GarageBand for Mac is a versatile free music making software for beginners. You can use its tutorials to make your first steps into playing an instrument, record your own music (including your voice), add special effects, and produce complete tracks to upload to SoundCloud or beyond. MixPad is free music recording and mixing software for Mac OS X designed for easy audio production. Simply drag and drop your audio clips onto the timeline then mix music, vocal and audio tracks.
If there’s one thing that really gets me going is whensomeone says that you need to have Pro Tools, Cubase… you name it, installed inorder to be a good producer.
The funny thing is that this couldn’t be farther from thetruth.
In order to be a good producer, you need to learn how to properly produce music, the software you use for recording/editing is secondary.
If you don’t have the proper knowledge, acoustic treatment,equipment, and skills, it doesn’t matter if you use the “best” software outthere…
Your mixes will most certainly suck!
So, before I get into the free Audio recording software, there are some things that need to be addressed.
Table of Contents
Traverso (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Ardour (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Jokosher (Windows, Linux)
Ohm Studio (Windows, Mac)
Pro Tools First (Windows, Mac)
Tracktion T7 (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Studio One Prime (Windows, Mac)
Cakewalk by Bandlab (Windows)
Audacity (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Garageband (Mac only)
But first, something that is a lot more important than the editing software you use, which is…
Improve your skills
Just like with anything else in life, recording, mixing, andmastering are skills that need to be learned… and this takes time.
Think more about which of those skills you are lacking and focus on improving them instead of thinking that you need to purchase Pro Tools simply because someone said so.
If you are excellent at using any kind of software, let’s sayAudacity, do you think that you could achieve the same quality mix on Pro Toolsor Cubase?…
Probably not, right?… At least not until you get used tothose DAWs.
While it might be a good idea to upgrade to some of the moreprofessional recording software/DAWs at some point, I really don’t think thatthis should be a priority.
Lucky for you not only are there dozens of free recordingprograms out there…
But even Pro Tools, Presonus, and other of the big names, have free stripped-down versions of their most popular DAWs.
If you think that you might need a couple courses to improve your skills quickly, then let me recommend the loopmasters website where you can find loads of courses about almost anything music related.
Best Free Audio Recording Programs
Now that that’s out of the way it’s time to get into thelist of the recording programs…
Note: You might be thinking “Hey, but my computercame with one pre-installed, can’t I use that one?”.
Well, yes and no…
If you own a Mac then it means that you get Garageband forfree, and Garageband is definitely on this list since it’s excellent!
If that’s your case then yes.
If you own a PC, like most of us, then you will absolutelyneed to download another program.
Lucky for you, here’s a list of 10 great ones which not onlyare free, but also work great!
Note: I’ll end the post with the ones I like themost.
Let’s get started…
10. Traverso
The whole idea behind Traverso is to make the workflow aseasy as possible.
They achieve this by allowing you to control the entireprogram through mouse+keyboard shortcuts, which I know may sound a littleintimidating at first…
But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to work thatmuch faster.
Some cool features of Traverso are;
Non-destructive audio editing: This allows you to undo/redoas much as you want.
Cut the track into a million pieces, add effects, and more…and the original file will still be intact.
This is a great feature for beginners to have, since you can’treally run into any serious problems.
Burn directly to a CD: Yes, we almost don’t use CDsanymore, but it’s a nice feature to have.
Once you’re done with a project you can burn it directly on-toa CD without even leaving Traverso.
Note: This is not a simple recording program…
It’s actually a full DAW which is quite powerful and thatcertainly is capable of producing professional sounding music.
So, if you like using shortcuts and don’t mind that initiallearning curve, by all means, give Traverso a try.
You can download it here.
9. Ardour
Ardour is yet another free DAW/audio recording and editing software that is both aimed at the seasoned producer as well as beginners.
It’s a fully featured DAW, and the whole point behind Ardour is to be the go-to choice for engineers who are on a budget and can’t afford to purchase a premium one.
Just like Traverso, Ardour features non-destructive editingas well as 32-bit float.
Not only that, but contrary to Pro Tools first, Ardour doesn’tput a limit on the number of simultaneous tracks you can use.
It also supports VST, LADSPA, AU, and LV2 formats so thatyou can use your favorite plugins.
Additionally, Ardour runs on JACK which is excellent at handling MIDI without any latency whatsoever.
