What is a good Affordable DAW?

[Alex!]

I’m about to get a laptop and my main use’s for it is to record music and school work, but Idk what daw is good and affordable to use. Any suggestions?

[BearBoy]

Reaper

[TagoMago]

If you're getting any kind of MacBook, then it already comes with Garageband (kind of the beginner's version of Logic) included. Then you can probably get a copy of Logic from a mate and you're sorted. As long as you've got an interface.

Non Mac? Anything you like - Reaper, Ableton, or whatever. Loads of options. Folks here will no doubt have their faves and be happy to advise you.

Best of luck with whatever you go for.

[Larry Mal]

If it's a Mac then Logic is a no-brainer. It's as good as anything if not better.

Reaper is a good alternative, I never got anywhere with it. FL Studio looks good.

[Futuron]

Yes, if you are with Apple, then use GarageBand for starters, or Logic. But for Windows, the basic version of Cakewalk is free and pretty good.

[JSett]

I have a Mac now but always used to use Windows based systems so I still use Reaper as that's what I'm used to.

I didn't get kinda pissed at them though as I bought a 'lifetime license' about a decade ago that they just recinded in 2023. No big deal as it just means you have a 4 second popup every time you boot it up, it's otherwise totally functional. And it's pretty simple.

[Steadyriot.]

+1 on Logic if Mac based.
Don’t forget student discounts! A few years back I got the whole Apple suite (Logic, Final cut et al) for like 200 bucks.

[Firecat]

I use and like Cubase, but I'd probably try Luna if I was starting over. It's free and looks good.

[øøøøøøø]

The best value in a DAW is easily Logic Pro if you have an Apple device.

I am not a Logic user, but for $199 it’s seriously overpowered for the price

It’s fairly clear that Apple treats it as a loss leader—I can’t imagine a product so fully-featured, well-implemented and well-supported being profitable when priced so far below its direct competitors.

If on PC, Reaper is probably your best bet, but it’s more of a typical “open source” experience (some like that, some don’t)

[Telliot]

I’ve been using Logic Pro for 20 years and am still amazed by what it offers, especially given the price.

[jthomas]

I refuse to buy software that requires a subscription or will be rendered obsolete by updates on a regular basis. I used Cakewalk before it was bought by BandLab. I tried using Audacity but is almost impossible to do sound on sound. But then I got Mixcraft. Link below. It exceeds my limited hobbyist use and was cheap. They have a 2-week free use available if you want to give it a try.

https://acoustica.com/products/mixcraft

[cestlamort]

Logic is some of the best $199 I've ever spent on music stuff.
The (free) upgrades have added value, as has being able to run it on multiple computers in our family group (or whatever Apple calls it). Garageband is more than decent, too, but I haven't touched it since we got Logic.

[GilmourD]

Reaper

This. Even if you pay for it, it's only $60.

[B.T.]

Reaper on Mac here. It’s completely customizable. I’ve added most of my favorite features from the other DAWs I’ve worked with over the years.

Ableton Live. I use it like an MPC for beats oriented stuff and take those stems over to Reaper for production and post.

[Jan Deal]

Another vote for Reaper. I use it on Mac and I have had no issues.

I am completely self taught, using online resources when I need to figure something out. Big shout out to Kenny Gioia for making a video on just about anything that you might want to do in Reaper!