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Which this Beat Making Software is Best for 2020
Dec 31, 2019 Check out latest best free beat making software for windows/Mac 2020 all the best and top rated software is here on your pc and start showcasing. Just download and hip hop. So guys these are the best beat making softwares for windows/mac 2020. I hope you like it. May 14, 2015 2015 Best Beat Making Software for Rap, House, Dubstep, Hip Hop, Tehno, Dance - If you wish to produce and promote your own music or beats in. Beat Making Software For Mac or PC – DubTurbo 2.0 Beat Making Software. JapaneseJellyfish says: at 12:59 pm. I use Maschine for all my producing and I’m just trying to figure out what works best with it for recording hip hop lyrics. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Liao says: at 5:59 am. I wonder if Cubase is. Jun 10, 2020 We round-up the best music production software packages. Originally launched as FruityLoops, Image-Line's DAW holds near-iconic status for a certain generation of producers, particularly in the hip-hop and EDM realms.The headline feature in version 20 was a native 64-bit Mac version, meaning that FL Studio can now be used on macOS (as well as PC) without the need for a clunky. Hip Hop Software - Free Download Hip Hop - Top 4 Download - Top4Download.com offers free. software downloads for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android computers and mobile devices. Visit for free, full and secured software’s.
DrDrum has been around for a good while now and lately has been making a lot of noise in the music world as a great tool for beginners who want to make beats. Comes with everything you need to get started with lots of pro features, sounds and samples. Lots of in depth video tutorials included which makes it a great program for the price.
At $29.95 it’s a great entry level beat making software for any skill level. I have personally been using this software a LOT lately mainly because it is just so easy to use and I can pump out beats fast! Without a doubt, it is one of the best beat maker software in the market.
Price:$29.95 via DrDrum.com
How to Make Beats On Your Computer
To make beats on your computer you will need a few things – A computer or laptop, dj software and speakers! This of course is a very basic set up BUT to be honest it is all you need especially if you’re a beginner or intermediate musician.
The Computer: Not all software is created equal, some require more space and resources than others. So if you have a computer or laptop that has very little resources, memory or power you will not be able to use some programs because most of them are HUGE and take up a lot of your computers resources.
In saying that, most of today’s computers have all the specs and resources to run most large music making software with ease.
The Speakers: I use a pair of Mackie CR3 3-Inch Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors and if I’m up late I use a pair of headphone I picked up for $20.
You can use standard speakers that come with your computer but I much prefer mine as they produce much higher quality sound. It will all depend on your budget but to be honest there is no need to spend over $100 on speakers just for beat making.
The Software: In my 11 years of being a music producer I’ve had the opportunity to try a lot of programs. Going back 7 years ago music software was a lot more expensive and the most popular software back then was FL Studio(Fruity Loops) and it sold for over $200.
Fast forward to today and the market is flooded with music production software! For us, this is a good thing because it’s created competition between brands and that means price wars. These days you can pick up a good program that has all the bells and whistles for well under $50. ( I use DrDum Beat Maker Software , maybe the best beat maker software, which only cost $29.95 to make my beats )
What is the BEST Beat Maker Software For Beginners?
Most people think you have to spend hundreds of dollars on software, studio gear and hardware to sound pro. But with today’s technology that’s all just B.S! Don’t be fooled into spending hundreds on dj software – Especially if you’re a beginner!
One software I recommend to anyone who is just starting is DrDrum. It’s easy to use, has a tonne of sounds and effects and works on most low end computers(Both Windows and Mac).
DrDrum would have to be one of the more popular and best music making software under $50 in my opinion. It’s perfect for the beginner and also has the features and functionality for intermediate to advanced users. At $29.95 it’s a bargain!
Making beats is also pretty easy once you learn the basics and again, beat maker software not only makes it easy but it also teaches you how to make real music. A good beat maker like DrDrum will also come with video tutorials or lessons on how to make beats.
Good beat maker software will also come with plenty of sounds and effects plus all the features you need to smash out studio quality beats.
All of this might sound a little overwhelming but honestly you’re going to be shocked at just how easy it is to make a beat.
I remember when I first started beat making, I showed some of my friends and they where so blown away with how cool it was and really it was a simple 16 bar beat made on an old beat up computer. Just imagine what your friends or family will think after showing off your creations.
Other Good Beat Making Software
I’ve personally used a LOT of programs to make music in my time and man do I wish the software that is available today was available back when I first started! Making beats is just so much easier and less time consuming these days….
