Best Free Audio Recording Software for Mac (My top 5)

I wanted to do a video on some of the best free DAW options out there for mac computers. There are so many great software options these days so I had to narrowed it down to 5.
I tried to picture my self as a first time mac owner, what free options out there would let me record myself or a friends band etc....
Top 5
5. Ardour 6 (Source code) - community.ardo...
4. GarageBand - apps.apple.com...
3. Waveform 11 Free - www.tracktion....
2. Studio One 5 Prime - shop.presonus....
1. Reaper (evaluation version) - www.reaper.fm/...
Gear I use - Affiliate links incase you are interested. :D
Camera - amzn.to/3vDJAB4
Lens - amzn.to/3z1sq2u
TriPod - amzn.to/34yvRQ5
Lighting - amzn.to/2S2iF38
Fender Bassman - amzn.to/3p57fbf
Fender Vibro Champ - amzn.to/2SHmyKX
Fender Thinline Telecaster - amzn.to/3wII8gQ
Editing Computer - amzn.to/3yUFRBk
Video Mic - amzn.to/3uxWSgZ

[@nickiden]

I just released a new best FREE DAW's with no restrictions. Check it out here at kzbin.info/www/bejne/govVkqB6aJWVobs

[@VoiceoverByIvy]

I just bought Macbook Air 2 days ago. I'm a voice artist and this is sooo helpful. Thank you ❤️

[@nickiden]

That’s so awesome :D. I’m glad I could help

[@bgraay]

Which recording did you use

[@Kinganini11]

Hi

[@St.PierreProductions]

Which software are you still using today?

[@kejonlowe]

Thank you I needed this My focusite control stop supporting My audio interface With the new software

[@nickiden]

Which interface are you using? So far I’ve been lucky with control but I’m worried one day it will stop supporting mine.

[@Lolikuki-g3]

Thank you 🙏 for mention that not everyone has experience with these tools

[@nickiden]

Your welcome :D

[@ocf_2287]

this channle is great and super helpful, keep us updated

[@nickiden]

Thank you so much Owen :D

[@St.PierreProductions]

Thanks for the info man. Going to pick choice 1 and 2.

[@nickiden]

Those are awesome choices:D

[@mwmcbroom]

I don't have a Mac, but I'm still interested in what you guys use. Me, I have a PC and I use Cakewalk, which I've used for over 20 years.

[@nickiden]

That’s awesome. I used cakewalk when I started. I also used saw plus 32 (I think that’s what it was called haha) and loved it :D

[@kaylawilkins8677]

You know is cakewalk is on Mac too?

[@moosey62]

Sadly, no it isn't. I wish it were.

[@valdemarpultz9278]

Thank you a lot for this video. Great review. Good work

[@nickiden]

Thank you so much :D

[@bluefire9113]

Try SoundBridge, but it doesn't have its own synth/instruments plugin

[@nickiden]

Thanks for the recommendation:D. I’ll totally give SoundBridge a try.

[@rcpdagreat888]

Thanks bro appreciate your help🤜🏻🤛🏾. 💯

[@nickiden]

Sorry for the late reply in this. Your welcome. I’m glad I can help :D

[@S1cariooo]

Great video bro thank u keep up the work

[@nickiden]

Thanks Kevin :D

[@street4142]

omg get to the point already!!!!!!!

[@nickiden]

Haha ok

[@mrclink9708]

good video keep it up i love it :)

[@nickiden]

Thanks you so much :D

[@vencyyung9500]

@@nickiden you saved me thanks so much

[@ajskyrender486]

Great video man very helpful. I appreciate you greatly. Man I hope the algorithm Gods are kind to you. May you succeed in all your labors

[@nickiden]

Thanks you so much :D. I wish you the best as well :D

[@darciKnowsss]

good day sir, might i ask if the waveform 11 really free? like you don't have to pay for anything? thank you!!!

[@nickiden]

There is a pro version that gives you more layout and arrangement options. But for the most part everything is there for production :D

[@holy0528]

I appreciate this video its giving me an open mind to try something new and perhaps better man thank you

[@nickiden]

I’m glad :D. I had a great time playing with the new software and seeing how each company tackles the same set of problems. Thanks for checking it out Holy Zmokez

[@karl-heinztack7129]

.. there is a japanese Playerpiano software for mac around, .wav or sound input, notation and (player) piano on display and MIDI-out - but where ?

[@nickiden]

I’m not sure where to find this software. Is there a name I can look up? If I find it I’ll let you know

[@a.l00]

What is better free recording on Mac?

