Acid Pro 8 - Magix

Acid Pro has been around for as long as i can remember and has always been a very intuitive and easy to use DAW with its paintable loops etc. It has been though,and stiil is,  left behind by far more capable DAWs such as Ableton and Stdio One. The recent update doesn't really add anything new to the table, except it's now 64 bit and cosmetic wise it is now a lot more pleasing on the eye. Still a great DAW (especially for beginners) if still  a tad dated though, compared to the competition.

ACID Pro 8 is the creative DAW for all music producers. Behind its slick new interface lies a powerful, 64-bit music production powerhouse. It combines ACID's famous easy workflow with pro-level features, over $1000 worth of new instruments, loops and effects, and 9 GB of all-new ACIDized loops. ACID has a world-class, 20-year heritage and, with VST3 support coming soon in a free update, ACID Pro 8 is very much the creative DAW for today's forward-thinking artists

Meet your new creative partner in crime ACID Pro 8 is a powerful 64-bit DAW that has ACID's famous innovative audio looping, powerful multitrack recording and hi-end audio and MIDI features, all set within an easy-to-use interface to help artists of all levels create their dreams. With a brand new GUI, but the same, famous ACID ease of use, this is an immensely creative music production environment. ACID Pro 8 also adds 64-bit processing, no less than 16 new instruments, 13 new effect plug-ins, 9 GB of new ACIDized loops, and there's VST3 support coming soon in a free update giving you access to thousands of third party plug-ins.

New powerful 64-bit architecture
Take advantage of all the power of your 64-bit operating system for creating complex projects with tons of loops, demanding plug-ins and lots of tracks and real-time effects. Power for your music.

Refreshed User Interface
Inspired to inspire! The completely refreshed user interface is designed for the special needs of musicians. Precise mixing, creative composing or professional recording – all at lightning speed.

More instruments. More sounds. More effects.
An incredible suite of 16 instruments including the DN-e1 analogue synth and Vita Sampler. 13 stunning effects: from the Analogue Modelling Suite to Vandal guitar effects, plus an amazing 9 GB of new ACIDized content and free VST3 support coming soon!

Ableton Live 10.0.1

This  super major update gives Live a new lease of life and the Push 2 controller too. Better graphics and smoother workflow are now much better integrated and there's a plethora of small enhancements. The new 'ECHO' audio effect is just brilliant, reminding me of the Waves H-Delay ,but this thing can do so much more! The new instrument  'WAVETABLE' is a very advanced synth with many sonic capabilities under it's hood. In my opinion the best just got better!


Create bolder sounds with Live’s new devices. Stay in the flow with a multitude of workflow improvements. Do even more away from the computer with Push. Build your sound with a curated library. And get the unlimited potential of Max for Live, seamlessly built in.

Create with new devices
Meet Wavetable, Echo, Drum Buss and Pedal: new devices that mean colorful new sounds are possible with Live’s instruments and effects.

Wavetable
Immediately playable, infinitely capable, Wavetable is a new synthesizer built by Ableton. Shape, stretch and morph sounds using wavetables derived from analog synths, and a range of other instruments and sounds. Start sculpting sounds right away—even without a deep knowledge of synthesis—or explore its rich palette and potential through an intuitive interface.

Echo
Echo brings together the sound of classic analog and digital hardware delays in a single device—your new go-to delay. Drive and shape sounds with its analog-modeled filters, turn up the noise and wobble for vintage imperfections, or add modulation and reverb to create diffuse soundscapes, wailing feedback and more.

Drum Buss
Drum Buss is a one-stop workstation for drums, capable of adding subtle character or bending and breaking drums to your will. Add warmth and distortion with drive and crunch, take control of dynamics with compression and transient shaping, dial in and tune boom and control bass decay with the dedicated low end section.

Pedal
With separate circuit-level models of overdrive, distortion and fuzz guitar pedals, Pedal brings the character of analog stomp boxes to Live. The effect goes all the way from subtle to reckless—it excels at warming up vocals and other instruments, driving synth sounds or completely smashing drums. And of course, it sounds great with guitars.

Stay in the flow
You’ll find improvements to Live that help you stay in the flow at every stage of your creative process, whether you’re getting ideas down, organizing your setup or editing the details of your music.

Do even more from Push
Live 10 brings new functionality and new high-res visualizations to Push. Now you’ll spend even less time with the computer—whether you’re composing ideas, editing MIDI or shaping and mixing sounds.

New melodic step sequencing layout
Simultaneously sequence notes and play them in from the same pad layout – the bottom half of the layout allows you to play notes in real time while the top half lets you sequence them.

