Ardour vs SADiE

Ardour is an open-source workstation for recording, editing, mixing and mastering audio and MIDI projects on Linux, macOS and Windows. It supports any number of tracks and busses, along with unlimited undo and redo. Signal connections can be one-to-many, many-to-one or many-to-many. Supported plugin formats include AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3 and LADSPA; plugins also support sample-accurate automation and MIDI Learn. MIDI synchronization options include MIDI timecode, MIDI Machine Control, MIDI clock and JACK transport sync. Ardour can import one video, display a thumbnail timeline, synchronize audio and export video. Users can search for and import audio or MIDI from Freesound. The software is licensed under GNU GPL v2, allowing users to copy, share and modify it without payment. Optional subscriptions support development and include unlimited updates while active. Monthly subscriptions are $1 a month, $4 a month, $10 a month or $50 a month; an annual subscription is $120 a year.

SADiE is Windows software for multitrack audio recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. Listed workflows include radio drama and documentary production, film and television post-production, location recording, broadcast trucks, studio and field recording, and mastering. SADiE 6 packages provide playlist, trim, region, three-to-four-point, and speech editors, with VST and DirectX plug-in support. The system works with Broadcast WAV, WAV, and Macintosh AIFF files, plus PC- or Mac-formatted discs and standard networks. It supports Prism Sound interfaces and Windows soundcards using ASIO or WDM drivers. Integration with SCISYS dira! supports centrally managed radio programmes, schedules, multi-user and multi-site work, and playout. File interchange includes AES31 and SADiE 5.6, with OMF and AAF as options. Mirror recording to dual hard disks and automatic edit-file backups address recovery. The free edition costs nothing and is separate from fully licensed systems, with fewer legacy features and hardware options.