How To Learn How Daws Work

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If you're getting started with audio production, it won't exist long earlier you have to commencement making decisions. These decisions will potentially cost yous lots of time and money. And one of the first of these decisions is about software - which digital audio workstation (DAW) software should you lot choose?

We asked the question a few months ago in an Open Mic, and the community were generous with their advice. We'll sum information technology upwardly hither, along with a few thoughts of our own.

Just before we go started with your options, allow's talk virtually a few issues commencement. Just similar the shoes I wear may not fit y'all, in that location isn't one beginners' DAW that will adapt anybody. Here are some questions that will help clarify which app to commencement with.

Issues That May Bear on Your Conclusion

I have a few kids that are learning to drive. They demand to decide whether to learn in a transmission or an automatic. Learning in an automatic is great because you don't have to learn it all at once. While they are concentrating on steering, and traffic, and braking, and indicating, they don't too have to exist worrying about the clutch and gear stick. But they will have to do some retraining downwards the road if they determine to drive a manual.

"Learning to Drive" by Tejvan Tettinger on Flickr.

Yous are in a like position when choosing a DAW. There is a lot to learn. Past learning the manufacture standards similar Pro Tools or Logic Pro you'll save some retraining down the track. But the initial learning curve and expense will exist much college. Would you lot exist better off with an app that is cheaper and less complicated?

Ultimately, that answer is up to you. These questions may help you decide.

What is your ultimate music production goal? If your goal is to piece of work in a studio, it may be improve to jump correct in with an industry-standard DAW like Pro Tools. On the other mitt, if y'all will creating music at home, finding an app that fits your budget and works on your current computer may be more than important.
Do you acquire better by taking things step-by-step, or jumping in the deep end? No i stays a beginner forever, and if you lot learn best past challenging yourself, consider starting with one of the large guns. On the other paw, the initial learning curve will exist quite steep. Many people will find learning much easier on a "beginner's" DAW. In fact, it may accept all the features you lot need.
Are you ready to invest hundreds of dollars in software at this stage of the game? Some of the big DAWs will set you lot dorsum many hundreds of dollars. And that price is justified - see it as an essential investment in professional quality software. But the investment besides comes with a level of commitment. Once you spend that much money you'll exist reluctant to change programs later. In fact, you may not be able to afford to! Are you ready to make that investment at this phase of the game? Are you sure you'll stick with music product? Volition you be able to brand a amend-informed conclusion one time you take more experience?
Would y'all like to do some more than research before deciding? Don't feel pressured to decide right now. Before buying a car you want a take a chance to kick the tires. The aforementioned goes for DAWs. Many have demo versions. Some DAWs come included in other purchases, like a keyboard or audio interface. You might like to try a few earlier deciding to purchase. Also, first spend some time reading about your options. Read users' opinions in our Open Mic mail, read through some tutorials for the DAW you think you might buy, or buy a volume or visit the library. Give yourself an opportunity to make an informed decision.

Did that help? From here on we'll make two sets of recommendations: some DAWs that let you lot become your anxiety wet, and some DAWs that let you swoop right in. The first set are relatively inexpensive, and easier to selection up. They also have enough features to go along you lot making music for quite a while - and may be all you need. The second set of recommendations are industry standard apps that are worth the extra effort of jumping right into.

Naturally, these aren't your only options. If you check the comments at the end of the postal service I'grand certain you'll observe a lot more opinions. Take the time to read and counterbalance them.

Some DAWs that Let You Go Your Feet Wet

These DAWs are inexpensive and like shooting fish in a barrel to learn, but have enough features to exist useful for some time.

GarageBand

Website: world wide web.apple.com/ilife/garageband
$15.00 in the Mac App Shop, but comes preinstalled on most Macs.
Runs on Mac Bone Ten

GarageBand is almost the easiest way to get into computer-based sound - as long as you apply a Mac! Although it'southward designed to be ridiculously easy to use, each version packs in more features. Even if you're eventually thinking about using Logic Pro, information technology won't injure to start here.

