11.01.2021

Free Daw Alternative To Fl Studio

53

Last Updated on January 5, 2021.

So, you have poured your heart and soul into building your own home studio and you’ve invested a lot of time and money into all the gear required.

  1. Long story short, Traverso DAW can foray onto your scene without costing an arm and a leg which makes it one of the top free alternatives to FL Studio.
  2. PreSonus (30 free trials) is a free DAW software that is a must-have for the beginners. It comes in 3 versions ranging from the novice level to the Professionals. You can learn to mix sounds and music in a 30-days free trial offered by PreSonus for the aspiring audio engineers and recording musicians in the Learning to Mix premium training.

FL Studio is probably the only DAW (digital audio workstation) that I'm the most familiar with after testing the free trial. But sadly its a little bit too pricey for me, 190€ and that's just the base software, no additional plugins included. It is said that LMMS is the most similar to FL Studio. But, there are some limitations to that DAW and some features aren’t identical. For the most part, the windows you can use are generally the same but LMMS has a fixed-track system, meaning you can only use one VST, sample, or automated parameter, per track. Want to jump straight to the answer? The best FL Studio alternative for most people is definitely Soundtrap by Spotify. Fruity Loops aka FL, Studio has become a front runner for one of the best options when producing music. Especially as hip hop and rap music continue to rise in popularity. REAPER's full, flexible feature set and renowned stability have found a home wherever digital audio is used: commercial and home studios, broadcast, location recording, education, science and research, sound design, game development, and more. From mission-critical professional environments to students' laptops, there is a single version of REAPER, fully featured with no limitations. FL Studio (formerly known as FruityLoops) is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer. The program is available in three different editions for Microsoft Windows, including Fruity Edition, Producer Edition, and the Signature.

Now the only thing left to do is to find the right DAW foryou and start working!

There are dozens of great DAWs out there, but I’d recommend that you choose one and stick with it at least until you are completely familiarized with how it works.

Now, before we start there is one important thing I’d like to make clear, since there seems to be a lot of controversy surrounding this topic;

You probably heard someone say that in order to be a good producer you need -insert DAW name here- otherwise your mixes will suck, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

In fact, all that matters are your skills and how well youknow the software you’re using.

So, don’t think that you need to purchase Pro Tools orCubase to create good sounding mixes, because that is simply not the case.

Every DAW on this list will allow you to create professionalsounding music…

However, every DAW is different;

Some of them are geared towards producing electronic music, or even composing, while some others are better for editing and mixing.

Depending on what you want to do, you should focus on one orthe other, but if you’re just getting started then every single one of the DAWson this list will be super useful.

Related: I wrote some other posts about free DAWs and recording/editing software which that interest you.

So, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get straight into the list of the best DAW software (In no particular order).

1. Logic Pro X (Mac only)

Logic Pro is an extremely popular Digital Audio Workstation which has its main focus on composing and producing music.

However, if you want to mix and master, it can easily bedone with it.

Logic Pro X also gives you access to a massive collection ofplug-ins, instrument, and sounds which are extremely good, better than the onesyou can find on almost every other DAW.

What makes Logic Pro such a good choice is that it only costs $199, and with all the tools that it provides, which are more than almost any other DAW out there, it’s fair to say that this makes it a very cost-effective DAW.

The only con is that it’s for Apple devices only.

What are its strengths; Logic Pro X is a great all-rounder and cost-efficient DAW.

You can find out more here: Logic Pro X by Apple.

2. Pro Tools (Windows, Mac)

Pro Tools has been the industry standard for quite some timenow.

One could even argue that it’s the most popular DAW in theworld, especially when it comes to professional mixing, editing, and mastering.

Chances are that in 99% of pro studio you visit, they are using it.

Traditionally, you could get Pro Tools via a pretty steep one-timepayment, but they have now also adopted a subscription-based service where youcan pay monthly to use it.

The great thing about paying for the subscription is thatyou will always have access to the latest version of Pro Tools with all of itsupdates.

It comes with loads of stock plugins, which all sound andwork phenomenally.

However, there’s no multi-band compressor included, but youcan get one if you purchase a plugin bundle.

If you don’t want to do this and just want to get a freeone, then here’s a list of the best freecompression VST plugins available.

What are its strengths; Great for recording, editing,mixing, and mastering.

You can find out more here: Pro Tools by Avid.

3. Cubase Pro 11 (Windows, Mac)

Cubase is one of the most popular DAWs out there because of how fast, stable and powerful it is.

It comes with over 90 high-end audio and MIDI VST effectprocessors as well as a couple instruments which sound pretty damn good.

Just like Nuendo, Cubase features chord pads, chord assistant, chord tracks, and a lot more, which is great for composing music.

