Best DAW for Windows and Mac: 10 Best DAWs in 2019. 1) Avid Pro Tools 12 (Windows & Mac) Best DAW 2019 One of the most renowned DAWs of the professional music production ecosystem, Avid Pro Tools is a notch above the rest when it comes to churning out tunes whilst maintaining the professional mixing and mastering ethos as per the industry. So my first DAW was Mix of eJAy and FL Studio. Through years I was tried to change my DAW – it was Cubase, Sonar, Ableton and even Project5. So I came back to FL Studio anyway 8 years ago. Less than month ago Ive got Mac and say “Good bye” to FL and now I’m on Ableton Live. (Vyacheslav Breakzhead) DAW for beginnier. Today im going to cover the 3 best music production DAW's for mac users! So if you're a mac user looking for your first DAW, this is. Logic Remote Touch and flow. Logic Remote lets you use your iPhone or iPad to control Logic Pro X on your Mac. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play software instruments, mix tracks, and control features like Live Loops and Remix FX from anywhere in the room.
Since way back in the 90’s, when home recording first started…
And the earliest versions of the modern DAW began emerging…
People have always argued about which one is best.
And as the options continually improve, the debate rages on.
For beginners starting out, that makes for a tough decision, doesn’t it?
So to help you guys with the all-too-common problem…
For today’s post I’ve created an in-depth guide covering the best DAW’s.
But before we get to it, let me first answer the one question you’re all probably wondering…
Free vs Paid DAW’s
Are there free DAW’s out there? Yes.
Should you use them?
In my opinion…No.
But if you can’t take my word for it, try one out for yourself.
Personally, I recommend checking out Audacity, as it’s the most popular free DAW on the planet.
Now at this point, you have two choices:
- Waste 2 weeks playing with Audacity, only to decide you need something better.
- Or skip that part, and get something better now.
If you chose option 1, I’ll see you back here in 2 weeks.
If you chose option 2, let’s move on…
Limited vs. Full Versions
Rather than using a free crappy DAW…the smarter plan is to use a “limited” version of a paid DAW instead.
Many companies offer these versions specifically to accommodate smaller home studios on a budget.
Most are cheap, some are even free, yet they still include 95% of the same features of the full version.
Since only advanced engineers tend to use the “premium” features, you probably won’t even miss them.
And if you want to upgrade to a professional platform one day in the future, you can do so without having to learn an entirely new DAW from scratch.
So if you want to start off with something free (or at least cheap)…THAT’S the plan I recommend.
Moving on…
The Top DAW’s
Poll 1000 studios to ask them which DAW they prefer…and you’ll hear a pretty wide range of opinions.
But listen to enough “expert” opinions, and the same few names appear over and over. Because they are the ones that have developed a strong reputation in the industry over many years.
And since each of these DAW’s has been used on countless hit recordings, they’re ALL perfectly capable of professional results.
So here they are, in no particular order, starting with…
1. Presonus Studio One 4
Long known in the audio industry for making quality hardware at affordable prices…
Presonus recently decided to add their own DAW line as well.
So with the help of several formal developers from Steinberg Cubase…
Presonus released the first version of Studio One back in 2009.
Since then, it has quickly risen to become a serious competitor of other top DAW’s.
Click below to check out each version.
- Studio One PRIME – (free download)
- Studio One ARTIST – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Studio One PROFESSIONAL – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Bedroom producers find this DAW particularly appealing, because Studio One Artist, is included free with any of the following audio interfaces:
- AudioBox USB – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- AudioBox iTwo – (Compatible with iPad) – (Amazon/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Audiobox 44VSL – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Up next…
2. Cakewalk SONAR
While it’s probably my least favorite option on the list…
Cakewalk Sonar has ranked among the top DAW’s for years now…
And is definitely worthy of mention.
But here’s why I don’t care for it:
These days, virtually every top DAW is cross-compatible on both Windows and Mac…
Yet for some reason, Sonar is a Windows only program.
PC lovers might not care, yet no one can argue that a HUGE percentage of musicians are Mac users.
And if you EVER plan to collaborate with any of them…Sonar is probably NOT your best option.
Having said that, here are 2 things I like about Sonar:
- The X3 and Studio versions are insanely affordable.
- Sonar uses serial numbers to unlock their software, rather than the complicated USB dongles required by most DAW’s.
Click below to see prices/reviews for each version.
