Best 10 Free Audio Recording/Editing Software of 2020! Last Updated on March 19, 2020 by Facundo If there’s one thing that really gets me going is when someone says that you need to have Pro Tools, Cubase you name it, installed in order to be a good producer. Further, in this post, I will be mentioning and describing Best Free Software For Windows 10 that will surely help you out to minimize the expense and at the same time, you can expect the functionalities to be perfect for a professional which is even better. So, let’s begin! BRELS MIDI Editor, as the name suggests, is a free portable MIDI editor for Windows. To edit MIDI files, you can place notes, remove notes, append tracks, delete tracks, mute tracks, set instrument, set tempo, etc. Additionally, you can add text, marker, lyrics, and cue points to the music sheet. The composition can be played from the interface. To edit MIDI files without much hassle, it lets.
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Welcome to Audacity Audacity® is free, open source, cross-platform audio software for multi-track recording and editing. Audacity is available for Windows®, Mac®, GNU/Linux® and other operating systems. Check our feature list, Wiki and Forum. Download Audacity 2.1.3 Mar 17th, 2017: Audacity. This free Windows app from Glauco is a recording studio with a multi-touch sequencer. It can be used for recording, mixing and editing and will be a perfect way for creating sounding music productions.
Last Updated on March 19, 2020 by
If there’s one thing that really gets me going is whensomeone says that you need to have Pro Tools, Cubase… you name it, installed inorder to be a good producer.
The funny thing is that this couldn’t be farther from thetruth.
In order to be a good producer, you need to learn how to properly produce music, the software you use for recording/editing is secondary.
If you don’t have the proper knowledge, acoustic treatment,equipment, and skills, it doesn’t matter if you use the “best” software outthere…
Your mixes will most certainly suck!
So, before I get into the free Audio recording software, there are some things that need to be addressed.
Table of Contents
- Traverso (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Ardour (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Jokosher (Windows, Linux)
- Ohm Studio (Windows, Mac)
- Pro Tools First (Windows, Mac)
- Tracktion T7 (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Studio One Prime (Windows, Mac)
- Cakewalk by Bandlab (Windows)
- Audacity (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Garageband (Mac only)
But first, something that is a lot more important than the editing software you use, which is…
Improve your skills
Just like with anything else in life, recording, mixing, andmastering are skills that need to be learned… and this takes time.
Think more about which of those skills you are lacking and focus on improving them instead of thinking that you need to purchase Pro Tools simply because someone said so.
If you are excellent at using any kind of software, let’s sayAudacity, do you think that you could achieve the same quality mix on Pro Toolsor Cubase?…
Probably not, right?… At least not until you get used tothose DAWs.
While it might be a good idea to upgrade to some of the moreprofessional recording software/DAWs at some point, I really don’t think thatthis should be a priority.
Lucky for you not only are there dozens of free recordingprograms out there…
But even Pro Tools, Presonus, and other of the big names, have free stripped-down versions of their most popular DAWs.
If you think that you might need a couple courses to improve your skills quickly, then let me recommend the loopmasters website where you can find loads of courses about almost anything music related.
Best Free Audio Recording Programs
Now that that’s out of the way it’s time to get into thelist of the recording programs…
Note: You might be thinking “Hey, but my computercame with one pre-installed, can’t I use that one?”.
Well, yes and no…
If you own a Mac then it means that you get Garageband forfree, and Garageband is definitely on this list since it’s excellent!
If that’s your case then yes.
If you own a PC, like most of us, then you will absolutelyneed to download another program.
Lucky for you, here’s a list of 10 great ones which not onlyare free, but also work great!
Note: I’ll end the post with the ones I like themost.
Let’s get started…
10. Traverso
The whole idea behind Traverso is to make the workflow aseasy as possible.
They achieve this by allowing you to control the entireprogram through mouse+keyboard shortcuts, which I know may sound a littleintimidating at first…
But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to work thatmuch faster.
Some cool features of Traverso are;
Non-destructive audio editing: This allows you to undo/redoas much as you want.
Cut the track into a million pieces, add effects, and more…and the original file will still be intact.
This is a great feature for beginners to have, since you can’treally run into any serious problems.
Burn directly to a CD: Yes, we almost don’t use CDsanymore, but it’s a nice feature to have.
Once you’re done with a project you can burn it directly on-toa CD without even leaving Traverso.
Note: This is not a simple recording program…
It’s actually a full DAW which is quite powerful and thatcertainly is capable of producing professional sounding music.
So, if you like using shortcuts and don’t mind that initiallearning curve, by all means, give Traverso a try.
