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In 2024 VST instrument plugins have never sounded better. They emulate some of the most popular instruments, synthesizers, and contain high quality audio ready for any production.

On top of that, some free VST instruments are lite versions of paid plugins with many of the same sounds and functions. It’s a perfect way to try before committing to anything.

The best part is how inspiring these plugin tools can be. In this article, I’ll be laying out the top 10 VST instruments to get in 2024, and the best way to start creating with them.

1. Love-fi Lite

Our favorite lo-fi sounds

Get Floral - Lofi JazzHop

Love-fi Lite is the free version of Quiet Music’s Love-fi instrument plugin. It’s specifically designed for composing lofi, chillwave, and chillhop. You’ll find 3 different modules that contain presets of pads, keys, basses, drums, as well as foley.

In the lite version, you’ll get access to 19 presets throughout the 3 modules. This plugin runs on Windows and Mac, and comes with 300 megabytes of free content.

This all in one instrument will take you from an idea to a full lofi track without even leaving the VST plugin.

2. Echo Soundworks Vinyl Guitar

Echo Soundworks Vinyl Guitar is a sampled guitar played through an actual vinyl record player, then resampled into a playable instrument.

There are a ton of adjustable parameters to make the sound your own. You’re able to add fret buzz, change the string type, buzz, and the pick noise. It also contains an ADSR envelope to sculpt the amplitude, and a built-in reverb to give it some space.

Vinyl Guitar is a perfect plugin to add those sweet melodies to any lofi jam. With it’s vinyl qualities, it’s a perfect plugin to compliment Love-fi Lite.

3. Chromatic

Next up is our top choice for an inspiring free VST instrument to add to your plugin folder.

Chromatic is a loop-based virtual instrument that turns sampled sounds into playable parts with the touch of a key.

You can download it for free and get started with a handful of free loop packs to get your ideas flowing.

Whether you use a MIDI controller or computer keyboard, Chromatic lets you go hands-on with exclusive, artist-curated loops and manipulate them with effects in real-time.

With an expanding library of inspiring loops built by top producers, Chromatic lets you browse by mood to find the perfect sounds to start a song or fill out an arrangement.

If you like loops but you prefer an alternative to the cut and paste workflow of traditional packs, Chromatic is a great choice to get ideas down fast.

LANDR Chromatic

Find inspiration for your next track

Play with loop sets supplied by a diverse roster of pro musicians that let you create expressive, unique sounds with modifiers like FX, tape stop and reverse.

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4. Vital Audio Vital

If you’re looking for a synthesizer, Vital is the top free synth available on the market today.

Made by Matt Tytel the creator of the notable free synth Helm, Vital is a step up that competes with a ton of paid options.

Made by Matt Tytel the creator of the notable free synth Helm, Vital is a step up that competes with a ton of paid options.

Vital is a visual synthesizer that features animated controls, filter responses, waveforms, smooth LFOs, oscilloscopes, spectrograms and more. You’ll be able to see every adjustment you make with precision, and preview most decisions before you commit to them.

The spectral oscillator warping gives life to Vital’s approach to synthesis. You’ll be able to create drastically different shapes and timbres from a simple source.

Vital comes with 75 presets, and 25 wavetables. There are paid options to unlock more presets and features made by well known producers.

5. U-He Zebralette

Read - The 250 Best Free VST Plugins Ever

Zebralette is a small taste of U-He’s main workhorse synth Zebra 2. With Zebralette you’ll gain access to one of the four wavetable oscillators featured in Zebra 2.AQ

With a 16-slot waveset you’ll be able to edit the waveform with geomorph, spectromorph, geoblend and spectroblend modes. This allows you to literally draw in the waveforms in each slot, and cycle through them with an envelope or LFO.
This small beast of a synth comes with 300 presets, 3 built in effects, and 2 LFO’s.

Not only that, Zebrelatte is Polyphonic up to 16 voices with monophonic and legato modes. That being said, there are a ton more features packed in that are worth checking out.