Cubase is easy to use, super powerful, and it’s great for recording, mixing, editing, and mastering, as well as composing music, with the only con being that it can be a bit on the pricier side.

What are its strengths; Cubase is a great all-rounderDAW.

You can find out more here: Cubase Pro by Steinberg.

4. Nuendo (Windows, Mac)

Nuendo was the first DAW I ever used.

Daw studio one

I did an internship at a recording studio where the producerused Nuendo as his main Digital Audio Workstation and I got to learn quite alot about this software.

Nuendo can now open/import AAF files with it, which means that you can open your Pro Tools sessions in Nuendo itself, which wasn’t possible a couple years ago and it’s a definite improvement.

Nuendo is a good DAW for composers since it comes with chordpads, chord assistant, chord tracks, and a lot more.

It’s also one of the best DAWs to edit the audio of videoand film, as well as games, with.

What are its strengths; Great for Game Music- andVideo Music Production, as well as a good all-rounder.

You can find out more here: Nuendo by Steinberg.

5. FL Studio (Windows, Mac)

FL Studio is a DAW that excels at electronic music productionand composition.

In fact, if you do a quick search on YouTube about anythingrelated to electronic music production, you’ll find that most people are usingit instead of other DAWs.

It is one of the easiest DAWs to use, which means that it’sideal for beginners.

The interface looks amazing and it’s super intuitive to navigate, which is something I love about it, plus it’s got a very “visual” design to it.

Having said that, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who is not trying to produce electronic music, because if it’s not intended for recording, mixing, and mastering regular music.

The Fruity edition, which is the cheapest one, already comeswith a good number of plugins and effects which should be enough for mostusers.

However, if you need more you can either buy one of the different bundles like the “Producer” and “Signature” ones, which offer more plugins and effects, or you can purchase each plugin separately.

What are its strengths; FL Studio is excellent forElectronic music production and composition.

You can find out more about FL Studio here;

Moving on…

6. Studio One 5 (Windows, Mac)

Studio One is slowly becoming one of the most used DAWs outthere.

It’s fast, powerful, and super easy to use, which makes it ideal for anyone who is just starting to learn about audio engineering.

It features a drag and drop user interface as well as easy-to-follow workflow options, and what’s sometimes even more important than this is that when upgrading to the latest version, which is this case is Studio One 5, you don’t need to upgrade your PC as well since they made sure to keep the resource usage down.

Studio One 5 comes with a whole new suite of plugins, both in the Artist and Professional series, and it also features the Clip Gain Envelopes to correct volumes on a clip-by-clip basis, which really comes in handy.

Studio One has definitely matured a lot over the years and it’s slowly becoming one of the absolute best DAWs out there, and at a fourth the price of Pro Tools, I really think that it’s a great contender.

What are its strengths; Studio One 5 is a great all-rounder.

You can find out more here:

7. Reason 11 (Windows, Mac)

If you’re into Hip-hop, electronic music, and other similargenres, then Reason might be the perfect fit for you.

It comes with a Versatile array of bundled instruments which are some of the best stock plugins out there, and the workflow is easy and fast, especially for composing.

One thing that sets Reason apart from other DAWs is that it has always used a UI whereby instruments and effects are housed within an emulated outboard rack, complete with animated patch leads which are used to route audio and control signals around as you would when working with vintage hardware.

What are its strengths; Excellent for electronic music production.

You can find out more here:

8. Ableton Live 10 (Windows, Mac)

Ableton Live is the go-to digital audio workstation forelectronic music producers, especially for live settings since you can easilyintegrate it into any live set.

Some of the biggest artists out there, like Armin vanBuuren, use Ableton Live, both for live sets as well as producing their songs.

Having a DAW that fills both needs, be it to produce music in the studio or to use live on a stage, might be a deciding factor for anyone interested in electronic music production.

What are its strengths; Ableton Live is excellent for electronic music production, especially live shows.

Important Note: Ableton Live 11 is going to be released soon, but purchasing the current Live 10 version will allow you to upgrade for free once it comes out.

Find out more about Ableton Live here:

Moving on…

9. Reaper (Windows, Mac)

Free

Reaper is a fantastic and budget-friendly DAW that allowsyou to do anything other DAWs can.

For just $60 for a personal license, I have to say that thisis one of my favorites.

The interface is clean and very easy to use, plus you can customize the layout however you like to suit your needs, and you can even download free skins to make it look even better.

The stock plugins that come with Reaper, even though they don’t look as flashy as some others, are extremely good, and I even use some of them on other DAWs.

If you want to record, mix, and master, without having acluttered workspace, then by all means… Download Reaper.

What are its strengths; Reaper is great forRecording, Mixing, Editing, and Mastering.

