For music production, choosing DAW can be a very confusing task, whether you are selecting a DAW for the first time or thinking of switching to a new one. For example, I was using Presonus Studio One for many years, and from there I shifted to Ableton Live.
But this article isn’t about Ableton. In this article, i’ll share a five-step process with you that you can use to finalise the perfect DAW for yourself.
Step 1: Make a list of all the DAWs in your budget.
Choosing DAW – Pricing
I can give you a starting point in choosing DAW. There’s Ableton Live, FL Studio. If you’re a Mac user, you can consider Logic Pro. Then there’s Studio One, which I have used for many years. A DAW similar to Studio one is Cubase. Then there’s Pro Tools, which has been an industry standard in large commercial studios for many years.
Here are the prices as of September 2025 :
Step 2: Ask yourself what you want to achieve with a DAW.
You might say you want to make music, but that’s a very generalised statement. You need to get into the details of what your workflow will be like. Are you going to be working with hardware or just with a mouse and keyboard? Will there be more recording of live instruments, or will you be working more with loops and samples?
As a beginner, you need to research in that direction. On almost every DAW, you can make any kind of music you want. However, every DAW has some special features. Hence choosing DAW is crucial if you want access to specific features from the start.
Choosing DAW – Goal
For example, I recommend Ableton Live for complete beginners when choosing DAW. Why?
Ableton is a great option for you to consider as It’s well-suited for people who want to create music using just their computer’s keyboard and mouse, without needing to invest in external gear or a MIDI keyboard. It’s also an excellent choice for those who don’t play an instrument but are interested in beat making.
If you are predominantly going to work with loops and samples, are interested in electronic music, or are interested in live performance in the future, either as a solo performer or with a band, or you want very good hardware integration with your DAW, in these cases as well, you can definitely try Ableton Live. There are many options available when it comes to MIDI controllers that are specifically designed to work well with Ableton Live.
For those planning to work in a studio; by studio I mean commercial or semi-commercial spaces where you will be recording live musicians and handling more live sessions; certain DAWs are better suited for the job. Pro Tools and Cubase are great starting points, and if you’re a Mac user, Logic Pro is an excellent choice as well. I would also include Studio One in this category.
Now, some might wonder whether you can’t just record live instruments using Ableton Live or FL Studio. The answer is yes, you absolutely can. However, when it comes to managing large-scale projects with extensive live recording and detailed audio editing, while Ableton Live and FL Studio are capable, they are not built with those strengths in mind.
Step 3: Watch YouTube videos of people making music with the DAWs you’ve chosen.
Choosing DAW – Watch Youtube Videos
Choosing DAW can become a complicated task at the beginning. Spend the next few days just watching tutorials on YouTube. Watch as many videos as possible, from beginner to advanced levels, of the two or three DAWs you’ve selected. Observe its layout and workflow; how does it make you feel?
It is very important to know your gut emotion. Shortlist and download the trial version.
You’ll need to go through the basic DAW operations to properly understand its workflow. It’s important to observe whether the DAW helps you get the work done with minimal clicks and navigation. After all, everyone wants to work faster, and choosing DAW plays a key role in making the music creation process quick and hassle-free.
Step 4: Trial versions.
At this stage, if you’re interested in more than one DAW, should you download all the trial versions at once? No.
Start by ranking them. what’s your top priority? Pick the one you like the most and spend at least an hour a day with it. Don’t rush to judge whether it feels right or not; give it a fair try for a couple of weeks. Choosing DAW becomes easy when you try multiple options properly.
Even if you end up really liking your first choice, I still recommend testing your other shortlisted DAWs for a few days each. That way, you will be absolutely confident that the decision you make is the best DAW for you.
Step 5: What if there is a tie?
Choosing DAW – Make a decision based upon your experience with the trial versions
What will you do if two different DAWs are equally appealing to you? Choosing a DAW can feel even more confusing at this stage.
Well the answer is : choose a DAW that has a large community and for which learning resources are easily available on YouTube and internet. From what I’ve observed in the last few years, the communities of Ableton Live and FL Studio are larger compared to other DAWs.
Before going for a hardware and software setup, you will ultimately have to make a final call. Every DAW has some minus points. You’ll definitely find a video or a comment below a video that will point out a minus point of that DAW.
Instead of getting overwhelmed by all the options, The decision of choosing DAW should be based on your experience with the trial versions.
“Great music is being made on every DAW, so just pick one and go all in.“
Conclusion
Choosing DAW can feel difficult at first, but the best one is the one that fits your workflow and feels easy to use. Start by listing the options within your budget and think about what you want to do with your music. Watch tutorials, explore each DAW, and notice which one feels the most comfortable and fun to work with. Try the free versions before making a final choice because real experience will teach you more than research. If two DAWs seem equally good, pick the one with a larger community and more learning support online.
Remember, every DAW has its good and bad points, but all can make professional quality music. Don’t waste time looking for the perfect DAW. Focus on learning and improving with the one you choose. The more time you spend creating, the faster you will grow as a producer. At We Are Sushi Music, we believe creativity and consistency matter more than the tools you use. So be quick in choosing DAW, start creating, and make the music you’ve always wanted to make.
Feeling stuck with your music production? Don’t worry, it happens to all of us.
Check out www.wearesushimusic.com – we are here to help you move forward.
