3 Free DAWs Lost and 1 Free DAW Gained in 2024

[@bonk4316]

No one makes this type of content it’s very useful for someone like me I appreciate what you do so much man!

[@RicoLee27]

Agreed. Alot of stuff nowadays is about attention and anoying wanna be funny and anoying editing instead of good content

[@AudioTechTV]

glad you like it. I really wasn't sure if people would want a video like this. I really appreciate the feedback. thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@michaelvarney.]

Can’t wait for Davinci Resolve’s Fairlight to be Midi capable, it will make for a rocking DAW.

[@sevenfifteen]

I had high hopes for Luna, but realized it is not modelled to be a can-do-all-DAW, but a mixer console for audio recordings. Which still is a great thing, but since MIDI support is not just "not as intuitive", as you described it, but sadly only rudimentary, it is not for electronic music producers - yet. I still hope they will improve in that regard, but considering that it exists for many years already and never extended the MIDI capabilities, it might be a failed hope.

[@AudioTechTV]

@@sevenfifteen I’m sure adding better midi implementation is on their list of things to do. Now that they’ve opened up the DAW to a lot more users maybe they’ll be able to crank out updates with new features more often. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@suraca8695]

I am a happy user of Waveform, and it is easily the most intuitive DAW I've tried. I got an FL Studio licence with a keyboard I bought, and even after trying that, I still like waveform more.

[@biffcorbot8839]

I was recommended to use Reaper and that was because I do mostly audio. I use it on Mac and Windows. It's only $60 for personal use.

[@AudioTechTV]

@@biffcorbot8839 yeah $60 for a license is great. Reaper is an excellent program. I used it for several years then moved on. If you enjoy it and it works for you that’s great. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@jcisme]

I would be scared a free DAW would cease to be and I would lose my work or have to pay.

[@Duskydog419]

Studio one was so limited in the free one when you cant bring in your normal plugins to get your feet wet. So i gave up on it.

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

I Don't know if Sonar is going to re-take off with all the newer DAWS of today. Love it 10 or so years ago though.

[@AudioTechTV]

With it now being a paid for product, hopefully they can start to make it a little more modern. Even though the current version and Cakewalk by Bandlab are based on a fairly old product, it had so much features packed into it back then that it still stands strong. Just needs a bit of modernization to the user interface and workflow. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@capnzilog]

It's full-featured, that's for sure!

[@KevinWayne]

Gave the freebies a try. None held a candle to Reaper when considering price, workflow and overall ease of use. Tried honestly to produce a song from start to finish on CWBB. Gave up after an hour, bounced everything over to Reaper and got everything I had been doing up to that point in 5 minutes. That & the freebie Drum programs vs Addictive taught me sometimes you really do get what you pay for 😉

[@andremiller1566]

What the heck were you doing? Or trying to do?

[@davidnika446]

@@andremiller1566 He was trying to travel back in time, and mix Sergent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band properly.

[@RayWright]

I'm still using Reaper as well.

[@Delta66-jz1vl]

Thanks for this useful update.

[@AudioTechTV]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@maomallows]

Yo Zane! I just want to say that I have already bought my DAW a few months ago, but I can't help but check out your videos on news related to DAWs. I don't know why I keep searching your channel for free DAWs, information on DAWs, and of course plugins. But I guess I just really like your videos! Keep it up dude! You're a legend! 😁😁😁

[@reeread]

I don’t think the issue is the recent loss of free DAW’s, but instead the loss of perpetual licenses. Thank you.

[@theoremgeek]

if studio one prime is gone, why not use the free version of zenbeats? both free versions don't support 3rd party vst... but still good option for music production :-)

[@whaleguy]

I'm wondering why Magix bother with multiple DAWs instead of just focusing on Acid. It's not like any of them are going to blow up. Besides, Acid is built around loop manipulation anyway. I don't see how it is different from Music Maker.