Audiotuts+ readers say:

Garageband. Actually easy, but one may practise lots of corking music with it. When you abound out of it, upgrade to something more sophisticated. (jakubt)
Garageband (MAC). Acoustica Mixcraft (PC). Garageband is the easiest DAW for hobbyists and absolute beginners. Acoustica Mixcraft looks similar an [not then great] imitation of Garageband, only information technology does the chore. (pierre)
Beingna high school music teacher, I have tried FLstudio, Sonar, GarageBand and Logic. For a starter I would go GarageBand all the fashion. You can show/teach all the basics of song creation with multi tracking, looping and MIDI/software. My students love information technology. (Darrin)

Acoustica Mixcraft

Website: world wide web.acoustica.com/mixcraft
Effectually $seventy on Amazon ($150 for the pro version)
Runs on Windows

This is as close as you can go to GarageBand in the PC earth. From their web page: "Mixcraft 5 is a powerful yet easy-to-use multi-runway recording studio that enables you to tape audio, arrange loops, remix tracks, compose with virtual instruments, score and edit video, and add effects to create stunningly professional compositions. Easy enough for everyone and powerful enough for the pros. Get a studio for a song with Mixcraft five!"

Audiotuts+ readers say:

Garageband (MAC). Acoustica Mixcraft (PC). Garageband is the easiest DAW for hobbyists and accented beginners. Acoustica Mixcraft looks similar an [not so dandy] faux of Garageband, but it does the job. (pierre)
I teach audio engineering to high school students. I have used FL Studio, Reason, Pro Tools and Mixcraft. I will be using Garageband side by side year. Many of my students come into my program having used FL Studio. They know information technology well. I, however, exercise not intendance for it much. Mostly the user interface is and so minor and somewhat confusing. I switched my beginners to Mixcraft now and they really take to it quickly. I similar the built-in sounds and furnishings and recording through the mboxes was very easy. I like that it can edit video as well. Once my students master the nuts with that I motility them to Pro Tools. As has been stated in before posts, it is the manufacture standard. When I introduced Reason to my students they had a hard fourth dimension with it. I retrieve information technology is because they had become so accustomed to other DAWs that they had a difficult time with the learning curve. My old lab was PC based, my new lab will exist MAC based and so I am switching the newbies to Garageband and continuing with Pro Tools and calculation Logic for my advanced students. There is a swell book called "Making Music with Garageband and Mixcraft" that does a great job of introducing cardinal concepts such as importing, editing, MIDI, recording, etc. and provides corking projects to brand using those concepts. I highly recommend it. (ABenne66)

REAPER

Website: www.reaper.fm
$threescore for personal use, $225 for professional utilise
Runs on Windows/Mac

REAPER is a powerful yet affordable DAW that is a favorite of many Audiotuts+ readers. From the web site: "REAPER is digital sound workstation software: a complete multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering surround."

Audiotuts+ readers say:

Reaper past far. Powerful, costless to trial, will run off a USB flash drive, you lot can skin it to wait like whatever DAW, slap-up user back up. I honestly call up that Reaper volition be ane of the next big DAW's. Having said that, my principal DAW is Pro Tools. (Brandon)
I have to concur with Reaper. I am mainly a Logic user but I have a copy of Reaper at hand at all times and I accept no problems switching in betwixt them. It has to exist the easiest/cheapest truthful DAW to employ out of the gate. When you become comfy it likewise allows you to go beyond the constraints of other "DAW's" (FL Studio). (JohnnieTech)
In my experience a beginner doesn't stay a beginner for very long, so I'd become for Reaper too. It's cheap, full featured and easy to learn. I'd tell them to stay clear of Audacity (pure and simple, it is Non a DAW), and I'd be hesitant to recommend FL Studio because it merely isn't as versatile. (Matt)
Reaper is still my number one choice, lots of features and like shooting fish in a barrel to get the hang of. Although I have been using GarageBand more and more on my Mac. (Bas)
I looked around at other DAW'due south found about of them blah…eh…whatever… Reaper is good though…. Sometimes utilise that for fun or making music on the road or if i just wanna mess around. (Jeramiah)
Reaper! I agree musicproduction courses and I teach my students Reaper because it's easy, intuitive and powerful! And inexpensive! (Dubious Quip)

FL Studio

Website: flstudio.com
Less than $xc for the "Fruity Edition) and $219 for the "Producer Edition" on Amazon
Runs on Windows

I have fond memories of my kids making music on Fruity Loops when they were younger. They took to information technology like a duck to water. This app has quite a unlike interface and workflow to other DAWs. While information technology'south non for everyone, many people discover it makes more than sense to them. Information technology might be worth taking for a exam drive.

