One thing that Windows PCs lack is software to create music, one that allows you to record from musical instruments and microphone or to create backing tracks . Whoever says that a normal Windows PC cannot be used for music is wrong, since not only are there professional (expensive) software used by professional and also famous DJs and producers, but also several excellent free programs, of which we go here to speak.
This type of software is called DAW which stands for Digital Audio Workstation. DAW programs were born initially as digital solutions for recording music, but over time they have become programs that can be used to create backing tracks and musical pieces even without knowing how to play an instrument. This however does not mean that they are easy to use programs; in fact, they are full of buttons and menus that require numerous tests and the reading of specific guides to know their meaning.
Also for this reason, those who need to learn one or who want to try it, could avoid spending a lot of money on programs like FL Studio and instead start with one of the following free DAW software, which have not too many limitations and can be used with just as much satisfaction. Contrary to what one might think, these programs, even if for free, are absolutely powerful and complete, absolutely comparable to the most professional software used by bands such as Daft Punk, which are perhaps the maximum expression of "homemade" electronic music.
Those reported in this article are programs to make music for Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, which can function as digital audio workstation (DAW), to record, mix and play digital audio, which transform the PC into a synthesizer to manipulate sounds as you would do with a program to write words.
READ ALSO: best free programs to mix and create music on your pc
1) Bandlab's CakeWalk, previously called Sonar, was a professional software that was discontinued in 2017 and then taken up again in 2018 by Bandlab who released it again under the name of CakeWalk, for free. It doesn't have all the features of Sonar, but most have remained. Although it may not be the best DAW for Windows, it can be considered as the best free DAW, if only because it does not limit its use, with unlimited tracks, a large number of integrated effects and also virtual instruments to play on the computer . Since there is no paid version of the product, you don't even have to worry about seeing advertisements that invite you to pay.
2) Tracktion T7 DAW is a program that is released for free in the version previous to the one currently on the market. In practice, while the new version of Tracktion is paid for, the older one, two years earlier, becomes available for free and even if it does not have the latest latest functions, it is absolutely a complete studio to make music on the computer.
Tracktion T7 is the version currently available for free, full of features and designed with the aim of making things simple. Like Cakewalk's BandLab, this version offers unlimited audio tracks.
The workspace has everything you need in the main window, without having to search through different screens. Each section is scalable and can be adapted to the workflow, while changes to the lower panel allow you to view the selected parameters. Tracktion T7 has an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks, is able to host multiple plugins including VST and Audio Units and does not lack MIDI output.
3) Pro Tools First is the free version of one of the most popular programs in the audio sector. Unlike many free versions of paid DAW software, there is no need to purchase a specific hardware component to use the free version, only that there are significant limits to what can be done. A maximum of 16 simultaneous instrument and voice traces and four hardware inputs can be used. The sampling rate is less than what you would have if you paid for the full version of Pro Tools or Pro Tools Ultimate.
4) Studio One Prime is the free version of one of the best commercial DAW software. Studio One Prime does not limit the number of audio tracks or virtual instruments that can be used, only that it does not offer some of the features present in the paid versions of the software.
5) AmpliTube Custom Shop is a program for Mac and Windows (only 64 bit) that despite being the reduced version of AmpliTube 4, remains a complete and functional program. This free version includes 24 models including a digital chromatic tuner, nine stompboxes, four amps, three microphones and two rack effects.
The program is excellent for those who record their guitar using the computer.
6) Klevgrand SyndtSphere is a program for Mac and Windows that works as a software synthesizer, loaded with over 70 presets, and the possibility of transforming sounds with a very original ball control.
7) LMMS, for Windows, Mac and Linux, can not miss in this list, because the real free and open source alternative to Adobe Audition (one of the most popular professional software for making music on the computer). LMMS has a multitrack interface for mixing sounds, composing music, playing with various instruments (including VST ones) and superimposing rhythms, chords and loops, in a simple way. LMMS is a program to edit songs, to add sound effects, to mix and manipulate sounds with a complete synthesizer.
8) MuLab is another fantastic digital audio workstation, a good free alternative to FL Studio, with an intuitive interface that helps you record, edit and create multitrack music with ease. The best part of this software is that it supports MIDI files and comes with useful tools like equalizer, audio recording, reverb, synth, drums, etc. The free version of MuLab supports 8 VST plug-ins for each project, 4 tracks for composition, one MIDI input / output and 2 audio inputs / outputs. If you overcome these limitations of the free version, you can still use the software, but a background noise will remain in the recordings.
9) Podium Free is a simple alternative to FL Studio, an effective digital audio workstation that allows you to record, mix and edit audio, including MIDI files, also with effects and plug-ins of VST instruments. The best features of this software are the standard and i editing and recording tools. virtual mixer.
10) Apple GarageBand is Apple's historical music making program, available only for Mac, made free for everyone since 2017. As an application it is quite complete and also among the simplest to use, although there are still a couple of key functions such as the MIDI export and the ability to control external hardware via MIDI. The main features are the Drummer, the easy-to-use groove-maker, multiple genres, controls and patterns. Apple has done a great job in creating a program for those who want to learn and enter the world of computer music production and can be the perfect launching pad and then move on to something truly professional, namely the Apple Logic Pro X program, used also by Daft Punk for almost all their albums.
11) Audacity is not technically a DAW for making music on PC, it is largely based on the modification of digital audio with which many manipulations can be made. It is not as good as the other recording programs and the included virtual instruments.
