There's little debate as to whether a PC or a Mac is better for music production. So we're not going to even get into that one as it's a non-starter and we'll save you the research by letting you know that Mac is the number one choice for music producers at all levels. But with such a variety of Macs to choose from it can be difficult deciding on which range of Macs is the best for you.
Logic Pro X is Apple's premium music production software. Out of the box, every Mac comes with Apple's free Music production software GarageBand. Whilst GarageBand is definitely a sweet bit of kit and can be used to create impressive work in the right hands, compared to Logic Pro X, GarageBand is simply a children's toy, whereas Logic Pro X is strictly for the professionals. This means that to run such a powerful piece of software you're going to need the hardware to match. But just which Mac is the best to create your masterpieces on Logic Pro X? Well, that depends a lot on what your uses are and you as an individual. In this blog, we will take a look at the different options available and let you make an informed decision on which is the best choice for you.
The 15″ MacBook Pro with 512 GB of storage, 16GB of RAM, Solid State Harddrive, and the Intel UHD Graphics 630 Card, is probably the best laptop for Garageband users. You can find it on Amazon at this link here. To put it simply, the best way to record instruments and vocals in Garageband is by hooking up your instrument or microphone to an audio interface that's connected to your computer. Naturally, you need 9 pieces of gear: 1) An audio interface 2) A microphone or guitar/bass/etc. 3) Noise Canceling Headphones. 5) Microphone Stand.
- The best midi keyboard for GarageBand that we will be reviewing in the article will all be Midi over USB, which mean that all you have to do is switch on the computer, plug in the keyboard then you will be playing the selected sounds and pre-set synths inside of GarageBand from your new keyboard controller.
- In this feature I ditch the recording studio and take a look at the best portable interfaces for GarageBand musicians who want the freedom to record anytime, anywhere. The beauty of an app like GarageBand for iOS is that you no longer need to spend ludicrous amounts of money renting studio time or wait until your ‘big break' to write.
MacBook Pro
If you're looking to make music on the go then your only option is the MacBook Pro. With Logic Pro X being so processor-intensive we recommend avoiding the low-end Pro models or 13 inch models and opting for upgraded ranges. If you can, then you would ideally like to get your model with 16GB of memory. When purchasing a MacBook Pro to create music we recommended opting for a MacBook with a dedicated graphics card, this is an optional extra which takes the task of running your graphics away from the CPU to free up performance.
Although the fans can get loud, the lightweight but powerful MacBook Pro is perfect for musicians who are constantly travelling/working with other artists and need to be taking their music from one place to another regularly. An issue with the newer models though is the lack of ports, with only Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 3mm port for your earphones, you will need dongles galore if you want to connect any other devices to your MacBook. If you're not a fan of dongles then we recommend our personal favourite, the 2015 Macbook Pro.
Mac Mini
If you're looking to make music on a budget then the Mac Mini could be the best option for you. This small Mac can be upgraded to be a rather powerful beast for a far cheaper price than some of its more fancy cousins. However, if you do opt to go with the Mac Mini then be aware that you will also need to buy a monitor, keyboard and mouse too. We would avoid purchasing a Mac Mini from 2014 and instead would favour a top spec 2012 system. A high-spec current generation model with the 6 core is also an ideal small desktop for audio, giving you a range of choice between the models depending on your budget and requirements.
iMac
When it comes to making music in the studio there really isn't a better option than the iMac. A powerful iMac has all the capabilities to perform smoothly and quietly to produce the music industry's finest work, all while presenting on a crisp retina display that now comes in 4k or 5k options. Add to this the multiple ports that make it great for external storage and attaching accessories, the iMac is a fantastic studio option and has everything necessary to effortlessly create real art using Logic Pro X.
In terms of specs, some iMac model's accept 32GB, a good option depending on your requirements and budget. We favour the 27-inch models as these tend to be spec up higher, with newer models going up to 8 core i9! But whatever iMac you choose, be sure to avoid all Fusion Drive models. With a history of mechanical failures, we suggest the risk of your valued work ending up unreadable is not worth it in the long run.