[@nickiden]

I guess it really all depends on what you want to do. If you are doing simple recording GarageBand is great. With that said, The new waveforms is also really really good

[@amandaspinola8131]

I can´t find the Studio One 5 Prime free version :(

[@nickiden]

That sucks. I think there’s still a free version but there’s a good chance they changed it since this video. I’ll do some digging and see

[@rasauhwilliams8407]

i use reaaon, acid 11, native instruments, fl studio 11, and i love to record vocals on cool edit pro 2.1.. all are on windows.. just got mac and is trying to record vocals with audacity and I don't like it

[@nickiden]

You’ll get use to it I promise :D. I’m like that too with any new system. How are you liking Audacity?

[@Siimply_Potato]

Tysm ❤ 🤜🏽🤛🏻

[@nickiden]

You’re welcome

[@peacefulsoundsbyjusticemar5138]

Thanks for the tip!

[@nickiden]

Thanks for watching :D

[@vijayakumarvijaya7575]

I am 900th subscriber 😇

[@nickiden]

Thank you :D

[@PatriceDEvans]

Thanks

[@nickiden]

You’re welcome:D. I hope it helped

[@jangonzalez8877]

Thanks ❤

[@nickiden]

You’re welcome 😀

[@RezaWiraisyi]

thnks mate

[@nickiden]

No problem :D. I’m glad it helped

[@angelotorreslievano9145]

what kind of camera did you use to record this video? very useful by the way, thanks

[@nickiden]

I have a Sony a7iii I use mainly :D. I’m glad you found this useful. Thanks for checking it out.

[@BlackLegacy83]

Thank You

[@nickiden]

You’re welcome :D

[@WycliffStudios]

Wish CakeWalk was available for Mac

[@nikolacvetkovic2276]

Me too

[@nickiden]

Yeah me too.

[@mrclink9708]

hey nick thank you for pinning my comment i appreciate it

[@nickiden]

Yeah thank you for the nice comment :D

[@leopard-dreamer1833]

I hope this help!

[@nickiden]

Me too :D

[@batphink2655]

Dude do you know any DAW with the potential to turn your guitar tracks into MIDI or at least able to cut and paste the parts to get them spot on?

[@nickiden]

Yes, I know Protools does it. I think logic and cubase does that as well. I’ve done it in Protools a couple times, as long as it has melodyne.

[@fw_abhi3090]

I’m using garageband but I’m still a noob in it

[@nickiden]

Haha it’s all good, I feel like that in garageband too sometimes. What kind of music do you record with it?

[@anthonywhyte7834]

thanks good video

[@nickiden]

Thanks Tony

[@johnroberts9845]

Hi . I got the older version of audacity but I recently went yo use it and its saying there is a newer version for the Mac but I cannot find the link for this. I really enjoyed this system as it did what I needed when I was recording mixes. Can you help ? Thanks

[@nickiden]

Sorry I totally missed this question. Did you get your system going with the newer version? Unfortunately I don’t have much experience with new versions of Audacity

[@melissahoneybeex]

Is garage band free on mac?

[@nickiden]

Yes :D

[@RonnieJR_]

Sir what a difference a download source code andcready to run program ?

[@nickiden]

The source code is the code that isn’t compiled. You can downloaded it but you will have to compile it for it to run. If you download software like a daw it is all ready compiled, you just have to click the .dmg or .exe file to start the install. I hope that helps :D

[@dlor3671]

U the mvp!

[@nickiden]

Thanks :D

[@_Only_Zuul]

i love garageband but it sounds like shit and whenever you tell someone that you make tracks in garageband they just assume that you are using all their loops and instruments which all sound like rubbish and that you have not done any actual original music that you've composed yourself, they just think you pushed a button and got some auto-generated music..

[@nickiden]

I actually don’t mind some of the drum sounds in GarageBand. I’ve used it a bunch of times to get something going.

[@_Only_Zuul]

@@nickiden i liked the piano sound lol

[@nickiden]

Haha the default electronic piano? Classic

[@_Only_Zuul]

@@nickiden the acoustic piano!

[@shay9721]

can u do Mac air ?