Lastly, would I recommend Ardour to a complete newbie?
Probably not… and here’s why;
The user interface is a bit more complex than the one onother free recording software out there, like Garageband which is extremelyeasy to use.
However, I’ve you’ve ever worked with a real DAW before, Ardourwill probably be easy to learn, plus it can do anything a premium DAW can.
You can download it here.
8. Jokosher
Jokosher is one of the most lightweight recording programs you’ll ever find.
It’s not really designed to be able to do any advancedmixing and mastering, like most other programs on this list…
Not only that, but it was designed to use concepts that musicians are more familiar with than the language used in most audio editing software…
Making it a good starting point!
Even though Ardour may not be as in-depth as some of theother DAWs on this list, it still features all the basic editing tools likesplitting, trimming, etc.
It even comes with a decent number of instruments which can be added to a project.
Free Music Recording Software For Macs
However, if you want do add extra plugins like Orchestral VST,for example, you will only be able to add LADSPA plugins… which Iknow isn’t ideal.
All in all, Jokosher is a great free tool mainly due to its ease of use… it’s very similar to Garageband in that regard.
If you need to do some simple audio recording, mixing, etc.,or if you want a simple tool for podcasting, then Jokosher might be the rightfit.
You can download it here.
7. Ohm Studio
Ohm Studio looks like a regular DAW, or like any other audiorecording software.
But what sets it apart from every other program on this listis not the number of plugins it comes with, or how powerful it can be…
What really sets it apart is that it’s a collaborative recording software.
What this means is that you can give access to otherpeople and they can simultaneously work with you in real time on thesame project.
The reason I included Ohm Studio in this list is exactly becauseof that one feature.
Other than that, it doesn’t offer anything that otherrecording software don’t.
It comes with a lot of effects and instruments that can beused completely for free, and it also supports VST plugins… but only 32-bitfor now.
You can download it here.
6. Pro Tools First
Pro Tools First is the stripped-down version of the mostpopular DAW in existence…
It includes the Xpand!2 virtual instruments and UVIWorkstation 3 sample player which give you access to a variety of sounds,from beats and loops, to power chords and more.
Since it’s a lite version of Pro Tools, it only allows forup to four simultaneous tracks to be recorded at the same time…
And 16 tracks can be played back at the same time.
I know this doesn’t sound like a lot but remember that it’s the free version and you can always upgrade later on.
Pro tools First also comes with 23 effects andutility plugins, which are great for basic mixing procedures.
It is free to download and use, but you need to registerwith them and with iLoki also, which takes a bit of time.
Whenever you want to try out free software, having to jumpthrough a couple of hoops isn’t the worst thing, but it would be much better ifthey didn’t make you do any of this.
Note: If you’re thinking about building a homestudio, don’t miss out on this list I wrote about all the HomeStudio Essentials you need!
You can Download it here.
5. Tracktion T7
Tracktion T7, just like Cakewalk, which I will talk about in a second, is a completely freeand fully featured/unlimited DAW.
This means that there is no “Lite” version, there areno track limitations, no plugin limitations, or any other constraint of sortslike on Pro Tools First or Cubase LE.
The T7 version, and all the prior ones, are free.
This is because they want you to try them out and see if youlike the workflow…
If you do, you can upgrade to the latest version that is now called Waveform 9, which isn’t free.
In order to get this one, you will need to register as well.
After this, simply select your OS and download.
The BIG difference between Tracktion T7 and all the otherDAWs I’ve tried is that the workflow is very different.
You have your tracks, which go from left to right, like in any other DAW, but the Mixer isn’t on the bottom, like in EVERY OTHER DAW… it’s on the right.
The controls for every track are on that same track but on the right side of the DAW.
This might be a bit confusing at first, but it makes senseonce you’ve gotten used to it.
However, even though getting used to the different workflowof Tracktion 7 can take some time…
Why would you spend a fortune in order to get some other DAWwhen this one, and Cakewalk as well, can do the same things but for free?
Definitely give it a try!
You can download it here.
4. Studio One Prime
Studio One Prime is a beginner friendly DAW.
The user interface is extremely intuitive and easy to use and it offers ahassle-free workflow.
Therefore, it’s great for beginners since recording a demo in your bedroomwithout any prior experience won’t be such a headache.
I recommend Studio One Prime to people with no prior experience who justwant to learn the basics of mixing music.
