Best Digital Audio Workstation Sets of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Digital Audio Workstation sets are comprehensive software packages designed for musicians, producers, and audio engineers to create, edit, and mix music digitally. These sets include a range of tools, such as virtual instruments, effects, and mixing plugins, to provide users with the ability to produce professional-quality music. With their intuitive interfaces and powerful capabilities, digital audio workstations have become an essential tool in the music industry. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, these sets offer a wide range of features to help you achieve your musical goals.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

PreSonus FaderPort Music Production Controller Cover #TOP 1
PreSonus FaderPort Music Production Controller
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Steinberg Cubase Artist 11 Digital Audio Workstation Cover #TOP 2
Steinberg Cubase Artist 11 Digital Audio Workstation
ftb score rating icon 9.8
AVID Pro Tools Studio Digital Audio Workstation Cover #TOP 3
AVID Pro Tools Studio Digital Audio Workstation
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Digital Audio Workstation Sets

#TOP 1

PreSonus FaderPort Music Production Controller

Faderport V2
Black
1 Fader
PreSonus FaderPort Music Production Controller Cover
PreSonus FaderPort, DAW Mix Music Production Controller with Studio One Artist, Ableton Live Lite, Software Bundle For Recording, Streaming and Podcasting

The PreSonus FaderPort is an essential tool for music production, featuring a single touch-sensitive, 100 mm long-throw motorised fader, allowing you to control your mixes with precision. The large, 360-degree push-button encoder simplifies navigation through your tracks, enhancing your workflow. With transport controls, you can easily manage playback and recording, while the channel record-enable and looping features provide flexibility during your sessions. This seamless integration with Studio One ensures that you can focus on your creativity without technical distractions.

What We Like
Motorised fader for precise control
Easy navigation with large encoder
Streamlined transport controls
Flexible looping options
Native support for Studio One
#TOP 2

Steinberg Cubase Artist 11 Digital Audio Workstation

Steinberg
ZS-2018624
Steinberg Cubase Artist 11 Digital Audio Workstation Cover
Steinberg Cubase Artist 11 (ZS-2018624)

Cubase Artist 11 offers users an award-winning 64-bit floating-point audio engine, providing excellent sound quality and flexible routing capabilities. With the new unlimited audio, instrument, and MIDI tracks, you can create complex projects without limitations. The effect suite features over 70 high-quality audio and MIDI effects, enhancing your sound editing experience. Additionally, the comprehensive set of premium instruments, including HALion Sonic SE 3 and Groove Agent SE 5, gives you access to a vast array of sounds, allowing for creative exploration in your music production.

What We Like
Unlimited tracks and inputs
High-quality effects suite
Comprehensive instrument library
Flexible audio engine
Easy-to-use interface
#TOP 3

AVID Pro Tools Studio Digital Audio Workstation

99357182600
AVID Pro Tools Studio Digital Audio Workstation Cover
AVID Technology Pro Tools Studio by Avid. Professional Digital Audio Workstation for Sound Recording & Production (Boxed) Perpetual licence with 12 months support and upgrades.

AVID Pro Tools Studio offers a professional digital audio workstation tailored for sound recording and production. With an improved I/O setup and monitoring features, you can easily manage your audio inputs and outputs, ensuring optimal sound quality. The increased track count allows you to work with 128 audio tracks and 512 instrument tracks, giving you the flexibility to create complex compositions. Track Input Monitoring ensures you hear your input signals in real-time, while AFL/PFL Solo Modes help you isolate tracks for precise mixing. Overall, these features enhance your workflow and help you create exceptional mixes.

What We Like
Improved I/O setup
High track count
Real-time monitoring
Convenient plug-in options
#TOP 4

Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Digital Audio Workstation

Steinberg
48599
Grey
Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Digital Audio Workstation Cover
Steinberg Cubase Artist 12

The Cubase Artist 12 boasts an award-winning 64-bit floating point audio engine, providing high-resolution audio processing up to 192 kHz. This ensures your recordings maintain exceptional clarity and depth. You can create without limits thanks to the unlimited audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks, allowing you to develop intricate projects. The software also includes a complete effect suite with over 70 high-quality audio and MIDI effects, enabling you to enhance your sound with ease. Additionally, it features four premium VST instruments, offering you access to more than 2,500 sounds for diverse musical creativity.

What We Like
High-quality audio engine
Unlimited tracks available
Extensive effect suite
Numerous included sounds
#TOP 5

Avid Pro Tools Dock Control Surface

99006567600
Black
Avid Pro Tools Dock Control Surface Cover
Avid Pro Tools | Dock Control Surface, 99006567600

The Avid Pro Tools Dock is designed to enhance your workflow significantly. It allows you to speed up your processes by giving you quick access to important channels. With its hybrid touch and tactile control, you can easily manipulate your tracks for a more hands-on experience. Automating tracks becomes a breeze, allowing you to focus on creativity without the hassle of manual adjustments. Furthermore, you can effortlessly adjust parameters with a simple twist, making your audio editing more intuitive and enjoyable.

