Top Free Recording Studio Software If you are in the music industry or if you are trying to get in, then you will need the best software with which you will be able to record all the songs and tracks.

Thanks to advances in computer software, it has never been easier to make your own music from home or on the go rather than in a pricey studio. FL Studio is a complete software music production environment or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Representing more than 20 years of innovative development it has everything you need in one package to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master professional quality music. Sep 13, 2014  Here's a video recommending what I believe are the best music recording software for beginners on Mac and PC. If you're an aspiring rapper or singer looking to.

NCH Software has developed a number of professional music recording software for Windows or Mac available for free to download. Each program is specifically designed for particular recording tasks including general audio recording, music mixing, editing and more. Image-Line has just released the newest version of its Digital Audio Workstation FL Studio (Fruity Loops), and with it comes native Mac support for the first time since its creation in 1997.

All the power you need in production. All the creativity you want in music.

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 sounds

High-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.

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.

What is the best music production software (DAW) of 2018?

Every year this question arises much discussion on electronic music forums and social networks. Opinions are divided…some producers even says that this top is pointless anyway because any producer will use the program that already used…or…that did not matter what music software you use, a good producer can make music using any DAW. BUT, you’ll notice the same names year after year in the top positions of the charts on music production websites, forums, blogs, etc..

Somewhere is a grain of truth because the best music software is also the most popular software used and loved by the majority. When you are looking to buy something, always ask yourself what others in your guild use? What is the most popular product? Then depending on your needs and budget, you will choose the product that suits you best.

Let’s get to the main topic…

To find out which is the best DAW we asked the producers. How? We created a poll that was shared on our social networks and sent to our subscribers. More than 10,000 people voted, so here is what we concluded:

1. Ableton Live 10

Undoubtedly Ableton Live 10 is the best DAW of 2019, voted by most readers. Ableton Live 10 is a clip-based sequencer that can be used for both studio-inside music production and live performances. With a better audio warping engine, a great creative workflow, and MIDI editing refinements, Ableton Live 10 DAW offers more flexibility than ever. The advanced automation abilities such as adding curves to automation or duplicate certain automation plus a full range of effects and instruments are ready to turn any idea into reality.

Ableton Live 1 is available priced at EUR 79 (for Live 9 Intro), EUR 349 (for Live 9 Standard) and EUR 599 (for Live 9 Suite).

2. Image-Line FL Studio 20

FL Studio 20 was and is one of the best music software, used and appreciated by many electronic music producers across the globe. This year ranks second, and this says a lot.

FL Studio 20 brings some significant developments and innovations such as the new “vectorial” GUI that allow FL Studio 20 to be scaled in real-time and to support high-resolution screens, up to 8K. For those who have made the transition from a previous version, the workflow remains fairly familiar, yet some few changes have been made. Another great feature, beside the vectorial GUI is the implementation of multi-touch support for touchscreen monitors.

Beatmakers such as Lex Luger, Shawty Red, Young Chop, Jahlil Beats , Hit Boy use FL Studio. If you did not know, Jay-Z and Kayne’s “N***** in Paris” was produced with FL Studio.

So, if you are looking for a fun and easy-to-use DAW, with a graphical interface that looks great and that can be customized according to your preferences, then FL Studio 12 is a very good choice.

FL Studio 20 is available (just for Windows) in three versions: Fruity Edition ($99), Producer Edition ($199) and Signature Bundle ($299). Another strength of FL Studio is that once you have purchased a license, you will have updates free updates for! It is the only music software that offers this.

3. Presonus Studio One 4

Studio One 4 developed by PreSonus is a very solid update, bringing some exciting new features such as the Scratch Pads and the Arranger Track, offering more flexibility than ever. Besides all this, Studio One 3 brings some long-awaited virtual instruments add-ons such as Mai Tai, a brand new polyphonic analog modeling synthesizer and the Presence XT sampler, an enhanced version of the previous Presence sampler. Also, there are new effects, such as the newest Rotor audio processor, BitCrusher, and Note FX.

PreSonus listened to its customers and has managed to make from Studio One 4 one of the best music software of this year. Presonus Studio One 3 is available in two versions: Artist for $99.95 and Professional for $399.95.

4. Cockos Reaper 5

Reaper from Cockos is a brilliant piece of music software providing all tools you need to make the best music. Reaper is a multi-track audio and MIDI recording, mixing and mastering, editing and processing digital workstation for both Windows and MAC OS.

