15 Best Music Production Software for Beginners in 2023

If you’re thinking of investing in music production software, but are confused about which software to go for, this post is for you. Not just software, if you’re starting your music production journey, even then this post is for you. Well, we say so because this is the ultimate post in which we will talk about what is music production software, list the best ones you can invest in, discuss points to remember while picking software, and some practices to follow in music production. So, keep reading and make sure you stick to the end.

What is Music Production Software?

Music production software, also known as DAW (short for Digital Audio Workstation), is pretty much self-explanatory. This software is designed for helping users carry out tasks that come into play in the music production journey.

They help in carrying out tasks like editing, recording, mixing, mastering audio files, etc., to finally help create quality music.  Overall, this software forms the stepping stones and building blocks for music producers in creating quality music. So, now, without any further ado, let’s get started

Here is the list of the Best Music Production Software:

1. Audacity

Let’s start with one of our personal favorites on the list and the best music editing software, Audacity. Well, we say Audacity is the best not just for the sake of it, but for several reasons. First and foremost, Audacity is a free-to-use open-source cross-platform audio software.

Second, it is compatible and works best on all Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. Thirdly, you get a lot of tools and features all under one roof such as multitrack recording, export & import, effects, editing, accessibility, analysis, plugins, and more. If you are a beginner and looking for easy-to-use software, you need not look any further than Audacity. 

2. ReasonStudios

Next up, we have the most creative music production software out there, Reason Studios. With ReasonStudios, you get a lot of features and tools such as stretch algorithms, sequencer workflow, and a professional mixer. You get the industry’s most unique collection of mind-blowing instruments and devices. The best part is that all these racks of creative instruments, effects, players, etc., are always expanding.

If compatibility is something you’re looking for in your software, you need not worry. ReasonStudios is compatible with nearly all of the software or DAWs in this list. It’s compatible with FL STUDIO, Ableton, REAPER, Bitwig, Cubase, and all such major software. If you wish to go with ReasonStudios, you can start by paying just $19.99 a month.

3. Logic Pro

Logic Pro is one of the most powerful and creative software you can use for your music production needs. With this software, you get a wide array of tools perfect for professional songwriting, beat-making, editing, and mixing. Here, you get the Integrated Dolby Atmos tools that you won’t be able to find on other software.

With these tools, you can go for easily mix and export songs as spatial audio. Also, with Logic Pro, you get a huge collection of plug-ins, instruments, sounds, plugins, beats, and much more. In Logic Pro’s case, you can either go for using its free trial version or go for buying its ‘Pro’ version.

4. Ableton

The next entry that we have on the list is Ableton, a highly versatile and useful music software. Ableton is ideal not just for music producers, but for musicians, sound designers, and artists from across the world. It has been in the market since 2001 and today boasts a large community who rely on it for music creation and performance. It is most popular and widely used by EDM, producers, and hip-hop, Pop artists. 

Ableton is the ideal music editing software if you’re looking to perform tasks like sample chopping, tweaking, and loop mangling. Ableton offers pre-mapped hardware integration, a smooth & seamless experience, MPE capable controller, and much more.  If you’re looking to go with Ableton, you can first go for its 90-day free trial and, if satisfied, can switch to the paid version.

5. Garage Band

Garage Band is a music production software for Macs and all iOS devices. With this software, you can play, record, edit, and share your music, all under one roof. At Garage Band, you can start creating music right away as you get realistic touch Instruments, and instantly build big beats, live loops, and more.

Here, you also get to use a van‑load of amps, stompbox effects, and one of the world’s most advanced synthesizers. The best part is that Garage Band’s powerful, intuitive, and easy-to-use user interface further makes music production like a knife through butter. Last but not least, with Garage Band, once you’re finished producing your music, you can easily share your tracks via email or social media platforms.

6. FL Studio

FL STUDIO is the leading and most widely used music production software for Macs and Windows in the world. It has been in the industry for 25 years and is used by the world’s top DJs, producers, etc. If you’re looking for less complex and easy-to-use software, FL STUDIO is the best option for you.

