Digital audio workstations

A digital audio workstation is where a song comes together: tracks are recorded or programmed, arranged on a timeline, edited and mixed down to a finished file. Most combine audio recording, MIDI sequencing with a piano roll, software instruments, effects and a mixer in one project.

The apps here differ in how they expect you to work. Some centre on recording and editing live audio across many tracks, while others build songs from patterns and built-in synthesizers, which suits electronic music. Consider whether you record instruments or compose in the box, which plugin formats you rely on, and how actively each project is maintained.