6. Steven Slate Drums Free

Steven Slate Drums was one of 7 excellent free drum VSTs we tested in this video.

If you’re looking for realistic programmable drums, Steven Slate Drums Free is a fantastic starting point.

SSD Free is the free version of Steven Slate Drums. The only difference is the amount of kit presets you get, as well as built in MIDI grooves. You’ll get access to three different drum kits: dry and tight, free, and huge.

With SSD Free you’re able to map the sounds to different keys, assign the microphones to different channels, and edit the ADSR envelopes for each drum sound.

One of the best features of this plugin is the drag-and-drop MIDI files. They’re perfectly programmed to emulate real drumming, and are categorized by genre and song form.

7. Ample Bass P Lite II

Read - The 13 Best VST Instruments Every Producer Needs

You’re going to need some bass to go along with those drums. Ample Bass P Lite II is a perfect substitute for real bass. It features samples recorded on a Fender Precision Bass, and has a ton of editable parameters to add realism.

There are a ton of notable features on this plugin. The auto buzz system emulates the string buzzing against the frets after a long sustained note, and the hold button lets you sustain the notes without touching the hold pedal. This is super useful for holding down long pedal notes when performing.

Some free VST instruments are lite versions of paid plugins that feature many of the same sounds and functions.

The difference between the lite and paid option is sound quality, number of articulations, instrument range, as well as sampling cycle. The lite version is perfect to get your feet wet in the deep end.

8. Piano in 162

Piano in 162 is a sample library of a Steinway Model B grand piano, recorded at 96 kHz with two pairs of Rode NT5 cardioid microphones. One pair was placed in the hall for an ambient sound, and one pair inside the piano. You’ll be able to mix the ambient and piano mics together to meet your taste.

This is one of the most realistic free piano sounds you’ll be able to get your hands on. It features five dynamic levels, two round robins, and separate pedal on and off samples for a true to life sound with realistic sympathetic resonance.

The only caveat is that you’ll need a sample loader to get it working. If you’re already an owner of the full version of Kontakt, then it’ll work perfectly. Luckily, this library works with the free Sforzando sample player.

Intimate Grand Piano

Warm, authentic piano sounds

Experience the stirring warmth of a Steinway Model A grand piano. Spitfire Audio Originals Intimate Grand Piano is available as part of +$3,000 worth of music tools from LANDR Studio.

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9. Spitfire LABS

Spitfire LABS is a heavyweight belt winning champion when it comes to free instrument plugins. Spitfire’s ecosystem with LABS is nothing short of brilliant, and the quality of the instruments you receive are top of the line.

BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover is just a taste of what Spitfire can do when it comes to orchestral instruments

You can download anything from ambient lap steel, arctic swells, choir, and the list goes on and on. You’ll find Spitfire updating the library regularly with unique sounds that you won’t find anywhere else.

First you download sounds with the LABS standalone app, then loaded into your DAW with the LABS VST plugin.

Don’t sleep on this one! It has sounds that will compliment any genre.

10. BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover

BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover is just a taste of what Spitfire can do when it comes to orchestral instruments. Discover is the free version of the core and pro versions of BBC Symphony Orchestra.

It’s worth mentioning right away that there are some strings attached to the price tag of this plugin. You’ll be able to access it for free after a short survey, and a two week waiting period. Otherwise it’s $49 to access instantly.

In the plugin you’ll have the entire symphony orchestra at your fingertips. High quality samples of strings, horns, woodwinds and percussion are arranged in a user interface featuring a map of the physical arrangement of the orchestra.

You’ll have less control of the expressiveness or articulations of the instruments in the free version, but believe me—it’s still worth the price tag.

LANDR Plugins

30+ pro-grade plugins

Get the tools to shape your sound with 30+ synths, instruments, effects and utilities plugins from industry leaders like Arturia, UJAM and more.

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Free instrument plugins?