- DrDrum Beat Maker Software
- BTV Solo Music Production Software
- FL Studio(Fruity Loops)
- Dubturbo Beat Software
1. DrDrum – BEST Beat Making Software #1 Choice – If you want something that is super easy to use, comes loaded with hundreds of sounds and samples, a huge list of features and frustration free then Dr Drum is definitely worth giving a go. Possible some of the BEST video tutorials available that teach you step by step how to make your first beat to making a full track. You’ll learn the basics then more advanced music production using beat maker software and other musical instruments. Make sure you check it out, well worth the money!
Click here for complete list of features<–
2. BTV Solo – Other of my personal favourites and what I use almost daily! I’ve been playing around with some dubstep tools lately and BTV Solo makes it easy to make wub wubs, wobbles and bass drops. It’s a complete package which is why it’s so popular. You can literally make ANY style of music you want. This software is very powerful at such a small price. Make hip hop, trance, dance, rap, dubstep, reggae, rock the list goes on and on and it really is limitless of what you can do with BTV Solo.
For a full list of features and more info click here <–
3. Dubturbo – Another beat sequencer very similar to DrDrum only a little less functionality. Dubturbo is definitely worth mentioning though which is why I included it this list. Also has a lot of video tuts and it’s becoming very popular since I first checked it out at the start of 2013. If you want to compare it against the other beat makers I’ve listed feel free by visiting their official page –
4. FL Studio – I think it’s safe to say that EVERYONE has heard of FL Studio or Fruity Loops. I’t definitely the most popular beat maker around these days but it does come with a bit of a learning curve. The reason I don’t recommend newbies start out with FL Studio is it can be a little hard to learn. Most people get frustrated or overwhelmed by the amount of features it has and the interface is a little hard to get used to. But for you more advanced beat makers out there, FL Studio is a very powerful music tool. It does also come at a higher price and they also have extra costs for plugins and extra sounds etc…Something to think about before buying it.
The Best Beat Making Software I Use..
To be honest I use a combination of 2 different programs. I still use FL Studio from time to time but I always tend to use DrDrum and that’s because it’s so easy to pump out beats fast. Because I make and sell beats it’s important for me to produce tracks fast without losing any quality.
Since using DrDrum I’ve probably sold 3 x what I did with FL Studio.
Discount Codes For Music Production Software
We’ll be adding discounts and promo codes for all popular beat makers so be sure to save this page.
- BTV Solo Discount Only $7 -Save 30$ Today..
- FL Studio Discount
Want to go mobile with your beat making? Check out our list of best beat making apps for iPads
How to Make Beats
You’re here because you’re looking to make sure that you can find the time and energy to be able to create beats that are going to really give you a good experience and satisfactory final result, right? Well, you’re not alone. In fact, if you’re here to become the best beat maker, you’re in the perfect spot. This will introduce you to the beauty of being able to make beats at your own speed and using the right kind of equipment to help you get the job done. Here’s what you’re going to be looking at in your journey.
1. Take your time
This is an important step that you need to remember when you are looking at going after the final prize of being able to make beats that are memorable and solid: it’ll take time and patience as you learn the skills, and also to get the “feel” of how it all comes together. Practice makes perfect, after all, so dedicate the time and focus on making sure that you can remember how to really make it all come together. It takes time, and it’ll be worth the wait.
2. You’re going to need some work, no matter what level you think you’re at
Even if you are a gifted musician who truly understands how to make music and how it’s supposed to sound, remember that you are stepping into a different world and you are going to have to work at making it all work with this kind of electronic software. Even if you’ve worked with it in the past, you’d be surprised that it doesn’t take long to lose the finesse that is often required to really get into this kind of music making.
3. You’ll find they all suck at first
Swallow your pride and remember that you’re going to be able to really make the most out of your music if you just remember that you’re going to be terrible when you start out in the beginning. Even if you understand music, you understand percussion, and how it all works electronically, it’s rough when it starts to all come together in making beats. It’s a targeted kind of music making, and your beats are going to be absolutely terrible at first. Be patient with yourself and your seeming lack of understanding, and it’ll transform to the next level before you know it. Additionally, since you don’t know what you’re looking for, they’re all going to sound wrong and you won’t know why. This will pass.
4. It may all sound the same at first
Electronic music is different, especially in terms of the percussion. It’ll all sound similar and murky at first, no matter how many layers your put on, so dedicate the time to really learning about the different kind of beats out there and focus on how they blend or clash. Your first several sets of beats will sound the same even if you use really different voices, but that’s because you’re using similar rhythms. You’ll get more diverse as you get used to the equipment.