Audiotuts+ readers say:

FL studio for PC and Logic For Mac. FL Studio its similar a game… There is no need of any knowledge… Just Elevate northward Drop. Logic is the nigh unproblematic and the most powerful DAW…but yous must know some stuff… Whatever fits your heart is for beginners. (Dimigo)
I started working with Fruity Loops (now FL Studio) back in high school and I'm still a fan. It's not as flexible as Ableton Live merely its workflow is a lot more straightforward and therefore easier for a budding producer. It's also a hell of a lot cheaper than Alive. (drrn)
I tried FL Studio. And instantly fell in dearest with it. It was the about intuitive thing I'd worked with. All of my music was produced in FL Studio and/or Audacity (which doesn't count here since information technology's not a DAW). Information technology would exist the only DAW I'd ever recommend to a newbie. Plus, information technology's relatively cheap. (mingos)
If y'all're running FLstudio, it's just easy plenty to stay encouraged, and but complex enough to give you actual cross-platform applicable knowledge. It'south far from one of the best programs out there, but for beginners sometimes less is more than. Information technology will teach yous enough to know what stuff does, so when you upgrade DAWs, yous'll but take to interpret your workstation knowledge, instead of build a whole new vocabulary like you'd take to practice with Audacity or Reaper. It weens y'all in at just the right step, with the friendly drum looper up front end the first time you open the plan, that you can learn just by clicking on. The noon of complexity is formula mapping. This is most as complicated as any programs get, when you gene out the utilities built it specifically for each private DAW. Likewise information technology has a mixer reflective plenty to get you started on a more professional workstation, just still friendly enough to go on things well demonstrated through your clicking. (Kurt Zimmerman)
I started to make music in FL Studio in 2004. it could sounds weird but I went to FL studio from Hip Hop eJay2 that I have know near in 2002. So my first DAW was Mix of eJAy and FL Studio. Through years I was tried to change my DAW – information technology was Cubase, Sonar, Ableton and even Project5. So I came back to FL Studio anyhow 8 years ago. Less than month agone Ive got Mac and say "Good bye" to FL and at present I'm on Ableton Live.
Only my story. (Vyacheslav Breakzhead)
DAW for beginnier…. I think FL Studio is best DAW for beginner. (Aaron Pecker)
FL Studio volition piece of work the fastest and has the nigh possibilities concerning the price. I also use Cubase, proficient for deep editing only takes a long time, my mind is non mathematical enough although I tin can work with it it isnt fast and musical enough. Ableton Live gives me a start but confusing for me to really work things to a finished production. Sonar doesn't make me happy. Reaper works but maybe as well to mathematical for a lot of people. (electricthing)

Some DAWs that Let You lot Dive Correct In

These DAWs are expensive and more difficult to learn, but they are industry standard.

Pro Tools

Website: www.gorging.com/US/products/family unit/Pro-Tools
$520 on Amazon
Runs on Windows/Mac

Pro Tools has been the manufacture standard in studios for many years. If you're serious about music product, this should exist on your shortlist.

The web site boasts, "Whether y'all're in a professional facility, home studio, or on the road, zero gives you lot the quality, speed, adequacy, ease, and inspiration to create like Pro Tools, the about widely used audio creation/production system in the industry"

Audiotuts+ readers say:

ProTools is also a good place to showtime especially now that it doesn't require M-Sound hardware to run. It's powerful, relatively simple to learn the basics, has the easiest bus routing of any DAW I've worked with, and it's an industry standard. I only wish it supported VST plugins without using a 3rd-party wrapper. Once more it'southward more expensive than FL Studio. (drrn)
Used Adobe Audience, Soundbooth, and Cubase along the manner. Definitely recommend using ProTools. Pick up a used Mbox then work your style to a Digi 002 Unit. Yous will not regret it. (Tyler)
For begginers: To Record? Pro Tools!! To make music? Logic!! To perform live? Ableton Alive or Mainstage!! (pedro)
I started with Slinky CD Rom, on a Windows PC, one rail out of a dozen sounded okay, but they were all fun to write, exercise splicing lyric loops and guitar leads, plus getting heed blown by its super psychedelic light show. Moved onto Cakewalk 40 2002, where I got absolutely no where, as well confusing and damn difficult, same with Sound Studio 2. So took up Pro Tools M Box Mini 2, with Reason Adapted, the love affair started, the rest of my life went down the drain, the grass grew so high, I kept forgetting to mow the lawn, because I was constantly in either Reason, or Pro Tools or in You Tube looking at instructional videos, reading books, magazines, blog pages, dissecting other peoples' songs to be able to meet really how they got furnishings. Moved on to Reason iv, then Pro Tools eight. All upwardly peachy. Has worked in this former Windows XP for almost two years, with no servicing on the computer, just a diligent entrada of burning off drives, deleting and defragment and disc cleaning, plus keeping the laser part clear with CD Cleaner disks. I still have Frooty Loops ii which I sometimes utilize, Cakewalk and Sound Studio, well, getting a bit dusty to say the least. Nevertheless tin't figure them out. Got a KeyRig 49 M Sound recently, now all I want to do is ditch Windows XP and go an Apple tree. (Nick108)
I grew up on Cool Edit Pro (later bought by Adobe and rebranded as Adobe Audition), and while I nevertheless play with information technology from time to fourth dimension, there are probably more than comprehensive options available to today'southward newbies. Audacity is a dainty option for getting one's feet moisture for free, only if y'all really are interested in learning DAWs, I definitely recommend jumping right into Logic or Pro Tools. (James Marshall Owen)

Logic Studio

Website: www.apple.com/logicstudio
Around $440 on Amazon
Runs on Mac Os X

Logic Studio includes Logic Pro, Mainstage, and other audio apps. It is a favorite amidst Audiotuts+ authors. From the spider web site: "Logic Studio is a set of professional applications that lets y'all write, tape, edit, mix, and perform - without getting all technical. It's too a huge collection of plug-ins and sounds."

It's too the "logical" choice if y'all desire to motility up from GarageBand. "Ready to do more with your music? Moving from GarageBand to Logic Studio is easy - you can open up your projects and start right from where you lot left off."

Audiotuts+ readers say:

I would tell him or her to go directly for Logic. Its GUI is the simplest to larn, and blimey, is it powerful! Problem is, non anybody owns a Mac. Any software similar to Logic? (bernauZer)
FL studio for PC and Logic For Mac. FL Studio its like a game… In that location is no need of any knowledge… Just Drag n Drop. Logic is the most unproblematic and the most powerful DAW…but you must know some stuff… Whatever fits your centre is for beginners. (Dimigo)
The second choice to FLStudio is Logic Pro. Only Quite bluntly, The fashion the program looks and feels (in my stance) doesn't take the user very seriously with the cheesy musical instrument picture tabs and soft, grey scheme. Logic Pro feels like a choke-rubber toy to me, but even all the same FLstudio feels more fun. (Kurt Zimmerman)
For beginners: To Record? Pro Tools!! To make music? Logic!! To perform alive? Ableton Live or Mainstage!! (pedro)
I grew up on Cool Edit Pro (after bought by Adobe and rebranded as Adobe Audition), and while I still play with information technology from time to fourth dimension, in that location are probably more comprehensive options available to today's newbies. Audacity is a nice option for getting one'southward feet moisture for complimentary, but if you really are interested in learning DAWs, I definitely recommend jumping right into Logic or Pro Tools. (James Marshall Owen)

Ableton Live

Website: http://www.ableton.com/
$499 on Amazon
Runs on Windows/Mac

Designed to suit alive musicians, Ableton Alive is another great DAW alternative if you value power. "Ableton Alive is nigh making music; for limerick, songwriting, recording, production, remixing and live performance. Alive'south nonlinear, intuitive flow, alongside powerful real-time editing and flexible performance options, make it a unique studio tool and a favorite with alive performers."

