Best DAW For Beginners & The Easiest DAW
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- In this video I look at the what's the best DAW for beginners and what's the easiest DAW. These are 2 questions that come up all the time. If you're getting into music making software, this video is for you. Next check out over 80 free VST plugins by clicking here • 83 Free VST Plugins Wo...
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🔶Links To The DAWs Mentioned In This Video🔶
► FL Studio - bit.ly/FL_Studio_Home
► Ableton Live - bit.ly/Live_Ableton
► Magix Music Maker - bit.ly/MM_Free
► Garageband - bit.ly/SGT-GarageBand
► Presonus Studio One - bit.ly/Presonus-StudioOne
► Tracktion Waveform - bit.ly/Tracktion_Home
► Pro Tools - bit.ly/PT_Intro
► Reaper - bit.ly/ReaperFM
► Cakewalk - bit.ly/Cakewalk-Bandlabs
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🎶🎵 Sections Of This Best DAW For Beginners Video 🎵🎶
0:00 Intro to the Best DAW for Beginners
0:10 Problem With the Answer
0:25 What To Expect
0:45 Music Programs For Beat Making & EDM
0:57 FL Studio
2:22 Ableton Live
3:52 Magix Music Maker
5:57 Garageband
6:40 DAWs With More Modern Workflows
7:01 Presonus Studio One
8:21 Tracktion Waveform
9:52 DAWs With More Traditional Workflows
9:59 Avid Pro Tools
11:27 Reaper DAW
12:42 Cakewalk by Bandlab
13:53 What Is The Best DAW For You As A Beginner
14:24 The Easiest DAW For You
15:17 Over 80 Free VST Plugins You Can Download
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About this video
In this video Zane from Audio Tech TV (formerly Simple Green Tech) looks at what's the best DAW for beginners and what's the easiest DAW. These 2 questions come up all the time on my channel and there isn't 1 easy answer. But there is a best daw for you and there is an easiest daw for you so this video tries to help you find that.
#DAW #DigitalAudioWorkstation #FLStudio #MusicProduction #HomeStudio #AudioProduction
#Musician #MusicMaking #MusicCreation #HomeRecording #HomeRecordingStudio #MakeMusic #MusicProductionTip #AbletonLive #Cakewalk - Věda a technologie
Next check out over 80 free VST plugins by clicking here czcams.com/video/sURkD-906yQ/video.html
I just bought the Sterling H224 Recording suite and it came with Tracktion which I am learning. Thus far your videos have been most helpful. I look forward to further content and being able to create and post content as well. 🙂
Waveform Free recommendation all the way for me. The UI is super user-friendly for those like me who are firmly entrenched in the modern digital UI era, who might be less familiar with anologue-recording design-language, but also contains deep/advanced functions.
As someone who had only worked in analogue previously, Waveform 11 was very easy to record with. I don't use anything on the left, but if you want to record, and add plugins to what you've recorded, it'll take you about 10 minutes to work it out.
I tried Studio One Artist 6 that came with my Studio 68c USB interface and it just worked well with my needs from the beginning. Right now, I'm just using S1 as my effects for the USB Livestream sound at church. I do plan on song creation later, and since I'm used to S1, I'll just expand what I'm doing there.
I've also tried Ableton Live lite that came free with their Scarlett 2i2, and I just couldn't get anywhere. No worries it was free.
Great info on these DAW choices.
I started with Waveform, but as I continued on I never enjoyed it so I switched to reaper. I threw a logic pro skin on it and loved it (still do). I now use Logic Pro but I will always advocate for reaper
Thanks for so many useful tutorial vids about DAWs, VSTs, etc., Zane.
I'm trying to get back into music-making, after decades of being dizzy-busy. One video on CZcams says (sensibly, & eco-friendly) 'Use The Gear You Already Have'. So, may I request that you post a video or two about which *free* DAW(s) offer 'Groove Quantize', besides Cubase?
Also: any chance of a tutorial or two about easily/cheaply interfacing older MIDI-only keyboards & synths, to a PC, via USB? There seems to be a BOATLOAD of conflicting info/details to wade through....
Thanks; & keep up the great tutorials, brother.
for me it was mixcraft 9. crazy easy to use.
effective though ?
@@chuyy__ for my needs yes. There are better DAWs but mixcraft works for me.
@Crowd Kill Productions what style music do you make??
@@Norma1250 deathcore.djent.metalcore. various types of metal.
Cut my life into pieces
Just finished the video. Have insomnia and you know I like hearing talk about DAWS in case I want to try out a third one see if it suits me better than my current two DAWS of choice. I’ve found that Waveform free suits my needs I just need to watch your playlist on it, but…I’m tired either way insomnia and should probably either be fully awake or at least take notes for those. Nice video.