[@AudioTechTV]

@@whaleguy I agree. When they took over Acid from Sony they should have merged some of their other DAWS into it then just focused on developing one great program instead of a few ok programs. They could have used their existing products as different level of Acid. Like Acid Music Maker edition which would be an entry level version with some limitations but also very affordable. Then they could have had Acid Samplitude Edition which would be between the entry level one and pro. Then there would be Acid Pro which is the full program and they could even do another one called Acid Pro Sequoia edition which would also include more instruments and plugins or something like that. All of them would have the same core engine and programming just different features available in each. Maybe if someone decides buy Magix assets they will consolidate the programs. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@pxdemar]

​@@AudioTechTV I'm been a owner of different MM Premium for a decade. The thing I felt with 2020 and 2023 was that it became tough on the computer so CPU and memory was working really hard. So thanks to your videos and courses I tried Waveform. It's much lighter on my hardware, and I could buy the extras I wanted and needed, without buying their complete Premium, which had things I didn't use. The free version is really complete, but compared to other DAWs it can be a bit confusing sometimes. Thanks for your videos, one of YT best. 🤘✌️

[@paulopinheirosc]

I like Tracktion Waveform but it is very unstable on Linux, at least on Ubuntu Studio. It crashes a lot. Ardour is a great choice of free DAW too.

[@manu_elle_arg]

When I jumped from Waveform 11 to 12 it crashed a lot and nearly lost all my projects, huge loss cause I was loving it but never used it again. Maybe now they may have fixed all of those issues I hope

[@paulopinheirosc]

@manu_elle_arg are you a Limux user too?

[@renn6699]

Linux for audio production....👎 I'm not opening a terminal ever again to fix some bs.

[@HandWiredAmps]

Another vote for Ardour and Ubuntu Studio, worth a try if you like diving into a new a OS. These newer Linux versions are really worth trying out if your fed up with Windows. I'm mostly A Reaper and Logic user, but play with Ardour too. Ardour runs on Windows and Mac too, I've only used it on Linux though.

[@beatprocess]

Mannn, Luna is really good people. Shape instrument plugin is very professional.

[@mrdali67]

I don't think free versions will disappear completely, but most companies that also produce some hardware will still have a "free" version you get with eg an interface. Most of the DAW's that matters have these "intro" versions that have various kind of limitations build in. Like you said, there is absolutely no money in supporting a completely free piece of software no matter if its a game or some kind of business/production tool with built in micro transactions and no-one likes that type of software. I think most people gets into music this way that they buy an interface with some bundled software that you can upgrade to a range of more "pro" versions as you get confident with the software.

[@jean-claudetergal5271]

I bought a Presonus interface 2 weeks ago and had the choice between Artist 6 forever or Pro 7 for 6 months.

[@AudioTechTV]

That’s great to know. Studio One 6 Artist is a great DAW. Did you go with that or the extended Pro subscription?

[@jean-claudetergal5271]

@@AudioTechTV I chose Artist 6 because I don't intend to use it now. I had been using Studio ONE V 2 and 3 pro for some time (I bought them several years ago). I had to choose and I seriously considered using Studio ONE as my main software, but I was still using a lot of hardware synthesizers such as Roland Phantom, Korg X3 and the WaveState SR, some Yamaha modules and as Studio ONE doesn't allow you to use midi patches like Cubase or Logic Pro do, I kept Cubase and Logic Pro. I finally left Cubase to work exclusively with Logic. It's not out of the question that I'll go back to Studio ONE, but Logic is very complete and my purchase in 2012 means I still benefit from updates, and “a sort of Melodyne” is integrated into it. So I made my choice, maybe one day i'll use Studio ONE again ... I was include with a Presonus Studio 1824c

[@TLMuse]

