Exclusive 12, 8, 5 or 3 Easy Payments on Avid Pro Tools Music Production Software only at AMS! Free 2 Day Shipping and Free Extended Warranty. Call our Gear Experts at 800-319-9043 for expert advice! Dec 31, 2019 We've tested the most popular options to help you choose the best audio editing software. Pro Tools for this. Is the music already done, and you work in post-production and want to produce.
Ableton Live 10.1.3Ableton Live lets you easily create, produce and perform music withinone intuitive interface. Live keeps everything in sync and works inreal-time, so you can play and modify your musical ideas withoutinterrupting the creative flow.
Live comes with a versatile collection of instruments, sounds, kits andloops for creating any kind of music and provides a full complement ofeffects to tweak and process your sound.
- License: Demo, Intro $99, Standard $449, Suite $749
- Developer/Publisher: Ableton
- Modification Date: October 8, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.11.6 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 1.9 GB
Absynth 5.2.0Semi-modular synthesizer offering a vast range of sonic possibilities.Perfect for pads, endlessly evolving soundscapes, otherworldly sounds,and more.
Absynth is a synthesizer with exceptional sonic potential. Its specialtyis unusual, evolving sounds created using a powerful, hybrid synthesisarchitecture and sophisticated modulation and effects. Dig in to morethan 2,100 presets or start building your very own sound worlds.
- License: Demo, $149
- Developer/Publisher: Native Instruments
- Modification Date: October 10, 2013
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 1.31 GB
Amazing Slow Downer 4.0.7Change the speed of the music - from 20% (one fifth speed) to 200%(double speed) without changing the pitch.
Wrong key? Change the pitch in semi-tones - at full or changed speed.
Out of tune? Adjust the pitch in cents (100ths of a semi-tone) to suityour instrument.
Real-time processing - all described above is done in real-time - justinsert the CD and press the play button!
Also slows down MP3, AIFF, AAC/MP4 and wave files on your computer inreal-time.
- License: Shareware, $50
- Developer/Publisher: Roni Music
- Modification Date: March 17, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 3.1 MB
AudioFinder 5.9.27AudioFinder is the OS X standard in audio asset management systems, andmusic production hub
AudioFinder can build a catalog of every sound on your system, save it,and search it instantly to find the sounds you need when you need them.Use AudioFinder to create custom sets for sound categories and specificprojects, with fast file browsing to audition, analyze, process,convert, and move or copy the samples in your library. AudioFinderfeatures the ability to add Metadata to your library of sounds, makingit simple and easy to find the sounds you're looking for when you needit. AudioFinder can visualize sounds instantly with the waveformoverview and preview them at any pitch via MIDI or the built inkeyboard, all in real-time. Sounds can even be previewed through yourfavorite AudioUnits. Speaking of Plug-Ins, AudioFinder features anadvanced Plug-In manager and slew of other studio necessities that willmake your workflow flow. Necessities like audio editing with built-inbeat detection and tools for fast trimming, fading, slicing and dicingyour sounds. You can even convert your audio sample CDs into individualfiles with just a few clicks of the mouse.
- License: Shareware, $70
- Developer/Publisher: Iced Audio
- Modification Date: June 22, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.8 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 25.8 MB
Battery 4.1.5Battery is the cutting-edge drum sampler - the worldwide studio choice for creative beat production.
- License: Demo, $199
- Developer/Publisher: Native Instruments
- Modification Date: April 24, 2015
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 247.4 MB
Capo 3.8Capo uses a blend of advanced signal processing and machine learning tohelp you learn songs by ear. Its powerful, simple-to-use tools allow youto dig deep into the details of a recording so you can learn to playsongs more accurately, and in less time.
- License: Demo, $50/year
- Developer/Publisher: SuperMegaUltraGroovy
- Modification Date: October 19, 2019
- Requirements: macOS 10.12 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 26.6 MB
Download File Size: 78.8 MB
Crystal 2.5.6Crystal is a semi-modular software synthesizer featuring bothsubtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. It offersabundant modulation control with over 90 parameters which may bemodulated, multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors, extensive temposync of envelopes/lforates/delay times, built-in effects forchorus/flanging/comb filtering/echoes, and a band splitter for effectsprocessing by frequency band. Not only that, Crystal has wavesequencing, granular synthesis, program morphing, MIDI learn, andimports soundfonts. The musical applications for Crystal are literallyboundless.
