Are you on the hunt for a high-quality digital audio workstation (DAW) that won’t break the bank? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the best free DAWs available that cater to your need for top-notch features, user-friendly interfaces, and exceptional music creation capabilities.
Join us as we delve into these outstanding options to help you unleash your creativity without spending a dime.
What Is A DAW?
A digital audio workstation, or DAW, is a software application for recording, editing, and producing audio files. It allows for multi-track recording, MIDI sequencing, virtual instruments, audio effects processing, mixing capabilities, and more. DAWs also support third-party plugins that can extend their functionality, and offer a non-linear approach to creating music.
They come with built-in features like automation controls, making them an all-encompassing platform for modern music production.
Are There Different Types of DAWs?
There are different types of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) available, each with a unique interface design and workflow catering to different needs and preferences of music producers.
Some DAWs offer a traditional layout, while others offer a streamlined user interface. DAWs also differ in their target audience, with some being suitable for professionals and others for beginners. Moreover, some DAWs only work with specific operating systems, while others support cross-platform.
Understanding these differences can help music creators choose the right DAW that aligns with their skill level, workflow preferences, and technical requirements.
The 12 Best Free DAWs to Create Music With
1) Tracktion Waveform Free
Tracktion is a highly regarded freeware that can compete with even paid digital audio workstations in terms of features and user-friendliness. The software boasts having “no restrictions whatsoever,” such as unlimited track count and the ability to add third-party plugins, which are included as standard features.
Waveform Free offers ample power for most music producers. However, if you find yourself limited by Waveform Free for any reason, there is a Pro version available that you can upgrade to.
2) Garageband
If you own an Apple computer or mobile device, then you also have Garageband. This digital audio workstation (DAW) is surprisingly capable, and, best of all, it’s free! Garageband is a stripped-down version of Logic Pro X, a professional DAW that costs $199.So, if you’re new to music production, Garageband is a great place to start tinkering with tracking, MIDI, and mixing before diving into more advanced software. Garageband has an intuitive design, making it easy for beginners to experiment and get a feel for music production.
3) Ohm Studio
Ohm Studio is a digital audio workstation (DAW) created by Ohm Force, a well-known plugin manufacturer. The main focus of this software is real-time collaboration, making it an excellent option for those who want to work on music projects with others.
Despite being free, Ohm Studio offers a wide range of features that make it a comprehensive DAW for aspiring music producers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced producer, Ohm Studio can help you get the most out of your music-making experience.
4) Audacity
Audacity has been one of the most popular open source programs for many years. As of April 2022, it is on version 3.0.2 and compatible with Windows, OS X, and Linux operating systems, making it accessible to all users. If you’re interested in multitrack recording and editing, try using Audacity before investing in expensive software.
5) Ardour
Ardour is a free, all-inclusive digital audio workstation software available for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows operating systems. It allows you to have an infinite number of tracks, buses, channels, and sends or inserts per channel. The software’s capabilities depend solely on your computer’s processing power. Ardour also provides a collection of fundamental plugins for everyday sound effects and supports third-party plugins in VST, AudioUnits, and LV2 formats.
For recording, editing, and mixing, Ardour is a potent tool. It offers a range of features that are typically found in paid DAWs, all free of cost. Aside from its cost-effectiveness, Ardour offers great flexibility and can be tailored to suit any project.
6) Pro Tools First
Pro Tools First is a free and lighter version of Pro Tools, which is ideal for beginners who are new to audio recording. It can support playback for up to 16 audio tracks and allows recording of up to 4 tracks at a time.
PT First also comes with 20 plugins/effects and a powerful virtual instrument, Xpand!2, making it one of the best free DAWs available. With Avid’s industry-leading technology, you’ll have everything you need to track, edit, and mix your audio projects.
7) SoundBridge
The designers of SoundBridge aimed to create a simple and user-friendly interface for musicians. This digital audio workstation provides easy access to all the important functions like tracking, sequencing, editing, and mixing. Moreover, SoundBridge DAW has met all the professional industry standards and offers complete third-party VST plugins and low-latency/high-fidelity audio driver support.
