Top 3 Music DAWs "Digital Audio Workstations"

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is software used to record, edit, produce, mix and master audio. it is commonly used for music, radio, television, film, podcasts, and any other situations that call for recorded/produced audio. Music notation and midi sequencing is also included in DAWs. Different components of a DAW include plugins such as equalizers, distortion, synthesizers, compressors, limiters and many more. Instrument plugins include keys, guitar, drums, horns, etc., and with the plugins, these sounds can be manipulated. Each plugin has a way to manipulate the sound waves tone, speed, and pitch of the audio recorded or inputted audio.

To date there are a wide array of DAWs available to the public. They all offer the same solutions but with different designs and advantages over one another. Here is my list of the top 3 commonly used DAWs to date. 

Logic 

Logic Pro was originally developed by German developer C-Lab, and Emagic. Now it is a manufactured and a product of Apple. It is only available on Mac operating systems. It is widely used as a midi sequencer and to edit music and audio. One can also record and do other audio functions on the program. Logic Pro is currently on its 10th version and systems include Logic Express and Logic Pro X. Logic feature Apple loops which are royalty-free professionally recorded instrument loops. Like the other mentioned DAWS, Logic provides instrument, synthesizers and editing/recording plugins. Real-time scoring in music notation and a guitar tablature are also included.

Pro Tools 

Pro Tools developed and manufactured by AVID Technology is currently available for Windows and Mac users. It is one of the most commonly used DAWS and is recognized as the standard for professional recording. It can run as standalone software or with external converters and internal audio cards with onboard DSP.  Available ProTools systems include HDX, HD, (10, 11) LE, 9, M- Powered and SE.  Pro Tools is currently on its 11th system.  It supports 16, 24, 32, and 64 bit audio at sample rates leading up to 192 kHz.

FL Studio

FL Studio (Fruity Loops) developed by Belgian company Image-Line is commonly used to create music and instrument tracks. It is a pattern based music sequencer and offers the option to import created sound fonts and sounds to its library. This DAW can be rewired into other programs such as ProTools and Reasons. FL offers a wide selection of plugins that come with the plugin and the option to easily add more plugins to the program. There are many plugins specially designed to run only on FL. System options include Studio Express, Fruity Edition, Producer Edition and the Signature Bundle. Fl Studio Mobile is available for Apple and Android devices as well. For now, FL Studio is only available on Windows computers but within the next year or two, it will be available to download and install on a Mac as well.