Audiotuts+ readers say:

Ableton all the way. Circuitous, just yet so intuitive in the offset, plus actually inspiring. (Serb)
After mastering Garageband, Ableton is the One. Large fan of Ableton myself, I've been using it for years. Very intuitive, and the Session View makes it very easy to commencement jamming in no time. (pierre)
It depends on what type of music you desire to do. If you lot desire to practice a lot of sampling or alive performance with samples, then Ableton is my selection. You lot can pick upwards a copy free when you buy things like a keyboard or audio interface (which by the way you should invest in). For the beginner Grand-Sound has some decent AI's nigh $115 that come up with a free re-create of Pro-Tools) Another excellent DAW, especially if y'all're recording live, is Presonus Studio One Artist, which I picked upwardly on sale for $thirty. (Robert Jensen)
For begginers: To Record? Pro Tools!! To make music? Logic!! To perform live? Ableton Live or Mainstage!! (pedro)
I started to make music in FL Studio in 2004. it could sounds weird but I went to FL studio from Hip Hop eJay2 that I take know almost in 2002. And then my first DAW was Mix of eJAy and FL Studio. Through years I was tried to change my DAW – it was Cubase, Sonar, Ableton and even Project5. So I came back to FL Studio anyway 8 years agone. Less than month ago Ive got Mac and say "Good goodbye" to FL and now I'm on Ableton Live.
Just my story. (Vyacheslav Breakzhead)
Using Ableton Live since version 3? iv? waaay back when it first came out. It's pretty much perfect for learning audio, as everybody uses it! (Jeramiah)

Determination

Then, there are a bunch of options to get you started towards a decision of which DAW to purchase. A wise second step would be to download demos of a few of them and attempt them out.

If yous need extra assistance, y'all can also find audio experts on Envato Studio to help with every attribute of an audio projection, from audio editing to sound blueprint and more.

I didn't cover every opinion listed on the Open Mic, so if you would value feedback from more people, I encourage you to check it out. And if you'd similar to add your ain opinion, please get out it in the comments beneath.

To finish, I'd like to leave you with the thoughts of Audiotuts+ reader Jeremiah. He's old and wise, and I enjoyed reading his take on the DAWs he has tried. It's almost a poem. Hither it is:

My path through the audio jungle was… (showing my historic period here)
- Amiga 500 due west/ Octamed and 4 track record recorder!
- Acid 2.0
- Fruity Loops
- Audio Forge

then…
- Acid 5.0,
- Audio Forge 4.0

Started mucking around with Cubase, Nuendo etc. Found it fiddly.
Stuck with Acid correct up to the launch of Ableton Live.

so…
Using Ableton Live since version three? 4? waaay back when it showtime came out.
It'southward pretty much perfect for learning audio, as everybody uses it!
I looked effectually at other DAW'southward found most of them blah…eh…whatever…
Reaper is good though….sometimes apply that for fun or making music on the road
or if i merely wanna mess around.

But now I use a combo of
Audition v.5 *great for game audio dev
Ableton viii for all music
and Pro Tools ix for all post.

Tried just tour everything else…. go the master of a few tools I reckon
all sticks and stones of different shapes sizes can even so brand cave paintings in the right hands.
It'due south actually personal gustatory modality…lucky ?…yes nosotros are.

Ableton is expert for solo musicians/composers, nerds more than experimental/electronic or mangling acoustic stuff, sound designy vibe. Messing with LFO's automation, but yep, everybody uses it.

Reaper is good if your keen on doing the bandy thing and using mixers and studio type setups
(poor man'south Pro Tools). Skilful for your average DIY studio setup. it'due south pretty neat as you lot can play around with information technology to get it more suited to yous, runs on crappy computers and is pretty awesome.

Pro Tools is proficient if your doing sound blueprint and anything to do with audio for picture and have some decent hardware/calculator/plugins. tin can exist like dating a high class model sometimes.

Logic is like Pro Tools and Ableton had a baby.
GarageBand is only Logic'southward piddling blood brother.

FL Studio is good for electronic music such as techno/trance/electro/breaks etc. strange crazy shit.
Audition 5.v is good for game audio/file management, etc. batch processing, multi-track sound design and editing and over all audio asset direction.

That'due south my two cents, spend it how you similar.

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Adrian is the Music & Sound Editor for Tuts+. He'south been playing keys and acoustic guitar for 3 decades, and has six kids. Follow him on Twitter at @audiotuts.