MuTools MuLab vs Ardour

MuLab includes MUX Modular, a modular synth and effect engine, that can be used to create and edito own synths and effects patches.

MuLab is available in a free version and the full version is highly affordable at only 69 euro all in.

Can be installed and run on a portable device such as a USB stick.

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.

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.

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.

Works on OSX and Windows.

MuLab includes oscillators with 300 selected waveforms and support for user waveforms.

Ardour is cross-platform and works on Windows & macOS.

Ardour is open source, so it can be downloaded and modified without restriction.

Unlike some other DAW's which often limit saving, exporting, or advanced features, Ardour permits you to try all the features for free, with the only limitation being ten minutes of project length maximum.

Demo.

On Linux, you can use JACK to freely route audio and MIDI to and from other software as hardware.

You can view and edit plugins directly from the console's mixing channels.

Thanks to JACK support, and the inclusion of built in tools, the routing options of Ardour are limitless.