Audacity vs Wavelab - Does Wavelab bring any goods when you got a DAW already?
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- KVRAF
- 9609 posts since 5 Aug, 2009
hi guys, didnt know a better title. i know WAVELAB from OVER! 10 years ago and some light version, it was Wavelab LE or something but then Audacity wasnt there or it was even longer ago...
Since Audacity is out i didnt check Wavelab anymore at all and since I also got some DAWs then not at all.... recently i saw Wavelab again and i read it is the MASTERING SUITE.
Latest Audacity is even more awesome than my 5 years old version. i use Audacity for:
basic stuff, cutting some starts/ends, quick fade in and out, quickly chopping up samples, exporting in different formats.
so everything basic, the rest i do in my DAW, mixing, mastering etc.
so i wonder would Wavelab bring anything more to the table? i definitely dont need a dedicated Mastering suite as i got my DAW with lots of plugins.
but maybe Wavela can get Looping better, different Fades and so on?
thx
Since Audacity is out i didnt check Wavelab anymore at all and since I also got some DAWs then not at all.... recently i saw Wavelab again and i read it is the MASTERING SUITE.
Latest Audacity is even more awesome than my 5 years old version. i use Audacity for:
basic stuff, cutting some starts/ends, quick fade in and out, quickly chopping up samples, exporting in different formats.
so everything basic, the rest i do in my DAW, mixing, mastering etc.
so i wonder would Wavelab bring anything more to the table? i definitely dont need a dedicated Mastering suite as i got my DAW with lots of plugins.
but maybe Wavela can get Looping better, different Fades and so on?
thx
DAW FL Studio Audio Interface Focusrite Scarlett 1st Gen 2i2 CPU Intel i7-7700K 4.20 GHz, RAM 32 GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @2400MHz Corsair Vengeance. MB Asus Prime Z270-K, GPU Gainward 1070 GTX GS 8GB NT Be Quiet DP 550W OS Win10 64Bit
- KVRAF
- 12204 posts since 7 Sep, 2006 from Roseville, CA
It's been a long time since I've used Audacity, but unless they've improved it a lot, Wavelab has far better metering tools (if that's important to you).
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- KVRAF
- 3780 posts since 5 Mar, 2004 from Gold Coast Australia
Audacity isn't really a full DAW or Sequencer as we called em before it was just audio loops. While Mixcraft is not my speed (being a Reason man) it is a more complete DAW experience so you get MIDI and better Mixing - assuming that matters for you.

Benedict Roff-Marsh
http://www.benedictroffmarsh.com
http://www.benedictroffmarsh.com
- KVRian
- 1113 posts since 20 Oct, 2018
Hey Benedict!Benedict wrote: Thu Jul 20, 2023 3:49 am Audacity isn't really a full DAW or Sequencer as we called em before it was just audio loops. While Mixcraft is not my speed (being a Reason man) it is a more complete DAW experience so you get MIDI and better Mixing - assuming that matters for you.
![]()
You really shouldn't post anything before you got your morning coffe.
Hes already got a daw. It's in the text and his signature.
- KVRAF
- 3780 posts since 5 Mar, 2004 from Gold Coast Australia
Yeah you're right, deffo didn't read that. Broken Ingerlich helpeth not but yeah.Saffran wrote: Thu Jul 20, 2023 7:06 amHey Benedict!Benedict wrote: Thu Jul 20, 2023 3:49 am Audacity isn't really a full DAW or Sequencer as we called em before it was just audio loops. While Mixcraft is not my speed (being a Reason man) it is a more complete DAW experience so you get MIDI and better Mixing - assuming that matters for you.
![]()
You really shouldn't post anything before you got your morning coffe.![]()
Hes already got a daw. It's in the text and his signature.![]()
Carry on
Benedict Roff-Marsh
http://www.benedictroffmarsh.com
http://www.benedictroffmarsh.com
- KVRAF
- 14174 posts since 20 Nov, 2003 from Lost and Spaced
Haven't used Wavelab in awhile, but Audacity has great Noise Removal tools. It's much improved because You can use stacked VST effects in real time.
