Bitwig vs Reaper vs Cubase: Three Underrated DAWs Reviewed and Rated

Ableton and FL soak up most of the hype, but three other DAWs have fiercely loyal followings among underground producers. Here’s how they stack up.

Bitwig Studio – 8.5/10

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Built by ex-Ableton developers, Bitwig combines a clip launcher and arranger with a deep modular heart. The Grid lets you patch your own synths and effects from hundreds of modules, and modulators can be dropped onto any device parameter – LFOs, envelopes, step sequencers, randomisers – making evolving, glitchy psy and IDM textures easy.

• Pros: unmatched modulation, plugin sandboxing (a crashing VST won’t take down your session), Linux support, MPE throughout, upgrade plan rather than paid major versions.
• Cons: smaller community, fewer tutorials, stock sound library is lighter than Logic’s.
• Best for: sound designers, experimental techno, psytrance, live performers.
• Editions: Essentials, Producer and Studio, with a demo available.

Reaper – 8.5/10

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Reaper is the punk rock of DAWs: a tiny download, runs on almost anything, and Cockos sells it for a very low discounted personal licence with a generous fully-functional evaluation period. It’s incredibly customisable – themes, actions, scripts (ReaScript in Lua/Python/EEL) and a massive community extension ecosystem (SWS, ReaPack).

• Pros: price, speed, stability, flexible routing, best-in-class audio editing for the money.
• Cons: looks plain out of the box, few stock instruments, steeper set-up curve for beatmakers.
• Best for: recording, mixing, podcasts, tinkerers, anyone on an old laptop.

Cubase – 8.5/10

Platforms: Windows, macOS.
Steinberg invented VST, and Cubase remains a heavyweight for MIDI editing, scoring and big productions. Recent versions added a pattern sequencer, a drum track, modulators and much-improved stock instruments, closing the gap on electronic-focused DAWs.

• Pros: superb MIDI and audio editing, chord tools, VariAudio pitch editing, solid mixing console.
• Cons: the top Pro edition is pricey, licensing system has a learning curve, can feel heavy for quick beat sketches.
• Best for: film/game composers, trance and progressive producers who love detailed MIDI, big hybrid mixes.
• Editions: Elements, Artist and Pro, with a 30-day trial.

Quick verdict

• Want to design sounds nobody else has? Bitwig.
• Want pro power for pocket money? Reaper.
• Want surgical MIDI and composition tools? Cubase.

All three have free trials – check the official links below and see which one clicks with your brain.

Are you Team Bitwig, Team Reaper or Team Cubase? Tell us what made you choose it.

Sources

• https://www.bitwig.com/
• https://www.reaper.fm/
• https://www.reaper.fm/purchase.php
• https://www.steinberg.net/cubase/