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Cubase Alternatives

Cubase is described as 'Definitive desktop DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for professional mixing, mastering, music production and sound design' and is a popular music production app in the audio & music category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Cubase for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD and Android. The best alternative is LMMS, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Cubase are FL Studio, Reaper, Ardour and Ableton Live.

Cubase alternatives are mainly Music Production Apps but may also be Digital Audio Workstations or Audio Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Cubase.
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Cubase iconCubase
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  • Mac
  • Windows

Definitive desktop DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for professional mixing, mastering, music production and sound design.

Learn more about Cubase

  1. LMMS is a free cross-platform alternative to commercial programs like FL Studio , which allow you to produce music with your computer.

    ⚫︎ Support for VST PluginsLMMS support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
    ⚫︎ PortableLMMS can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    ⚫︎ CustomizableLMMS is easy to customize with themes or similar features.
    ⚫︎ DRM FreeNo Digital rights management (DRM), i.e. no copy protection.
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    LMMS vs Cubase opinions
    Most users think LMMS is a great alternative to Cubase.

    I hope to increase support for audio o multitrack recording - IT's very light for my pC Compaq with 1 ghz CPU , i don' t have a great pc

    Top positive comment   ago
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    2

    It has a lot interesting functions.

    Top positive comment   ago
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    5

    The UI is nowhere near Cubase. It's like comparing mattresses to game consoles. They might both be rectangular, but that's it.

    Top negative comment   ago
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    2
    RCLeahcar

    No support for audio or multitrack recording

    Negative comment • ago
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    2

    Does not support harddisk recording - only midi or samples

    Negative comment • ago
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    10

  2. FL Studio (originally known as FruityLoops) is a full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) offering a complete range of professional tools for everything from audio editing and beat creation to advanced arrangement, composition, mixing and mastering.

    ⚫︎ Support for VST PluginsFL Studio support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
    ⚫︎ Live PerformanceListen to and adjust your music productions with FL Studio based on incoming audio in real time.
    ⚫︎ Works OfflineFL Studio can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
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    FL Studio vs Cubase opinions
    Some users think FL Studio is a great alternative to Cubase, some don't.

    Cubase is more for the traditional musician, whereas FL is for loop based electronic music.

    Negative comment • ago
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    5

    different conceptual style

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    0
    karpovskiipa

    It is one of the best DAW on the market. A lot of TOP producers and beatmakers use it in their work.

    Positive comment • ago
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    -2

  4. REAPER is a complete digital audio production application for Windows, Mac and Linux, offering a full multi-track audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing and mastering tool set.

    ⚫︎ Support for VST PluginsReaper support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
    ⚫︎ CustomizableReaper is easy to customize with themes or similar features.
    ⚫︎ Support for scriptingReaper supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
    ⚫︎ PortableReaper can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    ⚫︎ Support for MIDIReaper includes MIDI hardware and software support to record and import audio.
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    Default theme
    Reaper vs Cubase opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Reaper is a great alternative to Cubase.
    seniormember

    It has most of the features Cubase has for a fraction of the cost. Developers are constantly improving it throughout the years. Huge community base.

    Positive comment • ago
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    0

    its more like cubase than other alternatives

    Positive comment • ago
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    2

    Reaper is an extremely powerful DAW for its price.

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    2
  5. Ardour icon

    Ardour

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Ardour is a hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation application. It runs on GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows. Ardour's intention is to provide digital audio workstation software suitable for professional use.

    ⚫︎ Support for VST PluginsArdour support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
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    Ardour 6
    Ardour vs Cubase opinions
    Most users think Ardour is a great alternative to Cubase.

    Opensource, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can import PT projects, create your own model, and use it as a completed DAW for your computer. Enjoy !

    Positive comment • ago
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    -2

  6. Live is software for creating musical ideas, turning them into finished songs, and even taking them onto the stage.

    ⚫︎ Virtual InstrumentAbleton Live uses mainy virtual instruments (piano, guitar, drums, bass, etc.).
    ⚫︎ Live PerformanceListen to and adjust your music productions with Ableton Live based on incoming audio in real time.
    ⚫︎ Support for VST PluginsAbleton Live support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
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    Ableton Live 10
    Ableton Live vs Cubase opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Ableton Live is a great alternative to Cubase.

  8. Logic Pro lets you translate musical inspiration into professional productions. A range of powerful, easy-to-use features puts sophisticated tools at your fingertips, and complete surround support lets you make incredible, immersive music.

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    Logic Pro vs Cubase opinions
    Most users think Logic Pro is a great alternative to Cubase.

  9. Welcome to the school of rock. A Mac-sized practice space. Your own recording studio. If you want to learn to play an instrument, write music, or record a song, GarageBand can help — whether you’re a rookie or a rock star.

    ⚫︎ Works OfflineGarageBand can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
    ⚫︎ Virtual InstrumentGarageBand uses mainy virtual instruments (piano, guitar, drums, bass, etc.).
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    iPad Version: Tracks
    GarageBand vs Cubase opinions
    Some users think GarageBand is a great alternative to Cubase, some don't.

    GarageBand is a very lightweight program compared to professional grade DAWs such as Cubase.

    Negative comment • ago
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    1

  10. Bitwig Studio is a multi-platform music-creation system for production, performance and DJing, with a focus on flexible editing tools and a super-fast workflow.

    ⚫︎ Live PerformanceListen to and adjust your music productions with Bitwig Studio based on incoming audio in real time.
    ⚫︎ Support for VST PluginsBitwig Studio support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
    ⚫︎ Support for scriptingBitwig Studio supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
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  11. Reason is a virtual studio rack with all the tools and instruments you need to turn your ideas into music. And it's more than just a set of excellent synths and effects. It's a complete music system. Step into the age of Reason.

    ⚫︎ Virtual InstrumentReason uses mainy virtual instruments (piano, guitar, drums, bass, etc.).
    ⚫︎ DRM FreeNo Digital rights management (DRM), i.e. no copy protection.
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    Reason vs Cubase opinions
    Most users think Reason is a great alternative to Cubase.
    balloonhead666

    Production is faster and far more buildin instruments and effects

    Positive comment • ago
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    NikosKeyz

    reason isn't like any other DAW

    Negative comment • ago
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    1

  12. Cakewalk, formerly SONAR, is a comprehensive audio software for music composition, audio recording, editing, mixing and mastering.

    ⚫︎ Support for VST PluginsCakewalk support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
    ⚫︎ Support for MIDICakewalk includes MIDI hardware and software support to record and import audio.
    ⚫︎ Works OfflineCakewalk can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
    ⚫︎ CustomizableCakewalk is easy to customize with themes or similar features.
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    Cakewalk vs Cubase opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    balloonhead666

    Best Freeware with all the professional abilities. Highest Level of Features Like all paid programs but not very stable

    Positive comment • ago
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