You can download it here.
9. Ardour
Ardour is yet another free DAW/audio recording and editing software that is both aimed at the seasoned producer as well as beginners.
It’s a fully featured DAW, and the whole point behind Ardour is to be the go-to choice for engineers who are on a budget and can’t afford to purchase a premium one.
Just like Traverso, Ardour features non-destructive editingas well as 32-bit float.
Not only that, but contrary to Pro Tools first, Ardour doesn’tput a limit on the number of simultaneous tracks you can use.
It also supports VST, LADSPA, AU, and LV2 formats so thatyou can use your favorite plugins.
Additionally, Ardour runs on JACK which is excellent at handling MIDI without any latency whatsoever.
Lastly, would I recommend Ardour to a complete newbie?
Probably not… and here’s why;
The user interface is a bit more complex than the one onother free recording software out there, like Garageband which is extremelyeasy to use.
However, I’ve you’ve ever worked with a real DAW before, Ardourwill probably be easy to learn, plus it can do anything a premium DAW can.
You can download it here.
8. Jokosher
Jokosher is one of the most lightweight recording programs you’ll ever find.
It’s not really designed to be able to do any advancedmixing and mastering, like most other programs on this list…
However, what it lacks in functionality it more than makesup in ease of use.
Not only that, but it was designed to use concepts that musicians are more familiar with than the language used in most audio editing software…
Making it a good starting point!
Even though Ardour may not be as in-depth as some of theother DAWs on this list, it still features all the basic editing tools likesplitting, trimming, etc.
It even comes with a decent number of instruments which can be added to a project.
However, if you want do add extra plugins like Orchestral VST,for example, you will only be able to add LADSPA plugins… which Iknow isn’t ideal.
All in all, Jokosher is a great free tool mainly due to its ease of use… it’s very similar to Garageband in that regard.
If you need to do some simple audio recording, mixing, etc.,or if you want a simple tool for podcasting, then Jokosher might be the rightfit.
You can download it here.
7. Ohm Studio
Ohm Studio looks like a regular DAW, or like any other audiorecording software.
But what sets it apart from every other program on this listis not the number of plugins it comes with, or how powerful it can be…
What really sets it apart is that it’s a collaborative recording software.
What this means is that you can give access to otherpeople and they can simultaneously work with you in real time on thesame project.
The reason I included Ohm Studio in this list is exactly becauseof that one feature.
Other than that, it doesn’t offer anything that otherrecording software don’t.
It comes with a lot of effects and instruments that can beused completely for free, and it also supports VST plugins… but only 32-bitfor now.
You can download it here.
6. Pro Tools First
Pro Tools First is the stripped-down version of the mostpopular DAW in existence…
It includes the Xpand!2 virtual instruments and UVIWorkstation 3 sample player which give you access to a variety of sounds,from beats and loops, to power chords and more.
Since it’s a lite version of Pro Tools, it only allows forup to four simultaneous tracks to be recorded at the same time…
And 16 tracks can be played back at the same time.
I know this doesn’t sound like a lot but remember that it’s the free version and you can always upgrade later on.
Pro tools First also comes with 23 effects andutility plugins, which are great for basic mixing procedures.
It is free to download and use, but you need to registerwith them and with iLoki also, which takes a bit of time.
Whenever you want to try out free software, having to jumpthrough a couple of hoops isn’t the worst thing, but it would be much better ifthey didn’t make you do any of this.
Note: If you’re thinking about building a homestudio, don’t miss out on this list I wrote about all the HomeStudio Essentials you need!
You can Download it here.
5. Tracktion T7
Tracktion T7, just like Cakewalk, which I will talk about in a second, is a completely freeand fully featured/unlimited DAW.
This means that there is no “Lite” version, there areno track limitations, no plugin limitations, or any other constraint of sortslike on Pro Tools First or Cubase LE.
The T7 version, and all the prior ones, are free.
This is because they want you to try them out and see if youlike the workflow…
If you do, you can upgrade to the latest version that is now called Waveform 9, which isn’t free.
In order to get this one, you will need to register as well.
After this, simply select your OS and download.
The BIG difference between Tracktion T7 and all the otherDAWs I’ve tried is that the workflow is very different.
You have your tracks, which go from left to right, like in any other DAW, but the Mixer isn’t on the bottom, like in EVERY OTHER DAW… it’s on the right.
The controls for every track are on that same track but on the right side of the DAW.
This might be a bit confusing at first, but it makes senseonce you’ve gotten used to it.
