I wouldn’t worry so much about cross platform. Mac users will have GarageBand and if they are recording their first song ever even their first ‘good’ song, they will almost assuredly be using GarageBand. They would be way outside of the norm if they chose something else.
Same with iOS users. You can make great songs on iOS GarageBand and that’s where newbie songwriters will go if they aren’t using Apple Music Memos first, which exports into GarageBand.
So I would limit choices to PC platform if I was you.
I would NOT recommend Reaper for first timers. It has far too much tweak ability up front if your purpose is to teach assembling a good song right from the start without having to go download a bunch of instrument plugins and to decide on templates and what not.
Cakewalk is an entire package. DAW and all the plugins you need and notation editing and entry and available to anyone, rather than requiring a BIAB purchase.
I assume that your goal is affecting the largest number of potential people new to DAW use, that want to make songs on their computer but have never done that before.
I don't want to start an argument either but RB has some quirks and is inconsistent for many of us. Some others have no issues but it is unpredictable for me. As soon as I finish the project I am working on, I will be learning something new.
+++ Audacity +++ is great if all you want is a free audio recorder. However be aware it is a waveform editor and not a DAW.
The BIG limitation with Audacity is that it does not work with midi. MIDI and computers go together like peanut butter and jelly. That's why Audacity is considered a waveform editor and not a DAW. Though you may not think so in the beginning that is a huge limitation.
The BIG plus is it is as simple as it gets if all you want and need is to be able to make any computer into a digital audio recorder and playback machine.
Anyone that has ever used a CD, DVD or DVR will instantly understand the transport controls. Delete, cut, copy and paste are as easy to use, and work the same, as a text editor or word processor.
Most of all, the program is rock solid. Audacity is very stable and crash resistant.
I’m planning on making a video that illustrates how EVERYBODY can make a song, a good song! My first problem now is, which daw should I use? GarageBand would be perfect if it was multiplatform, but it isn’t and I don’t want people to think that Apple is the way to go, if you wanna make music. I mainly use Ableton and so far my best alternative is the trial of Reaper. But please hit me op if you know some nice, creative, free or almost free daw that runs both Mac and win!
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you my issue has been solve
AND THERE IT IS..... Look at the signature. SPAMMER
Now...read the post carefully and see if it makes sense. In the context of the whole picture. It doesn't.
Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 02/23/1912:41 PM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I assume the original poster meant for 'good song' to be quality of sound recorded rather than quality of content. That said, DAW or OS platform is irrelevant to his objective to show that anyone can record a good song. Anyone and everyone wanting to record a good song will start recording songs with the equipment and software they own or have access to.
A DAW or computer is not required to make a good recording. Commercial releases were made in the 1990's with digital eight tracks like the Tascam DA-88. Alesis, Foxtex, Roland and other manufacturers made similar models. Some of that equipment is still around and useable today. It's entirely possible to make as high quality recordings with analog mixers into digital recorders as can be done with any DAW.
A beginner will likely make faster progress and better recordings starting off with simple digital recorders like the ones by Tascam and Zoom. A Tascam DP004, 006 or 008 are readily available used for less than $75. Especially if they know the equipment well and are adept at studio recording techniques and standards.
Both Presonus Studio One and ProTools have free DAW versions that are cross platform and are capable of commercial grade recording capability. They are similar to PGMusic's BIAB that the core is there and the paid versions provide more features and content. But the core is there and completely capable of outputting top quality sound.
I've been of the opinion for years that Bill Szymczyk could produce the Eagles using Radio Shack hardware and could obtain radio ready, commercial quality recordings. I say the same today using entry level, consumer grade equipment and software.
It's never the gear. It's always the people and the knowledge and skill they possess.
I had a post that showed an edit by Andrew, but to my knowledge, my content wasn't changed. I assume Andrew must have removed some comment a hacker added?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
That is so strange. My screen doesn't show Andrew's edit at all.
Hey Jim, it's not the original post you need to look at. It's that user's 2nd post about half way down the thread. Once you get there, you will see the edit.
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