MacPro
If you're shopping without a budget and money is no object then we would recommend the MacPro. Easily the most powerful of all of Apple's Mac offerings. When configured to its maximum capabilities the sheer power of this beast is every music producer's dream. The 12 core 5,1 is a good option which can go up to 128GB. The new Mac Pro is a monster and if your budget allows and you want the very best that Apple has to offer then the new Mac Pro would certainly smash any audio work flow. If you're looking for a 6,1 2013 model then you want the 3.0 GHz 8 Core rather than the 2.7 GHz 12 core as the drop in clock speed hurts performance more than what the extra cores add.
If you're happy to spend as much as is necessary and want the most powerful device that Apple has to offer, and have no need to travel with your music, then the Mac Pro is the whisper-quiet machine for you. However, the power of the MacPro is really not necessary for music production and we would choose to opt for one of the above devices, but if it's out-and-out power that you're looking for then you won't find an Apple computer more powerful than the MacPro. Whichever device you opt for we always recommend going SSD based and getting as much RAM and CPU power as your budget permits.
Best freeware video editor windows. GarageBand is probably one of the best, if not 'The Best', digital music production apps out there. It has tons of powerful features and tools to carve out the exact tone you desire. The best part about GarageBand? It's beginner-friendly, and it's free to download. If you're just planning to scratch the surface, it would not be intimidating for you. However, GarageBand is only available for Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, and iPad) only.
But if you don't have an Apple device, say Mac, we have got you covered. Since a majority of people own Windows operated PCs and laptops, they often look for an efficient Windows equivalent. Of course, there's a simple way to use GarageBand for PC, we've still collated the list of possible free GarageBand alternatives for Windows users to be on the safer side. Here you go!
Note: We've also added YouTube videos for each software listed below so that if you're new to it, you can learn it quickly!
Best GarageBand Windows Alternatives Listed!
Most of these GarageBand Windows alternatives are available for free and a few of them are paid.
#1. Audacity
Preferred by almost every Windows user, Audacity is one of the finest audio editing software out there. It's free, easy to use, and has a very simple user interface. Do you have big and long audio files to edit? Worry not. Because, the most amazing part of using Audacity is that you can seamlessly work from any devices you like, on your projects that are longer than 1 hour.
It is specially built to work on such audio projects with higher consistency and stability. Audacity supports a huge range of plug-ins and libraries to enhance its functionality. The installation procedure has no complications either.
Key Features:- Live sound recording system with audio playback.
- Control the pitch rate or speed of your recordings.
- All the basic features including, duplicate, blend, cut, or merge audio files.
- Multiple audio formats to edit (MP2, AIFF, WAV, FLAC, OGG).
- Supports plug-ins for both, 32-bit and 64-bit audio effects.
Drawbacks:
- Doesn't support MIDI recordings. Only import options available for MIDI files.
- No option for multi-band compression.
- Unable to apply real-time effects.
#2. FL Studio
Unlike Audacity, FL Studio is not just another audio editing software. It is the complete package. It's more like a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). FL Studio is often considered as one of the best music production apps for Windows.
The interface has a professional look to it, and you can almost do anything in it. Preferred by most creative artists, you can compose, arrange, mix, and edit high-quality music with it.
Key Features:- Multi-track audio recording, time-stretching, and pitch-rate control.
- 80 plug-ins available including Producer versions.
- The most powerful piano roll.
- Customizable UI.
- VST standards support.
Drawbacks: Cod4 multiplayer download.
- Automation management is sluggish.
- Fewer features to deal with Audio quantization.
#3. Ableton Live 10
Here's the premium alternative to GarageBand that you can completely count on. Ableton Live 10 has the most exceptional sound editing features. It arrived with a huge upgrade over its predecessor, Live 9.
It has an array of powerful and flexible plug-ins to expand its functionality with the creative DAW. You can do re-sampling, audio manipulation, sequencing, and lots more. Spend a few bucks, and you have the most complete, feature-rich, and professional digital music production app. Website download aplikasi gratis.