However, even though getting used to the different workflowof Tracktion 7 can take some time…
Why would you spend a fortune in order to get some other DAWwhen this one, and Cakewalk as well, can do the same things but for free?
Definitely give it a try!
You can download it here.
4. Studio One Prime
Studio One Prime is a beginner friendly DAW.
Free Video Recording And Editing Software
The user interface is extremely intuitive and easy to use and it offers ahassle-free workflow.
Therefore, it’s great for beginners since recording a demo in your bedroomwithout any prior experience won’t be such a headache.
I recommend Studio One Prime to people with no prior experience who justwant to learn the basics of mixing music.
The biggest drawback it has is that it can’t load VST or AU plugins.
If you want to be able to do this, you will need to upgrade to Studio OneArtist.
Note: In order to use VST/AU plugins in Studio One Artist,you will need to purchase a separately paid add-on for these VST/AU plugins towork.
Yes, this sucks… But the software itself is great!
Studio One Prime comes with nine Native effect Plugins like delay,distortion, etc. which are surprisingly good.
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At the time of writing this article, the current version is StudioOne 4 Prime.
The latest version introduces a couple of improvements added from the Artistand Pro editions of the Software.
These are; An improved instrument editing workflow, theintroduction of drum and melodic patterns as well as MP3 encoding.
This is a stripped-down version of the Artist and Pro editions, if you needVST/AU plugins, or if you want more effects, you will have to either getanother DAW from this list, of purchase the Artist or Pro editions.
Remember that the Artist version requires a separately paid add-onfor VST/AU plugins to work.
Just like with most of the DAWs on this list, you will need to register inorder to download it.
Still, I think that Studio One Prime is definitely worth checking out.
You can download it here.
3. Cakewalk by Bandlab
Cakewalk is considered to be the best free DAW out there,the one issue is that it’s only for Windows users (Windows 7 or higher and only64-bit), but you are getting a $600 value DAW for absolutely free.
It’s basically a rebranded version of SONAR Platinum withall its professional features included.
One of the differences between Cakewalk and ProTools Firstor Cubase LE (light version of Cubase), is that those come with a couplerestrictions;
Like limited simultaneous tracks recording and playing back,and some other features.
Cakewalk is just as powerful as the full versions ofProTools and Cubase, but 100% free!
Not only is Cakewalk my top choice for any free recordingsoftware out there, but it’s also the one I generally use the most.
For years now I’ve been using Cubase and I have to say thatI really like the workflow…
But Cakewalk is very similar in the sense that it’s a fullDAW, while still being absolutely free.
Of course, it comes down to your own preferences.
Maybe you like the interface of some other DAW better, butthis one offers everything the full version of a paid DAW does, and more!
If you are a Windows user, then get Cakewalk, no questionsasked!
Note: Once you downloaded Cakewalk, you will need toregister (you can do this through Facebook or Google, it only takes onesecond).
Then you need to go to the “App” section and installCakewalk.
You can download it here.
2. Audacity
Audacity, while not being the most powerful program outthere, is the go-to recording software for most beginner home music recordingenthusiasts as well as podcasters.
The reason for this is that it’s fairly simple to use, whichis ideal if you are a beginner.
The interface is simple and clean (Ideal for a newbie),which just means that the user experience as a whole will be much lesscomplicated.
Not only that but it can record using your PC’s onboardsound card directly through the mic input and line-in input.
Live streaming is also an option if your sound card supportsit.
It comes with quite the number of included effects which areuseful for getting the sound you desire, from setting the levels right tochanging the sound of your voice even.
From EQs, to pitch correction, delay, reverb, compressor,noise removal, and more… Audacity has got your basic effect needs covered.
Additionally, it even supports VST, LADSPA, AU, and Nyquistplugins, meaning that if you want to load a Drum VST plugin,you can.
Audacity supports a sample rate of up to 192kHz, which isfar more than you’ll ever need since most of the times, even in professionalstudios, the sample rate is 48kHz.
But having the alternative to go this high will allow you todo some high-caliber recordings.
Note: You’ll need the appropriate gear to takeadvantage of this feature.
Audacity may not necessarily come packed with loads offeatures, but what it lacks in added functionality it more than makes up insimplicity.
This is why I think that it’s excellent for beginners, sinceit’s fairly simple to use while still providing you with a whole lot ofoptions.
If you’re just starting to learn about audio engineering orif you are recording simple things, like a podcast, then Audacity is definitelyworth considering.
You can download it here.
1. Garageband
Garageband is an amazing DAW that comes free with any iOSdevice, if you own a Mac or an iPhone you will have access to it.