I been trying Mixcraft 9, and its very good.
Super Super helpful video thank you!
thanks for the info. im in 40s still learning music
Well done, thx for great overview!
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍
My first daw was magic music maker, very easy to use, as well as very easy to make beats, especially sounds and sound design... I need to get back to it. However, it's unstable a lot of freezing up... coming from it to ableton was a big learning curve
For the moment, I still didn't know what fits me best.
I've been a composer for 12 years on Guitar Pro (5 to 8). I really find that typing numbers for tabs feels more natural for me than inserting notes in a sheet or a in a DAW, haha.
And it's direct, like you already have your tab to complete, your instruments and all, where in most DAW, you write a note, but there's not even a default instrument, you have to download them individually. That's the reason it takes me a lot of efforts to get out of MIDI composition.
Thank you for the extremely valuable info! Cakewalk requires ASIO compatible hardware, do you have a video that explains that? Thanks so much! 🎶
I'm just getting into recording, started with GarageBand, but found it a bit too limiting for recording/comping. But I like its included plugins and the drummer. I'm just checking Reaper and it looks awesome! Really powerful, but can be a bit overwhelming. I wasn't aware of Waveform, that's one I should definitely try as well! If I was using Windows, I'd probably check Cakewalk as well. Even though this free version won't be continued anymore.
KORG Gadget is good for beginners (and others). Very intuitive, easy to understand the basics, but has a huge number of additional options. And you can keep adding more ‘gadgets’ to expand the possibilities. Once you’ve mastered that, you’ll be ready for something like Ableton which has even more possibilities.
It's also available for iOS, which makes it a good option for people who like to tinker on portable devices.
Your videos are the best. I'm thinking about Ardour. What do you think of that one? I've been using the free version of Tracktion Waveform, and have found it excellent and easy to figure out -but I'm wary of building a ton of time-consuming recordings using one DAW and then getting milked for money by the owners. Hence my interest in Ardour.
Never knew cakewalk was free. That software is fantastic.
It's fun to try it different DAWs. When I got started I downloaded bandlab and the free versions of Ableton and FL. For some reason, I could never get audio out of bandlab. Fruity Loops was easy to figure out but had SOOOOO many drop down menus it got in my way of creating. Ableton wasn't too difficult to figure out, but it wasn't as easy as FL Studio. Ableton's layout is just so much more simple and straightforward, with everything right in one column so everything is easy to find.. So I learned Ableton but I try out other programs from time to time. I was looking at Bitwig until they had their recent controversy. Good video bro
Fun for you perhaps! But going through all those DAW's doesn't sound fun.
I can’t believe you didn’t mention logic
Any recommendations on a good, free Mastering Program? Thanks!
I'm a little late watching the video but I Thank you so much for the video.
I always suggest Ardour, and Zrythm when people ask me about DAWs mostly because they're really cheap (1 dollar for Ardour and 11 for Zrythm) and have free trials with some minor limitations, but I still append that with "that's what I like, but you should try a few DAWs and choose whichever one you like."
The latest version of Ardour looks decent. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. Keep creating! 👊👍
I might go with Ableton Live or Cakewalk.. I've heard of Ableton Live and liked the simplicity of the DAW, but I like the price of Cakewalk, assuming it's still free.. Either way, thanks for the video!
I found Studio One very easy to learn for beginners.
i found mixcraft pro 9 to be the easiest to use with everything in the place you'd expect EVEN for an amateur like me PLUS everything works without any setting up. It's just fantastic that you don't usually have to set up audio, midi or anything PLUS it was the cheapest last year. I bought fl studio all plugins on sale and bought Cubase 12 Pro but there's much setting up "for me" before i can actually use it. I bought magix music maker a couple of years ago but it's extremely bloated and as you just said you have to buy a special expensive license to use their loops. Thank you Zane. PS, Yes presonus studio one was another daw that worked right out the box for me and I managed to record a song.
You can just open up your laptop and begin using Mixcraft immediately , like on an iPad ?
@@WyattLite-n-inn yes
The easiest DAW for me was Garageband. I then moved up to Logic Pro, and have not looked back (remembering Lot's wife). There have been times that I have cast my glance aside and have tried DAWs like Ableton Live, Studio One, Reaper, and most recently Luna and Waveform Free 12.
I gave them all up. Logic has everything I need and love, and if I don't need a feature or function, I simply don't use it.
Bitwig is really beginner friendly as well. Has been my main for the past 6 years. Can't go wrong with Studio One and Ableton either.
