The best DAWs 2018: the best music production software for PC and Mac; The best DAWs 2018: the best music production software for PC and Mac. Better still, it's now made the software available for free. The third-party content that was bundled with the paid-for version has been removed, but the DAW's key features, such as the Skylight user. The best music production software is the perfect way to give a boost to your Music / Song. Music making software is the digital workstation for artists to edit, mix, and beat and record songs. So, by using beat making software you can create music without using any live instrument.
The heart of most home studios is the computer, the sacred place where we keep all our music programs and plug-ins. Many questions from music producers are whether they just have to take an Apple Mac computer or a Windows PC. Which is Best for Music Production?” My answer is always: “Buy a good system” for both Apple and a (good) PC, as long as it works for you! It is very similar when people ask me: What is the best music production software / DAW for music production? The best is the one you learn and know best. Each program is good as long as you manage to master it, it is like a wild horse that needs to be tamed.
Let’s get back to our main subject MAC or PC? It is known that in the 90 Apple’s MAC machine dominate the music studios. After 2000’s things have changed, so have appeared more and more computers running on Windows, perhaps because it is cheaper and easier to upgrade.
Today it is hard to say which is more popular. A good, professional studio just needs to have both a Mac and a PC.
Very often it happens to work on different projects that were built in specific music programs (MAC or Windows). Many audio and video file types work perfectly on both, such as WAV, AIF, MP3, MOV, AVI, MP4, so it’s quite easy to transfer them from one to another. Today, most PCs are very powerful and theoretically suitable for making music and recording music. Both platforms have software that runs only on that particular system. The PC has Sonar, Sound Forge, FL Studio, Adobe Audition.
The MAC has Logic, GarageBand, Peak, Soundtrack Pro. But there’s more Both platforms can work with Ableton, Cubase, Nuendo, Pro Tools, Reaper, Bitwig Studio, Digital Performer and a few other. Fortunately, most (but not all), and work on both platforms. To record some audio tracks in your home, you do not have a heavy system, but you might use many VSTi and VST plugins so you need a good CPU (processor) and at least 4GM of RAM. Each PC is a different cluster to variables, while the has a very large reserve of power for real-time processing. Another consideration to keep in mind is that these computers generate some noise.
Many desktop MACs are very quiet to work. That’s nice if you put it in the same room where you produce music. You can also get your PC silently, by placing other fans, power supplies, and enclosures. Okay, you’re ready for a new system, but what’s it gonna be? It depends largely on your application, you will use it in a professional studio or in your home studio? Fortunately, there are music stores (where musicians working and speaking your language) that have knowledge of computers and give this support. There are various music stores where you will find Apple computers and there are also a few shops that sell PCs that are designed specifically for music production.
I hear you’re thinking: “Why to go in a music store?” Well let’s see:. They will help you fit into a budget and get the best machine for your needs. All components are matched and fully compatible. The Operating System (OS) is properly adjusted for making music. In some cases, you can get pre-installed music programs (freeware or paid).
It has been tested for use in the home studio or professional studios. Support after purchase But what if you’re on the go? Many people choose a laptop. However, there are only a few specialized Windows laptops available for music production.
Most people on the go you usually choose Apple Macbook Pro, and there is definitely a good reason. Also see: (Buyer’s guide) Why MAC? Apple has always had its base in the creative industries, including music production. Apple computers are well known for their stability, ease of use and good performance. Today you have a wide choice of Apple models. The Mac Pro is the most used in a professional studio environment.
For home studio applications, an iMac or MacBook Pro are more than enough. There is also a wide range of dedicated audio interfaces, and music making software like Logic Pro that makes Apple computer a serious candidate for your music studio. Apple is perceived as expensive compared with the PC. Well, this is true, they don’t offer a low-end product. Apple computers are more expensive but offer a different perspective, it is just like a premium car, you get extra safety, comfort, quality materials, and exclusivity. In the field of music production, Apple does have a big drawback.
You’ll find far fewer free music software and audio plugins for MAC than for PC. Below you have the Apple’s 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display specs: iMAC Item Price CPU 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 Memory 8GB (two 4GB) memory Storage 1TB Fusion Drive Video AMD Radeon R9 M390 with 2GB video memory Display Retina 5K 5120-by-2880 P3 display Peripherals Magic Mouse 2 Magic Keyboard Accessory Kit Total $1.999 You can get LogicPro software already pre-installed on your iMac for $ 199. Also, if you want more memory or more storage space you have to pay extra.
