When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Best Daw For Live Performance (2024 Updated)

Digital audio workstations (DAWs) are software applications used for Recording, Editing, and Producing audio and MIDI tracks. DAWs are the heart of many home and professional studios, and are also increasingly being used for live sound reinforcement and live performance.

There are a wide variety of DAWs available on the market, ranging from simple, entry-level applications to feature-rich, professional-grade software. Some of the most popular DAWs include Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro, Avid Pro Tools, Cakewalk Sonar, and Steinberg Cubase.

While each DAW has its own unique features and workflow, they all share some common elements, such as the ability to record, edit, and mix audio and MIDI tracks. In addition, most DAWs also offer a wide range of virtual instruments and effects that can be used to create custom sounds.

DAWs are an essential piece of gear for many musicians, producers, and engineers, and are often the key to creating professional-sounding recordings and performances.

20 Best Daw For Live Performance

Product Image Product Name Features Price

PreSonus S15-PRO-CARD Studio One 5 Professional Download Card

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.

PreSonus Studio One 5 Artist

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.

PreSonus Studio One Professional 4 Software

  • Intuitive single-window work environment with quick and easy drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support
  • Unlimited audio and instrument tracks, advanced automation features, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels

Image Line Fl Studio Producer Edition Box

  • Powerful mixing and automation
  • The best Piano Roll in the business
  • Flexible Browser and workflow features

Steinberg Cubase Pro 10 Music Production Software

  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • Award-winning 64-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine with up to 192 kHz, 5.1 surround, flexible routing and full automatic delay compensation.

Steinberg Cubase Elements 12 DAW Software (Boxed)

  • Improved editing workflow to make hitting deadlines easier.
  • Audio to chords, lets you focus even more on the music.
  • Sample Accurate Volume Automation.

Steinberg | Cubase Pro 9.5 Recording Software

  • Award-winning 64-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine with up to B4: D7 kHz, 5.1 surround, flexible ROUTING and full automatic delay compensation

PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Professional/Producer

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.

Ableton Live 9.7 Music Production Software – Intro

  • everything stays in sync. Almost everything in Live works in real-time.
  • add, reorder or remove devices, play with Live’s flexible track routing and more.

PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Card DAW Software, Download Card

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.

Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 Competitive Crossgrade DAW Software (Boxed)

  • Ability Pro.
  • Ableton Live 8 or higher (Standard and Suite / excl. Intro).
  • Apple Logic 9 or higher.

PreSonus Studio One Artist 6 Music Production Software

  • Intuitive single-window work environment with quick and easy drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support.
  • Unlimited audio and instrument tracks, advanced automation features, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels.

Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software (Crossgrade, Download)

  • Cubase Guides You on Your Music Production Journey.
  • Find the Cubase version that’s right for you.

PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Music Production Software

  • The only DAW that lets you record, mix, produce, compose, master, and perform all from a single, intuitive application.
  • Available standalone or as part of a PreSonus Sphere membership.

Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software Academic Update, Download Version Electronic, DAW/Multitrack, Mac & Windows, 90905