Very nicely presented; thanks for this! -Tom

[@iamqaisermunir]

i already have reaper was just curious to see the daws we lost i tried reaper and the fact that it had a long trial with no limitations and the fact that one can use it even after that if they can deal with the 5 second startup reminder and if their moral compas allows it spoke to me. i tried it it was simple watched some tutorials and after a bit of customizing the shortcuts felt right at home it can be a lot but only if you go looking for it it stays simple if you want it to. bought my license in the first month and i dont regret it. the discounted license isnt just for personal use i read there was like a number of set dollars of revenue 25k i guess if your business generates you can get the other one still its upto the person. plus its the only one compatible with a screen reader and i dont do well in the vision department so my coices were limited. cakewalk is a great daw though i hope it stays around and as someone pointed out everything is fre if you go the other route. great video i can tell you love what you do keep up the good work.

[@Duskydog419]

Cakewalk was weirdly simple to use

[@beatprocess]

you gotta mention these are for window machines

[@exhaust4246]

Studio one presonus is something im switching to

[@beatprocess]

calkwalk needs to come to mac asap.

[@djkebbe]

fl i s free in demo mode ?

[@AudioTechTV]

With FL Studio in demo mode you get access to the full program. The only thing is that you can save your projects but you can’t re-open those saved projects until you purchase a license.

[@SergioFilho]

Just try Reaper and be happy forever

[@AudioTechTV]

Tried it. Used it for a couple years. Wasn’t happy. Moved on. I get that it’s a great program and I can see why some people enjoy it but for me there’s better options.

[@ignite137]

@@AudioTechTV Not when it comes to features.. Reaper steals the show. There's a steep learning curve though..

[@AudioTechTV]

@@ignite137 the learning curve is pretty much the same as any other DAW. For me the workflow wasn’t as quick as other programs. I did enjoy it when I was using it as my main though.

[@FirstLast-nr6gf]

Reaper is not free, it is $60. The user interface is terrible especially on 4K monitor.

[@lexetunez]

Reaper is great if you're recording audio. The sampler in it isn't great at all. Not valuable for beat makers.

[@FirstLast-nr6gf]

On Mac Garage Band is free.

[@Hykje]

No, it's not free -you have to buy a Mac.

[@peoplelikefrank]

@@Hykje that’s what he said, „on mac“!

[@Hykje]

@@peoplelikefrank That means you must buy a new computer to get it "free".

[@peoplelikefrank]

@@Hykje yeah, to use free software you have to buy a computer 😮

[@Hykje]

A new different computer than you already have with a different operation system the software you already have not run on so it also has to be replaced.

[@duncaninglis3806]

Are you Canadian?

[@AudioTechTV]

Yes I am.

[@nunojorgenjstudio7954]

LUNA still crashes on me all the time, just by adding a random native UAD plugin, so, not an option for me. Luckily I can rely on Reaper and Studio One Pro (both paid versions). Tracktion never got me and Pro Tools Free or Intro or whatever maybe the standard, but it's just too complex for a guy that just wants to make music.

[@Uniblab8]

I use REASON and have for many years. How do some of these DAWs you mentioned would be comparable for, say, rock and roll which I tend to produce more of as opposed to beat stuff, which I hate. REASON is geared toward beat stuff more and more. I know the program really well but I keep trying others for other uses. Mixcraft I use sometimes. I've toyed with Cakewalk and Tracktion. Am I being some sort of a weird snob?

[@AudioTechTV]

I pretty much only make rock styles of music so I know the feeling of some programs leaning heavy on beat creation. I've used Reason a bit. I haven't for a couple years now though but I thought they were making it more rock friendly the last time I used it. If it works for you, then continue using it. Mixcraft 10 is excellent, it's super easy to use and pretty affordable. Waveform is excellent for rock. I just did a full album in Waveform and enjoyed it quite a bit. I really like the workflow of it. If you can work within the limitations of Pro Tools intro, it's a solid program for rock styles. and Luna is pretty much all Rock! it is heavily geared to rock styles of music. It's always nice to try other programs out to see if you're missing out on anything but if Reason is working and has the features that you need then stick with it. If you discover another program has some features that you really like and Reason just can't do these things then maybe consider moving on. thank you for continuing to watch. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@lexetunez]

Am i the only one eho doesn't like the workflow of wavefrom free?

