THE TOP FIVE AUDIO PRODUCTION PROGRAMS

Music production no longer involves just a guitar and a microphone. These days it is often carried out on a PC with the aid of a digital audio workstation (DAW). This allows the user to mix, tune, stitch and compile recordings together to produce a final, polished piece of music, whether that’s music, sound effects, or game sounds. Like all programs, there are many variants of DAWs available, each with their own pros and cons. Here, we list our top five favorites.

5

ACOUSTICA MIXCRAFT 9

www.acoustica.com Apple fans rave about how easy GarageBand is to use – it’s a fun application that can be used in both a casual and professional way. But what about Windows users? That’s where Acoustica Mixcraft 9 comes in. It’s ideal for beginners, yet it’s not a basic program. Configured in a more traditional approach, it has a huge plug-in library, a great mixer, and a methodical workflow. Mixcraft 9 Recording Studio $99, Mixcraft 9 Pro Studio $199

4

AUDACITY

www.audacityteam.org We had to throw this free, open-source application into the mix when it came to top DAWs. Yes, it looks pretty outdated and we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for professional or commercial use, but the best thing about it is that it’s available to download for free. It’s also pretty easy to get to grips with and if you want something to play around with, mix recordings together, splice them up or change formats, then Audacity is worth installing on your PC. $Free

3

PRO TOOLS

www.avid.com For recording engineers, mixers, musicians, and producers, Avid Technology’s Pro Tools is one of the best DAWs. With its mastering capabilities second to none, it is ideal for large studio environments. Pro Tools $399 (annual), Pro Tools Ultimate $800 (annual)

2

ABLETON LIVE

www.ableton.com With a quick and efficient workspace and a full suite of features, Ableton Live is a great program for producers. Launched in 2001, this DAW is not just a recording program, but an instrument in its own right. Live 11 Intro $99, Live 11 Standard $449, Live 11 Suite $749

1

FL STUDIO

www.image-line.com FL Studio has been around for 20 years, and many top producers and DJs started here. Still one of the best, it looks fantastic and has lots of presets and effects. FL Studio Fruity Edition $99, Producer Edition $199, Signature Bundle $299, All Plugins Edition $499