- Cakewalk Sonar ARTIST – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Cakewalk Sonar PROFESSIONAL – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Cakewalk Sonar PLATINUM – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
UPDATE: it seems the development of Sonar has now stopped — officially, but still continues as a freeware, meaning the developer is not the former one anymore. And for that reason I would no longer recommend it as one of the top DAW’s, as its development and updates might not be reliable anymore .
Up next…
3. FL Studio
Formerly known as Fruity Loops…but after a run-in with Kelloggs, who thought people may confuse it with their breakfast cereal…
Over a decade ago, Image-Line officially changed the name of their classic software to FL Studio.
A top choice for Hip-Hop, EDM musicians and DJ’s…
It’s a big hit with ‘in-the-box’ producers due to its:
- spreadsheet-like Playlist
- flexible Piano roll
- extensive automation capabilities
One of the coolest things about FL Studio is…it’s the only DAW on the list offering FREE lifetime updates.
Purchase either the Producer or Signature bundle and you’ll never have to give them money…ever again. Awesome, huh?
Click below to see prices/reviews for each version.
- FL Studio 20 FRUITY – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF)
- FL Studio 20 PRODUCER – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF)
- FL Studio 20 SIGNATURE – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
NOTE: the Fruity Edition does not have audio recording…So avoid it unless you ONLY produce electronic music.
They also offer a cool mobile version known as FL Studio Mobile.
Up next…
4. Propellerhead Reason
Much more than just your average DAW…
Propellerhead Reason offers one HUGE feature that the others don’t.
In addition to being a solid stand-alone DAW…
It also functions as a suite of virtual instruments that can be used in combination with other DAW’s.
With Reason, electronic musicians can easily collaborate with producers working on virtually any platform.
For those who prefer the look and feel of REAL analog gear…
Its visual interface mimics the design of an actual studio rack, even allowing rear access for cable patching.
So if you like virtual instruments, Reason is definitely worth a closer look.
Click below to see prices for each version.
- Reason 10 INTRO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Reason 10 (FULL) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Up next…
5. Ableton Live
What makes Ableton Live so unique…
Is the fact that it was originally designed as an instrument for live performances.
And while it has since evolved into a complete recording package…
Seamless live performing is still one of its primary goals.
This fact is clearly demonstrated, first, with a visual interface that fits entirely on a single laptop screen.
And second, by the MANY 3rd party hardware controllers designed specifically for the software.
The most popular ones include:
- Ableton Push 2 (w/Live 9 Intro) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Akai Professional APC Mini – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Novation Launchpad – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
If a live performance tool is what you need, Ableton Live is what I recommend.
Click below to see prices/reviews for each version.
- Ableton Live 10 INTRO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Ableton Live 10 STANDARD – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Ableton Live 10 SUITE – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Up next…
6. MOTU Digital Performer
One of the oldest DAW’s in existence…
The first version of Digital Performer appeared way back in 1990…
Originally as the front-end of a Digidesign system that would later become Pro Tools.
Earlier “MIDI only” versions of the software existed as far back as 1984.
Throughout that time, Digital Performer was known famously as the “Mac only” option.
Which is big deal, since back then, and even more so today, the large majority of audio professionals love Apple.
Still, for that reason, they probably missed out on a lot of potential users. But no more…
Because with their latest release, they’ve finally made themselves cross-compatible with Windows as well.
I suppose it’s about damn time, huh? 🙂
- Digital Performer 9 – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusicianF/Thomann)
Moving on…
7. Steinberg Cubase
The OTHER “old-timer” on this list…
The original version of Cubase was released by Steinberg back in 1989, which at the time, was MIDI only.
Not long afterward in 1992, they released TWO major advancements to the software…
Adding BOTH support for audio, and Windows compatibility.
From that point forward, they continued to refine the technology, contributing several major advancements to the music industry along the way.
Their greatest claim to fame was their introduction of VST plugins in 1996, and VST instruments in 1999, both of which became industry standards for many years after.
And even today, Cubase has managed to somehow remain just as relevant as they have been for the past several decades.
Click below to see prices/reviews for each version.
- Steinberg Cubase Elements 10 – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Steinberg Cubase Artist 10 – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Steinberg Cubase Pro 10 – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Next up…
8. Cockos Reaper
Founded back in 2004…
The developers from Cockos Incorporated began the process of building Reaper (Rapid Environment for Audio Prototyping and Efficient Recording)…
With a unique bootstrapping business model that quickly positioned them as the top “alternative” to the mainstream DAW’s.
With no advertising budget, Reaper was able to build its popularity almost entirely through word-of-mouth from enthusiastic users who loved in the product.
