recording software

 recording software for Windows and Mac

                       

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When it comes to the search for a free and reliable Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) to record music, the Internet has a number of terrible choices to offer. Free applications often come in one of three forms: gutted versions of premium software, fully functional trials of premium software, or standalone programs developed with the financial lure of proliferating malware and useless toolbars. Fortunately, a number of pretty awesome and reliable applications exist as well. The freemium software often lacks the advanced functionality of renowned programs such as Avid Technology’s Pro Tools, but still provide options for recording audio, adding layers upon layers of effects, and cutting waveforms, among other basic actions. They free applications certainly can’t do it all, but for most users, a simple method for recording beats and acoustic guitar is enough.
Here’s our list of the best free recording software you can download, install, and immediately start using on your computer. When you are finished reading, check out our guides on for digitizing your vinyl collection and making a podcast, as well as our top picks for the best DJ software.

Presonus Studio One Free (Windows/Mac OS X)

Presonus Studio One comes in four different versions. Studio One Professional, the most versatile incarnation of the bunch, costs around $12. Studio One Free, meanwhile, is the most stripped down version of the bunch. It’s…well, free.

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Presonus designed Studio One Free for beginners and more-experienced DAW users who want to try out the software before doling out the cash. This means Studio One Free intentionally leaves out key features that typically come standard with the other versions. Some of these features you can live without, such as the ability to directly export files to SoundCloud, while others hurt the usability of this program. For instance, not being able to import or export MP3 files or integrate third-party synthesizers and effects is a major crux. Disabling the use of outside effects hurts the program’s potential for long-term use, especially since Studio One Free comes with only eight onboard effects and one instrument.
Related: How to make a music file out of any vinyl record
On the other hand, Studio One will never display a nag screen like other free recording programs, nor does it ever time out. The interface looks cleaner and runs smoother than most freeware because it’s not technically freeware, but rather the demo version of a reliable, high-end digital audio workstation. And despite its limitations, the free version includes unlimited audio and instrument tracks, latency compensation, time-stretching capabilities and other tools and features necessary for budding musicians to create layered, polished recordings.

Audacity (Windows/Mac OS X/Linux)

In the late ‘90s, two engineers at Carnegie Mellon University developed Audacity, an open-source audio recording and editing program with an intuitive layout. The laudable program has grown in popularity since its initial release, with scores of people using the software for a wide range of reasons, from editing and compiling podcasts to converting vinyl into a digital format.

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The program’s compatibility is also robust given can quickly install and utilize Audacity in nearly all versions of Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The program features multi-track recording capabilities and number of advanced effects, including those for removing noise, stretching time, and correcting pitch. Audacity also supports a number of third-party plugins, along with user-scripted plugins.
Related: Not sure how to make a podcast? It’s easier than you think!
One drawback, however, is Audacity’s use of destructive editing. Effects applied to a given track change its original waveform and are impossible to adjust without first having to undo their application entirely. Audacity does feature unlimited undo commands, but they’re not as enticing as non-destructive editing. Audacity also lacks the capability to preview effects adjustments in real time. Despite these issues, though, Audacity remains one of the most widely used recording programs today given it’s incredibly easy to use (and free).

Ardour (Mac OS X/Linux)

Ardour is an open-source DAW designed for Linux and available for Mac OS X. Its developer, Paul Davis, also invented the JACK sound server for Linux and worked previously as one of the original programmers at Amazon.