If you told someone 30 years ago that you could get the exact sound of any instrument inside of a computer, they’d look at you like you were crazy. If you told them you could get them for free, they’d check you into a hospital. Luckily, this is the reality we live in, so start making high quality music now for free, then master and release it.

@Andrea Finlay

The 10 Best DAWs on the market right now

1. Best DAW for Live Performance: Ableton Live 12

Pros:

• Optimized for live performance and flexible creation
• Includes a suite of excellent instrument and effect plugins
• Max for Live opens up the ability to build your own instruments
• Ableton Push 3 offers a powerful hardware control surface
• Huge library of included samples and loops
• Intuitive and powerful workflow that many producers love

Cons:

• Higher price than other DAWs
• Not as well optimized for professional recording studio settings

Why Ableton Live 12 is the best DAW for creativity and live performance

Read - Ableton Live: The Ultimate Overview for Producers

When it first launched in 2001, Ableton’s developers wanted to create a DAW that was built from the ground up for creativity and live performance.

Its now-famous session view freed up digital audio production from the typical timeline workflow and enabled creators to audition and cycle through different combinations of sounds easily.

The DAW is accompanied by Ableton Link, an open-source technology that allows producers and performers to tempo-synchronize instances of Live (and other software tools) across multiple devices via a wireless network.

And of course, Ableton’s Push 3 controller is well integrated into Ableton Live, turning the DAW into an intuitive, tactile instrument that can even be used stand-alone.

Ableton Lite

A powerful space to create

Get Ableton Lite with LANDR Studio and bring your musical inspiration to life with a flexible, lightweight, easy-to-use DAW.

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Why choose Ableton Live?

This is a great choice if you want an inspiring and intuitive music production suite that’s built with creatives in mind.

Read - Mixing in Ableton: 7 Tips For a Better Mix Workflow in Live

With session view, Max for Live and its suite of instrument plugins, Live 12 is great for sound design and music creation, especially if you produce electronic music, pop music, hip-hop or beats.

Its main drawback is that it’s not well-optimized for large-scale professional studio setups that require complex mic’ing.

It also receives criticism for its non-traditional interface that sometimes prioritizes creative tasks over mixing workflows.

But when it comes to creative applications and performance-centric features, this is one of the best DAWs in its category.

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2. Best All-Around DAW: Logic Pro

Pros:

• Same design philosophy as its lighter, free cousin GarageBand
• Competitive creative features including a new live looping view
• Drummer and Smart Tempo
• A deep suite of included plugins
• Huge sound library
• Well-optimized for complex mixes and recording setups
• Fair price

Cons:

• Only available for macOS users
• Mastering Assistant offers less control than other AI mastering plugins
• Not as well optimized for live performance

Why is Logic Pro the best all-around DAW?

Read - Logic Pro Tutorial: How to Use Logic Pro (Tips for All Levels)

Since Logic Pro was acquired by Apple in 2002, the Mac-only DAW has quickly become a go-to among producers in Apple’s creative-friendly ecosystem.

Over the years, Apple developed Logic Pro to ensure that in almost every category Logic excels as a tool for both audio engineers and creatives.

Today Logic includes an impressive suite of bundled plugins that offer artists everything they need to create, mix and master tracks.

Its sound library and instrument plugins offer a wide selection of synths, drum machines and samples, making Logic Pro a creativity powerhouse—especially with its relatively new live looping feature that rivals Ableton’s session view.

In recording studio settings, Logic’s classic channel strip layout, smart comping and track grouping make recording even the most complex rooms and mic’ing setups simple and efficient.

For post-production, Logic’s effects, mixing plugins, clean automation tools and intuitive layout make it a comfortable DAW for mixing.

Overall this is a DAW that’ll handle the needs of most producers, mixing engineers and music makers.

Why choose Logic?

Isabel shares her tips for working in Logic Pro.

