Worth it to learn Ableton Live Lite or start with Reaper?

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   If you already have Ableton Live Lite (often bundled for free with gear), it’s absolutely worth starting there — even with its limitations — because:

   Beginner-friendly workflow – Ableton’s clip/session view makes experimenting fast and visual.

   Strong community & tutorials – Tons of beginner content online.

   Easy upgrade path – If you enjoy it, moving to Standard/Suite is seamless.

   However, if you want no feature limits from day one, Reaper might be better:

   Extremely affordable – $60 for a discounted license, free 60-day trial.

   Fully functional – No track count limits, full plugin support, deep customization.

   More “traditional” DAW layout – Similar to Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase.

   Quick takeaway:

   Start with Ableton Live Lite if you want a fun, fast, creative start and might upgrade later.

   Start with Reaper if you want maximum power and flexibility right now without spending much.

   If you tell me whether you’re more into beatmaking/electronic or recording/mixing bands, I can recommend the better long-term choice for you.

   Craig Steveson - Aug 10, 2025 | Reply