Here I compare various bundle DAWs with their full version in terms of functionality and upgrade price. Most DAW companies allow to upgrade from the bundle to the full version with slightly less cost.
1. Protools: Avid Fast Track series, M-Audio M-Track Plus
| Version Name: | First | Express | Pro Tools |
| Price (Regular/Edu) | Free | Bundle ($700~$200) | $900/$300 |
| Audio Tracks# (48/96) | 16/16 | 16/16 | 128/64 |
| Recording Inst# | 16 | 8 | 512 |
| Input# | 4 | 8 | 32 |
| Input Recording# | 4 | 4 | 32 |
| Sample rate | 32/96 | 32/96 | 32/192 |
Protools Express is bundled with Avid audio interfaces and some of M-Audio interfaces. Its functionality is similar to their free version, Protools First. However, the incredible benefit of Protools Express is at their upgrade price. If you want to upgrade to the full version ($900/$300 for edu), you need to pay only $200 to buy upgrade license.
Don't pay $900 or $300 to buy the full version Protools license. Buy any audio interface that comes with Protools Express, then buy the upgrade license. Avid fast track solo will cost around $180, so that you can get the full version Protools with the extra audio interface at only $380 in total.
In this manner, the value of Protools Express can be as high as $700 (Full version license cost $900 subtracted by the upgrade cost $200).
2. Studio One: Presonus Audiobox series
| S1 Prime | S1 Artist | S1 Professional | |
| Price (Regular/Edu) | Free | $100/$50/Bundle | $400/$200 |
| Virtual Inst# | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Effects# | 9 | 30 | 36 |
| VST | No | No | Yes |
Presonus audio interfaces are bundled with their own DAW, Studio One Artist. Unlike the other bundled DAWs, S1 Artist is available in market standalone to purchase at $100. They also provide upgrade option to the full version, which cost $300 exactly $100 less than the regular license.
In terms of functionality, S1 Artist provides most functions that the full version provides, but VST support. This is the main reason why people wish to upgrade to the full version with extra $300 payment.
3. Cubase: Steinberg UR series
| AI | Elements | Artist | Pro | |
| Price (Regular/Edu) | Bundle ($100~$50) | $120/$85 | $400/$230 | $700/$400 |
| Audio Tracks# (48/96) | 32 | 48 | 64 | Unlimited |
| Recording Inst# | 16 | 24 | 32 | Unlimited |
| Input# | 4 | 24 | 32 | 256 |
| Effects# | 28 | 44 | 47 | 66 |
| Virtual Inst# | 1 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
Cubase AI, the bundled version, is the most restricted version among Cubase family. But they provide upgrade option from AI to Artist or Pro, which costs $350 or $600. The value of AI version in this manner can be $50 if you want to upgrade to Artist, or $100 when upgrading to Pro.
4. Ableton Live: Focusrite Scarlett series, M-Audio M-Track series
| Live Lite | Live Intro | Live Standard | |
| Price (Regular/Edu) | Bundle (0) | $119 | $529/$317 |
| Audio Tracks# (48/96) | 8 | 16 | Unlimited |
| Input# | 4 | 4 | 256 |
| Virtual Inst# | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Effects# | 11 | 20 | 32 |
The bundled version of Ableton Live is not so interested. It's just their most limited version, and there is no upgrade plan for the bundle version.
No comments:
Post a Comment