Awkward DAW question

[Romancha]

I am a hobbyist who is now effectively squeezed out by the subscription process - did it for two years but it's not cost effective. As PT is where most of my knowledge sits, what other DAWs do you rank next, behind PT?
I'm running all Metric Halo hardware.

I appreciate your thoughts!

[Darryl Ramm]

My personal choices would be

Logic Pro on Mac.
Reaper on Windows.

But we have no clue at all what you are doing. If composition there are many DAWs that are likely *better* than Pro Tools. I also disagree with an assumption that Pro Tools is a "better" DAW in general, it's the legacy market leader. Many other DAWs have features/capabilities ahead of Pro Tools (and it's slow at catching up), and many have better customer support, and better compatibility with different operating systems (esp. on Mac). If it's about broad compatibility and transferable skill sets then Pro Tools still wins. If working with a band/others then sort out what common tools you are going to use, that should trump anything. If you are doing stuff mostly for yourself you really need to look around and make your own decision, there are many other great products.

[huzzam]

I'd generally second Darryl's suggestions, with the following change: if you're not a composer / don't use a lot of virtual instruments, I'd go for Reaper on Mac OR Windows. Logic's main strength is its rich selection of virtual instruments, but if you're not gonna use those, I think Reaper is an easier switch from Pro Tools. And the pricing is really really great.

Harrison MixBus is also quite affordable, approachable, and sounds really good, though it's under far less active development. And Studio One would be the other one I'd throw in the mix (sorry) for consideration.

The final option would be to find a perpetual license for Pro Tools, and just pick a version and stay there. No need to update all the time; major studios don't, why should you?

[Darryl Ramm]

^^^ won't disagree if you are purely working tracking/mixing audio. Logic Pro is very nice, but uh yes sometimes the usability/workflow is a bit weird. The product reflects its history and uh can I say "Germanic sensibility". Lots and lots of folks are using it however.

[Romancha]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm on a Mac and I do write and record audio, but I currently use the Toontrack rhythm products (so I probably wouldn't use the virtual instruments in-depth). Sounds like Reaper is fairly similar to what I'm used to ...

[ChuckS]

Take a look at Studio One.
https://www.presonus.com/products/Studio-One

[EGS]

Originally Posted by Romancha

...effectively squeezed out by the subscription process...

Hey AVID, pay close attention....