If you’re a macOS user and you enjoyed using GarageBand, Logic is a great option when you’re ready to graduate to a professional music production software suite.

Of course, its most obvious drawback is that it’s only available to macOS users. If you or your collaborators don’t use macOS, Logic will present quite a few hurdles.

But we can’t find a more competitively priced DAW, especially considering its powerful songwriting tools, generous suite of included plugins and overall workflow.

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3. Best DAW for Beat Makers: FL Studio

Pros:

• Unique workflow that lends itself well to beat making and electronic music
• Comes with a huge collection of instruments, effects and utility plugins
• Free lifetime updates

Cons:

• Compared to other DAWs, its workflow can be complex
• On the pricier end compared to other DAWs
• FL Cloud has good content and distribution but requires an added subscription

Why is FL Studio for beat makers?

Read - FL Studio: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

In 1998, Image Line launched its original FruityLoops MIDI drum machine, an early version of what would ultimately become FL Studio.

Since launch, Image Line has kept with its MIDI-first focus, creating what is now a well-liked DAW for MIDI sequencing and editing.

Many beat makers gravitate towards FL Studio for its unique workflow that was built around its MIDI drum sequencer and piano roll.

Unlike other DAWs, FL Studio separates the mixer, sequencer and timeline view—the sequencer is found in what FL Studio calls its “channel rack”, which hosts samples and sends loops through the mixer to the DAW’s timeline.

Inside the channel rack, FL Studio features a great drum sequencer and piano roll that provides flexible sample sound design tools and an intuitive way of visualizing rhythms and chords.

Why choose FL Studio?

Read - How to Use the FL Studio Mixer to Start Producing

If you need a creativity-focused DAW and you’re comfortable with its unique workflow, FL Studio makes for a solid choice.

But while most DAWs use a similar timeline and mixer workflow, FL Studio has a very different way of organizing itself.

Some of the habits you may have from using DAWs like Ableton Live or GarageBand won’t necessarily translate over to FL Studio.

So if you’re just getting started with music production, you might be better served by choosing a DAW with a more mainstream workflow.

Read - How to Master a Song in FL Studio With AI

But if you’re inspired by FL Studio’s unique composition tools, investing in a license and learning this DAW is certainly worth it, especially because purchasing one license gives you permanent access to every future update released by Image Line.

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4. Best DAW for Beginners: GarageBand

Pros:

• Free and already installed on all Apple products
• Capable for basic recording and mixing tasks considering its price
• Includes educational content for learning music basics

In this video, Anthony goes through our picks for the best DAWs for beginners.

Cons:

• Limited suite of included effects and plugins
• Not well built for complex mixing and recording tasks
• Limited to 32 tracks
• Only available for macOS and iOS users

Why GarageBand is good for beginners

Read - Garageband: How to Use Apple’s Free DAW

If it doesn’t inspire you that every Apple user has GarageBand pre-installed for free on their computer or iPhone, it should.

Sure it’s not as sophisticated as other DAWs on this list, but it meets beginners where they are in many ways.

You won’t get the advanced mixing plugins, EQs, compressors and effects that you need to finish a track.

What you do get is everything you need to start writing music in a simple-to-understand interface with tons of instruments, and even a smart drummer that jams with you in real time.

Read - Home Studio Guide: How to Build a Home Recording Studio Setup

You can easily record external audio sources with the necessary recording hardware—an audio interface, mic or instrument—and the DAW will automatically recognize it and help you set up recording tracks.

Considering that the DAW is preparing you to eventually graduate to its more professional and advanced cousin Logic Pro, GarageBand serves as a perfect starting point that’ll take you a fairly long way before you invest in more advanced software.

Why choose GarageBand?

If you have a limited budget, you’re an Apple user and you’re just getting started with music making, give GarageBand a try!

If you’re reading this on an Apple product, you already have a DAW that will get you started.

There’s nothing wrong with writing and producing your first tunes and experimenting with sounds in the free DAW.