[@nickiden]

As in use one for recording or review it using the software? I would love to do a review of the Mac air and music production :D. I think a new MacBook Air is good but I’ll double check

[@shay9721]

@@nickiden just software wise, I'd love to go into music and I'm working on a song right now but my voice always seems so like idk the word but I can sing. So kinda like an auto tune, music making, free website or app. I can show u what I'm working on if you would like you can dm me on instagram

[@nickiden]

@@shay9721 oh cool :D. Yeah I think any of the software options will work for you. Which MacBook Air are you using? I would love to check out what you’re working on :D

[@shiesfelx]

goat

[@nickiden]

:D

[@kingjrmusic8937]

mixcraft 9🤘🏼

[@nickiden]

Nice :D

[@mojolefevre2955]

Great work brotein shake

[@nickiden]

Thanks :D

[@daniel_price]

First choice was garage band but that ting is wayyyy too complicated

[@nickiden]

It can get pretty nuts. But after a few days you’ll get it :D. Did you try any others?

[@daniel_price]

@@nickiden haven’t yet I reckon I’ll try and get used to garage band thanks mate 👍

[@mojolefevre2955]

Will these work in a 2017 macbook air? I can't get garage band

[@nickiden]

That’s a good question. What macOS are you running? I’ll see what I can find. I’m pretty sure they will.

[@mojolefevre2955]

@@nickiden High Sierra. It won't let us get GB because we have to at least have ios 11

[@nickiden]

Ok, from what I have read online Ardour and waveform should work with High Sierra. I think the 2017 air can still update to big sur. If so, you will be able to run garageband. :D

[@mojolefevre2955]

@@nickiden we bought this from a pawnshop and they said it was a 2017 model. When I looked using the apple icon it says late 2015...grrrt

[@nickiden]

@@mojolefevre2955 I think you are still able to upgrade to the newest macOS. According to the Apple support documentation support.apple.com/en-us/HT211238. You may still be able to install garageband.

[@apodev9879]

dis dude would prob have 1k monies if he had 1k subs because you need 1k subs and alot of ads on your vids to get paid

[@nickiden]

I would love to hit 1k subs :D.

[@apodev9879]

Ty for commenting I hope you get successful

[@RuthlessMagi]

@@nickiden you did idk if it was a year in all later but just remember u manifested it

[@nickiden]

@@RuthlessMagi I did :D Thanks Ruthless Magi. Now I’m hoping to grow to 2k :D

[@Lolikuki-g3]

I am having trouble converting voice over for acceptable format for upload

[@nickiden]

Tell me more about this. What are you using? Maybe I can help :D

[@antuy.13]

I have a Macbook Pro M1, what is the best software I can use? Thank you!

[@nickiden]

That is a great question. I’m pretty sure with Rosetta 2 on a Mac all these will work. But I will double check :D

[@antuy.13]

@@nickiden Up up up, please!!

[@nickiden]

Ok I did a bit of reading. I think for the most part reaper and waveform will work fine but you might have issues with some plugins. Studio One seems to run but with issues(according to their forum) Garageband will be fine.

[@antuy.13]

@@nickiden Hope Studio One is fine, I see them as more professional, thank you so much!

[@smilegift89]

good job

[@nickiden]

Thanks so much :D

[@HELLOBROTHERSPRODUCTION]

quick time player

[@nickiden]

Classic :D. I use it for all my screen capturing

[@dakotamartinez5409]

Can I take an already made beat like from KZbin and put it in so I can rap over it?

[@venusspenis]

yes

[@nickiden]

Yeah you can

[@tincan5439]

How do u get a lot of views

[@nickiden]

Like in general? I’m still working on that. I have a couple videos that do really well and a lot that don’t. I guess keep making content :D.

[@LifeWithMakk]

N-track 9

[@nickiden]

I’ve never used it but would love to play with it on my iPad.

[@nickiden]

New GarageBand crash course video is out at kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpSyXn-car6agJY

[@switchswitch1898]

I'm currently using audacity. (Answering the intro

[@nickiden]

Thanks. I want to update this video and talk more about Audacity. A lot of people asked about it. Thanks for the comment

[@Fingertipsable]

Audacity?

[@nickiden]

It’s on my list to try again :D. I haven’t used Audacity in forever.

[@familylara6929]

Not Free

[@nickiden]

Which one? I think the only one that is paid is Reaper. But things may have changed since I made this video

[@pankajbandkar8882]

audacity

[@nickiden]

I haven’t used audacity in forever. I will totally go back and play with it :D

[@womeneater89]

I subd

[@nickiden]

Thank you so much :D

[@Kinganini11]

This amazing..... I'm producer lapard from Kenya..... Can we chat in whatsapp

[@nickiden]

Sorry I totally missed this comment. I hope the producing is going well :D.

[@bailey879]

Thank you for this 🙏🙏 awesome info my guy

[@nickiden]

Awesome :D. I’m happy it helps