For the PC you can get a huge amount of and other cool freeware plugins and software. PC computers are more flexible and can keep up with your budget. For example, you can build a PC yourself ordering different components from different manufacturers.
If you need extra space, you can simply add a new hardware disk for that. This can happen if you want to store very large sample libraries such as (44 GB), by Sonokinetic (36,3 GB), by Sample Logic (30 GB) and more. Film scoring music composers make the example, they need huge storage space for their sample libraries. For those with home studios, I recommend this approach. With a little more generous budget you can get a PC computer that will be perfect for both music production and other media applications or even for video games.
A powerful PC desktop can become the center of your musical production but also can be your center of entertainment. The comfort of your home allows this and you should take advantage. Here is a setup for music production, audio recording and editing and even for 3D graphics, photo editing or gaming that you can build with less than $1000 (excluding peripherals)! This configuration will handle any music software (DAW), any audio plugins including virtual instruments, software synthesizers, multiple effects on the main mix or individual tracks, soft samplers, and so much more.
It's hard to know exactly how to build up a home studio with music recording software. The best place to start is with a digital audio workstation (DAW). DAWs are the centerpiece of your recording setup, it's where you record music, mix it and even master it out to a final bounce.
On this list, you'll find several of the best DAWs. Each one does certain things better than others and everyone has their personal favorite, so no matter what you're looking for, there's something for you. Once you've mastered your DAW of choice, you'll need plugins to give your music important polish and depth. Finally, we've included a mobile app with an amazing piece of extra hardware so you can make music anywhere you go.
With the right software, you'll be well on your way to making the next hit. Our Top Picks.
There's no way around it: Pro Tools is the industry standard for DAWs. Set foot into any professional recording studio, and you’re much more likely to find Pro Tools than any other software.
And since a few versions ago Avid severed the M-Box requirement—allowing you to use the software at home with any audio interface—it’s an easy choice if you’re looking for all-around production software for live instruments and sequencing. We’ve selected the mid-tier plan (not the entry-level, nor the overkill version), and here’s what you get: you can record up to 128 tracks simultaneously, with capabilities for up to 32 separate hard-wired inputs (if your hardware can handle it). Taken at a mixing level, the software will support up to 512 instrument and MIDI tracks, meaning you won’t be held up no matter how big your projects get.
They’ve included more than 60 different software instruments for amazing flexibility with MIDI tracking, and there are even 7 bonus plugins included. Propellerhead is mostly known in the music industry for their plugins and effects. But their flagship Reason DAW does have a fair fanbase that straddles the line between those looking for electronic production and those looking for live instrument recording. It’s a rare piece of recording software without a hyper-limited specialty. But buying their full Reason 10 edition gets you a host of features. First off, you get 10 iconic virtual instruments, plus a ton of drum loop collections from Korg, Dr.
Octo and more. They have the now classic, but still unique, Matrix editor for layering together loops and with unlimited audio and software instrument tracks, you'll never be limited in how layered your music gets. There’s VST support, ReWire, ReFill and even an Ableton Live link in case you prefer producing in Reason but sequencing live playback in Ableton. But, like any software, it’s about feel and preference, and Reason has more than a few loyal fans.
Next to Pro Tools and Ableton, Logic Pro is usually on the shortlist for the best in audio production software. With the latest X iteration of the line, they’ve opted to go for a slimmed down version without all the bloated sound libraries, and in doing so, they’ve knocked the price down from the $500-range to the $200-range. But when you factor in the features you get, it easily earns the “best value” spot here. New in this edition is a Smart Tempo feature that reads and matches a BPM, adjusting your recording to what's in your project. They’ve also stepped up the stock plugins for reverb, vintage EQs and more. They’ve upgraded the drummer patches to included brush attacks for lighter jazz music and you can even use the Logic Remote app to turn your phone into a remote controller.
