All the power you need in production. All the creativity you want in music.
Best DAW For Windows? Hey everyone, For the past few years I've been running Logic Pro on a Macbook and recently I've decided to, reluctantly, switch over to a Windows PC. 5 Best DAW Software For Beginning Music Producers. Now that we have whittled your choices down to specific points of consideration, let’s check out the Cockos REAPER is another DAW that is cross compatible with macOS and Windows. It even works with Linux. The software has an intuitive.
A massive collection of effects and instruments.
Instant access to a deep selection of plug-ins and sounds to fuel your creativity.
Learn more about plug-ins and soundsHigh-end reverb lets you add space and depth to tracks by simulating a wide range of real and unnatural acoustic spaces.
Authentic re-creations of three of the most sought-after analog hardware EQs.
Bring punch and presence to your bass, drums, synths, and guitar with this powerful multi-effect plug-in.
Add rhythmic movement to any track by arranging filters, effects, and independent step sequencers to control treatments over time.
The power of Patches.
The Sound Library includes a massive selection of Patches, which allow you to quickly load complex multichannel sounds. And Smart Controls simplify the process of tweaking and editing to get the right sound.
Jump-start your sound with loops.
Build songs quickly by choosing from over 7000 included royalty-free Apple Loops that are tagged with keywords and automatically conform to the tempo and key of your project. You can even use untagged loops from other sources and they will automatically play at your project tempo.
Keep your tracks in time.
Smart Tempo makes it easy to mix and match music and beats without worrying about the original tempo. Record freely without a click track. Easily combine and edit MIDI and audio tracks — from vinyl samples to live instruments to multitrack audio stems — with constant or variable tempo.
Flex Time.
Spend less time on timing.
Quickly manipulate the timing and tempo of your recording with Flex Time. Easily move the individual beats within a waveform to correct drum, vocal, guitar, or any other kind of track without slicing and moving regions.
Flex Pitch.
Perfect the pitch.
Edit the level and pitch of individual notes quickly and easily with Flex Pitch. Roll over any note and all parameters are available for tweaking.
Take hold of your music.
Logic Remote wirelessly connects your iOS device to your Mac and adds the power of Multi-Touch control to your performances and mixes. Play any software instrument in Logic Pro X from your iPad or iPhone and easily shape your sound as you go. Run your session from wherever you’re most comfortable — whether that’s next to your computer or across the room.
Multi-Touch mixing.
Control your mix from anywhere in the room with Multi-Touch faders to find the best sound.
Pair and play.
Use a variety of onscreen instruments, such as keyboards, guitars, and drum pads, to play any software instrument in Logic Pro X from your iPad.
Don’t just add a drum track. Add a bandmate.
Using Drummer is like hiring a session drummer or collaborating with a highly skilled beat programmer. Create organic-sounding acoustic drum tracks or electronic beats with the intelligent technology of Drummer. Choose from dozens of drummers who each play in a different musical genre, and direct their performances using simple controls.
Build your own acoustic or electronic kit.
Customize your sound with Drum Kit Designer for acoustic kits and Drum Machine Designer for electronic drum tracks. Drummers bring their own setups, but you can swap out individual drums and shape the sound to match what you’re imagining.
A complete studio for your Mac.
Logic Pro X turns your Mac into a professional recording studio able to handle even the most demanding projects. Capture your compositions and performances — from tracking a live band to a solo software-instrument session — and flow them into your songs.
The ultimate way to record.
Seamless punch recording. Automatic take management. Support for pristine 24-bit/192kHz audio. Logic Pro X makes it all easy to do — and undo. You can create projects with up to 1000 stereo or surround audio tracks and up to 1000 software instrument tracks, and run hundreds of plug-ins. It’s all you need to complete any project.
Get the most out of MIDI.
Logic Pro X goes beyond the average sequencer with an advanced set of options that let you record, edit, and manipulate MIDI performances. Transform a loose performance into one that locks tight into the groove using region-based parameters for note velocity, timing, and dynamics. Or tighten up your MIDI performances while preserving musical details like flams or chord rolls with Smart Quantize.
Industry-leading tools.
As your song develops, Logic Pro X helps organize all your ideas and select the best ones. Group related tracks, audition alternate versions, and consolidate multiple tracks. Lightning-fast click-and-drag comping helps you build your best performance from multiple takes.
Track Alternatives
Create alternate versions of a track or multiple grouped tracks, and switch between them at any time to audition different options. Create, store, and select from different edits and arrangements of track regions to make it easier to experiment with various creative ideas.
Takes and Quick Swipe Comping
Click and drag to choose the best sections of each take to create a seamless comp, complete with transition-smoothing crossfades. Save multiple comps and switch among them to pick the one you like best.
Track Stacks
Consolidate multiple related tracks into a single track. Use a Summing Stack as a quick way to create submixes. Or create layered and split instruments.
Project Alternatives
Create as many alternate versions of a project as you’d like, each with its own name and settings but sharing the same assets — efficiently saving storage space. Load any version to make changes without compromising your original.
Track Groups and VCA Faders
Manage large mixes with Track Groups and VCA faders. Assign any selection of channels to a track group, then control the levels or other parameters of all tracks in the group from any single channel in the group.
Automation
Easily capture changes to any channel strip or plug-in parameter. Just enable automation, press Play, and make your changes.