READ ALSO: Best Apps for making music and playing on Android, iPhone and iPad
This type of software is called DAW which stands for Digital Audio Workstation. DAW programs were born initially as digital solutions for recording music, but over time they have become programs that can be used to create backing tracks and musical pieces even without knowing how to play an instrument. This however does not mean that they are easy to use programs; in fact, they are full of buttons and menus that require numerous tests and the reading of specific guides to know their meaning.
Also for this reason, those who need to learn one or who want to try it, could avoid spending a lot of money on programs like FL Studio and instead start with one of the following free DAW software, which have not too many limitations and can be used with just as much satisfaction. Contrary to what one might think, these programs, even if for free, are absolutely powerful and complete, absolutely comparable to the most professional software used by bands such as Daft Punk, which are perhaps the maximum expression of "homemade" electronic music.
Those reported in this article are programs to make music for Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, which can function as digital audio workstation (DAW), to record, mix and play digital audio, which transform the PC into a synthesizer to manipulate sounds as you would do with a program to write words.
READ ALSO: best free programs to mix and create music on your pc
1) Bandlab's CakeWalk, previously called Sonar, was a professional software that was discontinued in 2017 and then taken up again in 2018 by Bandlab who released it again under the name of CakeWalk, for free. It doesn't have all the features of Sonar, but most have remained. Although it may not be the best DAW for Windows, it can be considered as the best free DAW, if only because it does not limit its use, with unlimited tracks, a large number of integrated effects and also virtual instruments to play on the computer . Since there is no paid version of the product, you don't even have to worry about seeing advertisements that invite you to pay.
2) Tracktion T7 DAW is a program that is released for free in the version previous to the one currently on the market. In practice, while the new version of Tracktion is paid for, the older one, two years earlier, becomes available for free and even if it does not have the latest latest functions, it is absolutely a complete studio to make music on the computer.
Tracktion T7 is the version currently available for free, full of features and designed with the aim of making things simple. Like Cakewalk's BandLab, this version offers unlimited audio tracks.
The workspace has everything you need in the main window, without having to search through different screens. Each section is scalable and can be adapted to the workflow, while changes to the lower panel allow you to view the selected parameters. Tracktion T7 has an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks, is able to host multiple plugins including VST and Audio Units and does not lack MIDI output.
3) Pro Tools First is the free version of one of the most popular programs in the audio sector. Unlike many free versions of paid DAW software, there is no need to purchase a specific hardware component to use the free version, only that there are significant limits to what can be done. A maximum of 16 simultaneous instrument and voice traces and four hardware inputs can be used. The sampling rate is less than what you would have if you paid for the full version of Pro Tools or Pro Tools Ultimate.
4) Studio One Prime is the free version of one of the best commercial DAW software. Studio One Prime does not limit the number of audio tracks or virtual instruments that can be used, only that it does not offer some of the features present in the paid versions of the software.
5) AmpliTube Custom Shop is a program for Mac and Windows (only 64 bit) that despite being the reduced version of AmpliTube 4, remains a complete and functional program. This free version includes 24 models including a digital chromatic tuner, nine stompboxes, four amps, three microphones and two rack effects.
The program is excellent for those who record their guitar using the computer.
6) Klevgrand SyndtSphere is a program for Mac and Windows that works as a software synthesizer, loaded with over 70 presets, and the possibility of transforming sounds with a very original ball control.
7) LMMS, for Windows, Mac and Linux, can not miss in this list, because the real free and open source alternative to Adobe Audition (one of the most popular professional software for making music on the computer). LMMS has a multitrack interface for mixing sounds, composing music, playing with various instruments (including VST ones) and superimposing rhythms, chords and loops, in a simple way. LMMS is a program to edit songs, to add sound effects, to mix and manipulate sounds with a complete synthesizer.
8) MuLab is another fantastic digital audio workstation, a good free alternative to FL Studio, with an intuitive interface that helps you record, edit and create multitrack music with ease. The best part of this software is that it supports MIDI files and comes with useful tools like equalizer, audio recording, reverb, synth, drums, etc. The free version of MuLab supports 8 VST plug-ins for each project, 4 tracks for composition, one MIDI input / output and 2 audio inputs / outputs. If you overcome these limitations of the free version, you can still use the software, but a background noise will remain in the recordings.
9) Podium Free is a simple alternative to FL Studio, an effective digital audio workstation that allows you to record, mix and edit audio, including MIDI files, also with effects and plug-ins of VST instruments. The best features of this software are the standard and i editing and recording tools. virtual mixer.
10) Apple GarageBand is Apple's historical music making program, available only for Mac, made free for everyone since 2017. As an application it is quite complete and also among the simplest to use, although there are still a couple of key functions such as the MIDI export and the ability to control external hardware via MIDI. The main features are the Drummer, the easy-to-use groove-maker, multiple genres, controls and patterns. Apple has done a great job in creating a program for those who want to learn and enter the world of computer music production and can be the perfect launching pad and then move on to something truly professional, namely the Apple Logic Pro X program, used also by Daft Punk for almost all their albums.
11) Audacity is not technically a DAW for making music on PC, it is largely based on the modification of digital audio with which many manipulations can be made. It is not as good as the other recording programs and the included virtual instruments.
READ ALSO: Best Apps for making music and playing on Android, iPhone and iPad