- Banned
- 954 posts since 3 Apr, 2018
Comparing freebie Audacity to Wavelab, is like comparing tree house to mansion.
There is the reason why you have to pay $748 for Wavelab and nothing for Audacity
https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/
There is the reason why you have to pay $748 for Wavelab and nothing for Audacity
https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/
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- KVRist
- 152 posts since 20 Jan, 2022
People will pay big money for a brand name without thinking?Atlatnesiti wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 1:57 pm Comparing freebie Audacity to Wavelab, is like comparing tree house to mansion.
There is the reason why you have to pay $748 for Wavelab and nothing for Audacity![]()
https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/
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- KVRian
- 679 posts since 29 Dec, 2019
WaveLab is a $499 application - $379 on Crossgrade.Largos wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 2:29 pmPeople will pay big money for a brand name without thinking?Atlatnesiti wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 1:57 pm Comparing freebie Audacity to Wavelab, is like comparing tree house to mansion.
There is the reason why you have to pay $748 for Wavelab and nothing for Audacity![]()
https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/
Beyond that, the functional disparity between WaveLab Pro and Audacity is as wide as the Pacific. The two applications don't even really play in the same market segment. Audacity is most comparable to WaveLab Cast, which is the lowest functional SKU of the WaveLab product line. WaveLab Cast is targeted at the market segment where Audacity sees most popularity.
I don't see a point in using Audacity when you can just use your DAW to do what you need to do.
There isn't a question regarding WaveLab delivering goods when you already have a DAW. This issue is mostly with Audacity. If you have Cubase, Studio One, Digital Performer, Samplitude Pro X, Logic Pro, etc. then there is very little reason to even install Audacity on your machine. The DAW will do 90% of what Audacity does without round tripping.
Audacity is for people who only need a digital tape machine. It's highly used by podcasters and voiceover artists.
If I said you are blocked, I won't see your posts. Please kindly refrain from quoting or replying to me.
"Notifications for Nothing" are annoying. Blocking me in return is a good way to avoid this.
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- KVRist
- 152 posts since 20 Jan, 2022
You're just saying you think wavelab is good without actually providing any reasons. What can wavelab that a DAW can't? This is what the OP wanted to know.Trensharo wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 3:19 pmWaveLab is a $499 application - $379 on Crossgrade.Largos wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 2:29 pmPeople will pay big money for a brand name without thinking?Atlatnesiti wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 1:57 pm Comparing freebie Audacity to Wavelab, is like comparing tree house to mansion.
There is the reason why you have to pay $748 for Wavelab and nothing for Audacity![]()
https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/
Beyond that, the functional disparity between WaveLab Pro and Audacity is as wide as the Pacific. The two applications don't even really play in the same market segment. Audacity is most comparable to WaveLab Cast, which is the lowest functional SKU of the WaveLab product line. WaveLab Cast is targeted at the market segment where Audacity sees most popularity.
I don't see a point in using Audacity when you can just use your DAW to do what you need to do.
There isn't a question regarding WaveLab delivering goods when you already have a DAW. This issue is mostly with Audacity. If you have Cubase, Studio One, Digital Performer, Samplitude Pro X, Logic Pro, etc. then there is very little reason to even install Audacity on your machine. The DAW will do 90% of what Audacity does without round tripping.
Audacity is for people who only need a digital tape machine. It's highly used by podcasters and voiceover artists.
- Banned
- 954 posts since 3 Apr, 2018
https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/
Ffs; You would think that KVR members are educated, I gues I’m wrong
Ffs; You would think that KVR members are educated, I gues I’m wrong
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- KVRAF
- 2814 posts since 26 Jul, 2015 from Philadelphia
It is sometimes nice to have a dedicated mastering suite as this allows you to focus on the task. WaveLab comes with a broad range of metering and analysis tools that editing tools such as Audacity do not have. Sure, you can add them through plugins but that can become quite costly very easily as well.
Follow me on Youtube for videos on spatial and immersive audio production.
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- KVRist
- 152 posts since 20 Jan, 2022
You should get an adult to come explain to you what a discussion forum is.Atlatnesiti wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 4:35 pm https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/
Ffs; You would think that KVR members are educated, I gues I’m wrong