If you ’re serious about music and audio production , an integrate digital audio workstation ( DAW ) could open originative options and help you get your work done quicker . Steinberg ’s Cubase SX 3.0.1 , Apple ’s Logic Pro 7.01 , and Mark of the Unicorn ’s Digital Performer ( DP ) 4.52 provide prick ranging from mixing audio and MIDI , to host virtual instruments and effects , to editing and printing melodious note . For under $ 1,000 , each provides software - establish pro - unwavering audio capability that would otherwise require chiliad of dollar in computer hardware .
Not everyone needs the might of these three programs : many newcomers to audio editing will be just as happy with Apple ’s GarageBand 2 ( , February 2005 ) or Mackie ’s Tracktion . And the pro - level programs ’ Modern time - warping features ca n’t match the extremist - sleek port and real - sentence workflow of Ableton ’s Live 4 ( , January 2005 ) .
But if you need a broad set of modern MIDI and audio - cut features , all three of these programs are powerhouses , with richer MIDI and arrangement features than high - ending Digidesign Pro Tools system of rules , at a fraction of the price . While it has fallen behind its competitors in some respects , Cubase SX 3.01 is the best choice here for cross - platform environments and integrating audio hardware . displaced person is the full choice for musicians with Digidesign hardware , is perfect for film scoring , and is the best all - around audio performing artist : it ’s the easiest to habituate and has the most workflow timesavers . Logic Pro wins out in sheer intensity of instruments , effect , and tools , covering all bases from guitar adenylic acid to drum car to advanced profound - introduction tools like Sculpture and CD mastering and burning . ( If you ’re on a tight budget , you might also consider the $ 99 Cubase SE or the $ 299 Logic Express , which apportion a surprising telephone number of features with their pro sibling , albeit with few effect and cat’s-paw . )
I ’d love to be capable to combine Cubase ’s MIDI characteristic and ReWire apparatus with stateless person ’s interface and work flow and Logic Pro ’s extended sound tool chest , but until that ’s possible , you ’re probable to prefer your software based on how you work and which interface you prefer . With so many potent choice for audio production , it ’s a sound time indeed for music on the Mac .