With FL STUDIO, you get plugins, synths, effects, loops, 1000s of presets, an extensive collection of libraries, and everything else you need for producing music, all in one place. If you wish to go with FL STUDIO, you get two options to choose from. You can either choose to use FL STUDIO’s unlimited free trial version or can go for a one-time purchase and a lifetime of free updates.

7. BandLab

BandLab is one of the best music editing software online to record, mix and collaborate on your music projects. The best part is that it’s 100% software you can rely on from the very start to finish. It boasts best-in-class features and tools you can use to create music anytime and anywhere.

If the speed of editing is what you’re mainly looking for in your software, then BandLab is the one for you. With BandLab, you can start editing right away as you don’t always have to work via software, you can also create music via the browser. Further, with BandLab, you get unlimited multi-track projects, free cloud storage, game-changing technology, and more. Lastly, Band Lab is a community platform used by over 60 million worldwide to make, share, and collaborate on music.

8. Reaper

If you are one of the professional music producers out there looking for highly advanced software, you needn’t look any further. REAPER is the highly advanced software you’ll find in the market. REAPER has got the perfect features, functionalities, and tools required for advanced music production. With REAPER, you get to create a unique and personal workstation as it’s a highly customizable DAW.

To use REAPER, you’ll require far less computational power, but an understanding of various music technicalities. With a bit of learning and trying, you’ll be able to master the software. Once it’s done, we’re sure it’ll prove to be one of the best bang-for-buck software in the market.

9. AKAI Professional

AKAI Professional’s MPC Beats is yet another great software you can rely on to produce quality music. Firstly, MPC Beats offers over 80 audio FX plugins with which you can produce any music you can think of. Next, with MPC Beats, you get full control and knowledge over what you’re producing.

Well, it happens as here you get to warp, plug and play compatibility with all class-compliant USB controllers. Also, here, you get 2GB worth of top-notch samples, loops, built-in virtual instrument plugins, beat-making tools, and more. If you wish to use MPC Beats, you get three options – Free version, MPC Beats Academy, and MPC Expansions. 

10. Avid

AVID or Pro Tools is one of the most trusted music editing software online. It is trusted by millions of the industry’s leading artists, music producers, sound professionals, etc. Not just this, but it is used to make the world’s most loved Hollywood soundtracks, movies, and TV shows.

AVID offers its users a massive collection of plugins, instruments, sounds, exclusive samples, loops, instrument presets, and more every month. With all these AVID offerings, we’re sure you can easily create, record, mix, and do edits to make quality music. AVID has got a free trial version as well as paid or pro version that comes in 3 versions – Artist, Studio, and Flex. All these versions come with different prices, features, tools, etc., so you can choose as per your budget and needs.

11. Magix Music Maker

Magix Music Maker is yet another free music editing software for Mac and Windows ideal for beginners. It’s very flexible, easy to use, requires no experience, and even delivers results faster than other software out there. Apart from being beginner friendly, it has several advanced and intuitive tools that make it ideal for professionals as well.

Magix Music Maker comes with a free version, which is highly recommended by us as it already has great features. If not satisfied, you can opt for its paid plus, premium, or beatbox editions for more features, tools, resources, etc.

12. PreSonus Studio One

If you’re looking for a starter music production software with limited features, functionalities, and tools, this one is for you. PreSonus Studio One is one with features, functionalities, and tools lesser than any other software out there. Still, PreSonus Studio One is enough for creating quality music and, as a result, is used by professionals, artists, producers, etc.

PreSonus Studio One comes with a workstation with an easy drag-and-drop style of workflow. It also comes with unlimited audio files, MIDI tracks, plugins, electronic elements, classical notation functions, and more. Also, it has got overall better freemium options, which also makes it one of the best free music production software.

13. Steinberg Cubase Pro

What makes Steinber’s Cubase unique and better than other software out there is the ability to use 3rd party VSTs with excellent software stability. Steinberg’s Cubase apart from the Pro version has also got a free trial version, which you can download for your device.

However, in the case of Cubase, we would recommend you go for the Pro or the paid version. With Bubase Pro, you get access to great VSTs & built-in effects, the best MIDI capabilities, and other advanced editing features. Also, you get to enjoy basic features like comping, ARA support, an excellent audio engine, Audio Warp, etc.