The biggest drawback it has is that it can’t load VST or AU plugins.
If you want to be able to do this, you will need to upgrade to Studio OneArtist.
Note: In order to use VST/AU plugins in Studio One Artist,you will need to purchase a separately paid add-on for these VST/AU plugins towork.
Yes, this sucks… But the software itself is great!
Studio One Prime comes with nine Native effect Plugins like delay,distortion, etc. which are surprisingly good.
At the time of writing this article, the current version is StudioOne 4 Prime.
The latest version introduces a couple of improvements added from the Artistand Pro editions of the Software.
These are; An improved instrument editing workflow, theintroduction of drum and melodic patterns as well as MP3 encoding.
This is a stripped-down version of the Artist and Pro editions, if you needVST/AU plugins, or if you want more effects, you will have to either getanother DAW from this list, of purchase the Artist or Pro editions.
Remember that the Artist version requires a separately paid add-onfor VST/AU plugins to work.
Just like with most of the DAWs on this list, you will need to register inorder to download it.
Still, I think that Studio One Prime is definitely worth checking out.
You can download it here.
3. Cakewalk by Bandlab
Cakewalk is considered to be the best free DAW out there,the one issue is that it’s only for Windows users (Windows 7 or higher and only64-bit), but you are getting a $600 value DAW for absolutely free.
It’s basically a rebranded version of SONAR Platinum withall its professional features included.
One of the differences between Cakewalk and ProTools Firstor Cubase LE (light version of Cubase), is that those come with a couplerestrictions;
Like limited simultaneous tracks recording and playing back,and some other features.
Cakewalk is just as powerful as the full versions ofProTools and Cubase, but 100% free!
Not only is Cakewalk my top choice for any free recordingsoftware out there, but it’s also the one I generally use the most.
For years now I’ve been using Cubase and I have to say thatI really like the workflow…
But Cakewalk is very similar in the sense that it’s a fullDAW, while still being absolutely free.
Audio Recording App For Mac
Of course, it comes down to your own preferences.
Maybe you like the interface of some other DAW better, butthis one offers everything the full version of a paid DAW does, and more!
Download os x lion dmg. If you are a Windows user, then get Cakewalk, no questionsasked!
Note: Once you downloaded Cakewalk, you will need toregister (you can do this through Facebook or Google, it only takes onesecond).
Then you need to go to the “App” section and installCakewalk.
You can download it here.
2. Audacity
Audacity, while not being the most powerful program outthere, is the go-to recording software for most beginner home music recordingenthusiasts as well as podcasters.
The reason for this is that it’s fairly simple to use, whichis ideal if you are a beginner.
The interface is simple and clean (Ideal for a newbie),which just means that the user experience as a whole will be much lesscomplicated.
Not only that but it can record using your PC’s onboardsound card directly through the mic input and line-in input.
Live streaming is also an option if your sound card supportsit.
It comes with quite the number of included effects which areuseful for getting the sound you desire, from setting the levels right tochanging the sound of your voice even.
From EQs, to pitch correction, delay, reverb, compressor,noise removal, and more… Audacity has got your basic effect needs covered.
Additionally, it even supports VST, LADSPA, AU, and Nyquistplugins, meaning that if you want to load a Drum VST plugin,you can.
Audacity supports a sample rate of up to 192kHz, which isfar more than you’ll ever need since most of the times, even in professionalstudios, the sample rate is 48kHz.
But having the alternative to go this high will allow you todo some high-caliber recordings.
Note: You’ll need the appropriate gear to takeadvantage of this feature.
Audacity may not necessarily come packed with loads offeatures, but what it lacks in added functionality it more than makes up insimplicity.
This is why I think that it’s excellent for beginners, sinceit’s fairly simple to use while still providing you with a whole lot ofoptions.
If you’re just starting to learn about audio engineering orif you are recording simple things, like a podcast, then Audacity is definitelyworth considering.
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1. Garageband
Garageband is an amazing DAW that comes free with any iOSdevice, if you own a Mac or an iPhone you will have access to it.
It is, essentially, a stripped-down version of Logic Pro Xbut completely free.
Garageband is a great place to start if you want to learnabout multitrack recording, using MIDI and essentially mixing, before spendinga lot of money on expensive software.
With Garageband not only can you produce a song on yourcomputer but you also can produce an entire song using just your cellphone,since you have all the tools you need right there.
