When comparing Audacity vs MuTools MuLab, the Slant community recommends Audacity for most people. In the question“What are the best DAWs? ” Audacity is ranked 21st while MuTools MuLab is ranked 22nd. The most important reason people chose Audacity is:
Audacity is available for free on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux with source code available [here](http://audacityteam.org/download/source).
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Free, open source and cross-platform
Audacity is available for free on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux with source code available here.
Pro Well maintained
Audacity is constantly updated.
Pro Great community backing it
Pro Great for vocal track editing
Pro Allows creating own synths and effects patches
MuLab includes MUX Modular, a modular synth and effect engine, that can be used to create and edito own synths and effects patches.
Pro Free version and affordable full version
MuLab is available in a free version and the full version is highly affordable at only 69 euro all in.
Pro Portable
Can be installed and run on a portable device such as a USB stick.
Pro Comes with high-quality synths, samplers and effects
Having a variety of integrated synths, samplers and effects removes the need for new user to search for and buy extra VST plug-ins in order to make sound.
Pro No-clutter interface
MuLab has a clean, minimalistic interface that uses highly distinct icons sparingly making it easy to overview. Much of the functionality can be found in right-click menus.
Pro Low system requirements
In addition to having generally low resource consumption, MuLab is capable of taking advantage of multi-core CPUs and relieving the strain on machines even further that way.
Pro Integrated multi-functional browser
Pro REX file support
Pro Multi-screen support
Pro Cross-platform
Works on OSX and Windows.
Pro Capable oscillators
MuLab includes oscillators with 300 selected waveforms and support for user waveforms.
Cons
Con Not seen as a full DAW
Audacity doesn't have the capabilities of popular DAWs and generally isn't considered to be good option.
Con Doesn't retain audio integrity
Audacity uses destructive editing, meaning applying effects, cutting, etc is non-reversable after you've saved a project.
Con No real time effects
Users are unable to change effects in real time with Audacity. If effects are to be changed, no sound can be playing or recording.
Con Unable to use Synthesizers / virtual instruments
You can only use effect plugins or record live with this DAW.
Con No native 64-bit version, therefore does not support 64-bit VST plugins
Audacity is available only as a 32-bit application, therefore even when running on 64-bit machines, it only supports 32-bit VST plugins unless they are converted to 32-bit using an application such as JBridge.