14. Bitwig

Bitwig is the last and final entry that we have on this list of music production software. It is one of the few software out there that’s ideal for all Macs, Android, and Linux. If you choose to go with Bitwig, you can choose the 30-day free trial version or a 16-track version.

If recording and composing soundtracks s what you’re looking to do, Bitwig has got just the right instruments and effects for the same. In addition to these, you get MIDI handling, note timing, latency compensation, good integration, and more. Also, Bitwig’s modulation system is something worth noticing that further allows using the use of Macro controls, Note Expressions, LFOs, and Envelopes.

How to Pick the Right Music Production Software:

There you have it, these are the best music production software you can rely on. However, you cannot just go for trying every one of this software for your music production needs. You still need to make a choice and pick one software that is the right fit for your music production budget and needs. So, now, let’s dig deeper into how to pick the right software as per your music production budget and needs.

• First and foremost, you need to understand your goals and prioritize your requirements in music production. You need to go with the software that complements your music production workflow for your music production.
• Secondly, don’t get lured by the software with the most features. You might not need all tools and features, but just a fraction of them. Software with unnecessary amounts of tools and features might overwhelm, confuse, and distract you.
• Thirdly, you need to go with the software that is best compatible with your computer or hardware. There is music production software for Macs and there is software that works best with a Windows PC. So, you need to make the right choice to ultimately make epic music.
• Fourthly, you need to pick software depending on your budget limitations. You can either go for free music production software out there. Or you can go for premium software with paid subscriptions or plans to help you a long way in your music production journey. Last but not least, you can check a music software’s ratings and reviews by its users. 

Best Practices to Follow while Producing Music:

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional music producer, there are some practices you must follow when producing music. The best part is that we’ve put together all those ‘best practices you should follow when producing music. These are nothing but general things that can elevate your music, but producers often tend to ignore or forget them. 

• Have the Right Music Production Software & Equipment

Investing in the right software and equipment is a must and forms the base for the rest of the music production journey. So, you cannot afford to compromise and hold back yourself while getting software and equipment for your music production. 

By this, we don’t ask you to invest in or have the highest-end setup for music production. Rather, whatever you can invest in or have with you should be enough to help you create quality music. You can do wonders even by using free music production software. As we’ve already covered the software part, you also need to focus on other equipment like proper mic, computer hardware, etc. 

• Organize Your Music Production

While producing music, you need a wide array of software, equipment, and libraries of resources. By other resources, we refer to the collection of sounds like snares, claps, melodies, excerpts, full tracks, etc. So, searching and going through all of these to find what you require at a particular moment could be very hectic and time-consuming.

Amidst all these hectic and time-consuming processes, you may lose that creative pump or that flow. Hence, you should always keep your studio clean and organized. Also, you should sort, group, and maintain folders and subfolders for all major categories of resources required in music. 

• Engage with Other Musicians & Producers

There’s hardly anything like networking, engaging, and even collaborating with like-minded musicians and producers. As a music producer, this is probably the best way for you to broaden your learning, experiences, ideas, exposure, and more. This is the best way to improve your music production as you can always ask them for suggestions or feedback. 

• Be Flexible & Adaptable

Last but not least, if you want to be a successful music producer in the long run, you’ll need to be flexible and adapt. Well, you can’t just keep producing music without understanding current popular music trends, genres, and styles.

You need to find what makes different music unique and try recognizing as well as learning new pitches, harmony, tempo, etc. By being flexible and adaptable to changes, you can always keep improving and take your music to the next level.

Conclusion:

With all these said, we finally come to the conclusion of this ultimate post on ‘Best Music Production Software’. In this post, we’ve covered everything you need to know about music production software along with music production. From briefing on what are music production software to list the best ones in the market, we’ve covered it all.

Also, from guides on how to pick the best software to discuss the best music production practices, we’ve covered all. Perfect music production software is the ultimate key to creating quality music and getting desired results from it.

If you don’t have the perfect one, you most probably would have difficulty creating quality music over time. The music production software listed above is all tried & tested and is the best one in the market. So, as the knowledge part comes to an end, it’s time for you to now shortlist some software and try them out.