This means that if you own an iPhone and you want to recordonly using that device, Garageband will be the ideal choice for you.
I wrote an entire article on Howto produce a song with no Studio Equipment which should be of use to anyonewho wants to record using a mobile device.
Garageband is extremely easy to use, which is why I think itdeserves the first stop on this list.
The interface is clean, the design is super intuitive…Perfect for any beginner!
Which one should you choose?
Well, this is a complicated question to answer…
The fact is that most of the audio recording/editingprograms on this list will be able to do almost the exact same things properly.
However, this all depends on your overall music productionknowledge.
If you are a complete newbie then I’d recommend Garageband,for Mac users, and Jokosher, for Windows users.
Garageband is pretty versatile and will allow you tocreate some pretty good sounding music.
Jokosher on the other hand, is very easy to use… butalso very limited, and should be used as a jumping off point.
If you already know a bit about how to use a DAW, then I’ddefinitely recommend Cakewalk, which is Windows only…
Otherwise TracktionT7 is your next best bet.
Conclusion
Like I mentioned in my little rant at the beginning, having thelatest version of a premium software like Pro Tools and Cubase isn’t reallynecessary.
There are loads of free alternatives out there which havenothing to envy the premium ones.
In my opinion, it all comes down to how you feel using eachDAW.
If you prefer the workflow of Pro Tools First, then it mightmake sense to purchase the full version.
Otherwise, just stick to a free one.
I hope this information was useful.
Have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest software to make music?
If you use an iOS device to record, then Garageband is your best bet since it’s incredibly intuitive and easy to use. On the other hand, if you’re a Windows user then I would recommend Studio one Prime, which is one of the easiest DAWs to learn, or Audacity since it doesn’t provide so many features that you’ll feel overwhelmed.
Can Audacity record MIDI?
Audacity cannot record MIDI. It can only reproduce it if you import it. Audacity cannot be directly controlled by a MIDI controller either.
Is there anything better than audacity?
Even though Audacity works pretty well, it’s far from the best free recording/editing software out there. If you want the best free alternatives then I’d recommend either Cakewalk or Tracktion T7.
Is Audacity Safe?
If you download it from the official website then yes, it’s absolutely safe. However, you need to be really careful since there are dozens of other websites out there that allow you to download Audacity and you might get some unwanted malware with those downloads.
What is the best audio recording software for Mac users to record audio on Mac computer? How to determine which audio recording software is the best Mac audio recording software? It's up to personal preferrences. Some Mac users might prefer recording to editing, while others might require a piece of best audio recording software for Mac to edit as well as record. No matter what you need, this post would provide you several best audio recording software for Mac computer. You could freely select the best audio recording app for Mac that meets your needs.
Part 1: 6 Best Audio Recording Software for Mac
The best audio recording software for Mac computers could of course include the ability to recording audio files from multiple sources like computer audio, streaming audio, microphone voice, online radio, etc. The second condition to weigh a Mac audio recorder as the best audio recording app for Mac is the output recording quality.
No.1: Leawo Music Recorder for Mac
As the No.1 best audio recording software for Mac, Leawo Music Recorder for Mac could easily record audio of any source and get music for free on Mac. It supports multiple audio sources and audio output formats. This best audio recording app for Mac could record audio from computer including computer audio, streaming audio, online music, radio, etc. and audio input through microphone on Mac. You could use this best audio recording app for Mac to record and save audio on Mac into M4A, MP3 and WAV audios, with output audio Bit Rate and Sample Rate adjustable. What's more, this best Mac audio recording software could automatically download and add music tags like song artist, album, album artwork, song name, etc. to complete music info. The embedded music tag editor allows people to manually edit music tags. This feature is especially useful for music recording and downloading. If you like, you could directly apply recorded music files to iTunes within this best audio recording software for Mac.
No.2: Audio Recorder Pro
As the best audio recording program for Mac, Audio Recorder Pro acts far more than audio recording. As the best audio recording for Mac, it could record music from YouTube, Napster, Rhapsody, Skype, iChat, microphone audio, etc. and edit recordings afterwards. Like Leawo Music Recorder for Mac, it also provides Mac users with splitter function to split recordings upon time gap.
