Choosing a DAW is like going to a buffet. You may see something that looks good so you put it on your plate, only to realize it doesn’t please your palette. So you may have to do a test run of each DAW to see what option you like the best.
But to help guide you, here are some important features your DAW should include:
- An interface that looks appealing (you’ll have to be looking at it every day)
- A DAW that has plenty of tutorials on YouTube
- Built-in sounds, loops, and/or samples
- Basic editing and mixing tools, like EQ, compression, and reverb
- One that’s tailored to the type of musician/producer you are (ex. DJ making beats vs. singer-songwriter recording demos)
What music-making program is the best free?
It’s nearly impossible to claim what the best free music making software is. But some of the best digital audio workstations that are also free include GarageBand, Studio One, Bandlab, and Reaper.
Is there any free software for making music?
Of course! There are plenty of free pieces of software that let you make music, either on a computer or a mobile device. Some of the best music production software that’s free include Reaper, GarageBand (Apple devices only), Studio One, and Bandlab.