Are there too many DAWs?

[machinesworking]

Choice Overload is a real thing though. If you're a super discriminatory person it becomes a lot easier. If you're not it can be a bit overwhelming. This isn't just about which DAW to use, it's why people collect plug ins, why they get writers block etc.

I've used two DAWs since Live got virtual instruments, and that's not been a problem for me, but I nearly fell into choice overload when I went looking for a DAW that did MPE natively before Live 11 and DP11 came out. I don't get choice overload at all when it comes to plug ins, and rarely when writing, but basically all the DAWs I've tried are great, all of them have strong and weak points, and it really comes down to what things do you use, or will use as far as the differences are concerned, then the choice becomes easy.

[dlandis]

Have any DAWs disappeared, i.e. folded due to lack of customers?

I can't think of any ATM, so one could argue that there aren't too many - from a free market perspective.

Very early on, there was a company named ProMIDI from Texas that folded. We're talking around the time of Cakewalk for DOS, v.3. It's claim to fame was that one could write MIDI data directly to HDD. It had a proprietary MIDI interface to facilitate this. On an XT 4.77 MHz (woohoo!!) screamer, it could take agonizingly long times between takes to mix the data.

Voyetra had a sequencer (the old term, before the use of "DAW.") I don't remember its name, but I think it's gone.

I was surprised to find out that Master Tracks Pro is still around, although only apparently for editing MIDI data.

I'd assume that any sequencers designed only for the Atari or Amiga computers are gone, but who knows? Maybe there are tiny groups of users dedicated to trying to keep them alive.

[sQeetz]

I'd assume that any sequencers designed only for the Atari or Amiga computers are gone, but who knows? Maybe there are tiny groups of users dedicated to trying to keep them alive.

Well, there was Noisetracker on Amiga which code Renoise is based on. Don't know how much of the original code is still in it, though.

[dlandis]

I'd assume that any sequencers designed only for the Atari or Amiga computers are gone, but who knows? Maybe there are tiny groups of users dedicated to trying to keep them alive.

Well, there was Noisetracker on Amiga which code Renoise is based on. Don't know how much of the original code is still in it, though.

Good to know. Thanks!

[Yearofthegoat]

Have any DAWs disappeared, i.e. folded due to lack of customers?

I can't think of any ATM, so one could argue that there aren't too many - from a free market perspective.

Voyetra had a sequencer (the old term, before the use of "DAW.") I don't remember its name, but I think it's gone.

Now you mention it, I remember Voyetra was on my PC back in '95/96 kind of time. Probably still have the installer for it somewhere. Hmmm, wonder if it would run? If I get a few minutes I might try it.

[felis]

Are there too many DAWs?

There's only one here.

[MadDogE134]

are there too many plugins to choose from?

[jamcat]

Too many of some and not enough of others.

[LeVzi]

There are variations on a theme for my opinion. Bitwig and Ableton are each others mirrors.

Logic and Cubase

I dunno where Reaper and FL Studio sit tbh, but choice is a good thing.

I am using FL Studio again for stuff after maybe 10 years of ignoring it.

[Synth Master Jedi]

I don't think there are too many, no matter how many exists or will be made in the future. I only use and need one, so it's not really something that I give much thought to.

The market will sort itself out, and those that are worthy of existing will continue to do so, and perhaps some others will go extinct along the way, that's natural.

[arkmabat]

Too many DAWs, not enough trackers.

[Tj Shredder]

Too many DAWs, not enough trackers.

Not enough tape machines...!

[Rommelaar]

Too many DAWs, not enough trackers.

1000 x

[zzz00m]

Have any DAWs disappeared, i.e. folded due to lack of customers?

I can't think of any ATM, so one could argue that there aren't too many - from a free market perspective.

Voyetra had a sequencer (the old term, before the use of "DAW.") I don't remember its name, but I think it's gone.

Now you mention it, I remember Voyetra was on my PC back in '95/96 kind of time. Probably still have the installer for it somewhere. Hmmm, wonder if it would run? If I get a few minutes I might try it.

I tried Voyetra's Digital Orchestrator Plus sometime around '97 for my first Windows 95 PC (Pentium 1). It had some stability issues with audio recording via a Creative Sound Blaster Live, but was decent for MIDI sequencing. I bought Voyetra on sale in shrink wrap at a local computer chain store that has been gone for years (Computer City?).

[zzz00m]

2021: PreSonus (Studio One) → Fender

That's a curious one...

Fender probably decided to tie up with PreSonus for their electronics expertise to leverage hardware sales. The DAW was most likely secondary to the business goals for the merger. Studio One did not come along until 2009. They were a hardware company first, and still are.
https://www.presonus.com/about/history

"In 1995, we founded PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc on the principle of designing innovative audio products that provide professional sound quality and features without sacrificing affordability. And for the last 25 years, our goal was simple: build innovative solutions for musicians, content creators, producers, and audio engineers. Today, PreSonus is a leading designer and manufacturer of both recording and live-sound hardware and software solutions that solve real-world problems for real working creatives."