We've always made it clear on the Expert sites that from a user point of view the best DAW is the DAW that works for you, so DAW wars from that perspective are pretty pointless.

However from a buyer point of view DAW wars may be a good thing, here's why...

Features Get Copied

Visit any forum and you'll see users of their current DAW suggesting/asking/pleading the developer to add the feature of a competing DAW. Would Pro Tools have track freeze had it not been in every other DAW on the market? Would Logic have VCAs had it not been in Pro Tools for many years? We don't know the answers to those questions but competition keeps developers focussed on using features to keep their current users loyal and potential users to take notice.

Value Improves

There are more DAWs on the market than ever before, at least 10 big players and many more besides that (Wikipedia lists over 30) and with increased competition comes better value. Take Pro Tools, in the last years Avid have had to offer more features previously found in Pro Tools HD and free plugins, all this to keep Pro Tools users loyal, get users onto plans or to get other users to switch. Other DAWs are doing the same, Logic Pro 9 was £399 now Logic Pro X is £149. We get more features for less money, because irrespective of how much a brand wants to sell their DAW for, buyers look at the price of other similar products and make a price comparison. One could argue that there's never been a better time to buy a DAW.

Service And Support

Whilst features and price may be two part of the value proposition, the final one, especially for those working with a DAW professionally, is service and support. Any brand who ignores service and support in today's market does so at their peril. Professionals need to know that if something goes wrong that they can be up and running as fast as possible without losing time, the job or the client. Even those not using a DAW professionally need to know that the people selling them their tools care enough to offer timely support that doesn't cost the earth. Support costs brands a lot of money to deliver but trying to do it on the cheap or expecting customers to pay through the nose, or in some cases pay for it at all, isn't going to win them loyal customers.

Summary

As outlined at the start of this article, the DAW we choose to use is down to our own needs and preference and no one else can make that choice for us. But let's celebrate the fact that there are more DAWs than ever to choose from, it keeps those trying to win our loyalty on their toes!

Discuss