There's a battle on to grab new users by offering free versions of popular DAWs, Avid have Pro Tools First and PreSonus have Studio One Prime. Pro Tools First is the free version of Pro Tools and Studio One Prime is the free version of Studio One 3.
There will be a review of Pro Tools First on Pro Tools Expert and a review of Studio One Prime on Studio One Expert in the coming weeks. In the meantime here is a comparison table of both free DAWs so you can see at a glance where they win and lose on features alone.
Pro Tools First | Studio One Prime | |
---|---|---|
Maximum simultaneous audio tracks | 16 | Unlimited |
Maximum Inputs | 4 | 2 |
Audio recording (maximum simultaneous tracks) | 4 | 2 |
Instrument tracks | 16 | Unlimited |
MIDI Tracks | 16 | Unlimited |
Aux Tracks | 16 | Unlimited |
Busses | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Video | No | No |
Maximum Projects | 3 | Unlimited |
Project Storage | Cloud only | Local |
Maximum Sample Rate Supported | 32 bit 96Khz | 32 Bit 192Khz |
Maximum I/O | 4 | 2 + 2 |
ASIO and Core Audio | Yes | Yes |
Supported Plug-ins | AAX Marketplace | Native Effects |
Included Plug-ins | 20 | 9 |
AU and VST Support | No | No |
Instruments | Xpand2 | Presence XT Sampler |
Loop Record | Yes | Yes |
Track Comping | Yes | Yes |
MIDI Editor | Yes | Yes |
Score Editor | No | No |
Time and Pitch Stretching | Yes | Yes |
Automatic Delay Compensation | Yes | Yes |
Audio Quantize | Yes | Yes |
Quick Punch | Yes | Yes |
ReWire | Yes | No |
Open Pro Tools Sessions in Pro Tools First? | No | N/A |
Open Pro Tools First Sessions In Pro Tools? | No | N/A |
Open Studio One Sessions In Studio One Prime? | N/A | Yes |
Open Studio One Prime Sessions In Studio One? | N/A | Yes |
File Browser | Yes | Yes |
Drag and Drop Plug-ins | No | Yes |
Resizable Faders? | No | Yes |
Track Freeze | No | Yes |
Offline Bounce | Yes | Yes |
Touch Surface Compatible | No | Yes |
HUI | Yes | Yes |
EUCON | Yes | No |
Audio Export | Yes | Yes |
Customize Shortcuts | No | Yes |
Machine activations | 3 | 5 |
Availability? | Limited | Now |
So what do you think of both free DAWs just on features alone?