Key Features:- Clip-based real-time editing and synthesis work process.
- Powerful automation management.
- Multiple MIDI files are edited at once.
- New synthesizer, Wavetable to create phenomenal sounds.
- New echo and capture feature.
Best Apple Computer For Music
Drawbacks:
- No feature available for track comping.
- Unable to view notation and tablature.
#4. Avid Pro Tools
Pro tools is one of the leading DAW platforms for music production. It has a ton of features to work with and that also on a professional level. Pro Tools almost dominates the professional audio production facilities. Since this application is used on professional platforms, it's not cheap and easy to use.
It has an option to easily compose and deliver any kind of music you want, be it from human voice to an unlimited number of virtual instruments including the audio effects. You can try the Pro Tool First for free. It has a variety of features as well.
Key Features:- Up to 1024 MIDI tracks editing.
- 115+ plug-ins to choose from.
- Undo deleted tracks.
- Freeze tracks to save CPU usage.
- Save and load plug-in chains.
- Collaboration option available as a member of Avid's Artist Community.
Drawbacks:
- Premium plug-ins are expensive.
- Unable to co-operate with third-party interfaces.
- Complicated user interface.
#5. Steinberg Cubase
Cubase is also an excellent choice for a well-rounded and complete DAW. You can make high-quality audios and edit them just the way you want. Producing a piece of trap music or background scoring of a film, both are a piece of cake with Cubase. It has a huge array of professional plug-ins to choose from.
Any instrument or sound you can think of, Cubase has the right tool for it. Producing, mixing, tracking, and editing has been this easy. It's your one-stop solution digital music production app.
Key Features:- Audio wrap quantization.
- Comp pads to create quick music.
- A MixConsole with smartly equipped features and a stunning user interface.
- Fully-integrated voice editing and pitch manipulation with VariAudio.
- Multiple projects handled with MediaBay.
- Exclusive Channel Strip.
Drawbacks:
- Quite expensive in comparison to its competitors.
- Mandatory to carry a dongle to keep the license plugged or you can't use Cubase.
- No Sampler features.
#6. Studio One
Best Mac For Audio Production
Studio One 5 is the latest edition of the well renowned professional audio manufacturer, PreSonus. You can almost do everything a premium audio software can do. Compose, mix and produce your own unique piece of music with Studio One.
You can personalize your workflow just the way you want to. The drag-and-drop option is a handy one to discover new features to be more intuitive.
Key Features:- Equipped with 5 powerful amp systems, Ampire.
- Built-in Melodyne Essential with ARA 2.0 support (+custom integration).
- Audio Batch Converter for manipulation, procession, and conversion of audio files.
- Aux channels and extended mixer scenes.
- VST2/VST3/AU plug-in support for 64-bit.
- Time Stretch mode.
Drawbacks:
- Notation editor not available.
- Complicated installation process.
Best Laptop For Garageband
#7. Reaper
Another professional audio mixing software is Reaper. It's a well-equipped digital audio workstation.This one is most popular among the rising newcomer artists.
It has almost all the essential features to compose and create professional music. It's a stable software, yet efficient and feature-packed.
Key Features:
- Advanced MIDI editing and multi-track recording.
- Customizable UI.
- Lightweight for older computer systems.
Drawbacks:
- Solid plug-ins not available. Third-party plug-ins are recommended.
- Complicated functions.
- No LV2 support.
- Closed source.
These are the most recommended Windows alternatives for GarageBand you can opt for. However, there are some other digital music production apps you can check out.
#8. LMMS
LMMS is an open-source and cross-platform audio editing software. It's quite user-friendly and has a good variety of audio instruments and plug-ins. It has a lot of audio samples to work on. Supports external samples, and you can import tracks from your mobile as well.
#9. Mixcraft 8 Home
Equipped with a large and diverse library of loops, Mixcraft 8 can compose high-quality songs with ease. All the basic features of a good digital audio workstation are available along with the live recording feature. Mixcraft 8 is well suited for beginners.