What We Like
Enhances workflow efficiency
Quick access to channels
Hybrid touch and tactile control
Easy track automation
Intuitive parameter adjustments
#TOP 6

PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade

S15 ART UPG CARD
PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade Cover
PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional, Upgrade from any Artist version (Download Card), compose, record, produce, mix and master with an award-winning DAW

PreSonus Studio One 5 offers a comprehensive solution for your music production needs. With its intuitive single-window interface, you can easily compose, record, and mix all from one application, saving you time and hassle. The new live performance feature allows you to use your recorded tracks on stage, enhancing your live shows with studio-quality sound. Plus, the unlimited audio and instrument tracks enable you to explore your creativity without limitations, while advanced automation features streamline your mixing process, making it simpler than ever to achieve professional results.

What We Like
All-in-one music production
Live performance capabilities
Intuitive user interface
Unlimited tracks and automation
#TOP 7

TC Electronic TC2290-DT Dynamic Delay Plug-in

TC2290-DT
TC Electronic TC2290-DT Dynamic Delay Plug-in Cover
TC Electronic TC2290-DT Legendary Dynamic Delay Plug-in with Optional Hardware Desktop Controller and Signature Presets

The TC2290-DT Delay Plug-in offers you a desktop-controlled solution that brings the legendary TC2290 dynamic delay directly into your digital audio workstation (DAW). With extensive modulation capabilities, you can easily customise your audio effects to suit your creative needs. The high-quality tactile interface mimics the celebrated TC2290 rack delay, providing an authentic experience. Additionally, you will have access to custom-designed signature presets crafted by world-class artists and recording engineers, making it easier for you to achieve professional sound quality.

What We Like
Extensive modulation capabilities
Authentic tactile interface
Custom signature presets
High-resolution input/output meters
#TOP 8

Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Upgrade from AI 12

Steinberg
48603
schwarz
Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Upgrade from AI 12 Cover
Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Upgrade from Cubase AI 12

The Cubase Artist 12 Upgrade offers an award-winning 64-bit floating point audio engine, ensuring high-quality sound with resolutions up to 192 kHz. You can create without limits, thanks to an unlimited number of audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks. Additionally, enjoy a complete suite of over 70 high-quality audio and MIDI effects, allowing you to enhance your music effortlessly. With four premium VST instruments and over 2,500 included sounds, you have a vast array of options to explore your creativity.

What We Like
High-quality audio engine
Unlimited tracks available
Extensive effects suite
Vast sound library
#TOP 9

DYNASTY PROAUDIO PMC-1 Premium Volume Controller

DYNASTY PROAUDIO
PROAUDIO PMC 1
DYNASTY PROAUDIO PMC-1 Premium Volume Controller Cover
DYNASTY PROAUDIO PMC-1 Premium Passive Stereo Monitor Volume Controller With Large Volume Knob For Extremely Precise Level Adjustments

The PMC-1 Volume Controller by DYNASTY PROAUDIO offers precise control over your audio levels, allowing you to adjust volume effortlessly with its large rotary knob. It features balanced inputs and outputs, ensuring that you enjoy clean audio free from interference, even over long distances. Setting it up is straightforward; simply connect it between your PC sound card or audio interface and your monitor speakers for a transparent audio experience. Its sturdy metal enclosure means it can endure both the demands of travelling and occasional home use.

What We Like
Precise volume control
Balanced inputs and outputs
Easy to set up
Durable metal construction
#TOP 10

YAMAHA SEQTRAK Black Digital Audio Workstation

SEQTRAKBK
black
YAMAHA SEQTRAK Black Digital Audio Workstation Cover
YAMAHA SEQTRAK Black

The YAMAHA SEQTRAK Black is a versatile digital audio workstation set designed to elevate your music production experience. With its single-piece design, it offers simplicity and ease of use, allowing you to focus on your creativity. The YAMAHA brand is renowned for its quality, ensuring that you get reliable performance. This workstation is perfect for both beginners and experienced users, providing an intuitive interface that enhances workflow and productivity.

What We Like
High-quality brand
Easy to use
Single-piece design
Great for beginners
Enhances creativity
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much does a digital audio workstation cost?

How much does a Digital Audio Workstation cost? DAWs range in price from being free all the way up to $2599 (Pro Tools Ultimate license)! Many also have tiered pricing, where the entry-level option will get you most of the software's features, and the highest priced version is the complete set-up.

2. What are digital audio workstations used for?

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is music production software that allows users to record audio on a personal computer. DAW software works on both the Mac and Windows operating systems. It is used for audio recording, audio editing, MIDI editing, mixing, and mastering, among other functions.

3. What is an example of digital audio workstation?

Popular digital audio workstations today include Pro-Tools, Ableton Live and Adobe Audition. Maschine is an example of an interface that integrates both proprietary software and hardware elements. In contrast, an open-source DAW called Audacity consists only of software.

Editor's Notes

During our digital audio workstation set research, we found 15 digital audio workstation set products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,897 customer reviews through our big data system to write the digital audio workstation sets list. We found that most customers choose digital audio workstation sets with an average price of £357.71.

The digital audio workstation sets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of digital audio workstation sets, including PreSonus, Steinberg, Avid, TC Electronic, DYNASTY PROAUDIO.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.