The Best Free Recording Software Options of 2015


65c-free recording softwareWhen you’re first starting out…

It’s fair to say that not many guys will commit to the expense of a pro DAW….

Without first “getting their feet wet” with thefree stuff…

To see if home recording is something they’ll actually enjoy.

If that’s where you’re at now…

For today’s post,  I’ll help you find exactly what you need…

By reviewing the Top FREE Recording Software Options of 2015…to learn the pros and cons each one has to offer.

Let’s begin…

The 3 Best Options…

After much research, I concluded that there are only 3 good options for free recording software:

  1. An Online Recording Site
  2. A Free Downloadable DAW
  3. A Free DAW w/ purchase of an audio interface

And the truth is…NONE of them are 100% free.

Because while the software itself may be free…to use it, you still have to spendsome money elsewhere.  If not now, eventually.

So the new question I began asking was:

Which solution offers the best features for the lowestOVERALL price?

And here’s what I discovered:

Option 1: Online Recording Sites

audiotoolAt first glance, the idea of recording music online seems promising…

  • All files get stored in the cloud.
  • Social sharing is built-in.
  • You don’t need to bother with licenses or downloads.

But it also has downsides:

  1. Unreliable Internet – All internet connections drop out occasionally, which could easily rob you of good takes.
  2. Questionable Content Rights – Even if current “Terms and Conditions” give ownership to the creator, as Facebook and other big sites have shown, those rules are always subject to change.
  3. Freemium Business Models – Many top sites bait you with a free signup…but ultimately charge monthly fees for full use of the product.  And over time, those fees add up to more than the cost of a professional DAW.

While it does have its advantages, online recording clearly isn’t good enough to payfor.  So avoid sites that charge you anything.

Of the truly free sites though, here are the two I recommend:

And while they may not be the best option for Windows and Mac users…

For Chromebook users…because the Chrome OS works solely as an internet browser, and does not use apps…

Online recording is not only the best option…it’s the only option.

Up next…

Option 2: Free Downloadable DAW’s

audacityWhile they’re slightly harder to learn, at first

Downloadable DAW apps avoid ALL the major problems associated with online recording…

While offering far more in functionality.

And in my opinion, the extra time invested in learning them is well-worth it.

The top 3 options I recommend are:

  • Audacity – the most popular 100% free open-source DAW software on the planet for many years now.
  • Garageband – the super-cheap, (though not technically free) DAW for Mac OSX, which many folks say is easier to learn than Audacity.
  • Presonus Studio One Free – the first totally-free DAW based on professional software.

Of the 3, Presonus Studio One Free is my top pick.  Because once you outgrow your free DAW (and you will)…

It’s far easier to upgrade to a paid version of the same DAW, rather than start over on an entirely new platform.

Since Studio One comes in 3 paid versions:

…it’s super easy to upgrade from the FREE version if and when you ever need to.

And finally, for the best option of all…

Option 3: Free DAW w/ Purchase of Audio Interface

avid fast track duo

Earlier I mentioned how no recording software is ever truly free.

And that’s mostly because…

You still need an audio interface to get sound in and out of the computer.

So here’s a thought:

Since you need one anyway, why not buy one that includes a free DAW far superior to any of the earlier ones we covered?

While not many companies offer this deal, the two that do are among the best: Avidand Presonus.

Avid includes Pro Tools Express with the following interfaces:

Presonus includes Studio One Artist with the following interfaces:

Because the both hardware and software is built by one company, you’re ALWAYS guaranteed full-compatibility and tech-support…which you DON’T get when you buy them separately.

That’s why I believe the “DAW/interface combo” is the absolute-best-option for anyone starting out with home recording.

Further Resources

blue usb microphone

To wrap up this post, here are a few useful articles to help you find the other tools you’ll eventually need to start your studio:

1. Cheap Studio Mics

To record sound into your audio interface, you obviously need a mic.

And even though some pro microphones can be insanely expensive, there are plenty of cheap options as well.

In this post, I show you several of the best…

cheap mics

2. USB Mics

If you chose DAW option 1 or 2, because you can’t afford an interface right now…

USB mics offer a cheap and simple shortcut to record sound directly into your computer, because they eliminate the need for ALL other hardware, includingaudio interfacesmic preamps, and headphone amps.

Here are the top models I recommend:

best usb mics

3. Monitoring

Now that you can get sound IN to the computer, next you’ll need a way to get itOUT.