So if you’re just getting into music-making and want to save your budget for hardware (like a mic, audio interface or MIDI controller), GarageBand will do everything you need to get started.

Learn GarageBand

Unlock music production skills

Discover the basics of GarageBand, learn the skills to write, record and mix your music.

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5. Best DAW for Professional Recording Studios: Pro Tools

Pros:

• The industry standard in professional recording studios
• Optimized recording workflow
• Compatible with advanced studio hardware
• ARA support for powerful real-time processing with tools like Melodyne

Cons:

• Expensive subscription and high cost of ownership

Why is Pro Tools the best DAW for professional recording studios?

Read - Avid Pro Tools: Easy Guide for Beginners

Avid is the first-mover pioneer in DAW software. Its Pro Tools product became the gold standard in professional audio circles for its ability to handle audio production in studio settings, and because it was the first widely adopted DAW in pro audio.

With its ability to record up to 256 inputs simultaneously, the DAW can handle setups in large rooms, concert halls and film settings.

Since recording with that many inputs requires working with a ton of hardware, Pro Tools is particularly optimized for working with complex mixer arrangements and rack-mounted compressors, EQs and channel strips.

While the DAW has plenty of creative tools built in, it’s more optimized for pro audio engineering tasks like mixing and mastering. That’s why it’s the go-to DAW for many established mixing and mastering engineers.

Why choose Pro Tools?

If you operate a professional recording studio with a large room and complex recording requirements, you should consider getting this DAW.

But aside from its ability to handle complex recording tasks in professional recording studios, a big reason why pro engineers prefer Pro Tools is simply because it’s what everyone else has.

That alone makes it easy to transfer projects from one studio to another. You don’t have to worry about losing anything whenever you open a project on a new console at a different studio.

But if you’re a beginner producer or an artist looking for a DAW that’s affordable and lends itself to creative projects, Pro Tools might not be your best option.

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6. Best Budget DAW: Reaper

Pros:

• Ability to customize with code script and skins inspired by other DAWs
• Well-respected workflow for recording, comping and MIDI editing
• One of the most stable DAWs—perfect for large sessions
• Generous trial period and overall low price

Cons:

• The interface can look outdated, even with custom skins
• Very few included plugins or samples

Why is Reaper the best budget DAW?

Read - Reaper DAW: The Ultimate Tutorial for Producers

If you’re looking for a great DAW that can handle even the most complex home studio setup, Reaper is a good option.

Since the DAW permits coders to write custom scripts for it, a community of online enthusiasts has popped up around it. There are various Reddit and Gearspace forums dedicated to the topic and you’ll find tons of skins and add-ons made specifically for it.

Reaper has a great recording workflow and I found its comping system particularly intuitive, making it easy to record multiple takes of certain parts very easily.

Don’t judge Reaper for its somewhat dated look—this is a capable DAW that many artists and professionals love.

Why choose Reaper?

Reaper is a great choice if you’re looking for a professional DAW that can handle studio setups at a very reasonable price—especially if you’re a Windows user.

Reaper’s biggest drawback is the limited number of included plugins it comes with and that it has no included sample library.

So you’ll have to be comfortable with gathering your own plugins, which shouldn’t be difficult considering how many you can get for free or as part of a high-value bundle.

But, if you’re comfortable with its old-school interface, Reaper’s smart workflow and handling of recording make it a great option for home studio producers looking for an inexpensive DAW.

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7. Best DAW for MIDI Composition: Cubase

Pros:

• Strong MIDI editing workflow
• Optimized for film scoring and orchestral style composition
• Generalist DAW that focuses on creativity, mixing and recording
• Reportedly more stable with large sound libraries
• Free trial

Cons:

• Doesn’t allow clip-based MIDI editing
• Missing built-in modulation and instrument/effect racks

Why is Cubase the best DAW for composition?

Cubase is a well-rounded DAW that handles all aspects of music production, recording and mixing.

