My DAW Tier List 2024

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MUSIC PRODUCERS OF ALL LEVELS... WELCOME to my very first DAW TIER LIST of 2024!
In this video, we’ll be ranking the most popular DAWs like FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic pro etc. from the ones that dominate studios to those that might leave you scratching your head. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this tier list will help you decide which DAW is worth your time!
Curious about the Cubase vs Nuendo comparison? Check it out here
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tags:
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[@krazywabbit]

how can I disagree when I know that we have different workflows. you gave your opinion. You've got your flow. I've got me. He has his. She has hers. they have theirs. Now let's make something

[@skyfolk]

spoken like a true producer. fuckin love your comment dude, it's the only one I got that speaks some sense, others are just bashing because MY PERFERENCES aren't like theirs. different workflows lead to different preferences and opinions.We all have our unique approaches, and that’s what makes music production so diverse and exciting. Let’s focus on creating and making something amazing together. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!"

[@kerimalpalt]

long as you create whether you use a wooden box why do I care? action speaks louder than loudspeakers

[@ericfrederickson2692]

Reaper in B tier is criminal. Should be S easily

[@skyfolk]

I get where you're coming from-Reaper is indeed a powerful and versatile DAW with a lot to offer, especially considering its affordability and customization options. The reason I placed it in B tier is based on my personal experience and specific needs over my 8 years of music production. Different users might rank it differently based on their workflows and preferences. For many, Reaper could very well be an S tier DAW. It’s all about what fits best for your particular setup and style. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@Sir4Rush-in8_8]

​@@skyfolkWhy B? What exactly don't you like?

[@jenstornell]

Bitwig has everything I need.

[@maurycy_gnc]

No SSS tier in the video tho 🤷

[@jenstornell]

@@maurycy_gnc True. That was why I wrote my comment. Too often Bitwig is left out but many uses it, it's great so I don't understand why.

[@skyfolk]

I actually didn't include Bitwig in the list because, based on my experience, it didn’t quite fit my needs as my workflow evolved and grew larger. While Bitwig does have its strengths, such as modularity and unique workflow elements, it lacked some features and third-party plugin support that I personally found essential for my production work. Just a reminder: this tier list reflects MY personal experience and perspective from 8 years in music production. Different setups work better for different people, and what works best for one might not be the same for another. Thanks for understanding!"

[@skyfolk]

Exactly brotha ahaha 💖💖 Thank you for watching the video though, really appreciate your time

[@skyfolk]

I didn’t include it in my list because my experience with it has been limited, and it didn’t quite fit my needs as my workflow expanded. I’ll definitely give Bitwig another try in the near future and share my updated thoughts on it. Thank you for your comment though, I really appreciate your time. If I can help you with anything you can let me know please :)

[@djerikfox]

Fl is the only daw i can't work, its just weird, I know ableton cubase logic pro tools and st1...logic is my no1....but fl? omg..just too complicated....

[@skyfolk]

I feel you on that! FL can definitely feel a bit quirky if you’re used to the more traditional layouts of Logic, Ableton, or Cubase. It’s like trying to learn a new language, right? 😅 But hey, every DAW has its own charm, and if Logic is your number one, then ride that wave! It’s all about finding what clicks for you. Keep rocking what works, and don’t stress about FL-it’s not for everyone! 🎶💪

[@Ejupaslani]

Logic Pro 11 Rules....

[@kerimalpalt]

I DONT NEED A DAW, I NEED A DAWG

[@onetwodo]

hahahahhahha

[@skyfolk]

Ah, I see! Sometimes a DAWG can be more reliable than a DAW. Though, I’d argue that a good DAW can help you find the perfect beat even without the canine companionship. 🐶🎶 your comment is my fav so far brother ahahah love you

[@georgechadwick8642]

I think a lot of it really depends on the style of music that you write and its intended purpose. As somebody who writes primarily orchestral works to picture/sync licensing I much prefer Logic Pro, Cubase and Reaper to Ableton or FL Studio. Pro Tools as well is the industry standard for production houses and recording studios

[@skyfolk]

Hey! Absolutely, the choice of DAW can vary greatly depending on the style of music and its intended purpose. For orchestral work and sync licensing, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Reaper offer fantastic features and workflows that are well-suited to those needs. Pro Tools is indeed the industry standard in many production houses and recording studios, particularly for its robust recording and editing capabilities. My tier list reflects my personal experience with various DAWs and how they fit into different aspects of music production. It’s great to see how different DAWs shine in different contexts. Thanks for sharing your perspective!"