5. Have all of the right software
You’re going to need a lot of software to be able to make professional beats, there’s no way around it. Some of the biggest things you’ll need are software beat makers, and a digital audio catalogue. You’ll also want to make sure that you have a variety of MIDI interfaces that will allow you to work in line with the ideas that you have. Make sure you have good quality studio monitors and headphones so that you can get it all sounding the way that you need. It takes a lot of equipment to get the right sound, and don’t skip a step. Get it all if you want to make sure that you take this to the top in terms of professionalism.
6. Pick the right system for you
There are all sorts of different software options out there, and you’re going to want to take a look at what they can offer you. What may be the right beat maker software for someone else, may not be for you. So, don’t be afraid to try the different systems remember that the software for making beats will be a little different each time. Get to know which one works best for the sounds that you’re looking to make, as well as the actual comfort of software itself. It’s all important to getting the good final result that you’re looking for.
7. Get adventurous
When you’re looking at getting more in line with making complex beats, give yourself the time and freedom to be able to explore the beats some more. Get used to how the different sounds are developed and really go wild with your sound. Explore, experiment and find the time and space to be able to explore the options wildly so that you can enjoy it all to your heart’s – and ear’s – content!
8. Remember that mistakes are normal
Mistakes are part of making music, as most musicians will know. This is the same for electronic beat making as well. You need to understand the different kinds of beats, how they work, where they’re used, how to make them your own, and more. Give yourself the time and space to be able to really explore the options and get out there to show them off to the world around you. You’ll love what it will offer you if you just see it all for yourself.
9. How to write a song?
Possibly you want to write a song and you would like to start with the music but don’t know where, or maybe you have some lyrics and want to find a tune to see if the song is on the right track. Here you will find some good tips to start composing your song and make it sound really good.
There is a lot of talk about formulas and methods to write music, and to be honest there is some truth. Although many people do not know it, the great majority of popular songs are composed with three chords. However, we cannot ignore the fact that another part of the songs known as “difficult” are based on the same principle as simple songs. This principle is known as Three Chord Theory.
The interesting thing about this theory is that it is useful to compose songs in a short time, in an easy way, to have the basis of a song that will be much more complex later or simply to improvise and sound good without perhaps knowing much about music.
What this all comes down to at the end of the day is that making beats is a pretty sophisticated business and you need to be able to give yourself the skills, the tools, the time, and the know-how to make it as amazing as you’re hoping for in your life when it comes to music. This will serve as a basic overview on what to look for when the time comes to get into beat making for real.
Electronic Music in 2020
Electronic music invaded the radios, discos and our lives several years ago. What we didn’t imagine at the time was how popular it was going to become and how many years this style was going to dominate everything. And even less did we imagine so long ago, how easy it would be to make some music ourselves, we just need some inspiration and some basic knowledge to learn how to make electronic music from the comfort of our home and today we are going to teach it to you in a few steps.
The electronic music sector is in constant development and growth, it is no longer worth being just a DJ. Knowing how to create your own tracks with good sound quality, will make the difference.
Those who are dedicated to professional production and DJing of electronic music on a commercial scale, will appreciate any contrasting indicator on what hits the most at a given time.
In the Guide of electronic music styles published by LA VANGUARDIA and produced by Jordi Goberna, the following styles of electronic music for 2020 are highlighted
TECNO
Within electronic dance music, “the next step is techno”, explains Jordi Goberna. This style was born in the 80s in Detroit (United States) and was influenced by European groups such as Kraftwerk. The main characteristic of techno is that it relies entirely on drum machines and synthesizers to create the music, usually tracks that follow a 4×4 rhythm. Over the years, this style evolved and became popular worldwide thanks to artists such as the mythical Jeff Mills, DJ Rolando or Richie Hawtin. Today, it is still successful thanks to Coyu, Nina Kraviz or Bedouin, among others.
THE TRAP
The trap is the urban gender that has most connected with young people, especially in its Latin version. However, it is not a new style but a sub-genre of ‘hip hop’ that was born in Atlanta (USA). Trap combines elements of hip-hop and rap and stands out because it is much more electronic. One of the most typical elements of trap is the use of the Roland TR-808, an iconic drum machine that creates the characteristic base on which to rap. The word trap comes from American slang and refers to places where you can buy drugs. In fact, drugs, sex and violence are themes very present in the lyrics of trap artists, such as Chief Keef, Three 6 Mafia or Young Thug.