I chose bitwig as my first daw, reason was because its fuss free connectivity with my midi controller (nektar) just meant I could just plug in and start without any mucking about. I think a lot will depend on your style, your gear and how you want to work.
Ableton is worth it if your on windows you can use it on any copy of windows I’ve been on live 10 suite for a few years as I’m not interested in buying new versions
Your forgetting Sequel by steinberg it’s free too
I got Reaper to learn programming. It seems difficult at first its not really intuitive. You need to just know where to click but once you do its limitless
I use Reaper, Cubase, Acid, Studio One Artist, it's depends by musical genre, but the best DAW workflow is MIXCRAFT 9 STUDIO
Reaper good ? For what type genre you can do it?
I just started FL recently and banged my head against it for a few days until I started to get how it works.
Thank you sir
I've been learning Cakewalk and Reaper for a few weeks recording a different song in each DAW. To me, Cakewalk feels much more like an analogue workflow and Reaper seems a little more modern. I'm going to continue to learn both, working on different projects in each. So far, I really like the Pro channel in Cakewalk and the way Reaper doesn't distinguish between tracks. So far, I think both are great regardless of cost!
Hey, Jon! How are things rolling with both DAWS? Any favorite yet? I started with bandlab and now need to move on to something greater. Considering cakewalk. (I'm into indie-rock music). I would appreciate your opinion :)
@@georgiagm, I like them both, but I think straight out of the box I would recommend trying Cakewalk first. I haven't found anything in either that the other can't do, just different methods to accomplish what you want.
Reaper is very customizable and can take a while to get it setup to your liking and Cakewalk has more of a traditional feel, similar to Pro Tool etc. Either will serve you well, but you will definitely have a learning curve to adjust to. I hope this helps, but remember both are just tools and your music is what's most important.
@@farrell72563 thanks, Jon, for your time and help. Thanks for her tip as well. Let's enjoy the music! 😊
Loving Reaper so far
They both stink.
I like Mulab very much. Easy to use but deep.
I startet with Cubase Elements and it was not that difficult to lern using it. But they lost me as a customer because of their price stategy. A lot of the functions are only available in the much more expensive versions and the yearly update prices are high even as a long time customer. So i finally ended up giving Cakewalk a try and I use it for about three years now and it offers me all I need.
Still happy with Cakewalk by Bandlab and also testing Akai Beats, also free with a 25 keys midikeyboard!
would love to hear how you are finding Akai Beats. I just picked up a midikeyboard that came with it as well and well thats why im on this video haha. Mind is tied between cakewalk and akai beats
Was watching this to decide which DAW to get, only to remember that I bought Ableton Live 9 Intro years ago.
I tried bundled Ableton and moved to Reaper . I'm a guitarist and wanted to do home recording. I came from a Boss BR80!
Nothing wrong with Reaper. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍
Ableton Live is very similar to Ardour v7 with the new clip launching editor. :) And this is what Paul Davis, the Ardour founder told me about next upcoming v7.5 release:
"We believe the new version to be incredibly superior in every way, btw". :D
What do you think about MPC Beats Academy
I've been using mpc beats because i started with an akai product, and i know every single detail about it, but now i see that is very limiting on making actual songs, i like to finger drum and play synths with a midi keyboard, what daw do you suggest that might work for me, or what daws? Thanks to anyone answering!!
I would kike to lear tk record my edrums. Trued with FL Studio,but I don't understand it well. I would like to try garage band
Which DAW is best for recording vocals/harmonies and making the instrumentals?
EnergyXT now EXT64 with it’s clean streamlined interface is worth a look.
Just bring your own instruments and effects. EXT64 is sparse in this regard.
Recording and editing is pretty simple, and the piano roll is solid and easy to use.
Multi output vst instruments are automatically given their own mixer strips also.
I’ll check it out. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍
Don't forget Reason, even the Intro version is pretty powerful
For me is your looking for production and making beats fl. And if your just recording reaper.
I’ve been on live 10 suite for a few years
Reaper FTW
Bitwig deserves a spot on this list as well.
What about reason? I'm super curious on reason
Logic(If you already kinda know how to play an instrument)/Garage (if you dont) > FL Studio > Ableton Live
In my personal experience, i would rank /EASIEST/ DAWs like that^^^
But I recommend Logic first and foremost for people like me that already have tried starting with free ableton or FL Studio trials and considered quitting music altogether after getting overwhelmed. Its not as modular (meaning: “experimental” i guess) as the other options BUT the presentation is clean, and the sounds that it already comes with i can totally see being enough to comfortably write a hit.