The tools you need are: studio monitors and headphones.

And in these next two articles, I reveal some good cheap options for both:

9d-studio headphones

10d-best studio monitors

4. Accessories

And finally, here are the two essential accessories you’ll need to complete your setup…

20d-xlr microphone cables

28d-microphone stands

After that, you’re all set to start making music.

If you found this post useful, and want to learn more





ear training bannerrecording mixing strategies

Views: 40

Reply to This

Visitor Tracker

 free counters

(Posted February 10, 2012)

Latest Activity

realhiphop posted a blog post

Devert Artimas - "Brand New (Freestyle)"

For more than ten years, Bay Area rapper and icon Devert Artimas has been a staple on the west coast hip hop scene and entertainment venues throughout California. But with his newly released freestyle single "Brand New", Devert unleashes a slappin' hip-hop anthem laden with raw lyrical content inspired by his Bay Area upbringing and musical family background. Now based…See More
6 hours ago
The Grigga commented on The Grigga's video
Thumbnail

The Highland G's - Holla Atta G -Produced By The Grigga © The Grigga, Ruthless Son & Strait 28

"We rolled threw Rhode Island with so many G's that the damn state ran outta them & couldn't spell TONIGGGGHT ON THE BILLBOARD. THANK YOU RI, it's always fun coming down."
15 hours ago
The Grigga posted a video
15 hours ago
Calvin Allen posted photos
yesterday
Calvin Allen posted a blog post

New Release

NOW IN MUSIC STORES: The new EP release by Brother Calvin Allen titled "I Give My Life to You," Feat. "Can We Talk About It" and "Rising to the Top," on Deezer, Tidal, and Price Attractions by Arrangement.Visit here> https://www.priceattractions.com/calvin-allen-volalisthttps://tidal.com/browse/artist/7539003…See More
yesterday
Soufiyan Bouazzaoui posted a video

Sawal Fina

#morocco #atlas #music
yesterday
realhiphop posted blog posts
Wednesday
Jay Fair is now a member of Poze Productions
Monday
The Grigga posted a status
"I need to stay sending 3 tracks a week...I got the catalog... IF YOU NEED A SINGLE THAT POPS OFF YOUR ALBUM HOLLER AT ME 100%Originals"
Monday
The Grigga posted a status
"If you don't keep up with your mental health, it's hard to do work when your head's not in the right space."
Monday
Miss Green favorited Bryce McDaniel's photo
Sunday
realhiphop posted blog posts
Saturday
Bryce McDaniel and Poze Productions are now friends
Mar 23
Matthew Rankin and Groovecutter are now friends
Mar 20
Groovecutter posted a status
"many thanks to all my friends glad to know you all new hits coming soon there in production all the best some awesome tracks on the player G"
Mar 20
realhiphop posted a blog post

Valley Of That - "Rains"

I'm 24 year old musician from the DMV. I grew up singing in competitive choirs but switched to rap and pop, I've been writing and singing for 6 years, I'm starting a new project based on indie/folk blended with hip hop called Valley of That. "Rain" is about a girl I broke up with because she was hard to get along with, but I didn't really want to. Valley Of That ·…See More
Mar 19

X-poze-ing VIP`s Speech

Notes

New vip

Created by Poze Productions Dec 31, 2023 at 9:12pm. Last updated by Poze Productions Mar 10.

VIP F7

F-37

Created by Poze Productions Feb 24, 2024 at 3:51pm. Last updated by Poze Productions Feb 24.

VIP news

Rice New Brand Ambassador for Doug Flutie Jr Foundation  WOA tour in the UK.  invite to perform one song at the  Fenway in Boston Ma…

Continue

Created by Poze Productions May 10, 2022 at 2:19pm. Last updated by Poze Productions Dec 31.

Thank You for the cover feature

Created by Poze Productions Oct 9, 2023 at 2:20pm. Last updated by Poze Productions Dec 25, 2023.

Featured Artists

Created by Poze Productions Sep 18, 2017 at 6:47pm. Last updated by Poze Productions Dec 13, 2023.

Blog Posts

New Release

Posted by Calvin Allen on March 28, 2024 at 1:03am 0 Comments

GLOBALQTHEARTIST - "Red Flags"

Posted by realhiphop on March 27, 2024 at 12:43am 0 Comments

Lonti - "Materialistic"

Posted by realhiphop on March 27, 2024 at 12:37am 0 Comments

© 2024   Created by Poze Productions.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service