http://www.digitalmusicdoctor.com/shootout/

Unfortunately ...it looks pretty accurate...

FL has become one of the most popular "DAW" softwares out there...

It has won the Computer Music/Music Radar Shootout 2 years running now...

LIFETIME FREE updates...and about the HALF the price of others
for the SIGNATURE Bundle...@$299 ($279 AD) and most likely WHY it is the most
popular, because it is the most affordable.

That being said...I can't stand it...not the way I like to work...just me..

Cubase 7 rated first overall is on target for usability...features and new mixer make it 
a powerhouse....even though the interface is still lacking...VST3 support, Expression, Chord Track, REVerence, etc.... and killer scoring, make it top flight...if they could just
get a better interface, they'd be stomping buttocks...

Digital Performer 8, if it ever hits the Windows version, is going to be one to be
reckoned with by the other Windows DAW's....time will tell..it's a stand out on the Mac.

X2, while having my favorite interface and workflow....is still behind in stability, and features

Pro Tools....WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY behind the times....SAD...
not my cup of tea....don't like it. 

Live 8...can't stand the interface....at all....9 is about to be released...

Logic Pro...still a MAC Fav.....powerhouse of a DAW....not the friendliest mind you, but Mac guys love it...     `

SURPRISINGLY lacking from this "roster" is Studio One 2.5.  While the work flow takes some
getting use to, it is quite the awesome package.  Melodyne integrated, lots of nice features...
making strides and a force to be reckoned with....

ALL of these, including Cake, better take note...

If you're going to win the WAR, you better start BETTER picking your battles...

That's my 2 cents worth...

My bottom line reaction to the chart and all of its intricacies is that it is not the 'score' that matters, as the weighting can only truly be subjective.  I DO see value in seeing features and limitations put side by side, however, but I believe each person's own weighting is what truly matters.

It all boils down to what each person feels will work best for them, balancing out features, limitations, cost, and intangibles.
An intangible would include as an example, work flow - this is a highly subjective matter that is truly an individual preference.  Folks like doing things how it makes sense in their minds, and that's going to be unique, and therefore not measurable.

I happen to believe that for ME, that Sonar X2a Producer Edition running on MY particular computer, for MY particular musical tastes, and MY particular method of doing things, works better than any other set of recording software I have tried.

I have not evaluated any other software in a long, long time, because I have learned and cajoled, and pleaded, and side-stepped, and voodoo'ed, and whoodoo'ed, and fallen into, a set of recording techniques that work for ME, in Sonar.

My son favors FL Studio, because for HIM, it better matches the work flow he perceives as working for HIM.

Etc.

Bob Bone

Yeah, I'm not surprised that FL and Live 8 came in last place, because they really shouldn't even be compared to regular DAWs. They're both very good at what they do and they're more specialized products. In some areas they beat standard DAWs with no problem. Cubase, Sonar and Logic probably make sense as the top three DAWs feature-wise at this point, but Studio One should obviously be in there too. It's always kind of hard to take these things very seriously.

I believe that Sonar X2 has nothing to be ashamed of in this shootout. 
2nd place in overall rating isn't bad.
A few improvements and the next version will be #1 

It's a good job they don't include the user forums in those ratings.

We are spoiled for choice.

I think I would like to learn ProTools next.

LOL....Seth pulled his post because it was wrong...

That's what I was going to post...

Nice..

What had Seth posted, I wonder?

cclarry:  
<snip>
Cubase 7 rated first overall is on target for usability...features and new mixer make it  a powerhouse....even though the interface is still lacking...VST3 support, Expression, Chord Track, REVerence, etc.... and killer scoring, make it top flight...if they could just get a better interface, they'd be stomping buttocks...
</snip

I'm assuming that you mean the UI is lacking in Cubase.  But that Cubase is strong in other areas (such as VST3, Expression, etc.).  At first I read your sentence (with what follows the three dots) as implying that Cubase lacked VST3, Expression and so on.  Just wanted to clarify (pun not intended).


It's an interesting criteria list, though there are a few things that could sway the results significantly either way:
- colours 
- console mixer adjusting to screen size
- touch-enabled
- etc.


I think some of these are attributes might be seen as more important to some people depending on habits and expectations...