Crystal is a plugin, which means it runs within a host, such as Cubase,Logic, etc.
- License: Freeware
- Developer/Publisher: Green Oak
- Modification Date: August 22, 2016
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 27.4 MB
Cubase 10.0.40Our most complete DAW ever. Period. With millions of musicians,producers and sound engineers around the world using Cubase every day,Cubase is one of the most popular digital audio workstations of ourtime. Due to its pristine sound quality, intuitive handling andunrivaled range of advanced tools, Cubase is not only considered by manyusers as the most complete DAW on the market today, but also sets thebenchmark for contemporary music production software.
- License: Demo, Elememts $100 - Artist $330 - Pro $580
- Developer/Publisher: Steinberg
- Modification Date: August 22, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.11 to macOS 10.13 - 64-bit
Download File Size: 113.6 MB installer
Digital Performer 10.01Spark your creativity, then refine your mix — all in a singularworkflow. Digital Performer 9 delivers inspirational features devised toignite your creative muse, combined with state-of-the-art studioproduction technologies engineered for the most demanding, world-classrecording and production environments.
- License: Demo, $499
- Developer/Publisher: Mark of The Unicorn
- Modification Date: April 22, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.11 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 1.07 GB
Finale 26.1.0Finale is the world-wide industry standard in music notation software.Anywhere music appears on the printed page, Finale likely created thosepages. Finale helps the choir to sing, the band to march, the studentsto learn, and the orchestra to raise the excitement level in the latestblockbuster movie.
Part of what sets Finale apart is its unique ability to create anythingon the printed page. Where other software offers paint-by-numberssolutions, Finale offers complete freedom and flexibility. As a result,musicians around the world rely on Finale to create, edit, audition,print, and publish the widest variety of musical scores.
Finale also offers breathtakingly realistic music playback, and moreways to share music with others.
- License: Demo, $600
- Developer/Publisher: Makemusic Inc.
- Modification Date: May 1, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 330.7 MB
FM8 1.3.2Native Instruments has harnessed the power of FM synthesis. Thestrengths of digital are manifest in FM8’s powerful audio engine whichgenerates breath-taking, brilliantly dynamic FM sound in pristinequality. With its emphasis on ease-of-use, the FM8 brings a high degreeof simplicity to the otherwise intricate process of FM synthesis,delivering unsurpassed depth, brilliance, and dynamism.
- License: Demo, $149
- Developer/Publisher: Native Instruments
- Modification Date: October 21, 2014
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 121.5 MB
GarageBand 10.3.3GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio right inside yourMac - with a complete sound library that includes instruments, presetsfor guitar and voice, and an incredible selection of session drummersand percussionists. With Touch Bar features for MacBook Pro and anintuitive, modern design, it’s easy to learn, play, record, create, andshare your hits worldwide. Now you’re ready to make music like a pro.
- License: Comes with your Mac
- Developer/Publisher: Apple
- Modification Date: October 7, 2019
- Requirements: macOS 10.13.5 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 1 GB
Download File Size: 1.7 GB
Guitar Pro 7.5.2Guitar Pro allows you to edit your music scores and tablature forguitar, bass, and ukulele, as well as create backing tracks for drums orpiano. This is a most thorough yet user-friendly tool for musicians whowish to get better, compose, or simply play along.
- License: Demo, $70
- Developer/Publisher: Arobas Music
- Modification Date: March 29, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 983.7 MB
Guitar Rig 5.2.2A studio full of amps, cabs, mics and creative tools- Guitar Rig givesyou the power to shape your tone to perfection. Get perfect custom tonewith a complete guitar studio in your computer. Stunning amps andeffects - exquisitely modeled in a powerful and intuitive virtualeffects rack. Premium sound quality, maximum flexibility, and totalcontrol for guitar, bass and more.
