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.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Ardour

Ardour

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.

Categories:
recording editing mixing audio midi

Ardour Features

  1. Multi-track recording
  2. Non-linear editing
  3. Unlimited audio tracks and busses
  4. VST plugin support
  5. MIDI recording and editing
  6. Mixing and mastering tools

Pricing

  • Open Source

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

Cubase

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.

Categories:
music-production audio-editing midi-editing virtual-instruments effects-plugins composition sound-design mixing

Cubase Features

  1. Advanced audio editing and manipulation
  2. Virtual instruments and effects plugins
  3. MIDI recording, editing, and automation
  4. Mixing, routing, and channel strip functionality
  5. Score editing and notation tools
  6. Surround sound mixing
  7. VST3 support

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase
  • Subscription-Based

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