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The emphasis is on FREE!

I have seen enough reviews to thoroughly confuse me.

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Cakewalk by BandLab is free. I used to pay hundreds for it when it was SONAR. it’s very powerful and among the easier DAWs to use.


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.
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Don that is a good suggestion from Matt. Bandlab is truly free, not free for a while and such.


HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Don,

Here are a few for you to check out. +++ Ardour +++ +++ Tracktion Waveform Free +++ +++ MultiTrack Studio +++

The MultiTrack Studio link is really interesting because the software includes a suite of general midi compatible instruments. Make sure you watch the +++ MutiTrack Studio Demonstration Video +++. It's really fun to watch.

+++ THIS +++ Wikipedia page is a good resource for comparing DAWs.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 7) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
Cakewalk by BandLab is free. I used to pay hundreds for it when it was SONAR. it’s very powerful and among the easier DAWs to use.


Matt,

Thank you for your prompt response. I d/l'd it but the installer appears to hang D/l'd again but the same problem. Just thought of something; I may have it installed previously.

Will scope that and report back.

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Got it!

Thanks, Matt, and all who threw out a lifeline.

See why I love this little "family"?

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Very good. After I created the BandLab account, I never used it except to download updates. But Cakewalk is great. Many here know and use it.


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.
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Yeah Jim put me on to BandLab and gave me a video so I could work out how to hook the Biab Plugin up to play midi:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/584qgofck4607e3/BandLab-BiabVST-Midi-Out.mp4?dl=0

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Yes, I spent a fortune on Cakewalk/Sonar products over the years then Gibson bought them, they went kaput, BandLab acquired Cakewalk and have been providing updates regularly. Very powerful software with lots of bells and whistles, not too hard to learn and FREE. Wow.


My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
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Originally Posted By: etcjoe
Yes, I spent a fortune on Cakewalk/Sonar products over the years then Gibson bought them, they went kaput, BandLab acquired Cakewalk and have been providing updates regularly. Very powerful software with lots of bells and whistles, not too hard to learn and FREE. Wow.


Joe,

Thanks,

I downloaded Bandlab about a week ago and I am using it now. It looks like everything I'll ever need in a DAW and FREE is important to a retired guy.

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Reaper immediately comes to mind - I've never used it personally but heard good things, considering it's free.


Cheers,
Deryk
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Originally Posted By: Deryk - PG Music
Reaper immediately comes to mind - I've never used it personally but heard good things, considering it's free.


Deryk,

Thank you for tossing out a lifeline. I downloaded Reaper and Bandlab. Will experiment and decide.

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There are users of each here, so you will have some support.


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.
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Thank you, Matt.

Looks like Reaper is Trialware for 30-days.

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I thought after 30 days it will start with a 10sec wait then "Continue Evaluation ?"
I could integrate it with Biab and BiabPlugin because it uses scripting you can get it to do just about anything without the need to wish for years for a feature to be added.

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I don't use Reaper, but I agree with Pipeline. I've read that after their trial period, you get a nag notice upon startup, but it's still free to use and not hobbled. Of course if you continue to use it, ethically you should register and pay.


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.
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In my experience Reaper does not force you to buy.
It will ask, and trusts that its value causes enough users to buy it voluntarily (many of us here have) .. but you can keep using it for free, as far as I know.
I've never heard of anybody being cut off using it.

If concerned about it, ask them privately and explain your situation. They seem pretty reasonable to me, and would probably offer a license. Nothing to lose by talking to them.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Hi,

Magix Samplitude have a free full version of Samplitude Pro X4 Silver.

https://www.magix.com/us/support/pro-audio-downloads/

Once installed just register for full serial key.

It is limited to 12 Tracks but accepts third party VSTi's and VST effects plus has it's own effects and the Independence 2GB sample library.

Well worth a try.

Brian

Last edited by Brian Cadoret; 05/14/20 01:40 AM.

Brian Cadoret
BIAB 2025 Pro build 1125e with BIAB2023 UltraPAK . Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio
Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett
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Installed RAM 8.00 GB


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Bandlab? Never got past the first page of commercial gubbins.So much c--p on the page I just couldn't find out how to just open the DAW. Good luck.


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True, the BandLab app looked like nonsense to me, but the Cakewalk part does not have ads.


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.
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PG Music News
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