- License: Demo, $199
- Developer/Publisher: Native Instruments
- Modification Date: May 31, 2016
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 552.1 MB
Harmony Assistant 9.9.0iHarmony Assistant is an unbeatable software for computer-assisted musiccomposition and editing. Its harmonizing capabilities enable thecomposer to build quickly and efficiently tunes that includeaccompaniment, multiple instruments and drum patterns
Its full page edit and engraver modes will ease editing and page setupof your scores.
- License: Shareware, $85
- Developer/Publisher: Myriad Software
- Modification Date: August 8, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 47 MB
Kontakt 6.0.3Kontakt is the world’s leading software sampler. Its sophisticated soundengine, wide array of effects, powerful modulation possibilities, andadvanced scripting brings a universe of sound to life with unrivaledplayability and realism. And with an ever-growing feature set, Kontaktcontinues to be the sample engine behind the future of sound.
Kontakt is the industry-standard sampler from Native Instruments. Theworld’s most detailed and innovative sample-based instruments are builtusing its outstanding audio engine and state-of-the-art modulararchitecture. For creative sampling and advanced instrument building,Kontakt provides a unique set of sample manipulation tools and unmatchedcreative possibilities.
Kontakt Player is a free application that hosts all of NativeInstruments’ sample-based instruments, as well as third-party productsmade for the platform. Instruments made for Kontakt Player will also runin the full version of Kontakt.
- License: Buy, $399
- Developer/Publisher: Native Instruments
- Modification Date: November 13, 2018
- Requirements: macOS 10.12 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 40.2 MB Installer - Kontakt 6 Player is a free application that runs all Native Instruments’ KONTAKT instruments, as well as a large number of instruments from other companies.
Logic Pro X 10.4.7Whether you produce tracks in a professional studio or are an aspiringmusician, Logic Pro X gives you all the tools you need to create, edit,and deliver your best music. Right on your Mac.
- License: Buy, $200
- Developer/Publisher: Apple
- Modification Date: October 7, 2019
- Requirements: macOS 10.13.6 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 1.5 GB
MainStage 3.4.3The right rig for every kind of performer.
MainStage has something for every kind of performer. You can use allyour favorite instrument and effect plug-ins from Logic Pro. Simplifysetup and teardown. Sound as big as you want with backing tracks. Anduse all your favorite hardware controllers.
- License: Buy, $30
- Developer/Publisher: Apple
- Modification Date: July 16, 2019
- Requirements: macOS 10.12 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 1.3 GB
Massive 1.5.5The synth that defined bass music, this powerhouse synthesizer is anuncompromising sonic monster and the go-to choice for bass music andelectro producers.
- License: Buy, $149
- Developer/Publisher: Native Instruments
- Modification Date: July 19, 2018
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 93 MB
Melody Assistant 7.9.0iMelody Assistant is dedicated to music writing, printing and rendering.
Easy to use, Melody Assistant offers a user-friendly interface andpowerful capabilities.
Now used by a very active community of thousands of people, it hasbecome a favored tool for creating music
- License: Shareware, $37
- Developer/Publisher: Myriad Software
- Modification Date: August 8, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 44.2 MB
Melodyne 4.2.2Melodyne is a software application for macOS and Windows with which youcan edit audio in a more musical way than was ever thought possible. InMelodyne, you work with notes - not with some waveform that tells younothing. You don’t just see where the music gets louder or quieter butalso where notes begin and end and at what pitch they lie.
You can modify each note and thereby influence directly the intonation,phrasing and dynamics - and do this not only with vocals and monophonicinstruments but with polyphonic instruments such as pianos and guitarsas well.
Melodyne is employed worldwide in countless major studios and bythousands of professionals every day, for vocal correction and for theenhancement of recordings, as well as for creative editing of a kindthat would be unthinkable without Melodyne.
- License: Demo, Essential $99, Assistant $249, Editor $449, Studio $849
- Developer/Publisher: Celemony Software
- Modification Date: May 21, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 91.5 MB
MidiPipe 1.5.5MidiPipe can be useful in a music studio or live on stage to route, map,filter, convert, display, input and output MIDI messages in real-time.