  • Cubase Guides You on Your Music Production Journey.
  • Find the Cubase version that’s right for you.
PreSonus S15-PRO-CARD Studio One 5 Professional Download Card
  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
PreSonus Studio One 5 Artist
  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
PreSonus Studio One Professional 4 Software
  • Intuitive single-window work environment with quick and easy drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support
  • Unlimited audio and instrument tracks, advanced automation features, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels
Image Line Fl Studio Producer Edition Box
  • Powerful mixing and automation
  • The best Piano Roll in the business
  • Flexible Browser and workflow features
Steinberg Cubase Pro 10 Music Production Software
  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • Award-winning 64-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine with up to 192 kHz, 5.1 surround, flexible routing and full automatic delay compensation.
Steinberg Cubase Elements 12 DAW Software (Boxed)
  • Improved editing workflow to make hitting deadlines easier.
  • Audio to chords, lets you focus even more on the music.
  • Sample Accurate Volume Automation.
Steinberg | Cubase Pro 9.5 Recording Software
  • Award-winning 64-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine with up to B4: D7 kHz, 5.1 surround, flexible ROUTING and full automatic delay compensation
PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Professional/Producer
  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
Ableton Live 9.7 Music Production Software – Intro
  • everything stays in sync. Almost everything in Live works in real-time.
  • add, reorder or remove devices, play with Live’s flexible track routing and more.
PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Card DAW Software, Download Card
  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 Competitive Crossgrade DAW Software (Boxed)
  • Ability Pro.
  • Ableton Live 8 or higher (Standard and Suite / excl. Intro).
  • Apple Logic 9 or higher.
PreSonus Studio One Artist 6 Music Production Software
  • Intuitive single-window work environment with quick and easy drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support.
  • Unlimited audio and instrument tracks, advanced automation features, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels.
Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software (Crossgrade, Download)
  • Cubase Guides You on Your Music Production Journey.
  • Find the Cubase version that’s right for you.
PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Music Production Software
  • The only DAW that lets you record, mix, produce, compose, master, and perform all from a single, intuitive application.
  • Available standalone or as part of a PreSonus Sphere membership.
Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software Academic Update, Download Version Electronic, DAW/Multitrack, Mac & Windows, 90905
  • Cubase Guides You on Your Music Production Journey.
  • Find the Cubase version that’s right for you.

1. PreSonus S15-PRO-CARD Studio One 5 Professional Download Card

PreSonus S15-PRO-CARD Studio One 5 Professional Download Card

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
  • Smart Templates.
  • Faster Starts.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon.com
eBay – azproaudio
Walmart – Sam Ash Music Direct
Adorama

Product Details

Specifications

Details
License validity perpetual
Windows from 10 (64-Bit)
min Space on HD (GB) 40 GB
Display 1366 x 768
Additional System requirements ASIO-comp. Audiointerface (Windows)

2. PreSonus Studio One 5 Artist

PreSonus Studio One 5 Artist

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
  • Smart Templates.
  • Faster Starts.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon.com
eBay – samashdirect
Walmart – Sam Ash Music Direct
Adorama

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Windows from 10 (64-Bit)
min Space on HD (GB) 20 GB
Display 1366 x 768
Additional System requirements ASIO-comp. Audiointerface (Windows)
max. Samplerate (kHz) 384 kHz

3. PreSonus Studio One Professional 4 Software

PreSonus Studio One Professional 4 Software

  • Intuitive single-window work environment with quick and easy drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support
  • Unlimited audio and instrument tracks, advanced automation features, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels
  • Pristine sound quality with native 64-bit resolution and support for up to 384 kHz audio
  • Chord track

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon.com
ProSoundGear.com
Reverb

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Operating System Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan
Hard Drive Space Required 40 gigabytes
Manufacturer’s Warranty – Parts Not Avaliable
Product Name Studio One 4 Professional Version
Manufacturer’s Warranty – Labor Not Avaliable

4. Image Line Fl Studio Producer Edition Box

Image Line Fl Studio Producer Edition Box

  • Powerful mixing and automation
  • The best Piano Roll in the business
  • Flexible Browser and workflow features
  • Support for all VST standards
  • Over 80 instrument and plugin effects included

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon.com
eBay
Walmart – Gigasonic
Sweetwater

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Vectorial Interface Resize and rearrange the user interface.
Multi-touch Designed for touch control.
Live DJ Control Powerful live performance, clip-triggering.
Advanced Help System Context aware manual (press F1).
MIDI Learn Powerful MIDI controller linking options.
Visualizer effects Plugin Render 4K videos straight from FL Studio.
Producer Edition Full song creation & audio recording

5. Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 Recording Software

Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 Recording Software

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon
Front End Audio
Guitar Center
Sam Ash

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Audio/MIDI/Instrument tracks Unlimited
Physical inputs and outputs 256
Group channels 256
VST instrument slots 64
Included MIDI/Audio effect plug-ins 18/81

