Whether you are aspiring to be a DJ, musician, composer, audio engineer, or a music enthusiast, having an effective software for music production is very important to ensure you record the best quality music. You might have all the right gear, but before you get started you need the best software for music production to lay it all down with and to bring your ideas into reality.
Most software for music production can record and edit, but its advanced features and plugins vary from program to program and more importantly, your own personal needs. Important aspects to keep in mind include your experience level, budget, system requirements, easy-of-use, and application.
Our Top 3 Best Music Production Softwares in 2024
Mixpad - Best Overall Music Production Software for Professionals & Beginners
With a drag-and-drop interface, unlimited tracks, and a range of editing tools and audio effects, MixPad is one of the easiest and most intuitive audio recording software to use without compromising on performance. Unlike other music production software mentioned in this article, the interface is sleek in design without knobs and sliders congesting the space and overwhelming the user.
Pro Tools - Best Expert Level Music Production software for Professionals
There is a steep learning curve, as Pro tools is targeted towards experts and professionals and if you are serious about your music recording software, Pro Tools is one of the best software for music production.
Studio One 5 - Best Intuitive Music Production Software for Beginners
The latest release in the Presonus Studio One series, Studio One 5 contains everything you need to make music. If you are looking for a top music production software that is different and intuitive to use, Studio One 5 is a good choice.
Below is Our List of the Best Software for Music Production in 2024
MixPad
OS Compatibility: Windows & Mac
Beginner Friendly Rating: 8/10
Overall Rating: 9/10
Price:
$59.99 Home Use Only - No Vst Access
$99.00 All Features, Unlimited Tracks, no limits edition for studio quality production
Pros
Sleek interface
Easy and intuitive
Great audio quality
Cons
Audio support to just 96 kHz
No built-in virtual instruments
MixPad Music Making Software is a streamlined software for music recording that is perfectly designed for music mixing and easy audio production.
With a drag-and-drop interface, unlimited tracks, and a range of editing tools and audio effects, MixPad is one of the easiest and most intuitive audio recording software to use without compromising on performance. Unlike other music production software mentioned in this article, the interface is sleek in design without knobs and sliders congesting the space and overwhelming the user. Each track displays its own spectral graph, making the music making and recording process as easy as possible.
MixPad also supports almost every sound format and low-latency recordings for the best audio quality. Other features such as VST plugin support, royalty-free music library, and cloud storage are sure to appeal to professional users. MixPad also integrates seamlessly with WavePad, one of the most comprehensive audio editing software available.
With minimal system requirements, MixPad takes less than a couple of minutes to install on any PC or Mac and isn’t going to heat up or destroy the battery life on laptops, making it accessible for everyone. With three versions of MixPad available including a free version for non-commercial use, there’s an offering for everyone from beginners to professional users, making it one of the best software for music production available.
MixPad is the perfect option for those looking for an easy and intuitive professional music making and audio recording software that is one of the best and isn’t going to break the bank.
MixPad Music Production Software
Audio Recording Software for Everyone
Mix and unlimited number of tracks
Record single or multiple tracks simultaneously
Add audio effects including EQ, compression, reverb and more
Includes a royalty-free sound effect and music library
One of the most popular music production software, Avid Pro Tools, has been setting the industry standard for music and audio recording for over 20 years. Compatible on both PC and Mac, the software comes with a variety of virtual instruments along with advanced editing tools and some of the most modern plugins and effects.
With recent updates in making the workflow more contemporary, Pro Tools allows you to update tracks with effects, presets, and more during playback. Collaboration with other music creators is possible with the Avid Cloud Collaboration.
Pro Tools First, the free version has a streamlined toolset of its paid companion. However, you are limited to just 16 audio tracks, 16 instruments, and 4 outputs, along with just 1GB of space.
There is a steep learning curve, as Pro tools is targeted towards experts and professionals and the subscription-based pricing is a bit of a let-down. Pro Tools also does not work with any audio interfaces or sound cards, it has to be Pro Tools approved, making it a very closed proprietary system. The high system requirements will also require users to have a powerful computer. However, if you are serious about your music recording software, Pro Tools is one of the best software for music production.