EDM (Electronic Dance Music)
With EDM we identify the Electronic Dance Music or “electronic dance music”. As Jordi Goberna explains: “As a concept, electronic dance music has existed since the 70s, when artists like Giorgio Moroder started”.
However, EDM identifies a style that starts from electrohouse and trance and simplifies it from very defined and clear structures. For example, a classic structure of an EDM track is as follows: as you can see in this video by Martin Garrix, one of the most successful EDM creators. Another feature of the EDM is the speed of its rhythm, which goes to a tempo of 128 bpm (beats per minute), compared to the trap tunes that do not exceed 80 or 85 bpm. In addition, unlike the trap, where the voice is very prominent, many EDM songs are only musical and the use of singers is optional.
REGGAETON (REGUETÓN)
In this guide to electronic music, reggaeton, a style that has its roots in Jamaican dancehall, could not be missed. The reguetón was born in Panama but its great hatching takes place in Puerto Rico. The reguetón can be easily recognized by its Latin rhythms, its simple musical structure and because it is generally sung in Spanish. Among the most prominent names in this style is Bad Bunny or singer and producer J. Balvin. Another characteristic, source of controversy, is that many of its lyrics have a macho content. However, other artists are appearing such as Rosalia, Ivy Queen, Karol G or Natti Natasha who promote a more feminist reggaeton with more committed messages.
Source: www.futuremusic-es.com
The most listened electronic music and DJ sessions in 2018
Those who are dedicated to the professional production and DJing of electronic music on a commercial scale, appreciate any contrasted indicator of what strikes the strongest in a given moment. But without falling into the obviousness of a hit list and its varied parameters, this TOP-40 Electronic Music 2018 brings together the 40 dance genres that set global trends in clubs.
This “style thermometer” is only intended to be a guide and source of possible ideas and inspiration.We always stress that transgression in terms of references, research and personal experimentation are the keys that make electronic music a unique, rich and personal artistic concept. But it’s never going to be a waste of time to keep track of what you hear most, so you can update your productions or balance your DJ sessions.
Trance Member
Deluxe voices with emotive dance arrangements; electronic music of great melodic beauty and energy in abundance
Chill & Tropical House
Sounds and grooves designed for relaxed listening and dancing, guided by a deep house feeling.
Chillout
Electronic tones and vibrations, silky half-time rhythms and grooves that soothe the senses and make your mind flow.
Lounge
Electronic escape music, designed for relaxation in high-energy environments, or as a prelude to higher intensity beats later.
Trance
One of the great old-school dance genres, full of emotive energy and captivating melodies, magical voices and a long history of beats forged from a multitude of dedicated fans.
Progressive
Always forward, in a progression that reinvents itself in every pulse, every sound. Live and unstoppable evolution for dance music…
Chillout Dreams
The perfect soundtrack for when you just want to close your eyes, feel relaxed and free your mind
Liquid Drum’ n’ Bass
Fluid like water, supported by intricate fast rhythms, the liquid D’ n’ B runs easily without losing an inch of angular momentum.
Vocal Chillout
Supported by the relaxed waves of the matrix genre, its melodic vocal lines add an extra component of relaxation that emerges from the human interior itself.
Melodic Progressive
The melodic edge of the progressive house, reinforced by guiding beats and open-minded sounds.
Indie Dance
It combines the spirit of Rock & Roll with the impact and soul of electronics. A combination of club culture and live music…
Chillstep
A brilliant sum of dubstep rhythms with accessible and easy grooves of chillout. A unique sound in your proposal
Atmospheric Breaks
Plenty of space, melodic and abundant in warmth: these creations based on broken dance rhythms, keep you hooked, fun and happy.
Epic Trance
The school of trance in its busiest form: exciting and uplifting melodies on high-energy beats, to create euphoric hymns of masses.
Classic Trance
Classical lines and melodies, with epic descents and huge highs. Back to the experience of trance in his original proposal, always inexhaustible
Lounge Vocalist
Affordable and relaxed grooves next to an exquisite collection of sensual voices, conjugated in a single purpose: to calm your ear and relax your mind.
Ambient
In a umpteenth definition of the genre, resurface electronic sounds and atmospheric textures that give shape to a genre capable of enriching your mental state and take you inside.
Space Dreams
Think about typical ambient productions and space electronics: you will travel to the future if you also demonstrate an expansive and open-minded attitude.
Eurodance
Influences of pop music on energetic bass lines at four: the weight synthesizers also contribute their game, along with the marking of melodies and voices with a hook.
Electro House
Dominant bass lines, big drums, party drops: this is packaged house music with huge basses and massive synthesizers.