[@georgechadwick8642]

@@skyfolk did you get ChatGPT to write this lol

[@skyfolk]

@@georgechadwick8642 yes actually 🤣🤣🤣🤣 my fingers got tired after the 30th so had to take the help

[@kenjiii_]

pro tools is not for making beats...the only thing I do in pro tools is track and mix. Other than that FL and Live are the S tier DAWs for production.

[@skyfolk]

Pro Tools is indeed renowned for tracking and mixing, but it’s true that FL Studio and Ableton Live are often top choices for beat-making and production. Each DAW has its strengths, and it’s all about finding the right tool for your workflow. Thanks for sharing your perspective!

[@glebprokudin2000]

Bro, you contradict yourself. You mark DAWs as unprofessional cuz they are free, but then judge the rest of them by how well you can do the most basic tasks a bedroom producer needs. Good luck with any serious work in FL

[@skyfolk]

I marked the free ones unprofessional because as one advances in production the tools get limited in the free ones and the paid ones are the best. they are paid for a reason. and I didn't rank them based on basic tasks. I presented three benchmarks on which I based the rankings namely the pricing, how easy it is to learn and the community. and just so you know FL has been used by some great producers over the years and it's the go to for most bedroom producers because of it's easy learning curve and cheaper price. here are some of the big names that use or have used FL: Avicii, Martin Garrix, Metro Boomin, David Guetta, Deadmau5, Lil Jon, Porter Robinson, Skrillex, T-Minus, Nero and many more. Thank you for watching the video though and taking out the time to comment, I really appreciate your time

[@CatchTheRain_bow]

No Renoise? :c For breakcore for example Renoise is reallyyyy great, very intuitive to use. But i guess for most other genres its not that great

[@skyfolk]

I actually never used that so I don't know about it. I'll definitely try it out in the future. Thanks for the recommendation

[@CatchTheRain_bow]

@@skyfolk You for sure should give it a shot :D it's really unique and while i mostly use FL i sometimes hop on Renoise for a breathe of fresh air and some new creative ideas that are easier to execute in Renoise. Great video btw

[@Dabeat19]

Bruh abelton is s tier just like FL, they use the same sound engine

[@skyfolk]

yes it is actually but, I presented three benchmarks on which I based the rankings namely the pricing, how easy it is to learn and the community. from my experience ableton is bit harder to learn as a beginner I've found compared to FL and also Live costs a bit more. otherwise, FL and Ableton look eye to eye, I hope you get what i mean here. thank you for watching the video though, also you took the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it my brother. I've also got some ableton videos on my channel you might wanna check them out and lemme know what you think about them, I would be happy to hear from you

[@Dabeat19]

@@skyfolk I respect it, FL and abelton are both good, so you can't go wrong with either or.

[@The90kid]

Lol a beat maker ranking daws that are for master production..... There is difference between a loop editing human and a musician+sound engineer

[@skyfolk]

Hey! It’s interesting you think that, especially since I’ve been both a beat maker and a sound engineer for years. My tier list is based on hands-on experience with various DAWs, not just loop editing. I also presented three benchmarks on which I based the rankings; I’m not sure if you watched the whole video. So, rather than dismissing opinions, consider the breadth of experience behind them. Thanks for the feedback!

[@The90kid]

@@skyfolk don't get defensive, some are born talented artist and some try to be..... It's the hard truth, a very hard pill to sollow, you can be very informative but never be creative and inspired....... That's why here in Nashville hundreds come for the dream , but only the born talented survive to walk the limelight..... I may sound like a crusher of dreams, but dream are that just dreams and talent you are born with will make you shine......make your beats among the billions other, but are you talented or just hard working following after your dreams, .... Come to realise reality and if you are talented pursue if you are not "Go Get A Job"......