The best part is that SoundBridge DAW is available for free download on both Mac and PC in 32 and 64-bit formats.
8) Cubase LE
Steinberg’s Cubase Pro is a powerful software that costs over $500. However, there is a free version called Cubase LE, which is a “lite” version of Cubase Pro. The only catch is that you need to have a dedicated hardware device that comes with a code for it, such as a Steinberg interface.
Cubase LE offers support for up to 24 MIDI tracks, 16 audio tracks, and 8 physical inputs, with recording quality of up to 24-bit/192 kHz. It also comes with HALion Sonic SE 2, a virtual instrument that includes 180 presets, which makes it easy to start producing music right away. Additionally, it includes 18 basic plugins like EQ, compression, and delay, so you’ll have everything you need to get started.
9) Cakewalk by BandLab
BandLab announced in early April 2018 that they were relaunching Cakewalk’s well-known SONAR Platinum DAW as a free download. This software is currently only available for Windows users and has a value of around $600, making it one of the best free DAWs available.
Although it has some operating system requirements, it is still the only high-end DAW that is available for free.
- RELATED: Best DAW’s For Beginners
10) PreSonus Studio One 5 Prime
PreSonus has been offering its professional software as a digital audio workstation (DAW) for several years. The latest version, Studio One 5, comes with significant upgrades to enhance workflow and productivity. However, the software comes at a high cost.
Studio One 5 Prime is a more affordable version of the full software, similar to Cubase LE or Pro Tools First. Although it is a toned-down version, it remains highly functional and effective.
11) Ableton Live Lite
Ableton Live is a widely used DAW for MIDI sequencing, sampling, and electronic music production. It also has the capability of audio recording and editing. You can try out the Ableton workflow for free with Live Lite.
However, you will need a registration code that comes with specific hardware to access it, similar to Cubase. Although the software itself is free, you will need to purchase certain hardware to use it.
Live Lite is a budget-friendly option that provides select virtual instruments and effects. It features an EQ, compressor, delay, reverb, and analogue filter emulator, along with other plugins.
Additionally, it comes with three Ableton virtual instruments: Drum Rack, Impulse (a drum sampler), and Simpler (a powerful sampling instrument).
- Related: Ableton 11 -New Updates & Features
12) LUNA
LUNA by Universal Audio is an innovative DAW known for its integration with Universal Audio’s hardware and plugins, providing a unique recording experience. It offers unlimited track count, Analog Summing, Tape Machines, Channel Strips, Bus and Parallel Compression, and a comprehensive toolkit instrument with every sound needed to finish a track or start an idea. It also offers efficient audio quantization, a powerful full preview Import Session Data, a smart tool and session browser, and industry-leading control surfaces.
Its intuitive user interface, customizable features, and flexible routing options empower artists to experiment freely and achieve the perfect sonic masterpiece. You can even add and use your favorite Audio Units plug-ins and instruments without any hassle.
Conclusion: Which DAW Should I Choose?
There is a plethora of free music production software available in the market, leaving no excuse for not creating music in 2024!
- Cakewalk by BandLab is a Windows-only, rebranded version of SONAR Platinum that provides all of its professional features at no cost.
- Garageband, Pro Tools First, Cubase LE, PreSonus Studio One 5 Prime, and Ableton Live Lite are all compact versions of their full-featured counterparts, which can be quite expensive. These tools are a great way to experiment and find a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that fits your workflow. They offer a complete experience for many purposes, though you may consider upgrading later on. It’s worth noting that Cubase and Ableton require a code that you can only get by purchasing specific hardware.
- LUNA is a modern DAW that simplifies recording, editing, and mixing music, and is even free for all Mac users, without the need for UA hardware, since November 2023.
- Audacity is a popular open source program that works on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It has been available for many years and is suitable for a variety of operating systems.
- Tracktion, SoundBridge, and Ohm Studio are all comprehensive DAWs, but Tracktion is the most user-friendly and widely used free option.