Bitwig vs. Ableton: Which is best for CPU? Answered

With the innovations in home production technology, there are more and more digital audio workstations (DAWs) to choose from. Two of the best right now are Bitwig and Ableton. They are both directed toward producers and live acts, so choosing between them can take time and effort. So, how can you know which suits you best?

In this article, we will compare both and see which is best in terms of CPU usage. We’ll also look into their key features and some of their advantages and disadvantages. After reading, you should feel comfortable making your choice so you can get the best DAW for your needs.

Which is best for the CPU? Bitwig or Ableton

In terms of overall CPU usage, Bitwig is better than Ableton. This is because it doesn’t put as much of a strain on your processing unit due to its more basic features. However, this shows why many producers prefer Ableton: it has many great instruments and plugins that Bitwig lacks.

Despite taking up more processing space, Ableton has effects that are very CPU efficient. They can give you lots of control over multiple tracks without overworking your computer.

On the Bitwig side, the effects may be less efficient, but they include a plugin sandboxing system. This means that they each run in separate environments. So, if there is a crash, it will be contained to the plugin itself rather than crashing the whole program.

You can see that there are several pros and cons in terms of CPU for both Bitwig and Ableton, so let’s take a look into some more features.

Ableton Live

What Other Differences Exist Between Ableton and Bitwig?

While both programs take up different levels of processing power, they also vary in their features. Here are some examples:

• Sound libraries
• Workflow and design
• Audio and MIDI editing

Sound Libraries

When you sign up for Ableton Live’s most detailed version, Suite 11, you get a vast library with over 70GB of samples, loops, and instruments. This is one reason why its CPU usage is more intense than Bitwig’s. It has a collection that other DAWs seem to find hard to match.

However, the quality of the instruments isn’t the best. If you have external libraries from the likes of Kontakt or Arturia, you’ll find Ableton’s versions quite digital and less-realistic sounding. So you’ll need to use some extra creativity to make them sound more exciting.

Bitwig’s library is much smaller than Ableton’s. Seeing as it’s a relatively recent DAW on the market, this isn’t a surprise. But where this program lacks in quantity, it makes up for it in quality. Bitwig has worked with many producers and sound designers to create a varied collection of samples, loops, and instruments.

This DAW also has one of the best sound design tools available today. It’s called The Grid, and it’s an instrument with 186 interchangeable modules. With this many variations, you can easily create polyphonic synthesizers, audio effects, and note sequencers. The possibilities are endless.

Workflow and Design

Bitwig was created by a former Ableton employee, and you can see the resemblance. The interfaces have some similarities, with Bitwig’s coming across as less sleek. Having said that, its layout also makes it more intuitive and easier to use. Most of the functionalities are easily accessible, making your workflow faster.

Another advantage of using Bitwig is that it is optimized for touch screens and can support three separate screens simultaneously. So for producers who like everything to be visible at the same time for quick choices and changes, Bitwig is a great choice.

Despite looking sleeker and more professional, Ableton’s interface is less inviting. The colors of Bitwig can make some producers feel more creative. But what Ableton lacks in flair, it makes up for in live performance capabilities. Its clip-based player on the Session View was truly innovative when it came out, and it holds up after so many years. Ableton’s hardware integration is also far above its competitors’, letting it maintain its place as the DAW of choice for live performers.

Ableton’s lack of touch-screen optimization is lacking compared to Bitwig, especially at a time when devices with touch screens are becoming more and more common, both in day-to-day life and on stage.

Audio and MIDI Editing

When it comes to audio editing, both programs have issues that other DAWs don’t. For example, creating a crossfade requires more moves in both Ableton and Bitwig than in Reaper, where you just need to drag one clip onto another in the area where you want to create the fade.

One of Bitwig’s advantages over Ableton comes in the form of its Audio Editor Window. You have the usual functionalities on the Arrange View for cutting, deleting, moving, etc. as on other DAWs, but then you can go deeper with the editor window. You can use the same tools and also others for pitch shifting, comping, time shifting, and more. It’s a great area to make drastic changes to your audio in no time at all.

Ableton’s Sample Editor page has detailed tools for looping and warping samples, but basic edits like cuts and comping can’t be done from there. In fact, comping was only added to the latest version of Ableton, and while it works well, it has to be done on the Arrangement View. Including it in the Sample Editor (like Bitwig’s Audio Editor) would make a big difference.

Bitwig also towers over Ableton with its incorporation of hybrid tracks. These allow you to have MIDI and audio on the same track, something that Ableton sorely lacks. For example, if there is a specific section of a MIDI file that you want to convert quickly to audio, you can just select Bounce in Place, and it’s done. You can then add effects to the one track instead of needing to create a separate one for audio, saving processing usage when you want to add plugins.

These kinds of details make a big difference if you have the more restricted versions of either software. If you can only have a maximum of eight tracks per session, having to split audio and MIDI takes up unnecessary space.

While the capabilities for audio editing in Bitwig are superior, Ableton has always been known for MIDI editing, and for good reason. Tools like Groove Pool and Groove Extraction can make a big difference to the feel of your MIDI tracks. And the Clip View has so many features for automating note expression and envelope changes.

Automation is another strong point for Ableton, whether it comes to MIDI or audio. Unfortunately, while Bitwig does have these capabilities, they don’t match the ones in Ableton.

What Difference is there in Price?

The current price of Bitwig Studio 3 is 399 USD. A cheaper yet more limited version (Studio 16-track) is available at a lower price. Both are much cheaper than the latest version of Ableton, which is 599 USD for Live 11 Suite. There are two more basic versions (Intro and Standard) for less.

While Ableton Live Suite has many more features and ranks better for MIDI editing and live performance, it is considerably more expensive. Its most basic version is the cheapest of all the options (79USD for Intro) but is quite restricted in functionalities.

Bitwig’s most versatile option is cheaper than Ableton’s, and its most basic package is more complete than Live Lite for only an extra 20 USD.

It’s important to know that once you buy a version of either software, you won’t need to pay such a high price for future versions. Both companies offer upgrades at a lower cost as newer versions appear.

Bitwig

Pros and Cons – Bitwig

Pros

• Better CPU usage
• Modular setup
• Touch screen support
• Cheaper than Ableton
• Supports audio and MIDI inputs on a single track
• Plugin sandboxing
• Audio Editor Window

Cons

• Less-known, so less community support
• Smaller library

Pros and Cons – Ableton

Pros

• Industry-standard
• Large community support base
• Great hardware integration
• Advanced automation
• Huge libraries
• Great for live performance
• Better MIDI editing

Cons

• Higher CPU usage
• High price
• When one plugin crashes, the whole program tends to crash

Conclusion

Bitwig and Ableton are both great DAWs with many tools for making production quick and easy. Ableton has been paving the way for a long time, introducing many features that have since become industry standard. And while Bitwig is behind Ableton in many ways, it has taken many of the basic features from Live and made them even better. With its innovative team of creators, it is quickly becoming a rival to Ableton.

In terms of CPU usage, Bitwig is the better choice. However, if you have a strong processing unit, looking into the rest of the differences between these two programs is what will make your choice more challenging. In terms of functionality and live performance, Ableton has the upper hand. However, Bitwig is continually upgrading its system in leaps and bounds. So, while deciding between these two DAWs might be tough, you will have a great program for producing either way.