It is, essentially, a stripped-down version of Logic Pro Xbut completely free.
Garageband is a great place to start if you want to learnabout multitrack recording, using MIDI and essentially mixing, before spendinga lot of money on expensive software.
With Garageband not only can you produce a song on yourcomputer 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 recordonly using that device, Garageband will be the ideal choice for you.
I wrote an entire article on Howto produce a song with no Studio Equipment which should be of use to anyonewho wants to record using a mobile device.
Garageband is extremely easy to use, which is why I think itdeserves the first stop on this list.
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The interface is clean, the design is super intuitive…Perfect for any beginner!
Which one should you choose?
Well, this is a complicated question to answer…
The fact is that most of the audio recording/editingprograms on this list will be able to do almost the exact same things properly.
However, this all depends on your overall music productionknowledge.
If you are a complete newbie then I’d recommend Garageband,for Mac users, and Jokosher, for Windows users.
Garageband is pretty versatile and will allow you tocreate some pretty good sounding music.
Free Audio Recording Software For Windows 10
Jokosher on the other hand, is very easy to use… butalso very limited, and should be used as a jumping off point.
If you already know a bit about how to use a DAW, then I’ddefinitely recommend Cakewalk, which is Windows only…
Otherwise TracktionT7 is your next best bet.
Conclusion
Like I mentioned in my little rant at the beginning, having thelatest version of a premium software like Pro Tools and Cubase isn’t reallynecessary.
There are loads of free alternatives out there which havenothing to envy the premium ones.
In my opinion, it all comes down to how you feel using eachDAW.
If you prefer the workflow of Pro Tools First, then it mightmake sense to purchase the full version.
Otherwise, just stick to a free one.
I hope this information was useful.
Have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest software to make music?
If you use an iOS device to record, then Garageband is your best bet since it’s incredibly intuitive and easy to use.
On the other hand, if you’re a Windows user then I would recommend Studio one Prime, which is one of the easiest DAWs to learn, or Audacity since it doesn’t provide so many features that you’ll feel overwhelmed.
On the other hand, if you’re a Windows user then I would recommend Studio one Prime, which is one of the easiest DAWs to learn, or Audacity since it doesn’t provide so many features that you’ll feel overwhelmed.
Can Audacity record MIDI?
Audacity cannot record MIDI. It can only reproduce it if you import it.
Audacity cannot be directly controlled by a MIDI controller either.
Audacity cannot be directly controlled by a MIDI controller either.
Is there anything better than audacity?
Even though Audacity works pretty well, it’s far from the best free recording/editing software out there.
If you want the best free alternatives then I’d recommend either Cakewalk or Tracktion T7.
If you want the best free alternatives then I’d recommend either Cakewalk or Tracktion T7.
Is Audacity Safe?
If you download it from the official website then yes, it’s absolutely safe.
However, you need to be really careful since there are dozens of other websites out there that allow you to download Audacity and you might get some unwanted malware with those downloads.
However, you need to be really careful since there are dozens of other websites out there that allow you to download Audacity and you might get some unwanted malware with those downloads.
![Windows Windows](https://www.videohelp.com/softwareimages/openshot_video_editor_1244.jpg)
Windows 10 Screen Recorders
5 professional screen recorders for Windows 10
- ApowerREC
The first tool you can use to record your Windows 10 screen is ApowerREC. ApowerREC is a screen recorder application that can capture live streaming videos, video calls and other activities on your desktop even if they are being processed real-time. With its support, you can create tutorials and record videos you like on Windows.
This tool is capable of recording webcam alone in case your need arises, and it can also create a picture in picture effect by recording your screen and webcam at the same time. Meanwhile you are doing the recording, you can add annotations to your video for explanation, such as arrows, highlights, texts, as well as other interesting features. Besides, you can simply edit the recording by cropping it or adding a watermark to it. Once you finish the recording, you can upload it to YouTube to share with your subscribers or upload it to ShowMore cloud storage for saving computer space.
PROS
- It has a user friendly interface.
- It has an advanced screen recording feature readily available for selected situations.
- It can record screen automatically when you are away from your computer.
- It supports the uploading of recorded videos on YouTube, ShowMore, Google Drive, DropBox, FTP etc.
CONS
- It occupies higher CPU compared to other recorders.
- Camtasia Studio
Another candidate for becoming the best Windows 10 screen recorder is Camtasia Studio. This program has been created and published by TechSmith. This fact allows it to have you edit video after recording the screen of your computer in a natural way, including combining, trimming, splitting and adjusting the speed of video clips. Also, you are allowed to add animations, titles, transitions, highlights, images, audio files and effects, voice narration, and many more. Besides, recorded videos can be used for marketing, advertising, business presentation, and educational purposes according to the need and interest of the buyer.
