I used Cakewalk Pro Audio, then SONAR, then briefly BandLab by Cakewalk. These are all the same DAW product as it has evolved.

The reason was that I learned it long before PG Music offered RealBand.

Now I use Presonus Studio One version 5 as my DAW.

The reason is that it is tightly integrated with my notation program, Presonus Notion 6, so when I wanted to change to a stable and future-proof DAW, and change to a notation program that was more current, user-friendly and stable with great sounds easily available to a composer, I chose this pair.

My reasons are not as likely to be your reasons. Preferences in workflow would normally be in consideration, too, so pick what works for you. No one has yet written the perfect software tool to do everything, so choose those tools that work best for you. One tool I still use frequently is a stereo Wave file editor, Adobe Audition. Yes, I could do this function in a DAW or other programs, but I learned this one over two decades ago, also. It's just a comfortable fit. Sometimes that's the only reason I can give you: it works, it's easy, and I'm fine with things as-is.

BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.