MixPad vs WaveLab

MixPad is a multitrack audio editing app with noise reduction, MIDI sequencing and support for third-party plugins. It runs on Windows and macOS, as well as iOS/iPadOS and Android. A free plan is available. The Home Edition is listed with 16 tracks, while Master’s Edition includes all features, unlimited tracks, full VST support and an unrestricted edition for studios. A separate Master’s Edition Quarterly Plan provides ongoing use of professional features and all upgrades. MixPad’s combination of multitrack editing, sequencing and plugin support spans desktop and mobile platforms. The maker is MixPad, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Readers choosing an edition can weigh the Home Edition’s specified track count against Master’s Edition’s unlimited tracks and VST support, and consider the quarterly plan’s stated upgrades.

WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite for Windows and macOS. Its tools cover audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing, with multitrack editing, noise reduction, and video synchronization also listed. It supports VST 3 plug-ins from other manufacturers. The edition comparison lists podcasting integrations with SoundCloud, Spreaker, Podbean, Buzzsprout, and Castos, and says Pro and Elements can replace audio in video.

WaveLab Pro 13 includes Dolby Atmos mastering tools for ADM file editing, loudness control, and album assembly. It supports sample rates up to 384 kHz and more than 1,000 audio tracks; Elements 13 supports up to 96 kHz and eight tracks. Downloads are listed for Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and macOS 14, 15, or 26. The pricing note is From $99.99 · 60-day trial. A free WaveLab LE copy is available with qualifying hardware and a Download Access Code. The Pro trial requires signing in or creating a Steinberg ID.