The AI couldn't recommend a direct 1:1 replacement either. The suggestion for a #11 would be a good idea. It seems like a big omission on that questionnaire. Maybe they teach FL at Berklee now.

Spoiler

ONLY DAW for recording multichannel classical or acoustic music at DSD256 or DXD format: Pyramix. Does someone know another one...? The UI isn't really user friendly.
ChatGPT said:


You're absolutely right: Pyramix by Merging Technologies is the only widely recognized DAW that natively supports recording, editing, and mastering in DSD256 and DXD formats with full multichannel capabilities and DSD-native workflows (not just PCM conversion). It's the gold standard in archival, classical, and high-resolution acoustic recordings—but yes, its interface is notoriously non-intuitive unless you're deep in that ecosystem.

Alternatives? Here's the real situation:
✅ Technically Possible (with workarounds or limitations)

1. Sequoia (by MAGIX)
   
   • DXD (PCM 352.8 kHz) supported: Yes, for recording and editing.
     
     
   • DSD: Not natively supported. You'll need to convert to PCM.
     
     
   • Used for classical and broadcast, but doesn't handle DSD natively or with DSD editing features.
     
2. SoundBlade (by Sonic Studio)
   
   
   • DSD import/export, but not a full multichannel recorder.
     
     
   • Mostly for mastering and stereo DSD content.
     
     
   • No real DSD256 support or tracking tools.
     
3. Audiogate (by Korg)
   
   • Supports DSD256 playback and basic editing.
     
     
   • Only 2-channel, not designed for full multitrack production.
     
     
   • Good for stereo DSD archiving or conversion.
     
4. HQPlayer (Signalyst)
   
   • Not a DAW per se, but used for DSD playback and conversion.
     
     
   • No multitrack support, no recording.
     
     
   • Sometimes used in conjunction with other tools.
     
5. TASCAM Hi-Res Editor
   
   • Can open DSD/DXD files and do basic editing.
     
     
   • Stereo only, not for serious multitrack production.
     

Conclusion:
You're not missing anything major — Pyramix is really the only DAW designed specifically for multichannel recording/editing/mastering in DSD256 and DXD. It's used by top classical engineers for a reason, despite the UI learning curve.

If UI is your issue, your best bet is:

• Stick with Pyramix but create templates and learn the routing/layout system to streamline workflow.
  
  
• Or, record to DSD-capable hardware (like Merging HAPI/Horus) and convert to DXD for editing in Sequoia or even high-res PCM in Reaper/Pro Tools/etc.
  

 

@forart.it
Interesting, Thanks! But this is an usable App already or still a sourcecode/project? Could'nt find any executable there...?

 

@clone
Thanks for asking the AI. ;)
It's true...partially. There's only anotherone DSD recording option afaik: VinylStudio.
I'm a Samplitude/Sequoia user too, but there's no DSD at all.
I'm using now Pyramix with Merging hardware (Hapi/Anubis). But most steps of editing/mastering you have to process outside of the DAW by analogue gear because of a lack of capable software/plugins within. Otherwise you have to convert the DSD to PCM.

 

Korg AudioGate 4. Not a DAW but a simple DSD Player with recording and some basic editing capabilities. However according to their FAQ: "DSD recording functionality is available only when using the [KORG] DS-DAC-10R". You may try it on your own DSD hardware, to see if it's true.

https://www.korg.com/us/products/audio/audiogate4/index.php

 

Best DAW for GenX: Renoise

 

Neither: it's an advanced (ALSA-based) bash script for OpenWRT - currently the lightest Linux distribution for SBCs - to headlessly record all tracks from any USB Class Compliant audio interface.

It's - of course - in early stage, but it works and aims to be the Z-LiveRec open source alternative in the future.

 

The same OpenWRT software that you could use on old Netgear/other routers like Tomato?

I asked it about the validity of this poll, too; wondering about the Berklee ciriculum in 2025:

You: I think it is funny they have a poll that included FL studio as one of the answers. So theoretically, you can pay 80K per year to learn Fruity Loops.

Spoiler

ChatGPT said:


Yeah — it’s pretty wild, right?

You’re not wrong: Berklee, a prestigious music school charging $80k+ per year, officially offers a course on FL Studio, aka Fruity Loops, the same DAW a 13-year-old might install to make beats in their bedroom after watching a YouTube tutorial.

And not just a passing mention — it’s a for-credit course both online and in-person, with full tuition fees attached.

It definitely highlights the irony of:

• Paying Ivy League–level tuition...
  
  
• ...to learn software that’s popular specifically because it's cheap, fast, and self-teachable.
  

To be fair, they likely use FL Studio to teach broader concepts (like beat-making, synthesis, mixing, and arrangement), not just button-pushing. But still — “$80k to learn Fruity Loops” is a meme-worthy reality.

It’s like taking out student loans to learn GarageBand.

 

Last edited: Jul 18, 2025

Edgelords publicly hate all DAWs, privately don't have an opinion to speak of.

 

You hypocrite, telling others to stop with their "best lists", when the majority of posts you've made under your multiple banned aliases are either "Best 80s Dark Pop Songs", obituaries where you farm likes off of people's passing away, or AI generated trash.

 

A Chef is only as good as his/her/pronouns *tools
The food is only as good as the Chef's hands.

 

Last edited: Jul 19, 2025

Some tools are better at certain jobs than others, I think that's what a list like that is about, not if it's possible. If I want to dig a trench, I'm not reaching for a spoon.

 

@forart.it
I see - it's a script for Linux based on USB input - so it won't work with DSD streams because the Merging DSD interfaces (Hapi/Horus/Anubis) are network based...without usb. What do You think?

 

The first part was meant to be "tools" typo my bad.

 

Yes, OpenWRT: the "router's linux distro"...

...however, even if the original script succesfully worked on a Linksys WRT3200ACM, you need an USB audio data throughput capable device (according to my "real-world" tests, a Raspberry PI 3 or an Allwinner H3-based SBC is).