But id recommend the DAW that you like looking at the most maybe. The more you like to look at something, the more youre likely to use it. And the more you use it, the more experience and practice you get which is the main thing
but logic only available on mac right?
Thank you for the advice is one better for making my playing not suck? Ha cheers
Q: I want to do quick "scratch pad" workups of songs I will then upload to producers or other musicians. If I work in WaveLab, will those created tracks be useable by other DAW's? Most people I know use Abelton for osme odd reason.
I am an old school guy mostly out in the weeds as regards this stuff. 2-inch Scully machines and razor blades are what I know. The way we recorded beats was we had this thing called a "drummer" who came in and played something called "drums" 🙂
However, I am mildly familiar with a lite version of WaveLab, having used that to edit MP3's, so I am imagining WL would be my personal point of entry into all of this chaos.
Thanks for the great video and any advice from commenters would be helpful.
If you export your wavelab recordings as a .wav file then it will be able to be used in any other music production program.
@@AudioTechTV Hey, thanks! Great channel, BTW.
What about logic pro?
Studio one easy on recording n mixing mastering
Beat making its tricky
Mixcraft, it's the easiest to learn quickly, tried them all, nothing comes close.
I now use and really like Studio One and Cubase, but started with Mixcraft.
Mixcraft seems to get passed over by reviewers a lot, probably because it isn't as pretty as some (keeps improving with each version though). This is too bad as it is actually a very full featured DAW, with a good workflow. It has useful tutorials, and instruments, loops and plugins galore (especially the Pro Studio version). It also has a reasonable price which they seem to lower a while after they release each version. Easy to learn and to use.
Insta-Like for having Grotesque in the background :D
I would not classify Reaper among the easiest DAWs to learn, but it is, hands down, the best and most powerful DAW, including MIDI.
Reaper Stinks
agreed!
I found Reaper easy to learn, and has the features I need when I go advanced!
Is it good?
@@Sboooose Yes.
Good advice! But probably not answer most want to hear.
Soundtrap is the most user friendly and best GUI. It should be the blueprint for all others.
Are there DAWs extremely to use that don't require to search and load pluggins? I tried to use waveform and cakewalk for a full afternoon, I coudln't make a single sound with the MIDI keyboard with them. Is there something extremely simple?
You can give FL Studio a try. It can be kind of easy at the start if you’re just wanting to use midi and virtual instruments.
The demo is free and unlocked but you can’t load saved projects until you pay for it. It can be a good introduction to see if you like it though.
Mixcraft is another pretty easy one to get started with and it comes with a ton of instruments so you don’t need to search for plugins. It’s not free but it’s not really expensive compared to some of the other programs. The “recording studio” version is just $79 right now and it includes quite a few instruments to start out. The “Pro Studio” version is $149 right now and it has a lot more instruments included.
Cubase user here !!!!!
Fir traditional, Air ignite is the absolute best for beginners
Because my hands became disabled 15 years ago, I can't really play instruments any more. There are a few DAWs that can turn a humming track into MIDI... is Waveform free or pro one of them? I know Logic can do it.
Waveform can’t do that but Cakewalk can turn audio into midi.
@@AudioTechTV I am M1 iMac. Can Studio One Artist do it? If not, it's looking like Logic Pro..
I don’t think you can do it natively in Studio One. If you have Melodyne you can do it easily.
If it helps, Melodyne is included in Studio One 6 Artist, as a trial I believe. I know I've seen it in my plug-in menu on my S1 Artist.
best one for non musicians? got cakewalk but havent figured out to import loops etc yet and dont play an instrument to plug in. currently I write tunes and have someone else do all this for me for a hefty worth it fee
If you are primarily wanting to use loops and samples check out Ableton Live. They have a 90 day trial so you can get lots of time with it before you buy.
If you want to stick with cakewalk, check out the matrix view that’s built into it. It works a lot like Ableton Live.
Here’s a link to a video that I did on that
czcams.com/video/P9JNDAFKnCo/video.html
Studio One & Sound trap
I use Reason
So despite FL studio being his number 1 on the list I see nobody in the comments has mentioned using it? Why?
Checkout sequel by steinberg
What about audiobook narrators? Do they need a different type of DAW?
You can use any program for recording. For that specific purpose I would probably go with something like Wavelab, Sound Forge Audio Studio, or Adobe Audition. But whatever works best for you.
I use Tracktion Waveform. If I can figure it out reasonably successfully, anyone can. 🙂
Yes, another Tracktion Waveform Pro user here. It's a quirky bit of software in places, but I really love it. I also use MPC, because I have an Akai midi device. That software (free version available) is really fun for sample-mangling and loop creation.
