So What Are The Alternative DAWs? 4. Studio One. Whenever I ask magazine editors or people in the know about what's hot in the DAW world, Studio One is always at the top of the list. As a mixing tool, it still seems to have a way to go, but the revisions come fast with this platform so don't be surprised if that improves soon.
5. Cubase. This DAW has a huge installed base and each version gets better and better. I know of a music department at a very top gaming company that just changed to Cubase from PT and they couldn't be happier.
6. Logic Pro X. You certainly can't beat the price, and Apple is behind it. Logic has been the biggest serious competitor to PT for a long time, but many people don't like the learning curve coming from another DAW.
7. Reaper. This one is a real sleeper as it's cheap ($60!) and has more features than you'd expect for the price. It's routinely discounted by pros until they actually use it. It will take a lot for it to overtake PT, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
8. Something new in the works. Although both companies have denied being interested, both Universal Audio and Waves would have both the engineering and marketing talent, and installed base, to bring out a DAW that would take the world by storm under the right circumstances. We'll see, but don't hold your breath. | 
