BEST FREE DAWs for Music Production in 2024

The best free DAWs for music production in 2024. In this video, you'll learn about the absolute best free digital audio workstations for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Each DAW will have sections for features and limitations, along with a second opinion from Johnny who will be making a beat in realtime on each DAW. If you're looking to get into music production this year, knowing these options is the best place to start.

LANDR Studio has everything you need to take a track from inspiration to release. Studio includes monthly Mastering and Samples credits, access to 30+ curated pro plugins, unlimited music distribution, over 100 premium courses and collaboration tools.

00:00 Why use a free DAW?
00:23 Cakewalk
01:21 Garageband
02:36 LMMS
3:39 Tracktion Waveform Free
04:31 Lite versions of pro DAWs
05:40 Ardour
06:13 Soundbridge
06:57 Reaper

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#daw #freedaw #bestdaw

[LANDRmusic]

Looks like a lot of y'all use Cakewalk. What other free DAWs do you use?

[adriendecroy]

I used Cakewalk in 1994. It's been going for a while. Can't really complain about built-in instruments in a free DAW.

[cumbucket]

List:
Cakewalk(Unlimited tracks, Third party plugins/Windows only)
Garageband(Easy to use, Third party support, High quality sounds and instuments/Mac only, No mixer or auxiliary channel support)
LMMS(FL studio workflow, Third party plugin support/Recording audio not supported[you can do it with audacity])
Tracktion Waveform Free(Unlimited tracks, third party plugn support/No track editor, No arranger track, No quick actions)
Ardour(Unlimited tracks, third party plugin support/silent after 10 minutes)
Soundbridge(unlimited tracks, third party plugin support, GUI scaling and tablet support/Random pop up asking for donations)

[by_antony]

A nice, brief and straight-to-the-point video. I am also using Cakewalk, although new to using DAWs and finding it a little challenging other than to just record a few basic tracks. Other than that, I have been using MPC Beats, which I find easier to use, in terms of actually getting a usable sound from a plugin and the ease of finding out how to edit recorded notes/beats.

[joegrant]

Excellent entertaining and informing round up! Would have liked to have heard more about Cubasis versus FL studio versus Ableton but that’s OK, I learned a lot.

[EzyoMusic]

I've been using Reaper for years and recently decided to throw money at it to support the devs. I just like it that much. I also own FL Studio but I work in Reaper 80% of the time.

[saheerahammed]

wow finally something that actually works tysm u earned a subscriber

[johnhill]

Started with Sonar. Loved it. But Waveform Free is the way to go!

[IsmaelAngelus]

The ending was such perfect, HAHAHAHA!
You guys are the best 😁

[russelledwards]

Also, MPC beats may not be a proper DAW (only 2 audio tracks) but is easily the king as far as free drum/sampler solutions. the fact that it can work within any of these free daws makes the audio track limitation less of an issue.

[johnhazlett]

I use both Reaper and LMMS, and then audacity.

[scareyme]

Cakewalk. No brainer. Easy to use. Powerful. Unlimited tracks and tons of third party plugins. Love the pro channel and how easy it is to customize. Great vid. Thx for the upload.

[irmawatisyahrir]

Thanks a lot! It works great, I downloaded and installed it but why it's missing the Overlay option in Tools - Video Editing? Is there any additional patch?

[_SpaceTunes]

I am an LMMS producer and I find that it works really well.

[rolandpalmer]

"I hate you" has to be one of the best endings to a video like this I've seen, really wasn't expecting that lmao

[ederdiaz]

1:40 sounds cool
+LMMS timestamp example in backround too

[thegodfather]

had an rp.500 that came with cubase back then. Wish I could find it now. Still cakewalk seems fine for recording your solos once in a while

[JustMe-wspe]

Been using Reaper since 2006 it's the best. I use it for recording vocals and team it up with fl studio.. They're my batman and robin combo.

[jeremybowden]

I actually like Ardour personally. Lua scripting is a massive plus for me.

[schniT_T]

Interesting, because the gui is my favorite part in waveform