The best and easiest DAW for a novice is the free one that comes with the interface you purchase, like Cubase. 👍
So, DAW and EDM are acronyms for “?” I’m new to this.
Digital audio workstation and electronic dance music.
It's Bitwig for me. Switched from FL Studio.
Do any of these actually let you mix??????
All of them let you mix.
get a DAW that provides some decent samples, instruments and effects. Reaper seems low cost but you will pay with your time and additional money when you go searching the net for plugins that would come standard with another DAW.
Any recommendations?
How about Cubase ?
It’s an excellent program. If it works for you then use it. There are several other great DAWs out there I didn’t want to overload the video with too many options.
If you make recordings with MIDI, there is only one that stands out and that is Cubase. Cubase is simply the best solution for this. I also work with Fl Studio, but it is less suitable for midi recording.
Where is Audacity? Just noticed on your background that you're using audacity to record this vlog
all of these are too resource heavy for my old computer. I'm stuck with audacity, but even that is clunky.
My ancient pc loves Reaper, I only have 4GB Ram .
Try Renoise, it's very easy on my CPU, and any VSTs you load you can bounce to audio to keep CPU usage down
ka
It is a mystery to me that Mixcraft does not mention either the standard version or the Pro version. Previously I used EnergyXT (now discontinued) and started with Mixcraft 7, never came across a more easy to use and versatile DAW. It is never mentioned as a good option for beginners even though it simply IS one of the most easy to use and intuitive DAWs on the market. And don't forget the huge library of high quality VST/VSTis, samples and loops that NO other DAW offers, and for a pretty cheap price too. Just the virtual instruments and effects would cost around 10,000 US dollars! Many of us use Mixcraft and are always surprised that it is never mentioned for beginners. Maybe it's time for you Sane to broaden your horizons a bit before you release such videos?
I’m actually working on a video now that is all about why Mixcraft might be the best for beginners.
I never mentioned it before because I never used it. But now that I’ve done some videos for them I can see how it would be a great option for beginners.
Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍
G band
Studio One 🙌
Studio One is an excellent DAW. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍
Ugh. Having trouble with studio one. Was hoping for another.
@@Elpipiton what problem are you currently experiencing?
No serato studio ?
Im allready overwhelmed with information overload by just hearing the very words "comes woth a large variety effects and features". Help the more overblown the software the more confusing for me who just cant handle/ navigate all those loads of buttons and features. Why cant we just have an on line music key board like what you buy from the shops which is easy peasy to operate. I already have one but the sound is tinny and poor quality. 😌
i watch this cause i need a much easier daw as reaper :/
me who is stuck in beepbox
“My five year old worked GarageBand out in the back of the car with no help from me”. So… GarageBand will be easiest one then. Why sit on the fence?
On the fence about what?
Logic Pro is better that all of them!
Clickbait you sneaky bastard. Peeps be watching the entire thing waiting for minute 14 for answers. Your answer is "is it's up to you" haha
I can’t make up the answer for everyone. Everybody is different. I have some good options and let people decide for themselves and that’s the way to find the best DAW. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍
@@AudioTechTV After your reply I played it again. I paused at 0:40 to apologize. You said it very clear. "You might not like the answer to that". Sneaky but legit...kinda
Jesus loves u guys
Christ is king
Sorry, mate. But, if this video is supposed to be for people new to DAW's, you'll have lost most of your audience in the first two minutes. You seem to assume an understanding of all the concepts, tech terms and acronyms - so you're effectively assuming that the audience are the opposite of beginners.
Is it because I say that a DAW is music making software and I don't say that it stands for digital audio workstation? I think more beginners would understand music production software more than digital audio workstation. The other acronym that I use is VST and I do say what a VST is.
I think if I stopped and explained what midi is and all the little concepts along the way it would have been like driving on a road with lots of speed bumps. If there was a term that wasn't clearly understandable I do understand that most people know how to use google and can look it up. The point of this video wasn't to explain what a DAW is, it was to compare different pieces of software. This video is intended for someone that has a bit of an understanding of what a DAW is and what they can do with it but maybe after trying some or looking at various ones they are wondering what one they should start with.
I'm just glad that my analytics disagree with your assessment.
Fair enough. I should have kept it to you just lost me after two minutes. Apologies.
They are all the same. Mixing editing recording this idea they are difficult or hard to learn is stupid it's just like driving a different car
Never have I found anything easier than Rifftracker for guitar users
It's too bad that free cakewalk is being discontinued. It's being phased out for something too bloated for my laptop.