Advanced Device visualization
See Wavetable or Echo in rich detail on Push as you play. When mixing, you’ll see spectrum analysis on EQ Eight, as well as advanced Mid/Side and Left/Right EQ modes. Get real-time audio visualizations from Live's Compressor: see threshold settings and compressor activity, plus set up sidechain routing.

MIDI note view
Navigate and refine the notes of your pattern in context directly on the Push display. Press and hold a step in your sequence to zoom in and use the on-screen control to adjust velocity, note position and length.

New library of sound
With new collections of Packs, Live 10 has more sounds that are ready for finished music, right out of the box. They’re set up for tweaking to your needs or taking in different directions. Plus the library has been reorganized to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Waveform 8 - Tracktion Software

Lots of unique features in the new Traktion Waveform DAW especially in the MIDI department ,which goes quite deep with it's many composition tools. Oddly comes with hardly any VST's and the effects modules are very basic looking compared to most others. Niggles aside though, it's still a a great DAW!

Waveform is a rapidly evolving application specifically designed for the needs of modern music producers. Specializing in creative and inspirational workflows and avoiding features not explicitly needed allow the app to remain surprisingly fun and intuitive. While other apps try to appeal to broad user groups, for example film score, live sound, performance – we are laser focused on music production.

The all new MIDI composition tools available in Waveform are designed to empower and inspire the creative process. Tools which demystify complex musical structures and allow non trained enthusiasts to explore composition. Synchronized pattern generators allow you to dive into chord progressions with matching bass lines, melodies and arpeggios. Real time chord players turn one finger keyboard players into musical maestros. Don’t let your instrumental abilities restrict your creative flow.

Waveform features an expanded modular mixer that can take advantage of multi screen setups. The customizable interface allows you to quickly switch from editing to mixing workflows and desired viewing. Waveform’s powerful ‘racks’ environment allow you to build limitless DSP chains and save/recall them as presets, whether it be your favorite DSP for a particular vocalist, or deep sound design patch. Embrace the power and flexibility of digital modular.

Collective is a powerful sampler and synthesizer capable of generating a wide variety of instrument sounds. Developed to accompany the new music composition tools, Collective allows you to immediately start creating diverse musical styles. Quickly select from over 600 presets and deep dive to surgically craft your unique sound. Pull from the included sample library or load your own, combine with synthesis or cherish the supreme quality of traditional samples. One instrument to rule them all.

Waveform is an unlimited app designed for modern music production. Developed to be creative and inspirational and with a minimal learning curve, our goal is to empower music enthusiasts. Unlike other apps, Waveform supports all major plugin and loop varieties and runs on all major desktop operating systems – now including Raspberry Pi. The beautiful user interface has been carefully crafted to guide the user through the deep capabilities of a digital audio workstation. Dive in and start creating today

PreSonus Studio One 3 Professional

Top notch DAW Studio One is THE way to go especially if you prefer arranging and multi mixing/recording your own stuff and in this respect beats the likes of Ableton Live hands down!! Too many awesome features to list here! With the newly updated version, Studio One is faster than ever and loads/performs at lightning speed. An excellent set of instruments and notes FX etc is also included and its really well worth getting the professional version for these extra features. I'll certainly be using this DAW more often than i have done in the past!!


Studio One Artist and Professional are available direct from both PreSonus and music retail shops worldwide as both upgrades and full versions. Both Artist and Professional come as standard download versions, and can also be purchased with the entire program on an exclusive limited edition 64 GB USB flash drive.

Instantly familiar—yet nothing feels like it. Studio One® 3 contains everything you’d expect from a modern digital audio powerhouse. Once you touch its fast, flow-oriented, drag-and-drop interface, you’ll realize Studio One® 3 was built by creative people for creative music production.

At every step of the musical process, you’ll spend your time creating music instead of fighting a bloated interface. And the sound quality? Well, simply put, it’s unparalleled. In fact, the most common comments from musicians, producers and engineers who have switched to Studio One are “I can just get things done faster” and “Studio One just sounds better.” Let’s find out why.


