Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
D
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
D
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
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! smile

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
From my perspective it really depends on how far you want to go and how much time you are prepared to spend developing product knowledge and designing your work flow.

Reaper is very powerful with a huge user base and heaps of useful tutorials, particularly the stuff by Kenny Gioia. Cakewalk by BandLab is really great also once again there is a fair bit to learn and a lot of useful information with a huge user base.

They are two DAWs that I tend to use I have looked at others but am happy with these. Lately I tend to use Reaper for most stuff.

Either way whatever you decide if you go into correctly you’ll learn heaps. Funny stuff knowledge, sometimes hard to acquire but usually easy to carry.

Have fun

Tony

Edit: Forgot to add Cakewalk by BandLab is free, Reaper is US$60 but cheap at half the price.


Last edited by Teunis; 02/14/19 11:52 PM.

HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 745
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 745
How about Audacity? It is free and easy to use.

https://www.audacityteam.org/

...Deb

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Audacity is free and it does have its uses I often look at stuff in Audacity but I would not describe Audacity as a full blown DAW. There are many things a good DAW can do that Audacity (to me as least) seems very limited at.

Editing audio for video can be fairly easily achieved in Cakewalk or Reaper as I understand it.

My thoughts

Tony


HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Cakewalk Free download and support.

https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk


win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 .
https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
It's my understanding that Reaper and Cakewalk are good for this, but I can't speak too much on how well they work - I've never used either. I've heard positive things though.


Cheers,
Deryk
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
He asked for a DAW that works on both a PC and a Mac. Cakewalk is PC only but Reaper will work in both OSes.


I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!


64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Originally Posted By: denmark77
I’m planning on making a video that illustrates how EVERYBODY can make a song, a good song!


Check out this guy's blog. He does videos like that all the time. That should give you some good ideas.

Recording Revolution Blog




Steve

BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
I would have thought it would be obvious......

Real Band. It's a DAW, it's got a ton of useful features, you just have to take the time to learn them, and...... you already have it if you have Band In A Box.


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.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
I would have thought it would be obvious......

Real Band. It's a DAW, it's got a ton of useful features, you just have to take the time to learn them, and...... you already have it if you have Band In A Box.


At the risk of starting yet another argument I would not put RB in the same league as Cakewalk by BandLab which is also free. I tried RB and to get a workflow like I had in Sonar, Reaper or any of the other DAWs I have used. I found RB laking in functionality. Things like the channel strips in Cakewalk or all the plugins that come with Reaper.

Sorry RB loses for me in the DAWs stakes.

Tony


HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
Originally Posted By: Teunis
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
I would have thought it would be obvious......

Real Band. It's a DAW, it's got a ton of useful features, you just have to take the time to learn them, and...... you already have it if you have Band In A Box.


At the risk of starting yet another argument I would not put RB in the same league as Cakewalk by BandLab which is also free. I tried RB and to get a workflow like I had in Sonar, Reaper or any of the other DAWs I have used. I found RB laking in functionality. Things like the channel strips in Cakewalk or all the plugins that come with Reaper.

Sorry RB loses for me in the DAWs stakes.

Tony



And I totally agree with you. No question. But the OP was looking for a reasonably good DAW for free. He already has RB.

I don't consider RB to be a full featured DAW but it does a good job if you're short of money for one of the big names.

Yeah... I've been a Cakewalk user and still am.... Sonar X1. Love it. But.... I'm also seeing where lots of people are having issues with BLCW. I was considering the jump but decided to stay with my "works perfectly" X1.


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.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Again guys he is looking for a cheap or free DAW that runs on both Win and Mac OSs.


I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!


64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Following

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
At US$60 I consider Reaper really cheap for what you get and it will run on both. Functionality wise I think Reaper is right up there. However, learning wise there is a bit of work.

Tony


HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Probably Reaper. Reaper runs on a PC or a Mac, the price is right, and there are a lot of folks here (not me) who use it if you need help integrating it with BIAB.


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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
D
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
D
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
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! smile

_____________________________________________________________________________________


Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 02/23/19 12:39 PM. Reason: spam
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
If one googles/bings free daws that work in both mac and win oss you will find a few. Note that I have no experience with any of these but the price is right so you could DL them and decide if one is OK for you.


I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!


64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 115
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 115
I recently started using Cakewalk from bandlab. I'm really liking it and it's free.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Cakewalk by BandLab is just SONAR reborn and as such it’s very good, but it isn’t available for a Mac.


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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,819
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,819


Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,393
Posts778,632
Members39,645
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
daveg68, snares33, The Jam Shop, Hyke, bestbushcraft
39,644 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 133
DC Ron 111
WaoBand 104
rsdean 84
dcuny 82
BYOBand 66
Today's Birthdays
sanityblues
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5