6. Steinberg Cubase Pro 10 Music Production Software

Steinberg Cubase Pro 10 Music Production Software

  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • Award-winning 64-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine with up to 192 kHz, 5.1 surround, flexible routing and full automatic delay compensation.
  • Unlimited audio, instrument and MIDI tracks and up to 256 physical inputs and outputs.
  • Groove Agent SE 5: Steinbergs premier Drum-Production-Tool with a new user-interface and many improvements.
  • 5 GB of high-quality sounds and loops – brought to you by highly acclaimed producers of different genres.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon
eBay – genesis-technologies

Product Details

Reviews From Real Customers

Rahul Harit
digitalguru
pmtonline.co.uk

7. Steinberg Cubase Elements 12 DAW Software (Boxed)

Steinberg Cubase Elements 12 DAW Software (Boxed)

  • Improved editing workflow to make hitting deadlines easier.
  • Audio to chords, lets you focus even more on the music.
  • Sample Accurate Volume Automation.
  • Native Apple silicon support.
  • No more USB eLicenser dongle!

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon
B&H Photo Video Audio
Full Compass Systems
Reverb

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Graohics minimum Graphics card with native Windows 10 support
Graphics Graphics card with Metal support
CPU cores 4 or more
RAM minimum 8 GB
Hard disk free space for installation 1 GB

8. Steinberg | Cubase Pro 9.5 Recording Software

Steinberg | Cubase Pro 9.5 Recording Software

  • Award-winning 64-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine with up to B4: D7 kHz, 5.1 surround, flexible ROUTING and full automatic delay compensation
  • Complete Suite of over 90 High-End audio and MIDI VST effect processors
  • VariAudio for MIDI-style note editing of monophonic audio tracks, automatic voicing harmonization and auto-tuning effects

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon
Guitar Center
Musicians Friend

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Zoning 2.0 New single window workflow

9. PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Professional/Producer

PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Professional/Producer

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
  • Smart Templates.
  • Faster Starts.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Amazon
eBay – emusic123
Adorama
B&H Photo-Video-Audio

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Software Type DAW
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Upgrade
Bit Depth 64-bit
OS Requirements – Mac macOS 10.13 or later

10. Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Upgrade from Ai DAW Software (Boxed)

Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Upgrade from Ai DAW Software (Boxed)

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
eBay
Walmart – Musicians Friend
B&H Photo Video Audio
Guitar Center

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Audio/MIDI/instrument tracks Unlimited
Physical inputs and outputs 32
Group channels 32
VST instrument slots 32
MIDI/Audio effect plug-ins 18/59

11. Ableton Live 9.7 Music Production Software – Intro

Ableton Live 9.7 Music Production Software - Intro

  • everything stays in sync. Almost everything in Live works in real-time.
  • add, reorder or remove devices, play with Live’s flexible track routing and more.
  • all without interrupting your creative flow.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
eBay

Product Details

Reviews From Real Customers

SpiralBlue
Ken D. Webber of Plague of Smiles

12. Steinberg DAC Cubase Pro 12 Competitive Crossgrade DAW Software (Download)

Steinberg DAC Cubase Pro 12 Competitive Crossgrade DAW Software (Download)

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Guitar Center
Sam Ash
Woodwind & Brasswind
Kraft Music

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Audio/MIDI/Instrument tracks Unlimited
Physical inputs and outputs 256
Group channels 256
VST instrument slots 64
Included MIDI/Audio effect plug-ins 18/81

13. PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Card DAW Software, Download Card

PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Card DAW Software, Download Card

  • Our most personal upgrade yet.
  • Subtle (and not-so-subtle) user interface improvements combine with powerful customization features to free your mind for music and stay focused.
  • Smart Templates.
  • Faster Starts.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Full Compass Systems

Product Details

Specifications

Details
OUR PART S16-PRO-CARD

14. Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 Competitive Crossgrade DAW Software (Boxed)

Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 Competitive Crossgrade DAW Software (Boxed)

