Best FREE Music Recording Software for Mac
Intro
Here is my top Best FREE Music Recording Software for Mac, specifically if you are into music/audio production. It’s been a minute since I’ve done this topic so it’s a bit of an update to see how much the free DAW software world has changed…. And finally, I’ll tell you which is my favourite.
So the first one I want to talk about is Garageband. The reason why is this is the DAW that every Mac user has access to and is right there for you to start working with.
GarageBand has some amazing features that will get you playing and creating music. More so than the rest of the DAWs on this list which is so important.
First off, It has a bunch of virtual drummers that you can use to start working right out of the box. And probably the biggest collection of synths and samples on this list. If you are the kind of artist who doesn’t want to get bogged down with the technical side of audio production and just wants to get to making this is so helpful.
There are a ton of plugins you can use compressors, eqs, and virtual amps if you are a guitar player. And some of the modelled guitar amps sound fantastic.
Another feature that I should talk about more is how great it is to collaborate and work using iCloud. If you are fully integrated into the Mac echo system, being able to work with others or pick up a session anywhere either on the iPad or computer is a very powerful asset… which is something I don’t think I talked about in other past videos.
I think a bonus feature that might be helpful for new musicians is the ability to get lessons through the app… which is something I have never explored but could be handy if you want to improve your guitar or piano skills.
Just something to keep in mind is that the track count is limited, so if you are hoping to record bigger track sessions, GarageBand might come up short.
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So if you are looking for more GarageBand, if you are looking for a Free DAW that can do pretty much anything the paid software can do, check out WaveForm Free. This is available for Mac, PC, and Linux. I first discovered this DAW a few years ago when I started reviewing DAWS and this one keeps blowing my mind for what you get for paying nothing.
First, there is no track count. If you want to mic a band and through 15 mics on your drum kit go for it. You can also use 3rd party plug-ins. It works with VST and AU so you can work with all the fashionable cool plug-ins like Soothe you are set.
The UI of this application is constantly getting better. I feel everything now has a place and is very functional. Plus, there are a lot of synth stock options that sound decent.
I also want to explore the Racks effect plugins which I think is so cool. If you are coming from a video editing world you probably are already familiar with working with nodes. I believe that is the concept in Racks. But instead of video or animation, audio routing and effects.
It’s a good time to mention that Waveform is Traction’s DAW platform. Traction does a lot including creating plugins all built off their JUCE framework. So there is a lot of support for the software and a ton of resources.
There are also some smart features for generating bass and keyboard patterns. Kinda like what we are seeing in Logic right now with their AI. Oh, and there’s a ton of training videos you can access through the application.
Now this does have a bit more of a learning curve. I feel if you already have experience with DAWs this is good. However, if you are new and looking to just make music then maybe look at some other options.
The next DAW on my list is ProTools Intro. This is designed as an application to get you into the Pro Tools echo system if that’s something you are interested in. Like GarageBand, there is limited tracks, so if you are doing smaller productions like podcasts or simple audio recordings this is great. I think this is a great option for people who are really into editing audio. Pro Tools in my opinion shines when it comes to editing above anything else and isn’t matched by other DAWS. If you are gearing to work in a professional studio production house, then you will want to be familiar with this.
However, if you want something basic with a lot of creation features, I recommend GarageBand to start.
Ardour
Alright, let’s talk about Ardour. This is another free DAW anyone can download and get a recording. You get unlimited tracks and full midi functionality. It’s available for Mac, PC, and Linux. It supports VST and Audio Units just like WaveForm’s free.
It’s open source so you can download the code and see what is going on under the hood, you can even contribute to the development community. So you are into that kinda thing or looking to get into software plug-in audio development this is a great option.
This is a small team developing and maintaining Ardour so it’s important to understand that this DAW might be a bit slower in innovation. So if you’re hoping for all the AI bells and whistles like Logic you may be waiting for a bit. But, if you are looking for a straightforward DAW this is a great option.
So since I’ve done a video on this topic a couple of companies got rid of their free tier. But one big company is giving you their DAW for Free. Universal Audio has made Luna free for Mac users. Luna is a powerful Daw that will let you do anything. The free version is a little light on the plug-ins, they want you to accept their echo system and upgrade. With that said you get unlimited tracks and you get the 30-day trial for Luna Pro so you can play with their full plug-in suit.
I heard the beta version for Windows is in the works so it’s just a matter of time. If you are a ProTools user you will be able to get into this fast. The short keys are pretty much the same and the layout is quick to pick up.
Bonus Reaper
And Finally, my number 5 pick is an honourable mention… Reaper is not free software but it’s $60 for individuals and $225 for the commercial license or, you can keep extending the trial period for free.
Reaper has become one of the more popular daws, especially in the YouTube community. People who use it are very passionate about the software. Reaper fans are the new Tool fans.
You get unlimited tracks, a ton of plugins, and amazing automation features. It is getting updated regularly so that is good.
Just like Waveform Free, this is for the user who might have a bit of experience with DAWs already. If you are familiar with routing bigger sessions you won’t have any issues but if you’re a new user, the interface can be a bit confusing. They put a lot of buttons in front of you.
Conclusion
So, since I last did this there are some DAW companies not offering a free tier anymore but there are still some really good options. I hope there is something out there that will fit your needs. In a world that is going all subscription and inflation, it’s nice to know there are still options out there for free that will do the job.
So, if I had to pick what is my choice? Well, I need track counts for the work I do. That eliminates GarageBand and ProTools intro. Even though Reaper is a fan favourite, I still find it bulky. The tool bar is information overload which I always pick on. My choice is Waveform Free. This software is constantly developing and they don’t hold back on features. It looks great and intuitive. There are a ton of creative tools and plugins out of the box. That is my Best FREE Music Recording Software for Mac
Because I’m a developer I have used Tractions JUCE framework. Which powers a bunch of plug ins found on all the different platforms.
I’m sorry Reaper you’re cool but I’ve found another. Please be gentle to me in my comments.