The first big selling point of Reaper is its extremely frequent update releases, which add improvements based on the feedback of users.
The second selling point is its price structure. As of now, there is only one version of Reaper, which can be downloaded for free, and offers full unrestricted use with no time limit.
Their only request, is that after 60 days of using their software…you purchase either a $60 discounted license for private use, or a $225 commercial license if your business is making money.
And yes…I said “request“. Their entire business model is based on the honor system of their customers. Yet somehow, Reaper is still far cheaper than virtually any other DAW on this list.
To download the free trial, or purchase a license, click here.
Up next…
9. Apple Logic Pro X
Back in 2002, a small company known as Emagic built the first version of Logic…
Which must have looked promising to Apple…
Because they bought it soon afterward.
And it turned out to be a great investment, because since then Logic has grown to become one of the top DAW’s in the world.
No surprise, it is the only DAW on this list NOT compatible with Windows.
And while PC users might complain, Mac users can rejoice. And here’s why:
By keeping it a “Mac only” platform, Logic users are assured that virtually any audio interface compatible with Mac OSX will work with Logic as well.
And since these days Macs are so damn popular with musicians…
Audio interface makers know that OSX compatibility is a MUST. Ultimately this means a TON of interface options for the end users.
For the latest version of Logic Pro X, you need to visit the App Store and purchase the digital download.
Up last on the list, the king of all DAW’s…
10. Avid Pro Tools
In this day and age, Pro Tools has practically become a household name.
Because for many years now…
It has been the industry standard in music recording.
Everyone uses it…in pro studios, and home studios alike.
And that alone, is a strong argument why you might want to use it as well.
Be aware though, that Pro Tools also has more haters than any of the DAW’s on this list (and some of them may even have valid points).
But all this really means is that no DAW is perfect, and each one has both its stronger and weaker points.
So is Pro Tools right for everyone? Of course not. But if you’re a complete beginner, and you really have no idea what to start with, I’d strongly recommend it as a good default option.
Currently, there are 3 versions of Pro Tools available:
- Pro Tools First – the beginner version, which is totally free, and can be downloaded here.
- Pro Tools – the intermediate version, ideal for independant musicians
- Pro Tools Ultimate – the professional version, which offers much more features then the regular version and is ideal for professional recording studios.
I recommend starting with the regular version of Pro Tools if you can afford it. And if not, use Pro Tools First instead.
Anyways so that’s the list, hope you enjoyed it. 🙂
What’s Next?
Once you’ve chosen a DAW for your studio, next comes the difficult process of actually installing it.
And when I say difficult, I mean DIFFICULT!
My first time took me a full two days of work before finally getting things working. Ask any old-timer what his first time was like, and he’ll probably have a horror story for you as well.
Just know that a little frustration here is typical, and it does NOT mean your DAW sucks. That’s just how they are.
Be patient, and know that you only have to do this once.
Then again, it’s been years since I’ve had to do it myself, so maybe it’s no longer as hard as it once was.
Good luck 🙂
You’re starting as a musician and you’ve procured all the hardware that was on your list, be it, mic, synth, etc, but you’re still looking for a DAW which will help you utilize the hardware to the fullest. I’ve already discussed best DAWs you can go for but most of these are industry standards and come at a cost that can burn a hole in your pocket. Is there a way to save your money but still be able to use a good DAW?
Yes, there is! There are so many free DAWs to produce music, you can use to easily get your work done. So let’s see which one of these fits the bill perfectly.
Best Free DAWs
1. Garage Band
Garage Band is something that is easy to use and is available on all Apple devices for free. You can simply plug and play instruments. The UI is simple and you can understand the work-flow in one go. In case you have an idea in mind and you don’t have a certain instrument, Garage Band has a huge library of virtual instruments to choose from. It has multiple amps and effect racks, so next time you plug-in your guitar try these to spice the sound up a bit.
If we talk about Multi-track recording, the processing is all fine but often I need a drummer because I can’t program it myself. To save you from spending all day programming drums, there is a virtual session drummer that takes cue from the track and plays along, so finding a groove will no longer be an issue.
If you are like, who hate wires, there is an option to control using an iPad or from the logic remote app. If you’re a noob and you want to learn an instrument there is a section dedicated to tutorials. Whether you want to learn rock or blues, video tutorials make it simple and easy to learn. Lastly, besides the 255 track recording ability, you can pan the audio, add effects like reverb and manage EQ as well.
- Available on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Get Garage Band here.
