DAW SOFTWARE PROGRAMS
What are DAW programs and which one should I use to produce music? This is a great question as a music producer! Which software is the best one to use? Sound Bankz has compiled a list of the best DAW software programs that you can use for your music studio!
What is a DAW?
DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is a software program used for composing, producing, recording, mixing and editing audio and MIDI. DAWs facilitate mixing of multiple sound sources on a time-based grid. There are lots of different DAWs out there, each with their own different strengths and weaknesses.
How to Choose the Best DAW for your Studio
There are a few important key points to consider when you choose which DAW you’ll use for recording your own music.The first is that despite different looks and workflows, they all essentially do the same thing, produce music. Once you grasp the basics down of digital music production, your choice of DAW will seem a little less important. The main differences between them are mainly about features, plugins and sub-programs and workflow. The best way means to choose the right DAW for you is by testing them first or using free trial out to see it it really fits your producer criteria.
Download a Free Demo
Most DAWs offer free trials or lite editions to help you decide if they’re right for you. Once you’ve honed in on the ones you want to try, download the demos and see how things feel in practice.If you’re just getting started with the core ideas of DAW programs you might consider trying a free DAW. There are a few great DAW apps that are available completely free. They might not have the functions the pros rely on, but they can certainly produce great music. Start off with a free version first can save you a lot of time and money.
Best DAW Software Programs
1. Avid – Pro Tools – Free Trial
Costs: $199-$499 Per Year – 2 Versions ( Pro Tools & Pro Tool Ultimate )
Tech Specs – Select Key Features
When inspiration strikes, nothing empowers your creativity like Pro Tools. That’s why top artists, musicians, and audio professionals choose it for everything they do. Widely used in just about every big major recording studios around the world. Pro Tools is ranked up there as one of the number one DAW programs for audio production. Avid offers two versions, Pro Tools & Pro Tool Ultimate. Pro Tools starts at $199 per year subscription for their software or you have the option for $29.99 per month if you don’t want to pay for the whole year upfront. Pro Tools Ultimate starts at $499 per year or you can do the $79.99 per month subscription. Avid Pro Tools does offer a free trial click on the link above for signup and download.
2. Apple – Logic Pro X – Free Trial
Costs: $199-$279 One Time- Logic Pro X
Logic Pro is the most advanced version of Logic ever. Sophisticated creative tools for professional songwriting, beat making, editing, and mixing are built around a modern interface that’s designed to get results quickly and also deliver more power whenever it’s needed. Logic Pro includes a massive collection of instruments, effects, loops and samples, providing a complete toolkit to create amazing-sounding music. As your song develops, Logic Pro 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. Logic Pro X is usually on sale for around $199. Apple Logic Pro X does offer a free trial click on the link above for sign up and download.
3. PreSonus – Studio One – Free Trial
Costs: $99-$399 One Time Or $14.99 Per Month Subscription
Studio One provides tools that enhance your creativity without getting in the way; we pioneered its drag-and-drop workflow that continues to be imitated elsewhere. The standard for end-to-end production, only Studio One 5 seamlessly moves with you from initial inspiration to full production, final mix to mastered album, digital release to stage production and lets you truly create without boundaries. Record, produce, mix, master, and perform all from a single, intuitive application. Designed with ease of use at its core, Studio One® 5 is your creative partner from studio to stage. The Start Page provides what you need to begin your creative process, including a dashboard with all your songs, projects, and shows, plus a personalized user profile that allows you to add custom metadata to all your creations.
4. Steinberg – Cubase 11 – Free Trial
Costs: $99.99-$587.89 One Time- 3 Versions (Cubase Elements, Artist & Pro )
Do you want to start creating your own music, bring your production up to a professional level, or streamline your workflow for short deadlines? Whatever you need, Cubase helps you to reach your full creative potential. From Hollywood blockbuster composers and Billboard Hot 100 producers right through to keen beginners, the world of music production trusts the comprehensive feature set, straightforward tools and unrivaled sound of our acclaimed music production software. Cubase 11 features 3 versions Cubase Elements it’s entry level program starting at $99 and also Cubase Artist Steinberg’s mid level product which costs around $337.98 last but least Cubase Pro 11 which is going to run you $587.98 to own the full version.
5. Cockos Inc.- REAPER – Free Trial
Costs: $60-$225 One Time- 2 Versions( Discounted License & Commercial License)
REAPER is a complete digital audio production application for computers, offering a full multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing and mastering toolset. REAPER supports a vast range of hardware, digital formats and plugins, and can be comprehensively extended, scripted and modified. Using REAPER with your PC or Mac, and no other software, you can import any audio and MIDI, synthesize, sample, compose, arrange, edit, mix, and master songs or any other audio projects. Reaper is available for only $60 this is a discounted license which is VERY affordable! The second version is going to run you around $225 and this is for their commercial license.
6.Bitwig – BITWIG Studio – Free Trial
Costs: $99-$399 One Time- ( Bitwig Studio 16 Track & Bitwig Studio )
Bitwig Studio inspires you to take greater control of your music, giving you access to every aspect of your production. Streamline your creative process and quickly evolve your ideas into complete songs, tracks, and compositions. Record and arrange, improvise and perform, or do it all at once. Design sounds. Build instruments. Make music.Streamline your creative process and quickly evolve your ideas into complete songs, tracks, and compositions. Bitwig Studio offers intuitive tools to record, edit, and arrange any material. Take your music out of the studio and onto the stage. Bitwig Studio is built for live performance, let your music flow, always on the beat. Bitwig Studio is a sound designer’s dream, with modular device architecture and a wealth of instruments and effects. Browse a rich library of presets and sounds, or build your own instruments and FX from scratch using The Grid. Bitwig 16 track program is going to cost you around $99 and they’re big brother Bitwig Studio comes with a price tag of $399 which of course comes with more bells and whistles.