#10. PropellerHead Reason
This one is mostly recommended for people who want to make electronic or hip-hop music. It has a huge number of options in terms of virtual instruments. You can collaborate with other producers via Rewire. However, it is not recommended for hardcore professional editing.
Closing Thoughts!
There are various other GarageBand equivalent for Windows available, I might have missed a few. But these are the most used digital music production apps for Windows, preferred by professional artists. Each one of these software have a free-trial version. It's recommended to try everything and choose the one that fits your requirement.
If you have any other better options for GarageBand Windows alternatives, do let us know in the comment section right away. We will be happy to add them into our existing list. Till then, keep playing!
Contents
Any instrument or sound you can think of, Cubase has the right tool for it. Producing, mixing, tracking, and editing has been this easy. It's your one-stop solution digital music production app.
Key Features:- Audio wrap quantization.
- Comp pads to create quick music.
- A MixConsole with smartly equipped features and a stunning user interface.
- Fully-integrated voice editing and pitch manipulation with VariAudio.
- Multiple projects handled with MediaBay.
- Exclusive Channel Strip.
Drawbacks:
- Quite expensive in comparison to its competitors.
- Mandatory to carry a dongle to keep the license plugged or you can't use Cubase.
- No Sampler features.
#6. Studio One
Best Mac For Audio Production
Studio One 5 is the latest edition of the well renowned professional audio manufacturer, PreSonus. You can almost do everything a premium audio software can do. Compose, mix and produce your own unique piece of music with Studio One.
You can personalize your workflow just the way you want to. The drag-and-drop option is a handy one to discover new features to be more intuitive.
Key Features:- Equipped with 5 powerful amp systems, Ampire.
- Built-in Melodyne Essential with ARA 2.0 support (+custom integration).
- Audio Batch Converter for manipulation, procession, and conversion of audio files.
- Aux channels and extended mixer scenes.
- VST2/VST3/AU plug-in support for 64-bit.
- Time Stretch mode.
Drawbacks:
- Notation editor not available.
- Complicated installation process.
Best Laptop For Garageband
#7. Reaper
Another professional audio mixing software is Reaper. It's a well-equipped digital audio workstation.This one is most popular among the rising newcomer artists.
It has almost all the essential features to compose and create professional music. It's a stable software, yet efficient and feature-packed.
Key Features:
- Advanced MIDI editing and multi-track recording.
- Customizable UI.
- Lightweight for older computer systems.
Drawbacks:
- Solid plug-ins not available. Third-party plug-ins are recommended.
- Complicated functions.
- No LV2 support.
- Closed source.
These are the most recommended Windows alternatives for GarageBand you can opt for. However, there are some other digital music production apps you can check out.
#8. LMMS
LMMS is an open-source and cross-platform audio editing software. It's quite user-friendly and has a good variety of audio instruments and plug-ins. It has a lot of audio samples to work on. Supports external samples, and you can import tracks from your mobile as well.
#9. Mixcraft 8 Home
Equipped with a large and diverse library of loops, Mixcraft 8 can compose high-quality songs with ease. All the basic features of a good digital audio workstation are available along with the live recording feature. Mixcraft 8 is well suited for beginners.
#10. PropellerHead Reason
This one is mostly recommended for people who want to make electronic or hip-hop music. It has a huge number of options in terms of virtual instruments. You can collaborate with other producers via Rewire. However, it is not recommended for hardcore professional editing.
Closing Thoughts!
There are various other GarageBand equivalent for Windows available, I might have missed a few. But these are the most used digital music production apps for Windows, preferred by professional artists. Each one of these software have a free-trial version. It's recommended to try everything and choose the one that fits your requirement.
If you have any other better options for GarageBand Windows alternatives, do let us know in the comment section right away. We will be happy to add them into our existing list. Till then, keep playing!
Contents
- 1 Best GarageBand Windows Alternatives Listed!
- 1.10 #10. PropellerHead Reason