Reaper 5 was released this summer and brings many improvements such as FX VST3 support, video support and performance, new GUI layouts, new automation options, extra fancy new theme and much more. This music software is one of the most affordable, for an individual non-commercial license you pay only $ 60. For those who want to test it, can download a 60 days fully-operational demo version of Reaper.

If you thought to change your DAW, Reaper 5 can be a good alternative, with a very active forum and many free tutorials online.

5. Apple Logic Pro X

Music Studio software, free download Mac

Apple’s Logic Pro X is an MAC-only music software, very powerful and affordable with strong production capabilities.

Visual Studio For Mac Ios

After Logic Pro X 10.1, which was a big step forward, bringing many improvements, Logic Pro X 10.2 brings even more upgrades and more obvious is the addition of Alchemy, the next-generation sample manipulation synthesizer with over 3000 presets ready for all types of electronic music. Besides Alchemy synth, there are more features such as the Logic Remote from where you can control your DAW from any corner of your studio using an iPad.

Logic Pro X is available for MAC users priced at $199.99, affordable compared to other recording software from this list.

6. Steinberg Cubase 9

Cubase 9 developed by Steinberg is their latest and greatest version of Cubase music software with many new features and comes in two versions: Artist and Pro. Cubase Pro has all the features of Artist, plus a lot of features such as a Full Scoring Editor, VariAudio for pitch correction, Surround Sound, VCA Faders, Direct Routing, Wave View, significant performance increase and many GUI refinements.

Cubase 9 is available for Windows and MAC OS priced at $699 (PRO) and $399 (Artist).

7. Cakewalk Sonar 2018

Cakewalk Sonar 2018 is one of the more advanced digital audio workstation for Windows (PC) available today. Sonar 2018 comes with a brand-new interface (“Skylight”), mix recall modes, vocal sync, Melodyne integration and some great new useful tools and new effects. Also, SONAR (Platinum, Professional) comes with Addictive Drums 2 (a great drum virtual instrument) included.

You can choose to get SONAR on a monthly or an annual basis. As long as you choose to pay a license, monthly or yearly, you’ll get access to all updates and downloads. Sonar 2018 is available for Windows in three versions as follows: Artist: $99 upfront or $9 monthly, Producer: $199 upfront or $19.99 monthly, Platinum: $499 upfront or $49.99 monthly.

8. Avid Pro Tools 12

AVID Pro Tools is the next generation of the industry-standard music making audio software with artist collaboration support via Avid Cloud Collaboration.

Pro Tools with new updates and improvements for Editing, AudioSuite, Bounce, Audio, and Video Engines, Delay Compensation, I/O Setup, MIDI, and Satellite workflows to further improve stability.

Pro Tools is available for both Mac and Windows-based computers, priced at $599.

9. Bitwig Studio

Bitwig Studio is one of the newest DAW on the market. However, it quickly became one of the most stable and well-featured music software. Bitwig Studio 1.3 is the latest update and was released just a few days ago bringing and improved workflow and the touchscreen technology. Now Bitwig Studio can be used on any touchscreen device that runs on Windows, Linux and a special display profile for Microsoft Surface Pro. It can be said that at first sight Bitwig Studio looks quite well as Ableton Live, as this DAW is a clip-based sequencer.

Bitwig Studio is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux at a price of USD 299.99 / EUR 299.00, quite affordable.

You might also like to check our Bitwig Studio Review.

10. Propellerhead Reason 10

On the tenth position is the Propellerhead Reason 10, a music software with a different approach than many of its competitors and more than 10 years of development behind. Its GUI mimics the design of an actual studio rack, even giving you rear access for cable patching.

The latest version, released this year, Reason 8, introduces several enhancements that make this DAW a more modern one, easier to use and manage. Some buttons and controls were changed, now being much more intuitive, clean and logical to use.

Reason 10 is the latest update, released back in June and brings new sounds and a faster flow plus a massive update to Reason’s classic RV7000 Advanced Reverb.

Reason 10 is available in two versions, the main version priced at €369 with all instruments, effects and all features included and another “Essentials” version priced at just €49, with some limitations.

Let’s not forget the other mentions of our readers who have voted for Renoise, Magix Samplitude Pro, MOTU Digital Performer, Apple GarageBand, Steinberg Nuendo, Acoustica Mixcraft and MuTools MuLab.

Good Music Studio Software For Mac

We hope this list will help you to choose the best DAW for you, whether you are a beginner or want to switch to another music software. From our experience, all these music programs are good, each can be used to create a great hit and can be used in any professional studio or in personal home-studios. The differences are mostly the price, workflows, tools included and support.