Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is software to record, mix, post-production of music. Read about DAWs at Mac, Windows, Linux for beginners and professional using and how to choose the software.
If you buy "AuI ConverteR PROduce-RD" (2023/12.x version) from 24 August 2023 to 24 October 2023, you will get free update to version 2024 (13.x) after its release.
Disclaimer: These lists can contains errors. It is not offer or advertizing. We are not affiliated with listed products. We guarantee nothing. If you found wrong/incomplete information, contact us, please. To get exact information, contact with the software developers and/or vendors. There is no exact rules "for beginners" or "for professional". In author's opinion, "for beginners" rather mean "it is easier way to make music from zero or it is free".
Back to topDigital Audio Worstations For Beginners
These DAWs are recommended for beginners. Study the list.
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Free, Commercial
Linux, Mac, Windows, other
Built version (ready-to-use) is paid. But you can build it by yourself for free
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Commercial
Linux, Mac, Windows
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Free
Windows
VST
By BandLab. Easy to quick start.
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Free
Mac, iOS
Support of target sample rates above 44 kHz was not found. 24 bit audio is supported. It is easy for quick start. Built-in guitar tuner is very usable. See key shortcuts.
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Free
Linux, Mac, Windows
VST
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Free
Mac
No UA hardware required.
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Free, Commercial
Mac, Windows
VST
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Free, in-app purchasing
iOS
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Free
Linux, Mac, Windows
VST / AU / Linux VST
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DAW For Professionals
These Digital Audio Workstations are recommended for professionals. Learn this list.
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Commercial
Mac, Windows
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Commercial
Windows
VST
24 bit / 192 kHz audio recording
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Commercial
Mac, Windows, Ubuntu
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Commercial, Free1
Mac, Windows
VST
For recording, mix. Rich abilities for commutation and pro-audio hardware support. Suitable note and audio editing.
1 Free version may be provided with some hardware
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Commercial
Mac, Windows
VST, AU, MAS
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Commercial
Mac
AU
Advanced version of GarageBand for professional use.
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Commercial
Windows
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Commercial
Windows
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Commercial
Mac, Windows
VST
Focused on postproduction.
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Commercial
Mac, Windows, Linux
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Commercial, Free
Mac, Windows
AU, VST
up to 384 kHz
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Free, Commercial
Mac, Windows
AAX and other
In free version, limitations for used plugins was found. But the free version is enough to learn the DAW and music production bases. To faster work, learning of key shortcuts is recommended.
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Commercial
Windows
VST
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Commercial
Mac, Windows, Linux
VST
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Commercial
Windows
VST
Cloud services for musician collaboration
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Free
Compatible with Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Studio One.
DAW features
As rule, DAW is multitrack software for recording, mixing, etc.
There are software, that capable edit audio files. But the software is called as "audio editors" rather.
Digital audio workstation may be 2 types:
- software;
- software intended for certain hardware.
However, first option is more prospective currently. Because there is lesser limitations for user.
Versions of DAW may have
Digital audio workstation have base features:
- Track types:
- MIDI;
- Instrumental;
- Audio;
- Automation;
- Master;
- Tempo;
- etc.
- Track number limitation;
- Number of buses;
- Built-in effects and instruments;
- Type of supported effects and instruments (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX, etc.);
- Number of inserts, instruments;
- Commutation abilities (connections before/after faders, insert places, bus connections, etc.);
- Maximal sample rate and bit depth.
Track types
Track types have no standart definition. And may have other definition for different DAWs.
MIDI tracks contains MIDI messages for musical instruments (buitin or external for DAW), that are connected to the track outpuit.
Instrumental tracks like to MIDI ones, but are contains builtin instrument. They are easier to adding. But may have issues for recording of doubles at same place for some DAWs.
Audio tracks contains audio data (from microphone/instrumetal/linear inputs or exported from audio files [loops, as example]).
Automation tracks contains positions of knobs/sliders/buttons positions/altering in time.
Master track contains general commands for DAW's project.
Tempo track contains tempo value/altering in time for the project.
What is plugins?
Plugins are programming modules, that allow to expand DAW functionality.
Plugins are:
- instruments (synthesizers);
- effects (EQ, reverberator, fuzz, etc.).
There are several standards of plugins:
- VST (Virtual Studio Technology);
- AU (Audio Units);
- AAX (Avid Audio eXtension);
- RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite);
- other.
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DAW sound quality
Sound quality depend on DAW and used plugin implementation.
Here some information about resampling quality. However, if you are not satisfied resampling quality of used DAW, you can render project to target audio file at project's sample rate and bit depth. After it rendered audio file may be resampled with external audio converter software.
As rule, it is recommended to create project in resolution 96 kHz / 32-bit float and higher, even for 44.1 kHz/16 bit target.
When project is rendered to 16 bit, dithering is recommended.
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How to choose DAW?
When you choose DAW pay attention to features:
- maximal track number;
- what price of plugins;
- commutation abilities and bus number;
- what is DAW price.
Track number depend on how many instruments you plan use in recording.
Number buses depend on general effect and output number.
As rule, DAWs include instruments and effects. But if you plan expand effect and instrument range, care about price of purchased plugins.
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Most popular DAWs
For music production
- Avid Pro Tools (25%)
- Apple Logic Pro (13%)
- PreSonus Studio One (9%)
For postproduction
- Avid Pro Tools (13%)
- Cockos REAPER (2%)
- Steinberg Nuendo (2%)
2024 survey. Details...
- [Solved] Cubase can't record MIDI over Bluetooth on Mac >
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- Wireless MIDI >
- Professional audio converters >
- Wireless guitar systems >
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