Version 3.5.1 Release Notes (June 27, 2017)

New features and improvements:
Overall lower latency when playing virtual instruments
Further CPU load balancing improvements
Improved Quick Zoom behavior (alt+shift)
Mixer Undo history logs parameter changes from external devices
Visual bypass state for Mix Engine FX in console
Bouncing Events now keeps routing

The following issues have been fixed:
[Mix Engine FX] Softube Tape not working in 64-bit double-precision mode
[Event FX] Editing tail value in event inspector by dragging mouse is broken
Copy > Replace Arranger section from Scratch Pad back into song creates empty section
Track names cut off when in "Show Automation" mode
Inserts on duplicated tracks stop working
Duplicate / Copy with "Layers follows events" copies wrong range from layers
Copy and paste to wrong track if "Layers follows events" is active
[Auto Punch] punch area not respected, results in merged Event
[macOS] crash in window management
[macOS] incomplete localization when multiple versions of Studio One are installed
[macOS] Stillwell The Rocket compressor (Audio Units) not working
[macOS] crash when using built-in audio device on 10.9.5
Disable Solo from Arrangement not working for multi-out instruments
Browser selection lost after searching
Time offset when bouncing pitch-shifted audio with new algorithms
Mixer Undo not working on Cue Mix sends
Instrument channel direct assign to sidechain not recalled on song load
Instrument Low Latency Monitoring not working with Vienna Instrument Pro
• Latency information for hardware monitoring is incorrect
[Rotor] Drive not stored correctly
[StudioLive Series III] DSP and plug-in sync issues
[Fat Channel XT] Vintage EQ boosts hi and lo shelves on copy
[Fat Channel XT] gain reduction incorrect
Output Level Meter modes not synced
Can't select a plug-in from the Insert Menu with touch
Can't open controller lane (focus issue)
[Project Page] crash when importing from DDP Image
[Project Page] can't update artist name
[Project Page] Analyzer parameter changes don't mark document as edited
Level Meter doesn't store/recall "LU/LUFS" and "EBU+18" settings
Level meter display settings (+18 or LU/LUFS) should NOT reset Loudness values
Replacing instrument results in wrong instrument UI displayed
"Cursor follows edit position" broken in Arranger inspector list
Midi file export with tempo change broken
Fader automation causes noise on fade out
Bounce of external instruments at bar one not possible

Mixcraft Pro Studio 8 - Acoustica

Excellent and underrated DAW which has lots of excellent features. Smart looking interface and a huge amount of quality instruments for almost any genre. Comes bundled with a load of samples too. One very niice feature is the ability to integrate Launchpad and launch clips much like Bitwig and Ableton. Another bonus is Melodyne too!! Slight downside is the rather basic sampler.

The ultimate software tool for pro-level mixing and mastering! With 6 additional virtual instruments and 28 additional effects, Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio features over $1250 worth of plug-ins - the complete package for "record-ready" productions with incredibly realistic instruments and superlative audio processing capabilities.

Integrated Melodyne Tuning Software

Celemony’s groundbreaking Melodyne tuning software sets the standard as the most natural-sounding and easiest to use vocal tuning software available. Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio takes it one step further by integrating Melodyne Essential directly into Mixcraft’s clip sound edit window (and eliminating time-consuming audio “transfers”). Whether you’re simply touching up intonation, or moving notes to wildly alter performances, vocal pitch editing has never been easier!

Stunning Synths

Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio adds painstakingly modeled virtual analog and digital professional synthesizers. Memorymoon is a spot-on recreation of the Moog Memorymoog’s crushing analog fatness. ME80 Version 2 is a killer model of the classic Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, now with a gorgeous new user interface and a whole new sound engine. Kastelheimer Veldberg XD is new virtual analog synthesizer based on algorithms from hardware VA synthesizers with immense programming possibilities - a veritable goldmine of powerful analog and digital timbres!

Bitwig Studio 2.2

Great DAW which not only looks good visually but is also very powerful and a must for anyone who loves Ableton with the similar workflow.


Today it’s possible to make music with any DAW. What sets each one apart is workflow, how quickly you can realize your ideas, and the freedom to choose how you produce and perform.
Bitwig Studio is dynamic software for creation and performance of your musical ideas on stage or in the studio.

Discover the new standard in customized workflow. Bitwig Studio inspires you to take greater control of your music, giving you access to every aspect of your production. Streamline your creative process and quickly evolve your ideas into complete songs, tracks and compositions. Record and arrange, improvise and perform, or do it all at once. Welcome to the next generation of music creation and performance software for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Bitwig Studio comes loaded with industry-standard to industry-leading features, designed to meet the demands of present day musicians, producers and sound designers.

Acoustica Mixcraft 7.5

Mixcraft is a powerful music production and multi-track recording workstation that comes packed with thousands of music loops and dozens of audio effects and virtual instruments. Mixcraft enables you to record audio, arrange loops, remix tracks, compose with MIDI and virtual instruments, add effects, score and edit video, and mix and master your tracks to create polished, professional compositions. Mixcraft is your music production dream come true, instantly turning your computer into a fully-stocked professional recording studio.