[@skyfolk]

@@The90kid I'm not getting defensive sir, but You do know, right, that the music business isn't just about making music or chasing the limelight? Not everyone aims for the spotlight. The industry includes many sub-fields-artist management, music licensing, event production, and sound engineering, to name a few. Even top artists rely on a team of skilled producers; it’s a collective effort. The reality is, you need to outshine at least 80% of the competition. I’ve been making my living in this industry for the past 5 years and earn more than the average corporate employee. It’s not just about natural talent; it’s about outworking and outsmarting the majority. That’s what I aim to teach on my channel and build a community around.

[@askkwok5411]

well I think if you only work in your studio or your bedroom that none of these matter..but if you need to go out and work in other studio then pt is one that you cant avoid

[@skyfolk]

You’re right that Pro Tools is commonly used in many big studios, and one reason for that is its strong capabilities for recording and routing, which can be very convenient. However, the choice of DAW in studios often comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the project. I’ve worked in various studios and have encountered a range of DAWs, including Cubase, Nuendo, and even FL Studio. The software used can vary greatly depending on what the recordist or engineer is most comfortable with. Each DAW has its own strengths, and the best one for any given situation often depends on the workflow and preferences of the team involved. Thank you for watching the video though and taking out the time to comment, I really appreciate your time

[@mauron8389]

No waveform?

[@skyfolk]

I'm not aware of that actually but I'll try it out someday. and surely rank in the next tier list next year

[@satyambairagi6170]

i feel like ableton is easier than fl because of the mixing rack and stuff in abletn you could mix straight from the arrangement view and also the thing where you have to select the channel you want your sound to go in where as in ableton you can directly put a sound on a track and that saves you time fr but i feel like its a little personal some can like the daw feels and figure out naturally i use both in my opinion why i agree with you on fl being the best daw is because its the fastest way to your brain to your daw it opens in an instant and also supports 3rd party plugins really well dosent need any higher spec or something to get good work done btw really like your videos man keep going 👍

[@skyfolk]

Thanks for the love, I appreciate it! 🙌 You nailed it when you said it’s personal-both DAWs have their strengths. Ableton's workflow can feel smoother with the drag-and-drop and mix-from-arrangement perks, but FL's speed and simplicity definitely make it feel like an extension of your brain. It's like a quick sketchpad versus a canvas. And yeah, the way FL runs on almost anything without needing a beast of a machine is a huge win. At the end of the day, it’s all about what clicks with your style. Keep rocking both, that’s the real producer mindset! 🎛️🔥

[@wasquash]

garageband is actually goated if you can get good at it

[@MrSupercracker1]

sorry man you have no idea what you are talking about.. But that's why you made this video so ridiculous, you wanted to stir up the comments and click bait. Great job..

[@Psypher_sage]

Reaper is the best Daw that ever existed.

[@Psypher_sage]

Reaper is the best Daw that ever existed.

[@АнтипПопов]

LUNA?

[@MrSnowFallsMusic]

honestly I started with Fl studio and now I'm using Ableton, that's because At some point i kept Adding vsts and sample for experimental purpose and i quickly ran out mixer track...what i like about Ableton is it has unlimited tracks and i do stuffs freely and process any thing in a single mixer unlike fl studio (you can do that in patcher too) but ableton has the effects in your face 😂and i like that......but i wish ableton has some stock manual tunning plugins just like fl newtone (which i absolutely love ) i love both but Ableton is S tier for Sound designing and stuffs

[@skyfolk]

Ah, the classic 'FL Studio to Ableton' migration! 🎹 It’s like moving from a cozy apartment (with some awkward storage issues) to a penthouse suite with endless windows and a killer view. I totally get what you're saying-Ableton's unlimited tracks and in-your-face effects are like a playground for sound design. 🎢 But here's the kicker: the only reason I didn't put Ableton in the S tier is because... let’s be real, learning it as an absolute beginner is like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while blindfolded. 🧠💥 The learning curve is steeper than the price tag (and that price ain’t exactly pocket change either 💸). Those were 2 out of 3 benchmarks I used for ranking, but trust me, I’m with you on the sound design-manipulating audio in Ableton feels like having superpowers! ⚡ I’ve been using it for 4 years now, and it was a tough one to crack, but once you do, it’s a whole different ball game. 🎶 Oh, and Newtone in FL? Absolute game-changer for pitch manipulation. Ableton, should take notes! ✍️ Thanks for watching though brother, and glad we’re vibing on this one!