Ardour vs Cubase

Struggling to choose between Ardour and Cubase? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Ardour is a Audio & Music solution with tags like recording, editing, mixing, audio, midi.

It boasts features such as Multi-track recording, Non-linear editing, Unlimited audio tracks and busses, VST plugin support, MIDI recording and editing, Mixing and mastering tools and pros including Free and open source, Powerful features rivaling paid DAWs, Cross-platform - runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, Constantly updated and improved.

On the other hand, Cubase is a Audio & Music product tagged with music-production, audio-editing, midi-editing, virtual-instruments, effects-plugins, composition, sound-design, mixing.

Its standout features include Advanced audio editing and manipulation, Virtual instruments and effects plugins, MIDI recording, editing, and automation, Mixing, routing, and channel strip functionality, Score editing and notation tools, Surround sound mixing, VST3 support, and it shines with pros like Powerful and intuitive workflow, Excellent MIDI and audio capabilities, Robust mixing and automation features, Great built-in effects and virtual instruments, Seamless integration with 3rd party plugins, Reliable performance.

Feature	Ardour	Cubase
Overall Score	N/A	1
Primary Category	Audio & Music	Audio & Music

Product Overview

Ardour

Description: Ardour is an open source digital audio workstation for recording, editing, and mixing audio and MIDI. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and provides a flexible and powerful multi-track audio and MIDI environment.

Cubase

Description: Cubase is a digital audio workstation software for music production, arranging, recording and mixing. It allows you to record and edit audio and MIDI data, integrate virtual instruments and effects plugins, while providing features for composition, sound design and surround mixing.

Key Features Comparison

Ardour Features

• Multi-track recording
• Non-linear editing
• Unlimited audio tracks and busses
• VST plugin support
• MIDI recording and editing
• Mixing and mastering tools

Cubase Features

• Advanced audio editing and manipulation
• Virtual instruments and effects plugins
• MIDI recording, editing, and automation
• Mixing, routing, and channel strip functionality
• Score editing and notation tools
• Surround sound mixing
• VST3 support

Pros & Cons Analysis

Ardour

Pros

• Free and open source
• Powerful features rivaling paid DAWs
• Cross-platform - runs on Linux, macOS and Windows
• Constantly updated and improved

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Limited native instruments and effects
• No notation or score editing

Cubase

Pros

• Powerful and intuitive workflow
• Excellent MIDI and audio capabilities
• Robust mixing and automation features
• Great built-in effects and virtual instruments
• Seamless integration with 3rd party plugins
• Reliable performance

Cons

• Fairly expensive
• Steep learning curve
• Requires significant system resources
• Limited collaboration features compared to competitors

Pricing Comparison

Ardour

• Open Source

Cubase

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based