No Limits
Unleash your creativity with unlimited tracks, sounds, effects, and virtual instruments! Embrace the power of 64-bit computing with full 32-bit and 64-bit compatibility. Mixcraft's advanced technology even lets you use both 32-bit and 64-bit instruments and effects simultaneously (64-bit version only). Effortlessly adjust clips and digital audio to suit your compositions with the most powerful, best sounding time-stretching and pitch-shifting technology available.

Live Performance
Rock the house with automatically synced, non-stop audio and MIDI clip grooves using the amazingly flexible Performance Panel. Create mixes and mashups with audio warping and song slicing. Manipulate the Performance Panel under your fingers with a Novation Launchpad, MIDI controller, or even your computer's keyboard, and jam along with Mixcraft's powerful virtual instruments.

MIDI Scoring and Editing
It's never been easier to compose your own beats, patterns, and musical scores. Build custom beats and musical patterns at lightning speed using the fun and creative new step sequencer. Create and edit performances with the powerful piano roll editor. Use the notation editor to write, view, publish, and print professional-quality music scores.

Tons of Instruments and Effects
Get ready for a plethora of virtual instruments, including emulations of classic synthesizers, rock organs, and electric pianos. Build your own beats and sounds with the exclusive new Omni and Alpha Samplers that redefine ease of use. Lay down a stellar foundation with Acoustica Studio Drums, an ultra-realistic library of sampled drums and percussion. Master your tracks with a tremendous array of outstanding professional effects. Want to add more? Mixcraft has you covered with extensive third-party VST effect and instrument support. Mixcraft Pro Studio 7 is packed with over $1100.00 worth of plug-ins!

Video Editing
Mixcraft is more than just a blockbuster DAW - it is also a feature-packed pro video editing and scoring environment. Load and edit video files and still images with ease. Crossfade video clips, add transitions, and add a professional touch with fantastic video effects. Rapidly create slideshows from photo collections. Add titles and scrolling text. Remix the audio, add a soundtrack, and effortlessly render complete video projects to popular formats for DVD creation or YouTube™ upload.

Mixing and Mastering
View and edit multiple parameters simultaneously with powerful lane and clip-based automation. Use any MIDI hardware controller to automate and record a vast array of mixer, virtual instrument, and effects parameters. Mixcraft offers flexible MIDI control surface support, including support for Mackie Control compatible hardware, Novation Launchpad, Frontier Design Group Tranzport, and Acoustica's exclusive FREE Mixcraft Remote mobile app. Once your masterpiece is complete, easily publish the mix to your favorite format or burn it directly to an audio CD!

Ableton Live Suite 9.2.2

 

Create, produce and perform. Create ideas, make changes without stopping, and capture everything as you work.

If you’ve used music software before, you’re already familiar with one half of Ableton Live. Live’s Arrangement View is a familiar working space: time moves from left to right, while tracks are stacked vertically.

But Live also features the revolutionary Session View: a unique sketchpad for improvising, playing and performing with musical ideas, without the constraints of the timeline. Freely and independently start and stop any number of audio or MIDI loops - everything stays in sync. Almost everything in Live works in real-time - add, reorder or remove devices, play with Live’s flexible track routing and more - all without interrupting your creative flow.

FL Studio 12

FL Studio is one of the world's most popular and exciting music production systems. Everything you need in one package to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master professional quality music.

Notable New Features

FL Studio 64 Bit features 
– Access up to 512 GB memory, depending on your Windows version.
– 32 Bit bridged and 64 Bit native VST plugin support.
– Project compatibility between 32 and 64 Bit versions.
– FL Studio available as a 64 Bit VST plugin for use in 64 Bit VST hosts.

Performance mode – Trigger Playlist Clips live using a mouse, touch screen, typing keyboard or MIDI controller. Supports APC20/40, Launchpad, Lemur, Block, Maschine/Mikro, padKONTROL, QuNeo, Traktor Kontrol (and more).

Multi-touch support – FL Studio and some plugins now respond to Multi-touch with Microsoft gesture functions supported.

Playlist – 199 Playlist tracks, increased from 99.

Linking includes MIDI input port – Links now remember the MIDI input port used to avoid conflict between controllers.

Playlist & Piano roll – Horizontal & vertical movement locking. Shift is horizontal lock & Ctrl is vertical lock when dragging items.

Piano roll – Glue notes, Mouse wheel velocity, Monophonic step entry mode & Chop chords tool.

Right-click data entry – Most controls now allow a Right-click option to type in values.

Plugin Picker – Right-click to open a plugin and its presets in the Browser. Start typing plugin names to highlight entries.

Mixer – Page Up/Down keyboard keys cycle through the current mixer track's plugin windows.

Options – Play truncated notes in clips restores notes overlapping slice points in Pattern Clips. Click and hold functions. GUI animation level now selectable from sober to entertaining.