- License: Freeware
- Developer/Publisher: Nico Wald
- Modification Date: July 31, 2019
- Requirements: macOS 10.12 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 3.9 MB
MuseScore 3.2.2Create, play and print beautiful sheet music. The world's most popular notation software.Write music for: Piano; Guitar; Orchestra; Jazz; Choir; Band
- License: Freeware, Course Enrollment $25
- Developer/Publisher: MuseScore
- Modification Date: June 30, 2019
- Requirements: macOS 10.12 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 139.8 MB
Overture 5.6.1Overture was the first notation program to include MIDI data editingusing a Piano Roll and continuous data editor. Overture was also thefirst to notation to implement VST/AU plugin support. We have alwaysbelieved that not only should your scores look good, they should alsosound great. After all, we create music to be heard, not seen.
As today's technologies have changed, so has Overture. And while ourcompetitors just keep repackaging their same old design, we redesign.
- License: Demo, $249
- Developer/Publisher: Sonic Scores
- Modification Date: August 31, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.9 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 288.2 MB
Pro Tools 2019.6From powerful new loop-based music creation and trying ideas viaRevision History, to timesaving workflows that simplify editing and postproduction, Pro Tools enables you to create at the speed of yourimagination—without limits. That’s why top artists, musicians,producers, mixers, engineers, sound designers, recording studios, andpost facilities choose Pro Tools for everything they do. Because whenyou need to sound your best, nothing delivers like Pro Tools can.
- License: Demo, $35/month or $300/year, or Perpetual License $599
- Developer/Publisher: Avid
- Modification Date: June 25, 2019
- Requirements: macOS 10.12.6. 10.13.6. 10.14.4 or 10.14.5 - 64-bit
Download File Size: 1.68 GB
Reaper 5.98.400REAPER's full, flexible feature set and renowned stability have found ahome wherever digital audio is used: commercial and home studios,broadcast, location recording, education, science and research, sounddesign, game development, and more.
Feature Highlights
* Efficient, fast to load, and tightly coded. Can be installed and run from a portable or network drive.
* Powerful audio and MIDI routing with multichannel support throughout.
* 64-bit internal audio processing. Import, record to, and render to many media formats, at almost any bit depth and sample rate.
* Thorough MIDI hardware and software support.
* Support for thousands of third-party plug-in effects and virtual instruments, including VST, VST3, AU, DX, and JS.
* Hundreds of studio-quality effects for processing audio and MIDI, and built-in tools for creating new effects.
* Automation, modulation, grouping, VCA, surround, macros, OSC, scripting, control surfaces, custom skins and layouts.
* A whole lot more.
- License: Demo, $60
- Developer/Publisher: Cockos Incorporated
- Modification Date: October 11, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 18.3 MB
Reason 10.4d3The software synth that is harder than hardware. Reason is a completestudio package with synths, samplers, drum machines, loop players, asequencer, mixing, effects and much much more.
- License: Demo, $399
- Developer/Publisher: Propellerhead Software
- Modification Date: May 15, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 3.94 GB
SoundSoap 5Rescue your recordings from noise problems like air conditioners,traffic, fans, hiss, hum, clicks, pops, crackles, distortion/clipping,and low volume. SoundSoap is inexpensive and easy to use withprofessional results.
Open the media to be cleaned and SoundSoap will automagically find andremove background noise. Adjust the settings and share the results- itsthat easy! In most cases, only a few mouse clicks are needed forpowerful results. SoundSoap includes everything you need to record andclean your media files.
- License: Demo, $149
- Developer/Publisher: Antares Audio Technologies
- Modification Date: January 11, 2016
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.9 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 2.9 MB
Traktor Pro 3.1.1Traktor Pro's customizable 4-deck interface and streamlined workflow were designed with the professional DJ in mind.
Packed with a full set of creative features, the Traktor Pro DJ software makes it easy to create your own unique style and sound.
- License: Demo, $99
- Developer/Publisher: Native Instruments
- Modification Date: February 22, 2019
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.9 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 405.6 MB
Zebra 2.8.0Zebra is a wireless modular synthesizer. It combines numerous synthesistechniques (subtractive, additive, fm, wavetable, etc.) with a powerfulmodulation engine that even smoothly integrates with the built-ineffects section.
Unlike its analog predecessors Zebra has got an adaptive user interfacethat shows only what you can hear. You don't have to worry aboutcomplexity - but it's available when you need it!