[@daveybotsane3344]

What about Podium free?

[@AudioTechTV]

It looks like it’s still available but hasn’t been updated in 10 years.

[@zoomosis]

Apart from it being now more than 10 years old, the biggest limitation of Podium Free seems to be that it's limited to a single CPU core for all plugins.

[@DMSProduktions]

Zane(y) AS!

[@ninjasharkstudiosandmerch]

I can NOT get Luna to finish installing. So frustrating.

[@AudioTechTV]

Have you tried to open the UA Adsistant as administrator? Close it right down so it isn’t even running in the background and then right click on its shortcut and run as administrator, then try to install Luna. Sometimes that can help with certain programs.

[@ninjasharkstudiosandmerch]

@@AudioTechTV I THINK I tried that lol. But I will again. Thank you!

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

I tried installing Luna. I got up to the part where it demanded that I set up an iLok account, and at that point I got rid of it.

[@ChannelForty2]

I was gonna start using cakewalk but eith the whole not knowing whats gonna happen there i didnt eant to spend the time getting comfortable with it and possibly having to spend too much to keep using so i just went with the 200 bucks for logic and called it good

[@AudioTechTV]

Cakewalk is a Windows only program. Logic is a Mac only program. It’s interesting that those were your two choices. If you get Cakewalk by Bandlab now, you can apparently keep using it for as long as you like.

[@robpaige2376]

I've been using it for a number of years, and it seems that current users will continue to enjoy the benefits of it being free, it's just that when they finally go public with the new Cakewalk Sonar, that will be a completely new product that you will have to pay for. That's my interpretation, anyway.

[@cubdukat]

Right now it’s still available, and it looks like Sonar’s not in any condition for them to yank Cakewalk out from under us. I actually bought Sonar Artist while Cakewalk was still alive, and it was nice, but not quite as user-friendly as, say, Reaper was, so I left it by the wayside until Bandcamp resurrected it. I wonder if Bandcamp also got the rights to their instruments like Rapture, Dimension Pro and z3ta+. Those were really solid plugins.

[@ronnieroxx13]

It seems like every time I get one set up...poof

[@AudioTechTV]

It's you! What are you doing to make them get rid of each one? lol. I would recommend Waveform Free but I don't want to see that one go away too. lol. But seriously it is a decent program and it doesn't appear that they are going to get rid of the free version. Thank you for watching. Keep creating! 👊👍

[@ronnieroxx13]

I'll just pay somebody else deal with all that bullshit

[@joggerino3284]

Reaper, anyone?

[@superwassou]

So happy to be a Reaper user. Far from all these "free" DAWs.

[@brenthandycts131]

There is no money in free. It takes time and resources to keep them updated and compatible. You're going to get what you pay for.

[@HarrySinanian]

Zenbeats..

[@brucewayne251]

Just get Reaper for free

[@AudioTechTV]

Every DAW has a free demo. Some aren’t as long as Reaper’s demo but some are. $60 for a personal license for Reaper is a great price though.

[@FirstLast-nr6gf]

If you mean that you can use Reaper illegaly for free, that applies to any software. And there are much better software than Reaper.

[@stebeuss]

@@FirstLast-nr6gf However it's easier with Reaper as you can buy it anytime you want, according to their license terms. So it's great for anyone that can't afford it right now but is saving money in the future to pay it. With other daws, well you gotta do some hard work if you want to get it to work with the most recent updates plus not getting malware too 😅

[@SteinarHauge]

Seems that you do not know about Ardour DAW. It's free and runs on Linux, Mac and windows: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardour_(software) If you want to upgrade to a Pro DAW later Harrison audio/SSL Mixbus 10 is based upon Ardour.