As a musician, especially an indie one, taking on the role of producing your own songs can seem daunting, but it's also empowering (and saves a bit of money). Being able to control your music’s sound and direction without explaining it to someone else can be incredibly rewarding. However, learning how to produce can come with some frustration until you reach that point where things just click.
The good news is that getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming – especially if you begin with a user-friendly DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that won't make you want to give up right from the start. Below are a few tools we recommend, specifically designed to ease you into music production.
Overview: GarageBand is a classic beginner’s DAW, particularly if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem. It's pre-installed on Macs and available on iOS devices, making it easily accessible. The interface is clean and intuitive, allowing you to dive into recording and arranging tracks without much hassle. Despite being free, it offers a decent range of virtual instruments and loops to get creative with.
Why it’s great: It’s ideal for beginners who want to start off simply and potentially graduate to Apple's more advanced Logic Pro later on.
Cost: Garage Band is free for Apple users.
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Overview: You may or may not have heard of Soundtrap, particularly as an online/cloud-based DAW. This is where it really stands out. There's no need for installation – you just log in, and your projects are accessible from anywhere, provided you’ve got decent WiFi. Soundtrap excels in remote collaboration, allowing you to work with others in real-time.
Why it’s great: It also offers an extensive range of royalty-free samples, from loops and beats to sound effects. For musicians just starting out, these samples are like building blocks you can use to create tracks without needing to record every element. This is especially useful if you're working in genres like hip-hop, EDM, or pop – but it’s versatile enough for other genres too.
Cost: Soundtrap offers a free version, so you can try it out without financial commitment, and there are several tiers available as you need more features.
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Overview: BandLab is a sleek, cloud-based DAW, pretty similar to Soundtrap. Unlike Soundtrap, though, it lacks real-time collaboration features – but can still be useful for remote teamwork if real-time working together is not a priority. BandLab is free to use, making it accessible to indie musicians or those testing the waters in production, especially as a tool for sketching ideas, recording vocals, and making demos. However, its interface might not be as easy to use and intuitive as other DAWs, especially in the start.
Why it’s great: BandLab is quite popular among independent artists due to its free nature and user community.
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Overview: Audacity is a free, open-source DAW that’s especially popular with podcasters and beginners. While not the most modern-looking, it’s reliable for simple recording and editing. If you’re looking to learn the absolute basics of audio editing, Audacity is a solid place to start.
Why it’s great: It’s actually perfect for small projects, like recording demos or voiceovers, without needing a powerful computer. However, it’s not the tool for producing full-scale music projects – it’s best for basic audio tasks.
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Overview: FL Studio, formerly known as Fruity Loops, is another popular choice, especially among electronic music producers. Known for its intuitive step sequencer and powerful playlist feature (that sequences all elements of a project to create the final song), FL Studio is designed to streamline the music creation process while offering a more complex interface. So, more complicated than some of the beginner DAWs – but its user-friendly design and extensive tutorials make it approachable (if you're willing to learn).
Why it’s great: It provides a vast array of virtual instruments, effects, and samples, allowing you to explore different sounds and styles as you grow.
Cost: FL Studio is available in multiple editions, ranging from a free trial to various paid versions, depending on your different needs and budget.
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Starting with a beginner-friendly DAW lets you focus on learning production without getting bogged down in overly complex tools. Once you’re comfortable, you can always upgrade or move on to a more advanced DAW when the time is right.