House Disc
Feel a genuine sound inspired by the disco productions of the 70s, combined with the warm drums of house music in all its modernity.
Classic Trance Vocal
Ingredients of the classic trance, raised to the sky with inspiring lines born in the magic of cultivated feminine voices.
Indie Beats
Fresh ideas presented with softness, groove and avant-garde touch: their beats take you back mentally to the thunder of the club, even if you are no longer there.
Future Bass
Explosive rhythms, hard bass lines and an insatiable groove… With the closeness of the trap, garage and juke, its mix is combined in an impact style
House
From its origins in Chicago, it reached planetary stardom: house music is always evolving and immersive, despite its fidelity to 4×4 schemes.
Minimal
It merges well chosen elements of the basic house, techno and electronics genres, stratifying them to focus on the underlying recesses of sound
Techno
A genuine musical force, based on the structure and elegance of a style. It is robotic and mechanical, although abundant in flavor and always facing the future. Non-combustible
Tech House
Mixing the warmth of house music with the precise and cold structures of techno, Tech House productions provide a logical bridge
Goa-Psy Trance
The psychedelic vision of the trance maintains a solid base of arpeggiated synthesizers, escape effects and many ethnic licenses, both instrumental and cultural.
Soulful House
When house music becomes saturated with feeling, a salad of melodies, voices and authentic flavor is born. 4×4 vibrations with heat and high sensations
Glitch Hop
Imagine relaxed rhythms of Hip Hop, dotted with digital errors, electrical noises and distortions born in the errors of the quantization of bits… that’s what we talk about…
DubStep Club
Challenging successes in bass and menacing Dubstep loudspeakers, only prepared, engineered and approved to sound clubs
Funky House
Modeled on the most funky grooves, full of guitar phrases and clever samples neatly dropped on a perfect 4×4 swing.
Classic Eurodance
European pop music from the 1990s, full of energy and precise hooks: now a key element in gyms and shopping malls
Deep Nu-Disc
It mixes elements of house, funk and disco, based on beats at half time, grooves full of flavor and selections ready to settle with the head.
Jazz House
One of the biggest cultural BSOs, with the infectious blow of house. You’ll find sexy saxophones and trumpets, as well as opportunities to snap your fingers.
Progressive Psy
An interesting opportunity to evolve into unknown psychedelic dimensions, which will move your mind towards innovative beats.
Downtempo Lounge
Escape voices, luxurious soundscapes and beats that, although chillout, take your drums from the sunset of the day and the eagerly awaited beginning of the night?
Drum’ n’ Bass
From its birth in the mid-1990s, everything revolves around the sparkling breakbeats, urban feeling and bass lines that burst stomachs.
ChillHop
Think of the Hip Hop, Trip Hop, downtempo rhythms and the taste of jazz: now it mixes everything in a relaxed and mellow style, ideal for dedicated listening.
Source: www.futuremusic-es.com
¿THE BEST MUSIC ALBUMS IN THE PAST YEARS?
We selects the most relevant pieces of this year. It’s that time of year.
Records, artists, songs, videos, and other creative entities competing to appear on orderly lists that refresh their status, giving them one last chance to reach new audiences before the algorithms do their work.
In practice it’s just a sincere synthesis exercise to put a year into perspective. And what a year. 2018 has been memorable no matter how you look at it.
We have prepared the 5 best albums lists of this exercise: that define the ethos of a cultural media like this one. In addition, and with the intention of preparing the ground, we will publish a series of previous lists that will help us to justify the two main lists. This is our journey:
Over the next few weeks, we will take stock of what we believes was the most relevant thing in 2018. You can listen to it all in our Spotify. What’s new: for the first time since the origins of the medium the lists will be in order. There’s album and song of the year. We believe in the strength of this format.
In the era of singles and playlists, the album (LP, EP, etc.) seems to gradually become a vestige of another time, an increasingly forced format that clashes with the current form of consumption, immediate and personalized. The function of the disc has always been to encapsulate an experience that of providing the receiver with a narrative that is more than the sum of its parts. It is a format that has not always existed and will not exist forever; it belongs to a specific place and time. However, in 2018 we have continued to listen to albums that have stood out both for their content and their narrative, and we have selected the 5 best, according to our editorial criteria. We present them in strictly order:
- Playboi Carti – Die Lit (Interscope Records)
This 2018 we’ve seen Playboi Carti take to the extreme everything he anticipated last year: verses repeated dozens of times in the same song, a flow based on ad-libs and instrumentals that sound like the BSO of a full volume old video game in a burst subwoofer (blessed Pi’erre Bourne). That’s exactly how “Die Lit” (Interscope Records, 2018) sounds.
