I’m Kayla Sox. I make house and bass tunes in a tiny room with bad lighting and a loud cat. I’ve played small shows, I share tracks with friends, and I tweak kicks way too much. Occasionally, when I’m hunting for a last-minute booking or a used synth around Southern California, I skim the Backpage Rancho Cucamonga classifieds to catch local venues, promoters, and gear swaps before they disappear. I’ve used these apps for real, like in long, messy sessions and quick late-night edits.
I also wrote a complete behind-the-scenes diary of those test sessions right here.
By the way, I’m on a 2021 MacBook Pro (M1, 16 GB). I run a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, JBL 305P speakers, and a Push 2. I also test on a custom Windows PC with a Ryzen 5 and 32 GB RAM. So yeah, I bounce between both worlds.
What I Need From a DAW (And Why It Matters)
- Fast ideas: I need to get a drop going in minutes, not hours.
- Warping that just works: I stretch vocals a lot.
- Easy sidechain: Kick ducking is life in EDM.
- Solid step tools for drums and bass.
- Smooth CPU use when stacks get heavy.
- Live-friendly clips for shows.
Sounds simple, right? It isn’t. But some apps nail it. If you’re curious about the wider studio landscape, check out my hands-on rundown of what software music producers actually use.
Ableton Live 12 — My Main Stage and My Safe Place
I write and play in Ableton. It clicks with my brain. Session View feels like a big, safe sandbox.
For a closer look at everything new in Live 12—like the Meld synth and the Roar saturation effect—check out this in-depth overview of Ableton Live 12's new features.
Last summer I made a track called “Rush Hour.” I built drums with Drum Rack, used Kick 2 for the thump, and sidechained with Ableton’s Compressor (classic). I stacked Serum for the lead and sliced a vocal with Simpler. Follow Actions helped me test four drop ideas fast. I played an early version at a small bar in Denver with a Push 2. The clip grid kept me calm when my hands shook. That says a lot.
- What I love:
- Warp saves weird vocals. It’s clean.
- Drum Rack is tidy. Layers stay in one spot.
- Clips let me test drops without killing the vibe.
- Stock effects are good. Utility, EQ Eight, Glue, OTT… I use them daily.
- What bugs me:
- The browser still feels cramped when I’m hunting samples.
- Big sessions can lag if I forget to Freeze.
If I had to pick one app for EDM, this is it. Not perfect. But it helps me finish.
FL Studio 21 — Melodies Fly, Ideas Pop
On my Windows PC, FL sings. The Piano Roll makes chords and runs feel easy. I wrote a future bass hook in 30 minutes, no joke. I used Harmor for a glassy pad and Gross Beat for a gated drop. I stacked drums in the Channel Rack and used Patcher to build a goofy chain with OTT, EQ, and a widener. It felt like Lego, but louder.
If you’re curious how the latest release stacks up, I put together a comprehensive review of FL Studio 21 that digs into the pattern-based workflow and those famous lifetime updates.
- What I love:
- The Piano Roll is king. Shortcuts feel natural.
- Channel Rack keeps drums light and quick.
- Lifetime updates are kind to my wallet.
- What bugs me:
- Audio editing can feel awkward next to Ableton and Logic.
- I lose track names in the Mixer if I rush. That’s on me… but still.
For catchy leads and fast drops, it’s a joy. Great for beginners too, as long as you get the Producer Edition or higher. I even pulled together a quick guide on good music software for beginners if you’re just starting out.
Logic Pro (Mac) — The Secret Weapon for Stock Sounds
Logic’s stock gear is huge. Alchemy alone can carry a whole track. I made a melodic techno tune with Alchemy for the lead, Sampler for a tight 909 kit, and Step Sequencer for hats. I used the stock Compressor for sidechain and Space Designer for a roomy verb. It sounded big right away.
- What I love:
- The sounds. So many, and they’re clean.
- Live Loops scratches that clip-launch itch.
- Bounce in Place saves CPU fast.
- What bugs me:
- The mixer turns into a wall of text. My eyes get tired.
- Warping is fine, but not Ableton-level for me.
If you’re on Mac and short on cash, this is a smart buy once. Lots of value.
Bitwig Studio 5 — For Sound Design Nerd Joy
Bitwig’s modulators feel like candy. I built a supersaw in The Grid with drift, random pan, and note-tied LFOs. I stacked voice spread and made a macro that moves the stereo image with the filter. Small stuff, big feel. Also, Note FX make arps and strums feel alive.
- What I love:
- Modulators on everything. It’s wild and neat.
- The Grid is a playground for weird sounds.
- Per-clip fun stuff like micro pitch and expressions.
- What bugs me:
- Fewer sample packs out of the box.
- I still finish faster in Ableton.
If you love sound design, this will pull you in for hours.
Reason 12 — The Rack That Makes Me Smile
Reason feels like a studio toy wall. I used Europa for a reese bass, Subtractor for a dusty lead, and Combinator 2 for macro control on stage. Lifting cables on the back panel still makes me grin. Lately I use Reason Rack Plugin inside Ableton. Best of both.
- What I love:
- The rack flow is fun and visual.
- Creative devices spark odd ideas.
- What bugs me:
- CPU can spike with heavy chains.
- As a main DAW, it slows me down. As a plugin, it shines.
Reaper — Cheap, Fast, a Bit Cold
Reaper is tight on CPU. I made a tech house loop with ReaSamplomatic5000 for drums and used parameter mod to fake sidechain. It worked. It just felt… dry. Menus everywhere.
- What I love:
- Crazy fast. Stable. Tiny install.
- Price is kind.
- What bugs me:
- EDM workflow needs lots of setup.
- The vibe matters to me. This feels like a lab.
Great if you’re broke and patient. Less great if you want quick fun. I even mused about whether producers really sit and make beats all day in this piece if you need some couch-side inspiration.
Studio One 6 — No Drama, Just Work
I used Pattern mode for drums and built two drop ideas with Scratch Pads. I love that. Mixing felt smooth, and the arranger markers helped me map a radio edit fast.
- What I love:
- Scratch Pads are perfect for alt drops.
- Pattern Editor is clear.
- Drag-and-drop feels natural.
- What bugs me:
- Fewer EDM-focused tricks than Ableton or FL.
- Stock synths are fine, not wow.
It’s a clean, steady tool. If you track bands and also make EDM, this sits well.
My Short List Picks (So You Don’t Scroll Forever)
- Best overall for EDM: Ableton Live 12
- Best for beginners on Windows: FL Studio 21 Producer Edition
- Best value on Mac: Logic Pro
- Best for sound design: Bitwig Studio 5
- Best on a tight budget: Reaper (but be ready to tweak)
Whichever DAW you end up with, grabbing some free stems and reference tracks from DeliPlayer can spark ideas and help you nail your mix balance faster.
Real-World Notes From My Desk
- CPU stuff: On the M1, Ableton with 20+ tracks, Serum, and FabFilter EQ sat around 40–55% at a 128 buffer. FL on my Ryzen box felt about the same.
- Plugins I reach for: Serum, Vital, ANA 2, Kick 2, FabFilter Pro-Q 3, Pro-L 2, Decapitator, Valhalla Room, Little Plate. Stock tools still do a lot.
- Sidechain: In Ableton, I use Compressor or Volume Shaper. In FL, I use Fruity Limiter or Volume Shaper. Keep it simple.
- Arranging: I mark intro, build, drop, break