- License: Demo, $230
- Developer/Publisher: Heckmann Audio
- Modification Date: March 12, 2018
- Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher - 64-bit
Download File Size: 90.8 MB
In 2019, music production software has become more mobile than ever. This updated list of the best recording software includes packages that automatically scale to fit any screen size. New technologies in modern DAWs eliminate latency when using wireless devices as interfaces or virtual instruments.
This year, we’ve also seen great improvements to the built-in virtual synthesizers included with music production software. You can expect your DAW to come with more built-in samples than ever — and more interesting ways to manipulate those samples to fit the needs of your project.
Quicklook: Best Recording Software
- Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio – Get this software on Amazon
- Pro Tools – Get this software on Amazon
- Logic Pro – Get this software on iTunes
- Cubase – Get this software on Amazon
- Ableton Live – Get this software on Amazon
- Reaper – Get this software on Reaper
- FL Studio – Get this software on Amazon
- Acid Pro – Get this software on Amazon
- Cakewalk SONAR – Get this software on Amazon
- Studio One Artist or Professional – Get this software on Amazon
Any seasoned producer will tell you that choosing the best audio engineering software is more than comparing data points like pricing or percentage of usage – it’s a personal choice. Better yet, it’s a personal journey.
About 10 years ago, the industry standard was Pro Tools, and one could argue that you weren’t a “professional” if you didn’t use it. Today that has changed, and there are many powerful DAW’s out there that can get the job done. Often times the top audio engineering software programs are used in conjuncture with each other.
Here’s Audio Assemble’s full list of the top music production software:
Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio
Translated in 20 languages, installed in over 10,000 music classrooms worldwide, Mixcraft 8 is one of the fastest growing DAW’s today. Record, edit, trigger loops, 7800 loop sample library, effects and plug-ins, pitch-correction (integrated Melodyne Essentials bundled), MIDI sync, automation, side-chaining, samplers, add/edit video, cross-fade images, motion text, fx transitions, publish to HQ audio formats, MP3, MP4 videos direct to youtube and many popular video and music sites…! It will surprise you.
- Unlimited Audio and MIDI Tracks
- Insert Video Track, multiple lanes, add motion text, cross-fade images, fx transitions
- 21 Virtual Instruments
- 56 Pro Audio effects
- Live recording to Performance Panel
- Global automation recording
- Mix Down to Stems with flexible rendering options
- Route MIDI from one track to another
- Unlimited nested submixes
- One-click simultaneous publishing to music and video sites
- One-time license fee owned in perpetuity
- No annual subscription fees
- Technical Support 7 days a week
- Download a Trial Edition Mixcraft Pro Studio
Pro Tools
Everyone wants to kill the king, but there’s a reason why he’s in the thrown, and in the world of audio, Pro Tools is the king of recording. As the best DAW for recording, Pro Tools has the largest set of features for both handling, editing and recording audio. Standing a least a full head above all of it’s competitors, Pro Tools feature set leaves much to be desired when recording anywhere else.
As the grandfather of computer recording, Pro Tools has been the bane of many an engineer, artist or producer for over 30 years, but after its democratization in 2010, Avid solidified Pro Tools place in both the bedroom producer and modern mix engineer’s go to recording software.
When it comes to recording, Pro Tools has almost every imaginable configuration when it comes to handling actual audio. Within its repertoire, it has the smart tool. The smart tool includes the grabber, trim, and the selector, holding down the grabber or trim tool opens up variants, and together they make editing audio on the fly or surgically the easiest out of any of it’s competitors. Moving out of the dock and into standard short cuts and commands, users have simple access to be able to tab to transient, split at playhead, quick fade audio files, mute regions and more in fast non-destructive edits. When speaking of the actual recoding process, Pro Tools has the best file handling process out of any of its contemporaries because of its playlist feature, which cleanly delineates takes into individual hidden tracks accessible via dropdown, and comp-able via its playlist view.
Though Pro Tools may be the king of recording, it has the worst MIDI handling of all of its contemporaries, meaning you may want to take your digital creation process elsewhere if any MIDI regions are going to be involved at all.