  • Ability Pro.
  • Ableton Live 8 or higher (Standard and Suite / excl. Intro).
  • Apple Logic 9 or higher.
  • Avid Pro Tools 9 or higher incl.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
B&H Photo Video Audio
Reverb

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Audio/MIDI/Instrument tracks Unlimited
Physical inputs and outputs 256
Group channels 256
VST instrument slots 64
Included MIDI/Audio effect plug-ins 18/81

15. PreSonus Studio One Artist 6 Music Production Software

PreSonus Studio One Artist 6 Music Production Software

  • Intuitive single-window work environment with quick and easy drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support.
  • Unlimited audio and instrument tracks, advanced automation features, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels.
  • NEW! De-Esser joins the Studio One Artistl Native plug-in suite. 32 Native effects plug-ins included.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Best Service COM
B&H Photo-Video-Audio
Sweetwater
Full Compass Systems

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Windows 10 (64-Bit)
min Space on HD (GB) 40 GB
Display 1366 x 768
max. Samplerate (kHz) 384 kHz
Max. resolution in bit 64 bit

16. Steinberg Cubase Elements 12 Software

Steinberg Cubase Elements 12 Software

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Guitar Center
Sam Ash
Woodwind & Brasswind
Full Compass Systems

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Graohics minimum Graphics card with native Windows 10 support
Graphics Graphics card with Metal support
CPU cores 4 or more
RAM minimum 8 GB
Hard disk free space for installation 1 GB

17. Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software (Crossgrade, Download)

Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software (Crossgrade, Download)

  • Cubase Guides You on Your Music Production Journey.
  • Find the Cubase version that’s right for you.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
B&H Photo Video Audio

Product Details

Specifications

Details
License Type Crossgrade
License Length Perpetual License
Number of Users Supported 1
Number of Devices Supported 1
Supported Operating Systems macOS 10. or Later macOS 10. or Later Windows 10

18. PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Music Production Software

PreSonus Studio One 6 Professional Music Production Software

  • The only DAW that lets you record, mix, produce, compose, master, and perform all from a single, intuitive application.
  • Available standalone or as part of a PreSonus Sphere membership.
  • Intuitive single-window work environment with quick and easy drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support.
  • Unlimited audio and instrument tracks, advanced automation features, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels.
  • NEW! Vocoder and De-Esser join the Studio One Professional Native plug-in suite. 39 Native effects plug-ins included.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Best Service COM
B&H Photo-Video-Audio
Full Compass Systems
The FX Chain

Product Details

Specifications

Details
License Type Standard
License Length Perpetual License
Number of Users Supported 5
Number of Devices Supported 5
Memory Requirement 4 GB (8 GB Recommended)

19. Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Recording Software

Steinberg Cubase Artist 12 Recording Software

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
Sweetwater
Guitar Center
Sam Ash
Full Compass Systems

Product Details

Specifications

Details
Graohics minimum Graphics card with native Windows 10 support
Mac macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey
Apple silicon-based Mac Native App, Rosetta 2 App
Graphics Graphics card with Metal support
CPU cores 4 or more

20. Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software Academic Update, Download Version Electronic, DAW/Multitrack, Mac & Windows, 90905

Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 Music Production Software Academic Update, Download Version Electronic, DAW/Multitrack, Mac & Windows, 90905

  • Cubase Guides You on Your Music Production Journey.
  • Find the Cubase version that’s right for you.

Check Latest Price

Sold By Price
B&H Photo Video Audio

Product Details

Specifications

Details
License Type Academic, Upgrade
License Length Perpetual License
Number of Users Supported 1
Number of Devices Supported 1
Supported Operating Systems macOS 10. or Later macOS 10. or Later Windows 10

Conclusion

There are a few different ways to conclude a DAW for live performance. One way is to have all of the audio files rendered out into a single file. This can be done by bouncing or exporting the audio from the DAW.

Another way is to use a DAW controller to play back the audio files live. This can be done with a MIDI controller or an audio interface with a built-in DAW controller.

Categories Uncategorized

Leave a Comment