ll get features like Smart Tempo, AI-powered Pitch tracking, and many more.
But the main thing I like in this DAW is the arrangement window and mixer. When you work on this DAW, you’ll feel its equivalency to the hardware setups.
I actually like its seamless and easy-to-use interface along with its audio engine which is capable to deliver upto Dolby Atmos surround sound output.
The one disappointing thing is its compatibility. It is only compatible with Apple devices such as MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. But it’s not compatible with cross-platform.
If you have an Apple device then nothing is better than this DAW for you.
Well, you have to pay a one-time fee to get this DAW on Apple’s App Store so if you want to invest in a high-quality DAW then go ahead or there are other options also available in the the market
4. Steinberg Cubase
For Windows users, Steinberg Cubase is a great DAW software for home studios.
Steinberg Cubase comes with several add-on VST plugins in the bundle so you can easily produce music and other projects right from this DAW without worrying about external instrument players.
The user interface of Cubase is as easy as a newbie can handle.
You will get multiple Windows views which makes it very fast and responsive during the recording session.
As I have told you above, it comes with complementary addon VSTs which are sufficient to produce high-quality music.
However, you can also use third-party VSTs by installing them on your system. They can be accessible from the Cubase VST setup Window.
If you are familiar with MIDI-based recording then this DAW is a better choice for you. You can use external MIDI devices to use the VST instruments.
You will get features like Modulators, Pattern Sequencers, Channel Strips, Chord Pads, Sampler Tracks, etc in this DAW which makes it seamless to record your project right in this DAW.
If you are a Windows user then you can try this out as Cubase is providing 3 months free trial in 2025.
5. PreSonus Studio One
Last but not least PreSonus Studio One is one of my favorite DAWs for beginners.
PreSonus Studio One started as a complementary DAW coming with PreSonus Audio Interfaces, however, it’s evolved quickly, and now it’s an advanced DAW that can be used in home studios even for professional recording.
If you want to get this DAW then you’ve to pay around $200.
You’ll get all the required features of a DAW in Studio One along with some advanced features like AI Powered Stems, integration with Splice, Global Transpose, and many more.
It is an ideal DAW for composers, songwriters, singers, instrument players, and home studio owners.
You will get a bunch of VST instruments that help you to compose music without the need for instrument players.
VSTs like Deep Fight One and Impact are amazing in performance and quality.
It’s completely compatible with DOLBY Atmose so you can produce cinematic effects in this DAW.
Overall this DAW is another great addition to this list.
If you are willing to pay a one-time $200 fee then this one is a great choice for you.
Conclusion
As I have told at the very first of this article, DAW is the brain of any home studio. But choosing the DAW aligned with your needs is really difficult in this confusing vast world of software.
Well, I think, this article lightened up the world of DAWs and gave the perfect examples of the 5 best DAWs for beginners.
Whether it is Ableton Live – the sequencer DAW or Apple Logic Pro X – a DAW for overall use for music production, I have used all of them.
When found perfect for beginners or small-scale home studio owners, I listed them here for you.
If you’ve any doubts, let me know in the comments. I must guide you in setting up and running your home studio properly.
Cheers.