Where the DAW excels more than others is with its MIDI composition tools in orchestral, electronic and sound design contexts.

This is due to its precise control over a ton of MIDI parameters, expression, velocity and more.

The DAW also handles other MIDI-related tasks including audio-to-MIDI recording, transposition and scale mode. It even includes a collection of MIDI effect plugins.

Cubase’s strengths in MIDI are what makes it particularly useful for scoring and orchestral composition since orchestra instrument plugins rely on MIDI for creating expression.

It’s also more stable than others when loading large, CPU-intensive sound library plugins and it handles video tracks very well making Cubase a great choice for film-scoring applications.

Why choose Cubase?

This is a great choice if you’re looking for a creative DAW that can handle pro audio requirements, especially if you plan on producing orchestral compositions.

Overall, we found that the DAW differentiates itself from others by handling MIDI editing and composition better than others, even though it lacked a clip-based view similar to Ableton.

Considering how long Cubase has been in development, it’s no surprise that the DAW is well-rounded and capable in most recording contexts.

Compared to Logic or Ableton Live, we found that Cubase finds itself in a healthy middle ground, offering creative features for compositional, arrangement-based music production while keeping smart workflows for mixing and recording.

So, if you’re a Windows user who wishes Logic wasn’t exclusive to Apple, Cubase is especially worth looking at.

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8. Best DAW for Sound Design: Bitwig Studio

Pros:

• Powerful sound design tools in Grid
• Intuitive modulation system that can control hardware and VSTs
• Smart time-stretching, splitting and pitch-correcting tools built into its audio editor
• Reportedly a stable and reliable DAW when handling CPU-intensive tasks
• Free trial

Cons:

• Less optimized for complex recording
• UI can be overwhelming at times

Why is Bitwig the best DAW for sound designers?

Bitwig is a relatively new DAW that was created by a team of former Ableton employees and released in 2014.

Bitwig marginally takes the lead in the sound design category with its intuitive but powerful Grid system. This allows you to build customized synths, effects, EQs and compressors.

The Grid is a modular production environment that offers a selection of modules that a sound designer can use to manipulate a digital audio signal chain.

With its simple presentation of various synthesis and sound design parameters, some might find the Grid easier to learn than other instrument design platforms like Max for Live or Reaktor.

Bitwig also includes several great instrument plugins, offering a selection of synths and effects including its flagship synths Polymer and Phase.

Why choose Bitwig?

While Bitwig caters to the electronic music and sound design crowd, the DAW is still well suited for other aspects of music production.

So if you’re looking for a DAW that emphasizes sound design but offers traditional recording, mixing and songwriting workflows, Bitwig could be for you.

Bitwig’s main drawback is its busy interface, which can be clunky at times.

So, producers who prefer a clean UI and who don’t use software instruments for sound design may want to skip this one.

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9. Best Hardware Integrations: PreSonus Studio One

Pros:

• Great integration with PreSonus MIDI controllers and audio interfaces
• Comparable to Pro Tools for a much lower price
• Well suited for home recording setups
• A great all-around DAW

Cons:

• Less emphasis on sound design or creativity
• Subscription requires ongoing payment for full access

Why is Studio One best for hardware integrations?

Read - The 10 Best DAW Controllers for Hands-On Production

Studio One is the proprietary DAW of PreSonus, a well-respected recording hardware manufacturer.

While, PreSonus was traditionally known for its audio interfaces, microphones and MIDI controllers. Today, the company is strongly focused on its DAW.

Considering that PreSonus holds the advantage of being able to build its own hardware for the platform, in Studio One you’ll find excellent hardware integrations with its line of Faderport and ioStation DAW controllers.

Getting Studio One alongside one of its physical DAW controllers will give you a console-like feel and offer a level of tactile control that feels like a full-scale professional studio.

Why choose Studio One?

Studio One is a great option for home recording studio producers looking for a more approachable and affordable alternative to Pro Tools.

