Garageband vs Audacity vs FL Studio

[stevepappas452]

Hey guys, For a long time I have been looking for a music composing app. I am a beginner in composing and would like to try out a few songs. I have a Macbook Air at my place. Which is the best app for MAC if I want to compose music?

[Social Exodus]

Might want to look at this as well as whatever DAW you settle one.

https://www.finalemusic.com/

[EdGrip]

You sure chose the right forum for this question!

[Social Exodus]

You sure chose the right forum for this question!

be nice lol

[Oquasec]

Logic = FL Studio.
Garageband = Reaper.
Presonus = Steinberg.

[TheDragonborg]

Not Audacity for one... and well it technically can multitrack but it has no MIDI or realtime plugin support. So it's like a digital multitrack tape recorder that can only record one stereo track at a time.

But you are on a Reason forum so I would say go with that if you can afford it. It's one of the best DAWs to start out with cause so much is included to get you started.

[gullum]

well garageband is free I think so best way to get started but you can demo Reason for 30 days and that would be even better way to start

[hurricane]

If you just want to "try out" some apps, you already have Garageband, so start with that. Garageband will help you learn Logic. And once you become a little more advanced, move up to Logic for $199. You'll get so much high quality content for your money you won't even believe it. There are a lot of Logic users out there, so there are plenty of tutorials online. And then buy Reason to use the rack inside Logic.

[xboix]

Unless you need to put notes on staves then definitely, definitely start with GarageBand. Zero cost, very quick and fun. It's often dismissed as a bit of a toy but it's actually very capable. As hurricane says, Logic would be an obvious upgrade route from there.

Reason is great for many things but just middlin' for composition.

[EdGrip]

Don't forget the option of buying a physical thing: if you buy a keyboard controller (you'll need one) or an audio interface (you'll probably need one) - it will come with free software. Most come with a limited version of Ableton Live, some with a limited version of Cubase. The MOTU interface I just bought comes with a version of Digital Performer that is, from what I can tell, not very limited at all (I haven't installed it yet cos I've got enough DAWs to be getting on with!)

If you buy a Native Instruments controller or interface, it'll come with Native Instruments stuff. Etc.

This way, you get a piece of hardware you'll need sooner or later, and a useful version of a popular DAW to try out at your leisure, and keep for later.

My only other advice would be - DO try them out. I know the feeling of just wanting to pick something so you can get on with learning and making, but... Pick a shortlist of 5 or 6 DAWs, download the demos, and try one per night, for a week - or two weeks, even. You'll have a much better idea of which ones YOU connect with, than just looking at everyone's very slick websites full of photos of cool people making music.

Audacity isn't really a DAW.

[jamesa]

Hello,

If you are willing to stay with Mac, I would use Garageband (free) and if you like it and need more functionality buy Logic Pro X. Garageband is basically a simplified version of Logic Pro X. These are incredible programs.

Cheers