You can find out more here: Reaper by Cockos.

10. Bitwig Studio (Windows, Mac)

If you like Ableton Live, or if you need a DAW that’s beendesigned with live performances in mind, then Bitwig studio might be the onefor you.

Since it was developed by ex-Ableton engineers, it doesactually share some concepts and workflow similarities.

It has a flexible modulation synthesis environment which allowsany device, be it native or third party, to have an unlimited number ofadditional modulators attached.

You can subscribe to a 12-month update plan, rather thansimply purchasing each update individually.

This means that you will receive every single update untilthe period is up.

After this you won’t have access to the updates but you willkeep the software with all the updates you got so far.

What are its strengths; Bitwig Studio is great for Electronic Music Production and live performances.

You can find out more here: Bitwig Studio.

11. Garageband (Mac Only)

Garageband is an amazing DAW that comes free with any iOS device, if you own a Mac or an iPhone you will have access to it.

It is, essentially, a stripped-down version of Logic Pro X but completely free.

Garageband is a great place to start if you want to learn about multitrack recording, using MIDI and essentially mixing, before spending a lot of money on expensive software.

With Garageband, not only can you produce a song on your computer, but you also can produce an entire song using just your cellphone, since you have all the tools you need right there.

This means that if you own an iPhone and you want to record only using that device, Garageband will be the ideal choice for you.

You can find out more here:Garageband.

12. Cakewalk (Windows Only)

Cakewalk is, in my opinion, the best Free DAW currently available.

The only downside is that it’s only for Windows users.

It’s basically a rebranded version of SONAR Platinum with all its professional features included, and it’s also excellent for recording, mixing, editing, and mastering.

What are its strengths/apple-fl-studio-download.html. ; Great all-rounder and Free without any limitations.

You can find out more here: Cakewalk.

13. Mixcraft 9 (Windows Only)

Mixcraft is a very affordable alternative to all the DAWs onthis list.

With the number of virtual instruments, effects, and other features it provides, this DAW could easily be sold for a lot more.

It comes with the Integrated Melodyne Tuning software, loads of Synths, mastering tools, and more.

The Interface is clean and pretty straight forward, which isalways a good thing.

What are its strengths; Great all-rounder.

You can find out more here: Mixcraft 9.

14. ACID Pro (Windows Only)

I generally don’t see ACID Pro included on any “Best DAW” lists, which I don’t think is fair since it’s a fantastic music production tool, plus at the price that it sells at it’s a complete bargain.

It’s very similar to FL Studio in the sense that it’s main focus isn’t so much on mixing, but rather on music creation by using samples and loops.

However, you definitely can mix and master on it and it provides you with all the tools necessary to do so.

ACID Pro is also fantastic at helping you compose, since it makes it easier than most other DAWs to change the tempo and pitch of certain parts, move them around, etc.

I honestly recommend giving it a shot!

What are its strengths: Good all rounder with an emphasis on sample- and loop music creation/composition.

Find out more about ACID Pro here:

Most Cost-EffectiveDAWs

While investing in Pro Tools or Cubase might be a good idea for professional studio owners, the rest of the world doesn’t really need to do that.

In fact, I could argue that using Cakewalk, if you’re a Windows user, is probably the best way to go if you’re on a budget.

So, if you want a fully-featured and free DAW, Cakewalk is for you.

Other than that, here are my top three paid choices;

  • Studio One: Overall great DAW at a reasonable price.
  • FL Studio: Good budget option for electronic music producers.
  • Reaper: I can’t emphasize enough how good this DAW is, and you can get it for $60. It’s a great all-rounder music production software.
  • Logic Pro: Probably the best alternative for Mac users since it only costs $199.

Lastly, consider giving ACID Pro a shot if you’re into sample-based and loop-based music production.

Is the DAW itself really an important factor?

Of course, having powerful software is essential when trying to get your mixes to sound professional, or even when trying to compose and arrange.

However, I could argue that no matter what DAW you choose,you could certainly get excellent results with it if you really learn all ofits features and how to use them.

Of course, using FL Studio or Reason will surely help you create better electronic music than Reaper or Cakewalk, but that’s it.

The DAW is just a tool and what really matters are yourskills.

How to Improve your skills as a producer?

Practice makes perfect, right?

Well, not quite…

Practicing the right way makes perfect.

If you practice ten hours a day but focus on the wrongthings, it may take you forever… if you ever get there at all, that is.

So, try and focus on improving the skills that you feel you stillhaven’t perfected yet.

Here are a couple posts which might help you along the way;

Conclusion

Choosing a DAW isn’t an easy task since there are so many,plus some of them are quite expensive.