Even more pro features in the mix.
Logic Pro X is packed with incredible tools and resources to enhance your creativity and workflow as you sharpen your craft — even if you’re a seasoned pro.
Graduate from GarageBand.
Logic Remote for iOS. Take hold of your music.
MainStage 3
Sound as great onstage as you do in the studio.
Music Memos
Capture your song ideas. Whenever inspiration strikes.
Education Bundle
Five amazing apps. One powerful collection.
We’re in 2018, which means making music doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition. There are so many fantastic ways to produce music on a shoestring with the only prerequisite being a capable computer. We’ll examine some of the top free DAWs so you can be preoccupied with your craft and not your wallet.
Right off the bat, if you own an Apple computer or mobile device, you also own Garageband. For $0, it’s a surprisingly capable DAW (that is, if you already own an Apple computer!). A stripped-down version of the professional DAW Logic Pro X ($199), Garageband is the perfect place to tinker with tracking, MIDI, and mixing before taking the plunge with weightier software. Its intuitive design makes it easy for beginners to jump in and test the waters.
One of the most popular open source programs for many years running has been Audacity. Currently on version 2.2.2 as of February 2018, Audacity is compatible with Windows, OS X, and Linux operating systems, ensuring access for all users. If multitrack recording and editing seems like it’s for you, try it out with Audacity before dropping the dough on expensive software.
A lighter, and best yet, free version of Pro Tools, First is ideal for anyone who is new to Pro Tools or audio recording. Pro Tools First supports playback for up to 16 audio tracks and allows recording of up to 4 tracks simultaneously.
As far as free DAWs go, PT First also includes 20 plugins/effects and the powerful virtual instrument, Xpand!2. Most importantly, you’ll have everything you need to track, edit, and mix using Avid’s industry-leading technology.
Steinberg’s powerful Cubase Pro software is currently in version 9.5 with a price tag of over $500. That’s certainly not chump change, but luckily, much like Pro Tools First, LE is a free “lite” version of Cubase Pro.
Cubase LE supports up to 24 MIDI tracks, 16 audio tracks, and 8 physical inputs with recording quality up to 24-bit/192 kHz. The free software also comes with the HALion Sonic SE 2 virtual instrument featuring 180 presets, so you can dive headfirst into producing music. Another 18 basic plugins, like EQ, compression, and delay, ensure you’ll have everything you need out the gate.
In early April 2018, BandLab announced that it would be relaunching Cakewalk’s famous SONAR Platinum DAW as a free download.
According to the company’s press release,
The revived DAW includes all core premium features of SONAR Platinum such as the award-winning Skylight user interface, flexible ProChannel modules, and powerful end-to-end 64-bit mix engine.
The software is currently available for Windows users at no cost, making it one of the best free DAWs at around a $600 value. Despite it’s restrictive operating system requirements, you simply won’t find a premium DAW like this for free elsewhere.
As of May 2018, Studio One made the leap from version 3 to 4. PreSonus’s professional software has been a widely-used DAW for many years, and Studio One 4 comes with some major upgrades to improve workflow and efficiency. Of course, none of this is without a hefty fee.
Though it hasn’t yet been released, PreSonus is developing a free version of Studio One 4 called Prime. You can expect it to behave similarly to Cubase LE or Pro Tools First as a toned down, but highly functional, silhouette of its big brother.
If you can’t wait for the full free release, PreSonus also offers the Studio One Professional Demo for 30 days at no cost. Keep your eyes peeled for Prime’s availability in the coming weeks.
Ableton Live is one of the most popular DAWs for MIDI sequencing, sampling, and electronic music production, though it’s fully capable of audio recording and editing as well. In Live 9 Lite, you can see what the Ableton workflow is all about at no charge.
As we’ve seen with previous “lite” softwares, this DAW contains select virtual instruments and effects so you can get the job done on a budget. Live 9 Lite is packed with an EQ, compressor, delay, reverb, and analogue filter emulator amongst other plugins. It’s also packaged with three Ableton virtual instruments: Drum Rack, Impulse (a drum sampler), and Simpler (a powerful sampling instrument).
Stagelight is a cross-platform app for music production. It’s accessibility is unrivaled, with versions available on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Chromebook. That means that whether you’re on mobile, Mac/PC, or both, you can take your favorite DAW with you.
Stagelight especially appeals to hip hop and EDM producers with its included drum sequencer and samples. Price ranges from free to $149 for the most complete version, so it isn’t cost prohibitive either!
Take Your Pick of the Free DAWs Offered
There’s certainly no shortage of free music production software on the market, so there’s no excuse to not be making music in 2018! To recap:
- Cakewalk by BandLab is undoubtedly the most powerful of the free DAWs available, though it’s Windows-only. It’s a rebranded version of SONAR Platinum, minus the full $600 price tag, with all its professional features.
- Garageband, Pro Tools First, Cubase LE, PreSonus Studio One Prime, and Ableton Live 9 Lite are all compact versions of their full-featured (and expensive) counterparts. They’re a great way to experiment and find a DAW that suits your workflow. For many purposes they offer a complete experience, though you may consider upgrading down the road.
- Audacity is a widely recognized open source program for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It’s been around for years and isn’t limited to a single operating system–a fantastic place to begin.
For more like this, take a look at our article on the best inexpensive DAWs on the market.