Studio One 5
[Image credit: MusicTech]
OS Compatibility: Windows & Mac
PCMag Rating:
Beginner Friendly Rating: 6/10
Overall Rating: 7/10
Price:
$99.95 Studio One Artist Edition Single Purchase License
$399.95 Studio One Professional Edition Single Purchase License
Pros
Modern interface
Productive workflow
Show Page for live shows
Cons
A single window can get busy
Expensive
No free version available yet
The latest release in the Presonus Studio One series, Studio One 5 contains everything you need to make music. With a single-screen interface that houses an unlimited number of tracks, along with a plethora of editing tools and virtual instruments, Studio One 5 is designed for the modern music producer. Supporting audio up to 384Hz, the high sound quality is another added bonus.
With the newly featured Show Page, users can now run live performances with instrumentation, multi-recording, and effects, all in one window. Composers and arrangers will also appreciate the Score View that allows users to enter, view, and edit notes in standard music notation. Finally, Studio One 5 includes unlimited audio tracks, multi-touch support, FX channels, and the ability to add third-party VSTts and AU plugins. Compatible with Mac and PC, Studio One 5 have 2 versions - Studio One 5 Artist and Studio One 5 Professional. While the previous Studio One 4 had a free version, currently the latest release does not include one as of writing. Unlike MixPad, which uses very little system resources and has a quick installation process, Studio One 5 does have high system requirements and an installation and registration process that can be frustrating.
If you are looking for a top music production software that is different and intuitive to use, Studio One 5 is a good choice.
Get MixPad Now.
Easily record single or multiple audio tracks simultaneously.
As the only open-source audio recording software on this list, Audacity’s strength lies in its simplicity. Despite a minimalist and lightweight interface, Audacity is a powerful software for making music loaded with effects, high sound quality, and comprehensive editing features. Supporting sample rates up to 192kHz, Audacity also includes VST plugin support, multitrack recording, and batch processing.
However Audacity only supports destructive editing meaning changes are permanently written to the original audio file, which can make the editing process a bit frustrating. The program also lacks loops, sequencers, and other features that are commonly available in other audio recording apps listed in this article.
Overall, for a free music maker software, Audacity is great for quick and easy audio work and also well suited for podcasting and making music. Available on PC, Mac, and Linux.
Ableton Live 10
[Image credit: Digital DJ Tips]
OS Compatibility: Windows & Mac
PCMag Rating:
Beginner Friendly Rating: 4/10
Overall Rating: 6/10
Price:
Live 11 Intro (Audio Essentials): $99 Single Purchase License (6 month installment option available $16.50/month)
Live 11 Standard (Full Features Plus Extras): $449 Single Purchase License (6 month installment option available $74.85/month)
Live 11 Suite (Complete integrated Studio): $749 Single Purchase License (6 month installment option available $124.85/month)
Pros
Linear and non-linear views
Incredible MIDI features
Large music library
Cons
Lack of advanced audio editing features
No free version available
The latest incarnation of the popular music making software, Ableton Live 10 brings a more streamlined interface and workflow enhancements, making it an exciting option for music recording of all experience levels.
Featuring linear and nonlinear views, the layout is unlike any of the other audio recording software listed in this article, providing the user the ability to quickly select musical loops into full song arrangement. This feature along with its seamless MIDI sequencing capabilities, Ableton Live has been a popular choice amongst electronic music producers in not just recording music but also as a live performance instrument.
Compatible for PC and Mac, Ableton Live 10 also includes support for VSTR plugins and a range of built-in virtual instruments including the new Wavetable synth and Drum Buss compressor. With 23 sound libraries, containing up to 50GB of sounds, the wealth of samples and audio effects available is also a major plus.
The audio editing features in Abelton Live however isn’t as robust as the other audio recording software. The software is not well suited for recording multiple musicians and does not have the strongest video or surround facilities either. Live is also at the pricier end of audio recording software available today, for both new and existing users and there isn’t a free version available either. If you’re an inspiring electronic musician, a live Dj, or want to record audio non-linearly, Ableton Live 10 is a great choice.
And there you have it. These are some of the best software for music production available and worth the investment and time. If you’re looking for the one tool that is the easiest, most accessible, most intuitive, and most comprehensive software for music production that at the same isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg, we recommend MixPad Software for Music Production. Starting your first MixPad project will take less than the time it took you to read this article. Click the download button below and try it out yourself. Happy recording!
Download MixPad Software for Music Production
Easy and Intuitive Music Production Software for Everyone
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