7 Best Production Softwares for Producers: From Free to Pro
As a musician, finding the right software to produce your music can be overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of some of the best production softwares for beginners.
| Software | Cost | Level of Difficulty | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| GarageBand | Free (Mac only) | Easy | User-friendly interface, built-in instruments and effects |
| Audacity | Free (Mac/Win) | Easy | Simple interface, built-in effects and tools |
| Pro Tools First | Free (Mac/Win) | Moderate | Industry-standard software, limited features |
| Ableton Live Lite | Free (Mac/Win) | Moderate | Designed for electronic music, built-in tools and effects |
| FL Studio Fruity Edition | $99 (Win only) | Moderate | Designed for electronic music, built-in tools and effects |
| Logic Pro X | $199.99 (Mac only) | Moderate | Vast library of built-in sounds and effects, professional-grade software |
| Cubase Elements | $99 (Mac/Win) | Moderate | Professional-grade software, built-in tools and effects |
Overview
GarageBand
If you’re an Apple user, GarageBand is a great place to start. It’s free and comes pre-installed on all Apple devices, making it easily accessible. GarageBand has a very user-friendly interface and is designed to be intuitive. There are a lot of built-in instruments and effects, so you can start creating music right away. Most people are familiar with this one, so that makes it easier to dive into your journey as a producer.
Audacity
Similarly, Audacity is a free, open-source software that’s available on both Mac and Windows devices. It has a simple interface and is very easy to use. Audacity comes with a lot of built-in effects and tools, so you can begin to understand how to edit and manipulate your audio the way you want to. This program is a good place to start, even if you know absolutely nothing.
Fun fact, this was actually the program I made my first song on.
Pro Tools First
Pro Tools is an industry-standard software used by professional musicians and producers. Pro Tools First is a free version of the software that comes with a limited number of features, but is still very powerful. It is more difficult to learn, but is worth exploring if you’re serious about music production. This one could be very helpful to get if you plan on graduating to the full version of Pro Tools (many professionals use this).
Ableton Live Lite
Ableton Live is a popular software for electronic music production. Ableton Live Lite is a free or low-cost version of the software that’s perfect for beginners. To combat its level of difficulty, there are a lot of built-in tools and effects that can help you create unique sounds and beats. It’s a staple in the electronic music industry, so if that genre is your goal, go for this one.
FL Studio Fruity Edition
FL Studio is a software specifically designed for electronic music production. The Fruity Edition is a low-cost version of the software. It’s designed to be easy to use, with a visual interface that lets you see and manipulate your music in real time. FL Studio Fruity Edition comes with a lot of built-in tools and effects that can help you create complex, layered beats, so you can get into making more intricate songs as well as basic ones.
Side note, this was the program that got famous from the hit song “Crank That” by Soulja Boy. He produced the entire song himself on FL Studio and was one of the first fully independent artists in the industry. In other words, he pioneered writing, producing, and marketing a hit song without a major label.
Logic Pro X
If you’re an Apple user and willing to invest in a professional-grade software, Logic Pro X is a great option. This one is a little more difficult than the others to learn, but is packed with features and tools that can help you produce high-quality music. It also includes advanced features like MIDI editing, score editing, and automation, which can help you create complex arrangements and mixes.
One of the unique features of Logic Pro X is its integration with other Apple products. You can use Logic Pro X with other Apple devices like the iPad and iPhone to control your music remotely. All in all, Logic Pro X is designed to be user-friendly with an easy to navigate interface and a wide range of built-in tutorials to get you started.
Cubase Elements
Cubase is a professional-grade software used by musicians and producers. Cubase Elements is a more affordable version of the software. It’s designed to be easy to use, with a streamlined interface that allows you to focus on your music. This program comes with a lot of features, including a vast library of sounds and effects. It is a great option if you want to learn how to use a professional-grade software without investing a lot of money upfront.
Wrap Up
The first two programs are ones that I would suggest that you start with if your knowledge is limited. Then, if you want to continue on, look into the other programs and decide what would be right for you. They’re all great options so in the end you can’t go wrong!
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It’s a shame, IMO the closest thing PC has to Garageband would be Acoustica’s Mixcraft.
Mixcraft is cheap but I still feel like it lacks compared to Mac’s free alternative.