San Francisco, CA (Top40 Charts/ Digital Music Doctor) Digital
Music Doctor has released a new analysis which compares seven of the most popular
Digital Audio Workstation software products from Avid, Steinberg, Cakewalk, MOTU, Apple, Ableton and Image Line. This analysis is an update of an ongoing study and now includes ratings for the recently released Pro Tools 9. The analysis measures these products based on two ratings, an overall functional rating and a value ratio that measures which products provide the most value for the money.
The new release of Pro Tools 9 improves its rating because of several audio and video enhancements that were previously available only as additional cost items or as part of Pro Tools HD. However, the value ratio of the product has decreased because of the significant price increase. Although the new release of Sonar X1 incorporates a substantially redesigned user interface, no new functions are included that affect its functional rating. However, the value ratio improved because of a price decrease.
PRODUCT RANK (FUNCTIONAL RATING)
1 - Cubase 5 (4.7)
2 - Sonar X1 (4.4)
3 - Logic Pro 9 (4.3)
4 - Digital Performer 7 (3.8)
5 - Pro Tools 9 (3.6)
6 - Live 8 (3.2)
7 - FL Studio 9 (3.0)
PRODUCT RANK (VALUE RATIO)
1 - FL Studio 9 (1.51)
2 - Sonar X1 (1.10)
3 - Cubase 5 (0.94)
4 - Logic Pro 9 (0.86)
5 - Digital Performer 7 (0.76)
6 - Live 8 (0.71)
7 - Pro Tools 9 (0.60)
The functional rating evaluates 130 different factors on a scale of 0-5 (5 being best) which are combined to arrive at an overall rating. The second metric of the analysis is the value ratio which is the ratio of the overall functional rating divided by the representative dealer price. Each main category of the functional rating has several subcategories which provide overall ratings for such functions as Mixing & Mastering, MIDI Editors, and Loops & Remix. The analysis also includes an explanation for each rating as well as a description of what a particular function is and why it is important.
This analysis is based on the materials used in the video training courses produced by Digital Music Doctor for Avid Pro Tools, Cakewalk Sonar, Steinberg Cubase, MOTU Digital Performer, Apple Logic Pro, Image Line FL Studio and Ableton Live. The complete analysis is available at the Digital Music Doctor web site: https://www.digitalmusicdoctor.com/shootout/shootout_summary.htm