- 128 Audio Tracks
- Unlimited Busses
- 32 Channels of I/O
- 1 Video Track
- Highest Sample Rate: 32-Bit 192kHz
- Sound Field: Mono, Stereo
- Bonus: 79 Plugins
Logic Pro
While Apple continues to struggle with their prosumer audio offerings due to some hardware glitches, Logic Pro X is still one of the most versatile multi-track recording software options available to Mac users. From the perspective of singer-songwriter that also produces their material, Logic makes recording as simple and seamless as its production processes are, but that’s where the simplicity ends.
Logic’s shortcomings in the recording process actually come in the form of its editing processes. Opting for a marquee tool rather than an easy selection option like Pro Tools Smart Tool leads to a large part of the general frustration of most users who want the ease of editing found most other DAWs. Also severely lacking is a surgical, yet non-destructive, waveform editing tool. One of the biggest annoyance when comparing Logic to some of it’s competitors is the way it handles takes, this can become a hunt to get the exact pieces you want to comp together because of Logic’s handling with files that are made as takes on the same track.
To add insult to injury, Logic is known to have a “sound,” and with Pro Tools being the industry standard brining your Logic session with you to a studio isn’t a guaranteed plug and play situation.
Though there are a host of annoyances that can be gleamed from first glance at Logic as your primary recording software, there are also a ton of advantages to using LPX vs one of its competitors.
- 255 Audio Tracks
- 255 Busses
- 255 Auxiliary Tacks
- Highest Sample Rate: 24-Bit 192kHz
- 15 Inserts per Channel
- Sound Filed: Mono, Stereo, Quadraphonic, LCRS, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1
- Bonus: 100+ Plugins
Cubase Pro 10
Steinberg basically introduced the world to modern age of music production. Literally inventing the game changing VST format, and creating a billion dollar industry, they forever altered the way music was made and the critical role that computers now play in the audio industry. Though not always the first company that comes to mind in the ever expanding DAW market, Steinberg has kept Cubase up to date with production and technology trends.
On one hand Cubase is an amazing piece of recording software that triumphs where Logic Pro struggles, and excels where Pro Tools fails to improve in MIDI handling capabilities; on the other, Cubase still feels dated and mildly clunky. Regardless of its somewhat dated user interface, everything under the hood is fresh. Cubase’s Audio Align is a stock audio aligner, akin to Vocalign, except it comes as a stock Cubase tool. The lane track concept is Cubase’s standard and hassle free comping process. With the Control Room panel users can quickly make better monitor mixes for whoever’s in the booth. The VariAudio tool is allows MIDI-styled note editing as a Melodyne like tool. Overall, Cubase is the most well-rounded vocal recording software.
- Unlimited Audio Tracks
- 16 Inserts
- 6 Sends, 64 Returns
- 256 Channels of I/O
- 1 Video Track
- Highest Sample Rate: 64-Bit 192kHz
Ableton Live
Ableton Live has basically taken over the industry due to the rise of EDM, and the further exploration of what it means to be an artist in the late 2010s. Its seamless transition from studio to stage makes it the most practical recording software for artist who take their show on the road. Though Ableton should never be thought of recording software first, it does provide its users with really fun ways of handling and editing audio, which outside of quality is the most important part of the recording process.
The most clunky of the recording software on this list, Ableton makes the user work a bit harder when it comes to a lot of the standard recording processes like comping, but the reason it makes the list is because of the things that you can do with audio in regards to Ableton Live’s Warp, Slice to Drum Rack (or Sampler), and Audio to MIDI function. Ableton’s ability to stretch, pitch and destroy sounds is bar none, the best of the best, which will always make it one of the best recording softwares on the market.
- Unlimited Audio Tracks
- Unlimited Busses
- 12 Sends and Returns
- 256 Channels of I/O
- Video with Audio Manipulation
- Highest Sample Rate: 32-Bit 192kHz
- Sound Field: Mono, Stereo
- Bonus: 10+ GB of Sounds and 34 Effects
REAPER
Are you looking for a DAW that is reliable enough to use without crashing for months? One that you also don’t need to buy a new computer with (a huge hidden cost in actually buying DAW software). If so, then the “grind it out” REAPER software by Cockos is a great option for you.