It handles complex recording demands, while still offering an intuitive workflow for both music creation and mixing.

While it’s not as optimized for electronic music production or sound design, this well-rounded DAW is very well suited for recording, mixing and mastering tasks.

Its subscription edition, Studio One+ adds a handful of powerful plugins from Studio One and other third parties, a huge sample library and the ability to distribute tracks to streaming platforms via TuneCore.

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10. Best Mobile DAW: Logic Pro iOS

Pros:

• Brings the power of Logic Pro to the portable convenience of an iPad
• Connects with recording interfaces like any other DAW
• Tactile experience gives the DAW an instrument feel
• Possible to use Apple Pencil for drawing automation lines

Cons:

• Subscription-based payment
• Better suited for use with larger iPad sizes
• Only available for Apple products

Why Logic Pro iOS is the best mobile DAW

Read - 10 Inspiring Music-Making Apps for iOS and Android 2024

We couldn’t round up the best DAWs without mentioning at least one mobile app-based DAW.

Out of all the apps we looked at, Apple’s Logic Pro iOS was the standout mobile DAW, with its free GarageBand iOS counterpart coming in for a close second place.

We loved Logic Pro iOS in particular for its strong connectivity with its desktop counterpart and optimization for the larger iPad tablet format.

It also makes essentially no compromises when compared to the desktop version of Logic Pro.

Why choose Logic Pro iOS?

This DAW is a powerful option for anyone who finds themselves writing and recording music on the go.

Logic Pro for iPad literally puts the DAW into your hands, turning it into an instrument of its own.

The best part is that everything you make in Logic Pro for iPad can easily be ported over to the desktop version of Logic Pro for mixing and post-production applications.

Another cool feature for instrumentalists is that you can take the DAW with you to your instrument, making it easier to adjust levels and comp over recordings.

While Logic Pro is only available for Apple users and the subscription model won’t let you own the app outright, it makes for a great companion tool that works in many standalone situations.

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How to choose the right DAW for you

With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about which DAW is best for your needs.

The reality is that every DAW on this list can handle recording, writing, mixing and mastering tasks.

However, each DAW has advantages in specific areas. So here’s a few questions to ask yourself as you shop for a DAW:

What kind of studio do you produce in?

Your choice of DAW depends on the context in which you make music.

Home studio producers tend to look for something user-friendly that encourages creativity. A space to write ideas, record demos and produce rough mixes.

If you have a recording studio with multiple audio inputs, a variety of microphones and a dedicated recording room, you’ll need something that’s better optimized to handle the demands of a live studio.

If you have a combination of needs—like a creative desk at home and a small studio you record out of—you might need something that offers a middle ground between creative and audio engineering tools.

Ultimately, there’s a spectrum in DAW software that balances the need for creative workflows and engineer-oriented workflows.

What kind of music do you produce?

Different DAWs can be suited to different genres. Some offer a focus on electronic production while others offer more features for live recording.

For electronic producers, it’s usually important to have a loop-based approach to composition like Ableton Live’s session view, as well as plenty of sound design plugins and virtual synth instruments.

Hip-hop producers tend to appreciate solid MIDI editing, large sample libraries and a straightforward workflow.

Pop, rock and country producers (who tend to use more vocals and live instrumentation) need a DAW that can manage the demands of recording complex ensemble setups.

Orchestral producers look for DAWs that can handle film scoring, large orchestral plugins, sample libraries and MIDI expression control for orchestral VSTs. Being able to efficiently manage and record large ensembles is also essential.

Download a free DAW

Ultimately, one DAW’s workflow may work better for you than another’s.

So, your best bet when shopping for a new DAW is to try out as many as you can, since many manufacturers offer free trials or discounted limited versions.

There’s no bad DAW

Ultimately, the best DAW is the one that feels right for you.

Now that you know what each of the top DAWs in the industry offers, download some demos and try out the ones that appeal most to your style of music production!

@Andrea Finlay