Plus, everything Audacity has to offer is free of charge. The open-source program gives users a wide range of options for recording and editing audio, all tied together with a simple interface. If you do choose to upgrade to the standard or Ultimate paid versions further down the line, they’ll set you back $30 and $80 a month, respectively.įirst released in 2000, Audacity has gone on to become one of the most popular pieces of free software around - and for good reason.

For example, you’ll still have access to non-destructive editing, a MIDI editor, and support for AAX Native and AAX AudioSuite. You’re also limited to 16 simultaneous audio tracks, four inputs, and 16 instrument tracks.īeyond that, though, you’ll still have access to a great number of the same features and capabilities as in the other paid versions of Pro Tools, giving you a good idea of what the software can do. Aimed at “students, musicians, and podcasters” who are just getting started with audio recording or want to try out the software before buying, its main limitation is that you can only store three projects in the cloud. Pro Tools First is a limited version of the main Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate applications, but it’s still pretty capable in its own right.

While you will need to have an Apple device to run it, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better application that doesn’t force you to get out your credit card first. GarageBand is the most fully featured free application on this list. The sound and loop library that’s available for editing into your own tracks is growing all the time, and you can even bring in your iOS devices for wireless control of your setup. There is a wide variety of virtual amps and effects you can use, as well as drum tracks that sound like they were performed by real musicians. Its interface is intuitive and easy to learn, and if you want to record something, you just plug in your instrument or device and get started. Part of the appeal of GarageBand is how simple it is to get going. GarageBand is an Apple-exclusive program that gives you a full audio-creation suite with features for audio recording, virtual instruments, and even music lessons built right in. Check out our other picks for the best free recording software below.Īlthough MacOS isn’t always the only platform for great software, when it comes to free recording applications, it has the best of the bunch. GarageBand is our top pick because it’s free, easy to use, and comes with an extensive variety of effects and virtual amps to choose from but it isn’t the only offering on the market.

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