Add that in with all the expected I/Os, tracking capabilities and super-intuitive modulation functions (a signature of the Logic line for a while), and you’ve got yourself a full-service DAW for a mid-range price. If Pro Tools is the industry standard for full, dedicated studio features, then Ableton is the standard for DJs, EDM and hip-hop beats. Ableton’s latest Live 10 software comes with a host of features perfect for any beat maker — up-and-coming or experienced. Like all the earlier iterations, Live comes in three versions: a lighter, cheaper Intro version, a Standard edition, and a full Suite that includes all of the plugins and sounds you'll ever need. In our experience, the Suite is a little overkill for the average producer, so we’ve chosen the Standard here. It offers you unlimited audio and MIDI tracks for wherever your project takes you, 12 send and return buses for effects, up to 256 different mono ins and outs, the ability to capture MIDI inputs for live programming, some cool complex warp modes and more. They’ve included more than 1,800 different built-in sounds (all in all a 10GB library!), plus 34 audio effects and 8 MIDI effects, all included in the Standard edition.
Presonus has made a name for itself with a big splash in the audio interface market. Now, with Studio One, Presonus has gotten into the field of digital audio workstations with a worthy competitor to others on the list. The Artist 4 option pushes Studio One to the next level, and at under $100, it’s perfect for a working songwriter that wants full features without the bloated price tag. Arguably, the thing that sets the Studio One line apart is its streamlined, single-window workflow that won’t require you to tab back and forth between a bunch of screens.
Best Music Production Software Pc
There’s plenty of simultaneous audio recording, plus smart MIDI sequencing features like a multi-track editing function. There’s a “drag and drop” loop comping feature, plus 30 native effect plugins included. They even offer built-in Melodyne functionality (though with the Artist version, it’s just a trial), which offers an insanely premium level of pitch correction. It’s great software that won’t break the (songwriter’s admittedly limited) bank.
As far as DAWs go, Acid Music has had an interesting history. First, it was owned by Sony and sold as a companion for their award-winning Sound Forge mastering software. The rights to produce the Acid line were somewhat recently purchased by a company called Magix, and they’ve revitalized the brand. Acid is available in a Pro version, although it comes with a steep price tag and we'd recommend some of the other DAWs over it at that price range. However, for the budget conscious, Acid Music Studio 10 is a great option that will give you some solid starter features. It can record up to 24 bits and 192 kHz, so the resolution is everything you’d expect from pro software. You can record unlimited audio tracks, live track multiple instruments at the same time and custom map shortcuts onto your keyboard.
There’s even VST plugin support, so you can expand the software’s functionality with whatever plugins you need. Finally, you can export in mp3, Wav or FLAC files for whatever you need.
When Melodyne launched its first edition, it was with a good amount of fanfare. After all, they promised a hyper-accurate level of pitch correction for audio—including polyphonic isolation so that you could pitch correct (or change!) every note in a chord.
With their fourth iteration, Melodyne offers a few tiers, starting with the limited “essential” and “assistant” options. Neither of those gets you the polyphonic pitch editing capabilities (arguably the coolest part), so we’ve opted to recommend the “editor” version. And you’re going to be blown away. They call that multi-note functionality Direct Note Access (or DNA, for short), and how it works is pretty cool: You take input audio, whether it’s a single vocal line or full-on guitar chords, and feed it into the software. It’ll then map out each note onto a piano-roll-like interface so you can isolate pitches, smooth them out, or even drag them to another note. This award-winning pitch plugin will interface with almost every major DAW and will become an indispensable part of your production arsenal.
There aren't that many music production apps for phones, and most of them are light, derivative versions of their desktop counterparts (see: Garageband for iPhone). Truth be told, the iZotope Spire is actually a hardware-software package—and you can download the Spire software itself for free. But to get full use out of it, you’ll need the Spire hardware, which amounts to a mobile studio that can easily fit into a small backpack. The device itself comes with two Phantom-powered mic or TRS inputs for using a microphone or tracking instruments directly.
There’s also a built-in condenser mic right on the front. But what really makes this shine is the intuitive Spire software. Once you pair it up, you can record several simultaneous tracks via the Spire device. And then, once you get to mixing and mastering (that’s right, you can mix and master right on your phone), iZotope has put in a cool graphical interface that lets you virtually drag tracks on an X/Y access to pan them left or right and place them higher priority in the mix (when dragging them up and down). It all works via iZotope’s award-winning Neutron automated mixing algorithms, and it really is an impressive piece of software — on your phone or otherwise.