However, most of them can do the same things…

The only thing that matters in that case is if you like theworkflow of one better than the other.

Still, all the DAWson this list are great and I don’t think you can go wrong with either of them.

I hope this information was helpful…

Have a wonderful day!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best DAW?

Short answer: Pro Tools by Avid.
However, almost every DAW out there is capable of doing everything that Pro Tools can, which just means that you can choose whichever DAW you feel most comfortable with.
Even free ones like Cakewalk are more than capable of producing music at the highest of levels.

Do professionals use FL Studio?

Yes, of course.
Every professional DAW is capable of doing the same things. However, FL Studio tends to be used mostly to produce electronic music.
But it is more than capable of producing any kind of music you want.

What is the easiest DAW to use?

Garageband is the easiest DAW to use, however it is only available for iOS devices.
If you’re a Windows user then I would recommend either Studio One Prime or Audacity which are fairly simple and beginner friendly DAWs.

Summary :

When it comes to music production software, FL Studio is a must-try platform for many users. It’s very comprehensive and powerful, but it does have some drawbacks, like a complicated editing process. Fortunately, there’re many other FL Studio alternatives for you to choose from.

Quick Navigation :

FL Studio is one of the world’s most popular DAW software available on Windows and macOS. But there’re many applications like FL Studio. If you’re looking for a cheaper or free alternative to FL Studio, just check out this post and you’ll find an excellent one. If you want to edit the music in the video, try MiniTool MovieMaker.

The 5 Best FL Studio Alternatives

  1. Audacity
  2. Avid Pro Tools
  3. Traverso DAW
  4. Logic Pro X
  5. LMMS

1. Audacity

If you want an FL Studio free alternative, Audacity is the first one you should try. It is a free, open-source, and cross-platform audio editing software. It’s very simple to use, so it may be the perfect option for a beginner. It allows you to make music with or without recording and supports multi-track recording.

And if a selection of a recording is not well, you can split and delete it. After your creation, you can continue to edit and mix the tracks, such as moving tracks or applying music effects.

Audacity is an open-source and powerful audio editing software. To enable you to use it with ease, this post will give you a guide on how to use Audacity.

2. Avid Pro Tools

It’s also an excellent alternative to FL Studio. This music software is equipped with powerful editing tools, making you manipulate and enhance every aspect of the audio and MIDI tracks. It’s available to create music with up to 128 audio tracks. Pro Tools includes 60 virtual instruments, like drums, bass, guitar, and many audio effects. And it comes in three versions: free Pro Tools First, paid Pro Tools, and Pro Tools Ultimate.

3. Traverso DAW

Traverso DAW, a multitrack audio recording and editing program, is also an FL Studio free alternative. It has a simple and intuitive user interface. The main features include non-destructive editing, virtually unlimited track count, lockless real-time audio processing, support for 16/24/32 bit’s audio, and more. This FL Studio alternative is suitable for both professional and home users.

4. Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X is another wonderful alternative to FL Studio. It’s a professional recording studio that provides software instruments, audio effects and recording facilities for music synthesis, and support for Apple Loops – royalty-free, professional recorded instrument loops.

The software instrument includes Drum Kit Designer, Drum Machine Designer, and more. Audio effects include modulation effects, pitch effects, and reverb effects, and more. Besides, it offers a fast production speed.

Fl Studio Daw Free

Voice recorders are very helpful in our daily life. You can them to record your voice, lectures, and songs. Here’re 4 best voice recorders, have a try!

5. LMMS

Free Daw Software

This is another FL Studio free alternative. It’s a free and open-source application to make music. Same as other DAW programs, it has many free plugins, samples, instruments, etc. What’s more, it’s a song editor to arrange instruments, samples, automation, etc., a beat + bassline editor to sequence rhythms, an FX mixer to send multiple audio inputs, and a piano roll to customize patterns and melodies, etc.

Fl Studio Free Alternative

After learning about the 5 alternatives to FL Studio basically, now let’s look at the table below about their platform availability and price.

Software

Platform Compatibility

Price

Audacity

Windows, macOS, Linux

Free

Avid Pro Tools

Windows and macOS

Pro Tools First: free

Pro Tools: from $29.99/month

Pro Tools Ultimate: from $79.99/month

Traverso DAW

Windows, macOS, Linux

Free

Logic Pro X

macOS

$199.99

LMMS

Windows, macOS, Linux

Free

Free Daw Alternative To Fl Studio Drum Kits

When you listen to some fantastic music beats, do you desire to make them by yourself? This post will give you 7 best free beat makers to create music beats.

Bottom Line

Music Studio Daw Free

Among the 5 FL Studio alternatives, which one do you like best? Or do you want to share other alternatives? You can leave your opinions and recommendations in the below comments area.