The main merit of the album is to pick up the flow and aesthetics of hip hop, and make with it something different, music without content, completely focused on the transmission of emotions through the repetition of verses and lines of synthesizer.
At a time when hip hop permeates everything, Playboi Carti plays in a different league than the rest. And it seems to do so effortlessly, naturally, creating its own rules in a space with so little freedom of maneuver as is rap today. It seemed that we had already seen everything, but it turns out that we had not. That’s why “Die Lit” deserves to be number one on this list.
2. Rosalía – El Mal Querer (Sony Music)
Rosalía’s new album is not a logical extension of her three previous singles, clearly aspirational Billboard. On the contrary. Rosalía recreates here her identity as a cantaora, in folklore and in Spanish popular culture, taking all these elements to new coordinates and varnishing them with a patina of solemnity more typical of iconoclasts like Sophie or transgressors like Oneohtrix Point Never (with whom she shares a studio these days, by the way). The production is, for the most part, the work of Pablo Díaz-Reixa, who this time is light years away from his comfort zone.
3. Oneohtrix Point Never – Age Of (Warp Records)
4. Jako Maron – The Electro Maloya Experiments Of Jako Maron (Nyege Nyege Tapes)
5. Tierra Whack – Whack World
Source: tiumag.com/features/top2018/discos/
It is difficult, but not impossible, to determine what the best DAWs are. The digital audio workstation, or DAW, is crucial for making music. It is the main piece of music production software that a producer or musician uses to create music. It is where all the recording, mixing, and editing is done.
Some people have certain preferences when it comes to what DAW they use, and some DAWs are better for certain music genres than others. This post will help you determine what the best music production software is. Let’s take a look at some reviews of the best DAWs that are available in 2020.
Here’s the best DAW music production software 2020:
1. Avid Pro Tools
The best overall DAW software
Pro Tools by Avid is probably one of the most well-known DAWs, and I would say it’s the best music production software overall. It’s an industry standard, mainly because it’s in the top music recording facilities in the world. It does not really have any fancy features that make it stand out over other DAWs, but somehow it remains the most popular.
There are three different versions of Pro Tools: Pro Tools First, Pro Tools, and Pro Tools Ultimate. Pro Tools is compatible with Windows and Mac, and will hold up to 128 audio tracks, 512 instrument tracks, and 1,024 MIDI tracks in one project.
Among Pro Tools’ features are loop recording, full mixing automation, MIDI and score editing, and cloud collaboration. Pro Tools has a bit of a learning curve but is easily navigable due to keyboard shortcuts and features like Quick Punch recording, which allows you to record with the touch of a button. It truly is top-quality music recording software.
Pro Tools also comes packed full with many virtual instruments, audio processors and plugins including EQs, reverbs, dynamics, and guitar amp emulators. The audio effects plugins are pretty good quality, but you may prefer other plugin suites like Waves or FabFilter over Pro Tools’ stock plugins.
Image credit: AvidCheck Sweetwater |
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Pro Tools is, in my opinion, the absolute best DAW software – a total beast! – and I highly recommend it for those of you who are intermediate or seasoned producers. A learning curve can be a bit steep and the amount of plugins and virtual instruments can be overwhelming to beginners. If you are learning, I suggest getting the free version and upgrading as you adapt to the DAW.
2. Apple Logic Pro X
The best DAW for Mac
Logic Pro X is Apple’s flagship DAW. Logic is actually one of the first DAWs I used when starting out, and it’s one that I still use to this day. Logic Pro X is very obviously only compatible with MacOS, sorry Windows users.
Logic features a ton of tools that are helpful for both beginners and advanced users. It offers smart tempo tools, a fair amount of plugins (including vintage EQs and reverbs, among other creative effects), Alchemy Synth, a large amount of virtual instruments and patches, an AI drummer, a large loop library, flex time/flex pitch, MIDI editing, automation, and multi touch mixing.
The editing tools in Logic Pro X are easier to use than the ones in Pro Tools, and the virtual instruments are decent sounding but it depends on the instrument as well. Logic Pro X can hold up to 1,000 tracks in one session, including stereo tracks, surround sound tracks, and instrument tracks.
Logic is good for live performance and it’s meant for creating many different genres. It is a very flexible DAW with a very small learning curve, especially if you are already familiar with Apple’s other DAW, GarageBand. If you like visual learning, Logic is a good choice as many of the plugins have a visualization so you can see how the compressors and EQs are working with your music.