The best part about REAPER is the price. You could literally buy it, install it on your computer, and if you don’t like, well you only lost around $60 if you qualify for getting it at the discount price. Another great thing about the program being so cheap is that you can use that money to spend on third party plugins (they do have free plugins as well).
You can use Reaper on a Windows 32-bit, a Windows 64-bit, an OS X 32-bit, and an OS X 64 bit.
As far as we can tell, REAPER integrates just fine with MIDI if you use the plugin ReaControlMidi. There may have been updates since this article has been written and you may want to do a little bit more research to truly figure out what type of team a MIDI and REPEAR makes.
FL Studio
FL Studio is great for beginners as it is quite easy to learn compared to other DAW’s that have been mentioned on this list. And something that is also great for beginners is the pricing and the fact that you get free upgrades to new editions. There are many VSTS and effects that can be used with FL studio, but that can also be said for the other DAW’s on this list.
It is a great idea to start of with FL studio, but after a few years you will probably find yourself wanting more out of your DAW.
The Mac version is beta, so it’s probably a better idea to go with a different DAW if you are not using Windows – unless you feel like you would like to give the beta a shot that is of course.
FL studio supports many MIDI devices, and you can get a lot more information from their MIDI forum section that specifically tackles these types of topics.
ACID Pro 7
ACID Pro has expanded its feature set over the years, growing from a loop-based synthesizer into a full DAW. At the core, though, ACID Pro maintains the simplicity that has made it so popular for so many years. ACID Pro makes working with samples incredibly easy by allowing you to import samples from any source and work with multiple file types within the same project.
ACID Pro allows for virtually endless possibilities in manipulating samples. You can adjust the pitch or tempo without losing the sample’s original sound quality. When you add a new sample, ACID Pro automatically analyzes it and matches it to the groove of your existing track.
The primary drawback of ACID Pro is the fact that it’s becoming a bit long in the tooth. ACID Pro 7 was originally released in 2009, and little has changed since then except the price. While the price of ACID Pro 7 at the time of its original release was $315, the price is now just $149.95.
In spite of its age, ACID Pro remains a feature-rich DAW. The built-in mixer supports surround channels and submixes. It even allows you to mix sounds from outside sources and apply effects to them in real time. ACID Pro has full support for MIDI and hardware control panels — and the sample editing features are still tops in the industry.
Cakewalk SONAR
Cakewalk SONAR is the latest iteration in a DAW that began life as an MS-DOS MIDI sequencer nearly 30 years ago. Cakewalk SONAR is famous for its beautiful interface that resembles a bank of analog devices while retaining the clean look that you expect from high-end recording software. With a 64-bit mixing engine — and support for unlimited digital and MIDI tracks — Cakewalk SONAR scales effortlessly to meet the needs of any project.
Cakewalk SONAR has some of the highest sound quality available in any DAW today. In addition to the 64-bit mixing engine, Cakewalk SONAR features improved sound quality for plugins and imported audio. SONAR automatically increases the sample rate when you use a plugin or import a new sound to prevent sound quality loss when you mix down the finished track.
Some have criticized Cakewalk SONAR’s lack of advanced music notation features. In addition, you may not find SONAR’s interface as easy to use on computers with smaller displays.
Cakewalk SONAR features support for touch screen devices. It also comes with an impressive array of effects and virtual instruments. Using the included plugins, you can do anything from emulating a tube amplifier to correcting a vocalist’s pitch in real time.
Studio One Artist or Professional
Some software companies make hardware, but in the case of PreSonus, some hardware companies spend years creating a loyal customer base and then take control of their hardware functionality by creating software that can fully exploit the capabilities of their tested creations. PreSonus made a splash in the market when they initially debuted Studio One nearly ten years ago, the digital offering was a surprise to both retailers and consumers at the time but a necessary addition to the then prosumer facing interface company.
Initially paired with their hardware interfaces, Studio One quickly became a hit as both a budget and highly capable multi-track recorder, going so far as to win the Best Recording Software title in multiple industry award roundups.
- Unlimited Audio Tracks
- Unlimited Busses
- 32 Channels of I/O
- 1 Video Track in Professional
- Highest Sample Rate: 32-Bit Sound Field: Mono, Stereo
- Bonus: 9 or 31 Plugins