2. Ardour
Ardour is an open-source DAW, which means if you want to download and modify the source code you can easily do it. It also has Google as one of the few who fund them. I’m not a geek so I downloaded an installable version from its website. In terms of a number of tracks, there is no cap to it so you’re free to run your creative horses. In addition to that, there is no limitation on a number of effects or projects. For some reason, I can relate the look to Ableton.
In case you’re producing music for a video or film, it has a video timeline as well. Of course, there are limitations and the first one is the lack of any virtual instruments so you’ll have to rely on third-party software. There are two modes to view which are editor, where you record and see the projet layout and mixer, where you can pan, add effects and plug-ins to the audio.
Well, for post-processing you’ll have all the arsenal you need. Basic plug-ins like compressor, delay, EQ, reverb and many more are available.
Although open-source, the app is not completely free and the software goes into silent mode every 10 minutes. I don’t think its a big deal, as you’ve two options, either you can choose to pay in a subscription-style or donate and keep using it. You should note that there is no minimum donation, so it’s very flexible even if you don’t want to spend a lot.
If you’re a YouTuber and you want something which is light years ahead of audacity but still simple to use, this is the app to go for. You can import videos and extract audio, view content in a separate video monitor, trim video and add projects soundtrack to the video. Clean enough for someone who wants a good video-audio integration. There is a chat option as well, which is run by real-time users. So if you get stuck or just need advice you can write here. Be patient! Replies can take time.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Daw For Macbook Pro
Get Ardour here.
3. Pro Tools First
Pro Tools First is the industry standard and the first DAW that I used. If you’re starting out, then you can’t go wrong with this. Downloadable from the Pro Tools Website, it offers a maximum of 16 tracks with simultaneous recording. There is basic plug-in available to process sound but the ability to add a video isn’t available in this version. In case you want to share and make music with other people cloud collaboration is also possible for a total of 3 projects but with the cloud plan subscribed.
Limited Virtual support is available for example you’ll be able to access Air Expand 2, which has a repository of drums, guitars, FXs and more. An additional in-built workstation that lets you edit and manipulate samples that come in handy if you want to give a unique sound to your music.
- Available on Windows and Mac
Get Pro Tools here.
Daw software, free download
4. LMMS ( Linux Multimedia Studio)
If you work with a lot of samples and don’t want to spend money, this is the one for you. It has a UI like FL Studio, there is a beatmaker as soon as you open it. It’s available for Linux, Windows, and Mac. To start with the main highlights it has multiple instruments which you can find on the left, I feel it’s enough to get you started with any genre of music. It also has a piano roll, inspired by FL Studio, which makes creating and editing melodies a breeze.
In terms of layout, you have a song editor where you can see all your tracks and a different window for mixing. So the interface is more window in the window, which can be a problem for some who don’t want to keep themselves busy with handling and resizing windows.
You can also automate by dragging and dropping kobs from the synth on the automation window.
Daw For Mac Free
There is a lag in track display sometimes when you play the audio. You also can’t import or export MP3, which is a huge drawback. There is no limitation to the number of tracks but the support for VSTs is limited. Even recording audio, you need a different app (Use audacity) then use it as a sample track. However, all these limitations have a walk-around so you can consider using this.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Get LMMS here.
5. Audacity
Of course, Audacity is not exactly a DAW but can be used as one. Whether you have to record a podcast or just want to use it for recording music, it serves all purposes.
For the unknown, Audacity is a free and open-source digital Audio Editor (not a workstation) available on all the platforms, i.e, macOS, Windows, and Linux. You can add multiple tracks and records from multiple sources.
The post-processing is a very strong point in Audacity with options such as normalizing, noise reduction, fade operations, etc. Punch and Roll recording, theme selection, voice isolation is also there to convert song into karaoke. Its simple UI with good audio processing capabilities makes it a go-to choice for many and believe me, musicians have recorded albums with just Audacity.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Download Audacity here.
Closing Words
If you’re a beginner or you make music as a hobby I don’t see spending money on DAWs because there is no denying they’re costly. While Audacity is just a music recorder and processor, it can’t be considered a DAW. Garage Band is the holy grail for Apple users and if you’re on a mac, Pro-tools and Ardour are capable DAWs, but I’d choose Pro-tools because it’s industry standard. In case your focus is mainly on hip-hop, LMMS has a great piano roll and beatmaker which are easy to understand. So what is your choice going to be? Tell me in the comment section below.
Read: Best Music Production Apps on Android to Create Music on the Go