Image credit: AppleCheck Apple |
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Because of the extensive loop library, rich visual plugins, and instrument patches, Logic Pro X is a great DAW for people of any skill level. The very small learning curve makes it easy for anyone to jump right in. Logic Pro X is the best DAW for Mac by far.
3. Ableton Live
The best DAW for electronic music
Ableton Live is my personal favorite DAW. After using Logic Pro X and FL Studio for quite a while, I decided to give Ableton a try and now it is my main DAW. It’s compatible with Windows and Mac and allows you to have an unlimited amount of tracks in each project.
Ableton has two main screen layouts that do different things. Arrangement View is mainly meant for making songs in a studio and is going to be where you do all your editing, MIDI writing, and things like that. In Arrangement View, you will be able to organize your tracks in groups and by color and you can even save project file templates to open every time you have a new session.
Session View is meant for live sessions. In Session View you can queue different audio loops on the fly and tweak their sound. In Session View you will also find the mixer.
As for features, Ableton Live includes MIDI writing, audio recording, many audio plugins and effects (and for stock plugins, they are quite good), automation, and track freezing to free up RAM and CPU.
Ableton’s instrument plugins are electronic based, so you’ll find a lot of synthesizers and plugins that are geared towards creating electronic music. The synthesizers and operator plugins can be a bit tricky to figure out if you are new at it, but experimentation is key, and Ableton definitely promotes experimentation.
Ableton Live is definitely good for live performance and it’s good for many different genres, but definitely the best DAW for electronic music.
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I suggest Ableton Live for everyone, even beginners. Although there is a learning curve, it is such a powerful DAW and it’s really easy to use once you understand how it works. I recommend it especially for DJs and performers because it’s easily the best DAW for live performance. If you are a beginner and plan to use the synthesizers, I would suggest taking a free online course about synthesis. I would also encourage you to check out any tutorials available on YouTube.
4. Image Line FL Studio
The best DAW for hip-hop
FL Studio by Image Line is another good DAW that just keeps getting better. FL Studio is compatible with Mac and Windows and it is the best DAW for hip-hop. A lot of hip-hop and trap producers use it, especially those who you call ‘bedroom producers’.
FL Studio is quite flexible but harder to use if you need to be extremely precise when it comes to time stretching or chopping tracks, as it can get tricky, especially if you are switching between bar marker sizes in the playlist area.
FL Studio features a step sequencer (perfect for beat-making), up to 500 tracks in the playlist (main window), 125 mixer channels, 125 audio tracks, and automation, pitch shifting, time stretching, and beat chopping tools as well as a window to write in MIDI plus a window for the mixer.
It also has plugins and virtual instruments but they are honestly not very high-quality (although some of the effects plugins like Effector and GrossBeat are decent), so I would suggest that you use a third party suite for those things.
The DAW definitely has a learning curve, and it can get unorganized in the project if you don’t make organization a priority. It is a bit harder to navigate through because of the many smaller windows that open up inside the DAW, but if you have a big screen it will work best on that. If you don’t, it shouldn’t be too big of a problem as you can resize the windows and minimize them until you need to open them again.
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I would say leave FL Studio for the intermediate to advanced producers, but if you are a beginner and want to take a stab at it, make sure to watch tutorials. If you’re a hip-hop producer you will definitely want to use this DAW. A lot of bedroom producers start on FL Studio, so it’s not impossible to start out on FL, but I would personally suggest something a bit easier to navigate through first.
5. Cockos Reaper
The best DAW software for basics
Reaper is a very simple DAW that is capable enough to be a decent DAW for music production. Reaper is what I used when I first started wondering if music production was something I would be willing to get deeper into. For as simple and low-priced as Reaper is, it has a lot of features, and it’s compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
Reaper offers audio and MIDI routing with support for multiple channels (and supports up to 64 audio tracks in a single project file), 64-bit audio processing, and the ability to import, record, and render to a lot of different media formats at high-quality sample rates.
Reaper is compatible with MIDI hardware as well as MIDI software, and also allows you to use thousands of 3rd party effect plugins and virtual instruments. If you don’t want to use 3rd party plugins, Reaper has some fair quality effects built in.
It also features plenty of things you would find in your normal DAW, especially for live performance use, including automation, grouping, modulation, oscillators, surround sound audio processing, support for control surfaces, and macros for fine-tuning with your hardware.
Something else that is really great about Reaper is that it can be run from a flash drive because the files that comprise the software are small. This makes it portable and easy to use on any compatible computer.