PROS
- It has a 30-day free trial.
CONS
- It doesn’t support scheduled automatic screen recording.
- It is more expensive compared to other tools.
- Flashback
An alternative desktop screen recorder is Flashback developed by Blueberry Software. It can capture all the area on your computer screen without any hesitation. While recording, you can also draw lines, shapes, figures, and add images and notes to it. What’s more, videos can be converted into many other formats and can be shared on YouTube or Flashback Connect. This software allows users to try in 30 days for free.
PROS
- This tool supports to record multiple monitors.
CONS
- It only permits you to import FBR format.
- Fraps
Fraps is a video and screen capture tool for Windows 10 that has become the part of many Huawei owner’s part. This software is known for gamers who record their gameplay since it can capture outstanding video game quality. Users can download the free version for use. However, it can only record a 30 seconds video and it leaves a watermark on the top of the video.
PROS
- It has a maximum resolution of 7680×4800.
CONS
- Take a large portion on your disk in a 2 minute recording video.
- MadCap Mimic
The next best screen recording software for Windows 10 is MadCap Mimic. This is a multimedia software that can record the screen activities on your computer. In addition to that, you can record your PC in three methods, including manual, automatic and full-motion recording. If you want to try it before purchasing, you can install it for a 30-day free trial.
PROS
- It provides some video and visual effects.
CONS
- It’s too complicated to make configurations.
5 best free Windows 10 screen recorders
- Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
In case you want to save money, then try Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. This is a free web-based tool that can record your Windows 10 computer screen without any trouble. With the support of it, you can record your computer screen in few clicks. In addition to that, it supports several output formats like MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, GIF, VOB, and ASF, etc. Also, it lets you capture audio while you are recording your desktop screen. Users can use their webcam when they are video chatting with their family, friends and other colleagues.
PROS
- This tool is available online, free of charge.
- It has a user friendly interface.
- There is no length or size limits of the recording on the free version.
CONS
- Launching this tool needs stable internet connection.
2. OBS Studio
An alternative free screen recording software for windows 10 is OBS Studio. This tool can be characterized as a live screen recorder and live streaming program. Just like the tools mentioned above, this program can be used to record microphone and webcam directly while capturing desktop screen. Aside from that feature, you can also try some other relevant features such as audio mixer, themes, filters and many more.
PROS
- Live streaming is supported.
- Games can be recorded freely.
CONS
- The interface is complicated.
- It is difficult to set the configuration.
3. Ezvid
Ezvid is a screen recorder and video editor for your Windows 10 PC. This program has keyboard shortcuts in the aim of giving users the ability quickly record their screen. Moreover, there is a widget displayed on your screen that makes it also possible to easily stop the recording. However, there is no way to hide the widget on your computer while recording your computer screen.
PROS
- It has a built-in video editor.
- It allows users to add effects to sound while recording.
CONS
- The saving process takes a long time.
4. Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic is one of the best free screen recorder for Windows 10 and a great screen capturing program. It is an online tool that can be used by Youtubers, students, teachers, and businessman, and many other diverse groups of users. You can utilize the tool even without signing up or signing in to it that is a unique feature for your ease and rapid usage. You just need your computer browser in order to use this tool. Apart from that, it allows you to record both screen and webcam at the same time or record your webcam alone if you want.
- No need to register.
- Easy to be configured.
CONS
- The free version cannot record system sound.
5. Icecream Screen Recorder
Last but not least, the Icecream Screen Recorder also takes a place on the list. This program enables you to record or take screenshots of any part of your screen no matter what activities you are doing. In this way you can start recording while playing games, video chatting, live streaming, and other activities of your choice without hesitation. Besides, it enables you to draw shapes, lines and figures, add watermark and a lot more during the recording process.
PROS
- It supports to zoom in and zoom out while recording.
CONS
- It only allows you to record up to 10 minutes.
Free Audio Editing Software Windows
Conclusion
To sum up, both paid and free screen recorders are available for Windows 10 with a great diversity. All of these best Windows 10 screen recorders are effective and efficient for creating recordings. However, you need to always remember that there are some limitations for the free version of screen recorders when it comes to comparison with the paid tools. Meanwhile, if you are into practicality, you can choose ApowerREC for the advanced version and Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder for free use. These two both have advanced screen recording functions as well as some features that can help you with your other tasks.