No.3: Audio Hijack Pro
Audio Hijack Pro is also the best audio recording program for Mac users that prides itself on being able to record audio from any input whatsoever. If you can hear audio, you can record audio Mac OS X. You can even record audio from multiple applications at once – good for recording interviews on Skype, for instance. Multiple formats are supported, and recording is even crash-protected, so you won't lose audio if the app crashes whilst recording. A few effects are included, and the interface is impressive.
No.4: Audacity
The open-source program gives users a wide range of options for recording and editing audio, all tied together with a simple interface. And it is the best free audio recording software for Mac users. Everything Audacity offers is free of charge. Compared to other notable DAWs such as ProTools and Sound Forge, Audacity's layout is very minimalist. There are toolbars for navigating a track, editing it, and mixing. When tracks are loaded, they will appear as waveforms, and users can edit specific sections of a track by highlighting the appropriate section of the waveform. Navigating the interface is easy, although it may take time for new users to figure out what every specific tool does. As far as editing goes, Audacity offers a surprisingly robust set of tools for a free program. Users can adjust pitch, bass, and treble, or normalize noise and add effects like reverb and phasing.
No.5: Ardour
As another best audio recording app for Mac, Ardour lets you record, edit and mix tracks, using an interface that can be professional-enough as well as easy-to-get-used-to at the same time. Ardour can be useful for professionals such as audio engineers, musicians, sound track editors and composers. While Ardour lets audio engineers mix their MIDI projects with ease, the enhanced recording options would do well for musicians and composers. When we consider the features aspect, Ardour has a lot to talk about: support for editing hardware makes everything easier while multi track recording makes sense too. There are advanced options in the editing and mixing section too. For instance, you have Routing, Inline Plugin Control, etc in mixing section. It is to be noted that productivity of Ardour can be made to fit your requirement using certain plug-ins.
No.6: Garageband
Bundled with Apple's iLife suite of apps, Garageband is best free audio recording software for Mac users to record audio on Mac computer. Everything Audacity has to offer is free of charge. It is a stylish and comprehensive audio recording tool. Although it can't record from the same versatile array of sources, it has powerful editing features and is well on the way to being a professional tool. Garageband is particularly good for creating podcasts and ringtones for your iPhone, with advanced support for both included.
Part 2: How to Record Audio on Mac with Leawo Music Recorder for Mac
To help you easily record audio on Mac, we would like to show you how to record audio files on Mac with the best audio recording software for Mac - Leawo Music Recorder for Mac. You could choose to record audio from Mac computer like audio files on local drive, music from video sharing sites or online radio stations, streaming audio, or input audio from your Mac's microphone.
Leawo Music Recorder
☉ Record any music file from computer stream audio and built-in input audio.
☉ Record music from 1000+ music sites like YouTube, Facebook, Veoh, VEVO, etc.
☉ Schedule music recording via the internal recording task scheduler.
☉ Automatically/manually add and complete music tags like artist, album, cover, genre, etc.
Download and install this Mac audio recording software on your Mac computer and then launch it. Follow the below steps to learn how to record audio on Mac with this best Mac audio recording software.
Step 1: Set Audio Source
Click the little microphone icon on the interface to enter the 'Audio Source' window, where you need to choose either 'Record Built-in Audio' option or 'Record Computer Audio' according to your needs. For audio from computer, choose the latter one. For audio recording from microphone, choose the former one. It could perform as the best voice recording software for Mac to record vocie and sound from microphone on Mac.
Step 2. Set output
Go to 'Leawo Music Recorder > Preferences > Format' to set the output format from MP3 Audio, WAV Audio and W4A Audio. If you need, you could change the audio parameters like bit rate and sample rate. After that, go to 'Preferences > General' to set output directory.
Step 3. Start to record audio on Mac
With all settings done, return to the main interface. Get source audio files ready. Then click the red 'Start' button to start recording audio before you play back audio file or input voice/sound through microphone. If you only need to record a clip of the source audio file, play the audio file first and then click the red button at the point you want to record. Stop at any point you want by clicking the red button again.
Step 4. Edit audio tags
As mentioned above, Leawo Music Recorder for Mac is able to automatically download and add music tags if you're recording music on Mac computer. But you could still adjust audio tags by entering 'Library > All Recordings' to choose the audio recording and right click it to select 'Edit Music Tags' option. You could change audio tags like recording title, artist, and genre.
For Windows computer, please turn to Leawo Music Recorder to record audio on Windows computer with ease.