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Reaper by Cockos is a great starting point for beginners, although I wouldn’t suggest staying with Reaper in the long run. It is more of a DAW to help you get from using bare-bones programs like Audacity to using something more polished like Pro Tools or Logic Pro.
6. Reason Studios Reason
The best DAW for synthesizer fans
If you are into analog synthesizers where you have to plug wires from one port to another among synths, you will enjoy Reason. Reason is a Windows and Mac compatible DAW that is really focused on graphics and keeping an old school feel with its virtual instruments.
It is a virtual rack-based DAW with a multitrack sequencer, so it definitely provides you a digital version of a throwback to tape decks and analog equipment.
Reason features 5 synths, 3 beat instruments, 3 players, 7 sample-based instruments, and more than 20 plugins, effects, and rack extension devices. Reason also comes with over 3 GB of drum loops and samples if you are not interested in creating your own drum patterns. It also is compatible with 3rd party plugins and has plenty of factory soundbanks and patches.
Reason also allows you to have an unlimited amount of audio and instrument channels in a project. As for editing tools, it is capable of stretching audio in real-time as well as transposing, which makes it good for live performance use. It’s suitable for any genre but I’d say it’s the best DAW for EDM and electronic music.
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Reason by Reason Studios (formerly known as Propellerhead Software) is a really fun DAW that is best suited for intermediate and advanced producers and musicians who like to use analog synthesis, as well as hip-hop producers. As per usual, if you want to start learning music production with using it, watch tutorials. If you want a change of pace while still keeping things digital, try Reason.
7. Steinberg Cubase
The best DAW for Windows
Cubase by Steinberg is one of the best DAWs for Windows computers on the market. It is also compatible with Mac, is good for live performances, and you will easily be able to make any genre with it. Cubase is a great piece of software when it comes to recording audio, as it has some features geared especially towards recording.
Lane track comping allows you to choose the best parts from all your takes, so you can have a polished sound. There is a channel strip feature that integrates analog pre-amp emulators for tracks as well. Cubase also features some visual-rich plugins like a spectral comparison EQ and a multi tap delay, as well as a drum sequencer.
Other features include a MIDI composition window (with Retrospective MIDI Record), plenty of virtual instruments (analog emulators too), and Control Room that allows you to monitor your mix during live performances. Cubase allows you to have unlimited tracks in your project file so you can make big productions.
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If you are looking for the best DAW for PC, then I highly recommend that you check out Cubase by Steinberg. It has everything you need whether you are a beginner or a pro, and the selection of plugins and instruments is balanced quite well. Anyone should be able to get the hang of Cubase quite easily.
8. PreSonus Studio One
The best DAW for song development
Studio One by PreSonus is one of the best-rated DAWs for PC out there. It is compatible with Windows and Mac and is good for all genres of music but not good for live performance use. The newest version of the software, Studio One 4, has a lot of high-quality features that assist with making your production efficient and fast, as well as help with developing chord progressions.
Studio One has similar page views to Ableton Live, a ‘project’ page and a ‘song’ page. The project page is where you do your arranging and mastering, and the song page is where you do your composing, editing, and mixing tracks. With the touch of a button you can switch between the pages so you can mix effortlessly.
Studio One also features Scratchpads, which allows you to A/B different arrangements of your song and rearrange its sections easily. Another top feature is Harmonic Editing, which enables you to test out and come up with interesting chord progressions as you compose.
Among other features of Studio One are MIDI composition, an easy to use mixer, the ability to group tracks, an unlimited amount of tracks in the project files, and several virtual instruments and audio effects plugins. The Pipeline XT plugin, for example, allows producers to use classic analog signal processors to change tonality of instruments.
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Studio One by PreSonus is a great piece of music making software. If you are a producer who struggles to arrange songs or come up with good chord progressions and melodies, I would most definitely recommend that you try Studio One.
Conclusion
With all the different options for DAWs and how feature-packed they are, it can get overwhelming to choose one. I encourage you to experiment with multiple DAWs as they usually have a free trial period or a free, limited version for the ones you have to pay for. Make sure to test them out until finding one that best fits your needs and that you are able to work the most comfortably and efficiently in.
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Please do not be afraid to use multiple DAWs as well. You can never use too many, and through trial and error, you may find that the set of music production software features you require are most effective across multiple DAWs.
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Jordan is a music producer, content creator, writer, and session musician. He has been producing music and engineering live performances for over 7 years. He is an experienced guitarist and enjoys listening to and playing many different genres of music.